mockingbird ; h.s

year four

age: 9

victoria woke up the next morning, hating that she had to go to school. she got out of bed with a sigh, trudging to her wardrobe. victoria was finally old enough to pick out her own clothes, which was the highlight of her morning. she took down a hanger with a light blue shirt that was covered with floral print, and paired it with some capris she got last year. her mother taught her how to do different hairstyles, so today she put it in a cute side ponytail.

harry was dressed and ready, waiting on the porch of victoria's door for her to come outside. they had to get to the bus stop by 7:30 and it was 7:20 right now. harry groaned, but stayed in his spot. he waited for victoria every day this year, and he wasn't going to stop that tradition. finally, victoria walked outside. harry noticed that her backpack looked fuller than usual and that she was having quite a hard time carrying it.

"let me hold it until we get on the bus." harry offered, taking the heavy weight off her shoulders. victoria smiled and thanked him, walking side by side to the bus stop. right when they got there, the bus arrived. if they were another minute late, they would've missed the bus. not like they're complaining, they hated school.

"i hate mondays." victoria sighed. harry looked over at her and laughed.

"say it like you mean it! i hate mondays!" harry shouted over everyone's loud voices, silencing the bus almost immediately. everyone just brushed it off, used to his outbursts.

"i'm not as stupid as you to scream, 'i hate mondays' on a crowded bus, thank you very much." she teased, playfully rolling her eyes at her best friend. on the inside she wasn't laughing or smiling, though. four years ago from today her father left, and every year harry has been able to spend the night. she is worried since it's a school night, their parents won't allow harry to spend the night.

"hey, are you okay? you're being quiet." harry asked, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. harry knew what today was, but he wasn't worried about it being a school night. harry's mom already told him that victoria has to spend the night at his house because her mother has to work the night shift. "is it because tonight?" victoria looked down and nodded, feeling sort of embarrassed. it didn't help when harry chuckled to his self, only making her cheeks turn slightly pink.

"my mom said you can spend the night already, your mom is dropping your stuff off as we speak." harry told her. victoria was happy to hear this. she loved when they hung out on this day, every year. not only because victoria enjoyed harry's comfort, but because their song. the song harry sings her every year, the song that gives victoria hope, the song that lets victoria know that everything well be okay in the end. sure, she could ask harry to sing it any day of the week, but it's just not the same. it doesn't have the same effect on her.

~

after school, the bus stopped in front of harry's house. victoria and harry did their homework on the bus, so they had the rest of the night free of work. gemma and anne were sitting on the front porch, like they usually do on beautiful days like these. there was a tray of lemonade sitting on the side table.

"hey, kids. want some lemonade?" anne asked, both kids nodding. she poured two small glasses and handed them it.

"thank you." they said. victoria slowly sipped hers, but harry was so thirsty that he couldn't help but chug the whole glass in about five seconds. harry hasn't had anything to drink today, being that he gave victoria his juice at lunch. she forgot her water at home, and he felt bad that she didn't have anything and gave her his drink. it was a sweet gesture to a lot of the older kids at their school, but to them it was just harry being nice.

"how was school?" gemma asked, taking a sip of her lemonade.

"it was so much fun! in art, we were allowed to sculpt anything we wanted to with clay! i made a turtle!" victoria said, excitement evident in her face.

"i made a terrible lion." harry mumbled, crossing his arms across his chest. victoria frowned at harry.

"i thought your lion was beautiful, it was very realistic." she told him, giving him a smile. harry was trying hard not to let her know how much her compliment meant to him, but he couldn't help but the smile making its way to harry's face.

"aww, victoria! you made your boyfriend smile!" gemma teased, causing both victoria and harry to groan and anne to laugh. harry glared at gemma, victoria just standing there with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"we're going inside." harry mumbled under his breath, grabbing victoria's wrist gently and dragging her inside the house, leaving his family outside to laugh.

"they are so annoying!" harry groaned, falling down onto his bed, his face buried into his comforter. victoria giggled, jumping onto his bed and sitting with her legs crossed. harry looked up, a playful glare on his face. "what are you laughing at?"

"oh, nothing." victoria lied, biting on the inside of her cheek to hold back any more giggles. she couldn't hold it in anymore, and just fell back onto the bed laughing for no reason. victoria didn't know what was so funny, probably because of harry's ridiculous behavior.

"you are one strange girl." harry said, shaking his head with a grin. "what do you want to do?" harry asked her.

"i don't know, what do you want to do?" she repeated his question. harry thought about it for a bit.

"how about we just talk?" harry suggested. victoria nodded, patting the spot next to her.

for three hours, they talked, and talked. no certain topic, just whatever came to their minds. school, food, television shows, movies. harry didn't care though. he loved to keep victoria occupied on days like this. as long as she doesn't think of her father, harry knows that he is doing his job as a best friend.

~

it was bed time, and both kids were laying in harry's bed. harry had a slightly larger bed and could fit both harry and victoria. as soon as the lights went off, victoria turned towards harry.

"thank you." victoria whispered to harry. harry furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, unsure of why victoria was thanking him.

"for what?" harry asked, pulling the covers up a bit so they cover victoria completely.

"being my best friend. you have been so supportive, so nice, so caring these past four years. it's unbelievable of how perfect of a best friend you are. i always wished i would find a friend who would understand me, and would care for me. i guess wishes do come true." victoria explained, scooting closer.

"you don't have to thank me, victoria. it's my job as your best friend to care for you. i love you, victoria." harry whispered. neither kids thought nothing of an 'i love you'. to them it was an innocent gesture, like with family.

"i love you too." she whispered back. "now sing." she demanded, scooting into his arms. both kids were extremely tired, but harry wasn't going to not sing. he had to, it was a tradition.

"hush little baby don't you cry, everything's gonna be alright. stiffen that upper lip up, little lady, i told ya' i am here to hold ya through the night." harry noticed how Victoria's eyes were already closed, and soft snores were leaving her parted lips, but that didn't stop him from finishing the song. "and your daddy's not here right now and we don't know why, we feel how we feel inside. it might seem a little crazy, but i know daddy's gon' be alright." harry brought his lips to victoria's forehead, leaving a small kiss before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.