A New Love

Eight

I walked around my room picking up the dirty clothes that had accumulated on the floor. It was laundry day and I didn't want to miss anything that needed to be washed.

On that note, I crouched down and took a look under my bed just in case. Sure enough, I reached in and dragged out a pair of shorts and a sock. I didn't want to know how they got under there.

I threw them into my hamper. "I think that's it," I muttered to myself. I grabbed my detergent and fabric softener and walked into the hall.

Harry was in his bedroom listening to music and presumably editing photos.

I made sure that the front door wasn't locked and headed down to the washer and dryers.

They were located on the first floor so I pushed the button on the elevator and waited for the doors to close. There wasn't anyone in the laundry room when I got there, which I appreciated. I didn't feel like making small talk.

I started throwing my clothes in the wash just as someone else walked in. I glanced behind me and smiled at Harry. "Well, what a coincidence."

He placed his clothing down on one of the counters. "I was wondering where you ran off to."

"Good thing it's just us or there wouldn't be any washers and dryers left for you."

"I better put my clothes in quick, then. Before someone walks in."

I slid the quarters in the machine and waited for the water to rise enough for me to throw in some detergent.

I watched Harry dump all his clothes in the washer.

I shook my head. "I'll see you upstairs," I told him when I finished.

"I'll be there," he grunted as he properly loaded his clothes inside.

To kill some time, I sat in the living room watching Criminal Minds.

Harry came in and plopped on the couch next to me, pulling out his phone before settling his eyes on the television.

I laughed as everyone on the plane looked at Spencer like he was crazy after spouting off some random facts. He was my favorite character, hands down.

"What other shows do you watch?" Harry asked.

"Oh, quite a few. The Flash, Supergirl, Jane the Virgin, NCIS, Superstore, the Office, South Park, iZombie, Grownish. I'm sure there are others, but it's hard to keep up with them. Especially during the school year."

Harry whistles. "Well, damn. That's a good variety."

"What about you?"

"I watch some of those shows. The Office, The Flash. Also, Bob's Burgers. I'm more into movies."

"Do you have a favorite movie?"

"I don't think so. I have a favorite genre though. Thrillers and horror."

"Yeah, I really like scary movies." The alarm on my phone rings and I stand. "Time to dry my clothes."

"Want me to pause the show?"

"Nah, I've seen a lot of these episodes already."

About thirty minutes later, I took out my clothes and piled them onto the counter to fold them, placing each article into my hamper. I was careful to deftly chuck my underwear and bras into it while Harry wasn't looking.

He sat on the counter next to me as he waited for his clothes to finish drying.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow morning?" he suddenly asked.

"You mean, besides sleeping?"

He chuckled. "Yes, besides that."

"I don't think so. Why?"

"I wanted to go on a hike and take pictures of the sunrise," he told me. "The path is not too bad."

"You want me to wake up before the sun does?" I asked deadpan.

"Yeah."

"Is there anything in it for me?"

"You can see nature at its finest?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, but made up my mind. I had never done that before. But I had always wanted to be the kind of girl who wakes up early to exercise. "Sure. Why not?"

His eyes widened. "Really?"

I folded a pair of shorts and placed it into my hamper. "Don't act so surprised."

He swung his legs. "I was sure you'd need more convincing. I was prepared to offer you a free breakfast."

"Oh, don't worry. We're still doing that. Make sure to wake me up, though. I have a habit of hitting snooze on my alarm multiple times."

"Will do."

***

I turned off my blaring alarm at five in the morning, dropping my head back on my pillow and regretting ever agreeing to the hike.

I didn't want to be an early-morning-hiking type of girl. Sleeping in was my calling.

Maybe if I fell back asleep, Harry would go without me.

There was a knock at my door and it inched open. "Y/N?" Harry whispered.

"I'm up," I mumbled. "Just let me close my eyes for a few minutes."

"You told me not to let you do that because you're going to end up going back to sleep," he reminded me.

Oh, yeah. I should have kept my mouth shut. I was my own worst enemy. I pushed myself up. "I hate myself."

"We should hurry. The sun rises at 6:13."

"Don't tell me what to do," I groaned. "Let me change."

"I'll wait in the living room."

When I finished, we walked down to his car and started the drive. I closed my eyes during the ride over and did not open them until we came to a stop.

We got out and I made sure to grab my red drawstring backpack full of my water bottle, hat, sunglasses, and a snack.

I wasn't much of a talker this early in the morning so we set on the path in silence.

"The top of the hill is almost ahead," Harry informed me about twenty-minutes into our journey.

"Cool," I panted. Definitely not the hiking type.

We had about fifteen minutes until the sun started rising. I could already see the sky slightly start to lighten.

All this exercise had fully woken me up, getting my blood pumping. Maybe this wasn't such a bad thing after all.

My optimism was short-lived. All kinds of plants rubbed against my legs and I regretted not wearing pants. I didn't even want to think about the bugs that were out here. To make matters worse, I slipped on a small patch of loose dirt that had my life flash before my eyes.

Luckily Harry was close enough to catch me before I did something stupid like break a bone on a beginner hiking trail. Alex wouldn't be surprised, though. I've been known to bruise my tailbone once or twice.

"We're here," Harry announced as the ground leveled off. He blew out a breath and turned on his camera, turning to me with a smile on his face.

I returned it. A sense of accomplishment washed over me. "Just in time."

The sun slowly peeked out of the horizon and brilliant colors painted the sky. A breeze blew around us, cooling down my body.

I blocked out the shutter sounds from Harry's camera and focused on the sun. What a great way to start the day.