The Aftermath

Getting To Know You

A/N First off, thank you all for reading my first story. Comments and criticism are always welcome. A vote never hurt either. <3 You all are wonderful people.

Any advice on my story? Do you like longer or shorter chapters (about how many pages)?

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June 6th, 1940

A smile came to my lips, trying to stifle a laugh from coming out of my mouth at a stupid joke Harry made to Tommy. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop on their conversation but it's kind of hard not to do when you are sitting alone with them and no one else to fill the void. I fiddled with a loose patch of flowers on my dress, keeping my head down.

"So Tommy, any other siblings I should know about," Harry asked. Tommy nodded and gave a closed-mouth smile.

"Evangeline. She's eleven years old. Blonde and pale, unlike the rest of us. I swear she is adopted sometimes but I remember her birth." Tommy gave a shudder in disgust remembering the day our mother gave birth. I chuckled. He was only 7 at the time. "Her birthday is next week."Hard to believe she'll be another year older." He smiled and Harry chuckled.

"So Sara," My head shot up in confusion. Why was he talking to me? "As stunning as you are, you are with someone, right? Probably someone kind of book smart?" I laughed.

I wasn't confident enough to ask someone out like I wanted. Yes, I admired men from afar but I never moved on those emotions. I was too shy to. I blushed and brushed a strand of hair behind my ears. "Um, ha. No. I'm not. I prefer it that." That was definitely a lie but I wasn't going to make him believe he had a chance. But he also didn't take me as the kind to stop at no.

"Hmm. That sounds nice. Someone will change that for you one day." He winked. "I promise." My heart skipped a beat at the words coming from his mouth. I didn't think it would ever happen. I didn't see myself as the girl to get the guy she wants. Just as the girl who would end up living alone with cats or something. I gave him a smile and a slight shrug of the shoulders.

"Tommy, I think it's time for us to go." I got up straightening my dress once again, be sure to cover everything.

"Really, Sara? Why already? We've hardly been here an hour." He looked concerned.

"An hour is long enough. I think mom would like to get to spend time with you. Harry has been with you for the past ten days. That's plenty of time I think." Tommy sighed and got up, giving in to leaving.

"I'll see you later Tom." Harry gave a wave and another wink to me. I rolled my eyes but blushed a little and giggled. He wasn't bad looking. he was, dare I say, hot.

We walked out of Millie's and I sighed. Maybe that was a little rude to leave the conversation like. We walked for about a minute before I stopped. "Tommy I have to go back. That was awfully rude of me and I feel the need apologize." Tommy chuckled and nodded at me to go ahead. I, quickly as possible, ran back to Millie's and barged in the door, finding Harry just laying some money on the counter. I approached him and he grinned.

"Well if it isn't Miss Hensley coming back to see me." I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"Look, Harry, I wanted to apologize for leaving like that. It was very rude." I intertwined my fingers and twirled my thumbs around each other looking down at my boots.

"Oh, no. You're okay "Rose"." He laughed as I looked up quickly.

"What did you just call me," I questioned. "Don't call me that. Only my family calls me that."

Harry held his hand up in surrender. "Woah, hey. I'm sorry. Don't punch me now." That was enough for both of us to get untensed and laugh it off.

"Okay. Well, I've got to go before Tommy gets too far ahead." I looked at the clock. Ten minutes had already passed and I knew he would already be more than halfway home. there was no way I could catch up with him.

"Please let me at least walk you home," Harry smirked. "Pretty girl like you shouldn't walk home alone." I sighed and knew if I told him no, he was just going to insist until I gave up.

"Fine." I headed for the door but he beat me to it and opened the door for me. Damn those long legs of his. I walked out and stayed near the stores along the street. Harry insisted on staying on the outside of the sidewalk, closest to the street. I swished my dress back and forth. I was bored out of my mind with all this silence. I broke it finally.

"Did your dad go in the military?" It was something off the top of my head and I hoped it wasn't a bad question to ask.

"Well, no. He always wanted to but because of medical reasons, he couldn't. But the real reason I wanted to join the military is because it's my right, correct? I should want to serve for my country again. I will gladly volunteer to fight for this country again. I will sacrifise anything I have to go back and fight for my country." He shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled. "Don't get me wrong, war sucks. People die. Sometimes it's because a bomb blew up. Sometimes it's because they got caught in the crossfire but it's completely accidental and it's your fault. Some just commit suicide too. Those were the worst to see. They stripped out of their uniforms and just dove into the waves, hoping the water would fill their lungs. They knew they wouldn't make it back home. Or at least that's what he thought." Harry sighed, watching his step. "So Tommy had nightmares, huh?"

I could tell he didn't want to talk about it, switching subjects so fast. I nodded in understandment and agreement. "Yes. Those cries were terrifying and gave me a massive headache. But I'll take hearing the cries over not having home and worrying sick about him." I half smiled and so did Harry.

"Sounds like you genuinely love your brother." He chuckled. "My sister told me, "Hazza you would've been a bigger hero had you died at war." He shook his head laughing. I don't see how he took that so lightly. I gasped.

"That's so mean. I would've rather lost the war and had you come back home alive than to not have you back ever. You know, if you were my brother." I placed my hand gently on his arm in sympathy. That brought a slight redness to his cheeks.

"Well thanks Sara." He smiled. "So if you don't mind me asking, why does your family call you Rose?"

I grinned. "My nan used to call me Rose. It stuck when she passed a few years ago. Almost five years now. My sister kept it going and then my brother did it as a joke. It kind of grew on me. I even used the name in school a lot." I sighed remembering Patricia. She was the nicest lady. "Nan Patty used to ask my to draw her a pretty flower and it was always a rose. So she stuck with it."

"That's truly sweet." Harry beamed. "Sara, I know we've only met but you're truly amazing. Most girls just want to jump a military man's bones and leave him alone." He chuckled and so did I. "Would you care to go on a date with me?" He questioned and it took me back a little. I blushed looking down and giggled.

"That's the first time I've actually ever been asked out on a date." I brushed hair behind my ear again and looked up. We were turning onto my street.

"Is it really? I'm truly shocked. I figured you would've had every guy practically drooling over you in school." I laughed.

"Yeah right Harry. Do you see me?" I giggled, motioning to my whole person. "No guy wants to deal with this."

He rolled his eyes. "So yes or no to this date?" I opened the gate to our building. I hummed a little, thinking about the decision I had to make. Would I really let him take me on a date?