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twenty three

Things were alright at the moment. Alright was the only way to really describe it because things could be better but I knew they could be way worse. There was a lot of tension between Pearl and I. She hated that I was with Harry, and that I was as serious about him as I was. She really had grown to dislike him and it was the root of her anger towards me. I tried not letting it get to me and I tried to ignore it. I was still able to hold a conversation without it being an issue but Pearl always felt the need to steer me away from Harry. All because someone she knew had a bad history with him. You would think she would value the opinion of her life long friend over a work friendship. It was pushing me away more than anything and I knew that I needed to find a new place to live or it was going to ruin our friendship.

Harry was also at the hospital visiting with his dad most of the time. I came with him whenever I had time and whenever he needed me, but I never wanted to force it. If he needed me, I would be there but I also knew this was going to be a time where he needed space. Things weren't looking too good for him and he was really worried. He wasn't ready for the level of loss and stress this was going to put on his family and I couldn't blame him. As much as he disagreed with his Dad, he was the root of so much love in his family. Now more than ever I was hearing good stories that Harry had with his father. I was worried for him. The moment that his father passes away I know that a piece of Harry will die with him but also a piece of him will be set free from all the standards his father has put onto him. 

There was also a lot of good to this and I had to look to the bright side of all the stress that was going on in my life. I had gotten closer to Harry and his sister during this time, the majority of my time was spent with the two of them. I felt closer to them than I did my own best friend and roommate. I had also got a new job at a coffee shop a few blocks away from our apartment. It wasn't the ideal job. I wanted to work somewhere that I felt passionate but it was good enough for now. The pay was really good too, giving me hope that I would be able to save up enough money to find my own place sooner rather than later. 

I was currently spending a lot of time over at Harry's house. I had stopped bringing him to Pearl's apartment and I had started to stay with him. His frat house wasn't ideal but it was good enough. I would rather be somewhere where I knew he was welcome than somewhere where he wasn't. 

"How was work?", he asked as I pulled up to his house and he got into the passenger seat.

"Fine. It was work."

"I have a question for you."

"Ask", I told him. He was oddly smiley right now, which surprised me considering he had been rather sad recently. I was really hoping for some good news from him in this moment.

"You have tomorrow off and my dad is doing alright. I was wondering if you want to take a trip somewhere for a night, rent a hotel room, and just escape from everything that has been going on the past week or so. I know I need to just relax and get away from everything but I don't want to do it with out you. We can leave your car here and I'll drive if you want."

A romantic, little getaway with Harry sounded perfect. A hotel room for just the two of us to do whatever we wanted, with no people around. My physical relationship with Harry had only been growing in the past week. I felt like the only thing stopping us from finally having sex was the fact that people were always around. This was going to finally happen.

"Of course!"

"I'll drive, I already have a bag packed inside and a hotel picked out", he got out of my car and ran back inside. I began to gather the few things that I needed from my car and wait outside of his car for him to come back. He ran back out with the most excited smile on his face.

"Thank you", he grabbed my face and began to kiss me, more excited and urgent than he ever had before. 

On the way to the apartment, Harry went over all the amenities that our hotel had and all the exciting things we could do near by the hotel. There was suppose to be a lot of beautiful nature and a lot of shopping. He wanted there to be a lot of things for the both of us to do that we both enjoyed. It made my heart swell to think about all the little things he did for me and all the things he thought to do just for me. 

When I got to the apartment, Pearl was in her room and had walked out to greet me. It almost seemed like everyone time I showed up to the apartment she was waiting there for me, to talk about something, and to kill my mood. 

"Can we talk?", she asked, just like she did every time. 

"Sure", I walked into my room and pulled out a nice sized bag to fit all of the things I thought I would need for a short getaway.  I also picked out an outfit to change into that I felt like was better fitted for a short drive and arrival at a hotel. I didn't want to have a lot of things, Harry only brought a backpack, but I knew I wanted something nice to wear if Harry and I were going to have sex for the first time

"I feel like you are mooching off of me.

"Why do you say that? I buy the groceries."

" I pay rent and wifi and utilities, you buy groceries every two weeks. Doesn't seem fair now does it."

"I did offer to pay for anything, you told me I didn't have to. Did you change your mind?", I did see where it looked like I was mooching off of her but I had offered countless times to help and she never wanted it. It seemed like now that we were disagreeing on things, she wanted anything to disagree about. 

"Where are you going?", she asked changing the topic.

"Harry and I are staying at a hotel for the night", I zipped up my bag after throwing in my phone charger and a few make up essentials before heading to the door so I could guide Pearl out of it and change into my other clothes.

"Couples go on vacations together after months of being together, ya know. This is kind of fast", she kind of shouted from the other side of the door. I threw on a new, clean bra and a hoodie over it, then putting on clean underwear and yoga pants before opening the door to her.

"We are serious about each other, Pearl, and it's not a vacation. It's just one night."

"It's fast is all I'm saying. You really jumped into a relationship fast after your break up, a relationship with someone you barely know."

"Don't worry about me mooching off of you anymore, planning on moving out as soon as possible anyway", I said rushing out the door, not letting her get another word in.