The New Girl

Chapter 23-Holmes Chapel

"Why not?"I asked him.

"You might not like what you hear!"Harry said,exasperated.

"You know something I don't,Harry.What is it?"I said.

"Well....I don't think you should go.I mean,what if she died,or maybe she disowned you or something..."Harry rubbed his neck.

"Here,"I rummaged in my bag and pulled out the slightly crumpled card."Read this."

He quickly read the card and handed it back to me without another word."Well?"I asked him.

"Well....I know her."It's funny how three little words can do so much,like,"I love you" or "I am pregnant" or "We are over" or anything.Three little words can either make you be happy or fall to the ground."I know her" made me sit on the couch of the Styles' living room.

"You...you know her?"

"She was my babysitter.She'd take care of me while my parents were out.Gemma and I loved her like she was a mother to us."Harry said.

"Oh." was all I could say."Will you take me to see her?"

"I dunno,Amanda...I mean,the last time I saw her she was sick."

"But we'll look,right?We'll go!We-"

"Amanda."Harry held me.His hands on my shoulders."I don't think it's a wise idea."

"I have the right to see my mother!Just take me there.Or I'll go myself!"I snapped.I stomped outside.I went back inside my house and grabbed my bag,filled with my phone,some money,a book and some sweets.I rushed out and got to the nearest train station.

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I sat at the window seat.I felt nervous and giddy and lonely and afraid.What will I say when I meet her?Should I jump in joy or cry?I wish someone was here with me,maybe Riley but then I'd have     to tell her.Mum and Dad aren't really my favourite people right now.And what will I see?My mother,alive and healthy?In the letter,she said she was sick.I sighed and leaned into my seat.

"Is this seat taken?"A familiar voice asked.I looked up.

"Harry?"

He grinned."Yeah,it's me.Who else would it be?"

I smiled.I do have a companion now."But...why did you come?"

"Aw c'mon,Amanda!I have a few reasons..One,you're my girlfriend.Two,I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you.Three,I'd like to see my old babysitter too.And four,because I'd rather be here with you than at home,waiting for you."

I laughed."How charming."And he kissed me.

"I'd never leave you,Amanda Steel."

"Gosh I love you,Harry Styles."I winked at him.

"Allons-y!"He said.

"What does that mean?"

"It means 'let's go' in French."

"You speak French?"

He smirked."I speak the language of love."

"Oh please."

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After nearly three hours onboard the train,we finally arrived.We had to walk a bit but we got around nearing the town.

"If I remember correctly,her house is....that way!"Harry said.

"Are you sure,Harry?"I asked.

"As sure as can be!"

"And...how sure is that?"

"Um...about 50 percent sure..."

"Oh my god,Harry!"I cried.

"Relax,relax,we'll find it."He said.I think he was reassuring himself more than me.

"How about domestic approach?"I asked.

"What?"He said,obviously confused.

"Ask the neighbors,people on the street...Ooh look!That bakery!Hungry,are you?"I pointed at the bakery across the street.

"Oh,yes.Sure!Hold on.I worked there before."

"Really?Cool!Let's go!"

We held hands,careful not to let go.We crossed the street and entered the bakery.It's quiet around here.Barely anyone in the bakery.Just a couple,eating a Red Velvet slice,and an old lady,sitting quietly at the window.

"Hi,we'd like two millionaire shortbreads."Harry ordered.

"What's that?"I asked.

"Trust me,you'll love it."

We sat in a booth.We were silent,but it felt like we were conversing without speaking.It's only until our food arrived that we started a plan.

"So...we could ask anyone around here,see if she's around,if not,we leave."Harry said.

"What,no sightseeing in your hometown?"

"No use,your parents might flip out and call the police."

"Oh,except that they're not my parents."I muttered.

"But they're still your legal guardians."

I sighed."Fine."

"What are we waiting for?Let's go!"He grabbed his leather jacket and left a ten pound note on the table.

"Keep the change."I heard him say.

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 We walked around,asking for Elsa Smith,my biological mother."In a small town like this,how can no one know your mother?"Harry complained.

I shrugged.We approached a lady who appears to be in her sixties."Excuse me,ma'am,"I said.She turned around and smiled.

"Yes,dearie?"

"Do you know anyone by the name of Elsa Smith?"Harry asked.

The lady's smile faltered."I'm afraid she's too...sick to meet you social worker youngsters."Her voice turned cold.

"We're not social workers.I'm her daughter,Amanda."I pressed.

"Don't be silly,she has no daughter."She let out a short,hysterical laugh.

"Nana!!Nana where are you?"I heard a voice yell out in the distance.I looked at Harry in confusion as the lady wandered towards the voice.

A figure was seen running towards us."Nana I told you not to wander off like that!"A girl,probably twenty years of age grabbed the lady's hand.

She seemed to finally notice us as she said,"I'm sorry about my grandma.She's having arthritis and I'm scared if I wasn't there to help her."She flustered."I'm Emma,by the way."

"Hi,I'm Harry and this is Amanda.We're looking for Elsa Smith?Is she still living here?"Harry asked Emma.

"Elsa Smith?Oh yeah,she lives over there.House number 5."She pointed to a row of houses.

"Okay,thanks!"I said.We quickly walked towards the direction she pointed.

"Wait."Harry grabbed my hand.I looked at him in confusion.

"What?"

"Are you sure you want-"

"Harry."I faced him,taking a deep breath."I'm positive I want to do this.It's my mother and I have the rights to meet her."

He let my hand go."Okay."

We walked away in silence.Finally,we arrived at house number 5.The garden was filled with beautiful blooming flowers of every color imaginable.There was a swing set but it looked abandoned.The house looked a bit deserted.Nevertheless,I walked up to the door.

My hand hesitated at the knocker.Do you really want to do this?I wondered.

I knocked on the door.Once,twice.The door was opened a crack."Who's there?"