Sunnyvale H.S

4

The walls in Harry's room were much nicer than those in Dr. Hiddleston's.

He had multiple books in the corner on  a bookshelf, all lined in neat rows, one after the other. Soft white glows emitted from the fairy lights lining the room, and various miniature plants were placed around the room. The walls were painted a deep crimson colour and the back wall were his chair was positioned was a light shade of grey.

His room was a lot more welcoming than Dr. Hiddlestons. Grace wondered what his name actually was. He looked like a James to her, yet she was probably a mile off. His room made her feel uneasy. It was almost clinical. Kelson used to have pictures scattered along the walls from previous years or summer activities they had done together. The walls were empty and plain white now. Everything was clean and spotless in that room. It made her feel uneasy.

"Here you are."

Harry handed Grace a small mug and sat down beside her. She thanked him and held the cup between her palms. She peered into the cup and saw hot chocolate swirling around inside.

"Is he really bad?" Harry asked placing his own mug down.

"I don't think he's the issue. He's lovely, awfully professional but lovely overall."

"But.."

"I miss him Harry."

Tears started to form in the corner of her eyes. She didn't know why she felt so vulnerable or emotional in front of him. It made her feel weak and fragile, an idea she hated thinking about. She was always taught to be stronger and tough, but certain things hurt her more than others.

"When I was growing up, he would look after me constantly. Mum was working two jobs to support herself and me, and she had to give up so much. Kelson made it easy for me to have a normal childhood I guess."

"You know he would be so proud of you right now Grace. He would still give you the world. I know your dad didn't make life easy for you, but you should be happy for the fact Kelson looked after you too. If you get too down about it, it'll drown out the happy things."

He stared at her with the same intensity she had felt when they first had met. But this time she wasn't so afraid to stare back.

"Thanks Harry. It's just going to take a while to get used to. I'm not sure if I'm ready for such a big change."

"Hey, things like this aren't easy, they don't need to be. You just have to give it a chance first."

Grace smiled at him and nodded looking down at her feet. She felt like she'd smiled more today than ever. And she couldn't quite figure out why.

"Drink your hot chocolate you, I slaved away making that," he said nudging her hip.

She laughed and took a sip, nodding in approval.

"Nice."

"Just nice! I spent at least 4 minutes preparing that so it was just right for you," he laughed as she shook her head.

"It's unreal. It's so good! Thankyou so much, whatever must I do to repay you?"

She joked along with him as he quickly replied.

"I mean, there's a few things in mind."

"Such as?.."

She already knew what way he was going with this and she was bound to catch him out or make him flustered.

"I'm sure you're not as innocent as you make out Grace."

"I don't think I understand what you mean? Maybe you can teach me on it. Would that be okay doctor?"

He stared at her for a minute a red tint in his cheeks.

"Oh my god! You're blushing!"

She placed the cup down on the desk in front of them and continued to joke at him.

"I am not blushing at all."

"So you wouldn't mind if I called you doctor then? Or would you prefer sir?"

He sat and listened to her teasing him, a shy grin on his face the entire time. No matter what she did, she was enticing to him and he just wished she would never stop speaking, or even teasing him.

"Very funny Grace, I'm extremely embarrassed now."

"Thought you would be Doc."

"These nicknames are not staying," he argued lightly

"hmm I think they just might."
-
Grace waited beside the small black car for Harry, her jumper now over her arm. She was just in a thin black crop top and the cold air nipped at her skin.
The car door behind her clicked and she looked up to see Harry stand in front of her.
"You okay Grace?" He asked her softly.

"I'm fine, ready?"

"Yeah come on, let's go." 

He opened the car door for her side and allowed her to climb into it before walking around to his side and opening his own.

The drive home was quiet but no words needed to be spoken. It was a comfortable silence compared to a usual uncomfortable atmosphere. They drove along the winding roads towards Grace's home, going by countless buildings and other cars driving in and out of town. Grace felt unusually safe with Harry, as though he was protecting her. She didn't feel the need to build a wall between them and she was comfortable being around him. It was almost as though she had known him before. As though they had shared a whole life full of experiences and times together. 

Harry finally broke the silence by nudging her in the side.

"I have an idea."
"Your'e not going to drag me into the woods and kill me are you?" she laughed at her own joke as he shook his head quickly.

"Nope, although I may be tempted."

"What's your idea then Sir??"

The word rolled off her tongue so easily and he couldn't tell if he hated it or wanted her to say it over and over. He probably shouldn't have been thinking in such a crude way already, but he couldn't help it. Everything about her felt so enticing and he was drawn to her as though something invisible was pulling them together. 

"Well, my idea is that you should stay with me rather than Hiddleston. I'm a trained therapist, and I can take over and schedule you to see me rather than him."
 Grace stared ahead as the light flashed from green, to amber, to red, making the car come to a stop.

"You don't have to, it's only a suggestion but while Kelson isn't here to provide you with sessions, you'll have me."

The lights switched from red, to amber to green.

She knew it wouldn't be healthy for her. She knew she would grow attatched to Harry. But she didn't care. To her, nobody had ever seemed so welcoming and accepting before. He didn't question her mind, which made her feel independent and strong minded. It wouldn't be so bad. He was 16 years older than her, and the chances of a love story like those she had read was highly unlikely. 

"I'd love to Harry."

"You can change your mind at any point, I promise you that, and if you want to go back to Hiddleston then that's your decision."

She nodded, unsure of what to say back to him.

"Oh but be aware if you don't pick me, you're making your own way to Sunnyvale. And back."

He kept a stern look on his face as she looked at him with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Hey Grace, I'm joking, you know that. I'll take you there and back no matter what alright?"

She pondered for a moment before replying.

"All the way?"

"All the way it is then Grace."

"Hm, I think I'm going to enjoy this sir."

-