Something Special {H.S.}

22: Tension

Ellie's pov

I'm staring into Harry's eyes when a sudden shock runs through my body.

My mother.

I forgot about my mother.

Guilt slams into me like a train that makes me physically gasp for breath. How could I be fawning over a boy when I'm supposed to be checking up on my ill mother and making sure that she's okay?

I feel sick to my stomach.

Harry must notice the shift in my demeanor because he pulls back and studies me.

"What's wrong?"

"Harry, do you have a phone for me to use? I really need to call the nursing home about my mother." I manage to dodge his question, yet answer it st the same time.

"Oh, sure baby."

My cheeks instantly heat up again as he reaches into his back pocket to pull out a sleek black iphone.

Harry swiftly unlocks his phone and hands it to me. Taking it, I notices the home screen picture. "Really Haz?"

"What?"

I point to his phone. "You really have a picture of a half naked Trisha Paytas, eating pasta, as your background photo?"

He looks nonchalant, "Okay, and? Trish is hot. Plus it's not just about her being hot, she's literally the queen of memes and mukbangs. I respect her for that."

Unable to come up with a response to that, I roll my eyes instead and dial the number to the nursing home.

"Welcome to Greywood Pines, this is Nurse Rosetta speaking, how can I help you?"

"Hey Rose, this is Ellie Waters. I'm calling in regards to my mother, Mina Waters? I haven't... been able to visit her in a while and I just wanted to call and check on her."

She pauses for a second and I hear a strange dull sound in the background before she answers. " Y-yes. Of course! Mina just had lunch and is now resting. In regards to her condition, she's pretty much the same. Are you coming by today?"

"Well, no. I... sprained my ankle and won't be able to visit for a while." I cringe at the lie that flows oh so easily from my lips. Then I begin to wonder about her words. "Is there something wrong?"

"No! I mean, no your mother is fine. I just thought that you might want to come by to see her."

I find myself frowning. Didn't I just tell her that I was injured? Why is she trying to push me to come? I don't know, maybe I'm just reading into it too much. I've gotten to know Rose pretty well this last year and I'm sure she's just trying to help.

"I wish that I could, but knowing that she's under your care and okay, I feel a lot better. Thanks Rose. Have a good day!"

The dial tone buzzes monotonously in my ear. Did she hang up on me without even saying goodbye? Well, I'm sure something else came up.

Hanging up the phone, I look up to Harry who is looking back at me expectantly. "So? How is she doing? Is everything okay?"

Something in my chest flutters, happy that he cares enough to ask. "Well, according to Rose, my mother's nurse, she's fine. So... I guess my nightmare was just a fluke."

Harry grins, "I'm happy to hear that babe. I'm sure everything is fine now."

***

Unknown pov (5 minutes earlier)