Evermore

Chapter 9

"Less than a mile left, bud."

Simon pants next to me as we hike up the steep mountain. He's always hated this hike, but it's my absolute favorite. At the top is my most favorite spot in the world. The hike up is difficult, but it gives me time to clear my head and sort out everything that's up there.

My favorite part of this hike, though, is that there's never anyone else here. I don't know if I'm the only person who's been lucky enough to find this gem but I've never come across another soul up here.

I like to think of it as my place. My secret place where I can go and hide, away from everyone else. A place just to my own.

The sun only rose a little while ago and it paints the landscape before me in a warm, glowing light. The soft rays warm my skin as Simon and I hike the last bit of the trail.

Before us is the glorious site that takes my breath away each and every time.

The picture-perfect scene is almost completely framed by two trees that overhang the opening. Behind them is the bluest little lake I've ever seen. The water is almost completely calm and slowly laps at the rocky shore. 

I let go of Simon's leash and he bolts over to the water, lapping it up as though his thirst could never be satisfied.

I walk over to my favorite rock, a large flat one that overhangs the water a little, and sit down. My feet hang off the edge and rest in the cool water below me.

This moment is nearly perfect. It's quiet and peaceful, completely serene. Simon joins me on the rock and lays down, soaking in the sun on the warm rock. I close my eyes and listen to the water hit the shore, to the birds chirp in the tree, and the leaves slightly rustle when a breeze picks up.

My mind soon travels away from this place and back into the streets of LA. Immediately, it goes to how much work I have left to do on the photos of the boys. 

Harry.

Of course, I knew my brain wouldn't let me forget that boy for long. I try to brush the thoughts away and focus on this place and this moment but it's proving to be more difficult than I thought.

I take a picture of Simon on the rock by the lake and post it to twitter before deciding it's time we head back. Simon reluctantly gets up and we start the hike back home, luckily this way it's all downhill.

As soon as we step foot in the apartment, Simon goes to lay down on the couch. I laugh at the poor, out-of-shape dog. With how many hikes we do, you'd think he'd get used to it but he doesn't seem to enjoy them quite as much as I do.

I make myself a smoothie before going into my room to shower and change out of these clothes.

The cold water feels good against my skin as I let it wash over me in the shower. I've always preferred cold showers, although I'm not sure why. No matter how cold it got, even back home in New York, my showers would always be cold. It helped when I was in the Marines and we didn't have access to hot water. All the men would complain and there I was, enjoying every minute.

My shower is quick as usual, something I learned over time being in the military. I hop out, throw on some comfortable clothes, and put my hair up into a ponytail.

I decide it really is time I get these photos done. I pull up the last of the photos that need to be edited and an involuntary pain stabs at my heart. The first one is of Harry and Liam, but Harry's beautiful expression painfully draws me in.

Three days. It's been three days since I last saw Harry.

After the campfire, Harry drove me off and gave me a hug goodbye. That was the last time I heard from him or saw him.

Normally, I wouldn't mind that much and brush it off when it came to guys but for some reason this time it bothered me.

Maybe it's just the captivating nature of the man with curly hair and enchanting eyes, but I can't get him out of my head. I know I said I want to take things slow, and I do, but that didn't mean I wanted him out of my life completely.

I try to ignore these thoughts as I push through the last of the editing. After just a couple more hours, I am completely and finally done. I look them over once more before sending them to their management team.

It had been about a week and they had paid me the day after the shoot, a very generous amount let me add, so I was glad to finally get these photos back to them.

I just hoped they liked them. Having done this shoot could be very, very good for my career.

I sigh and sit back in my chair as I can finally rest my mind knowing they're done.

As if on cue, my phone rings.

 My heart surges at the thought of it being Harry, but it's just Vera.

I sigh and answer the phone.

"Allie!" Vera cheers through the phone, breaking my train of thought away from the beautiful British boy with the deep dimples and kind heart.

"Hey V," I laugh at her constant enthusiasm.

"Want to grab lunch? It feels like I haven't seen you in days!"

I decide getting out and seeing my best friend would be good for me so I agree and we settle on going to our favorite spot-Panera.

Within a couple minutes, Vera is at my place picking me up. I'm so lucky to have my best friend live so close to me.

"How've you been girl?" she says excitedly as we make the short drive to the restaurant.

"Well I just finished editing the photos so I'm great, now!" I laugh.

"Good, you've been consumed in those things. Speaking of, how's the boy?" she smirks at me and raises her eyebrows up and down rapidly, causing me to erupt in laughter at my best friend despite the thought of Harry hurting my heart a little bit.

"He's good..." I trail off, unsure really of what to say.

"Aaaand..." she pushes, proving once again that she knows me better than I do.

"I mean, the pool party was great and we had fun hanging out, but I haven't heard from him since." I pause, before quickly adding, "don't get me wrong, I know he's probably busy obviously but, I don't know."

"Al, you're terrible at explaining your emotions, you know that?" Vera says, to which I nod.

"I guess I'm just scared I pushed him away, too," I sigh.

"I'm sure you didn't push him away. He seemed to be really into you, from what I saw at least. Have you tried to call him?"

"Not exactly," I mumble.

"Well how can you expect him to call you if you won't call him?" she points out and I can't help but acknowledge the truth behind her words. It's been so long since I've been even remotely interested in someone that I don't think I remember what to do. And I'm already so scarily interested in Harry that I don't want to mess anything up, or push myself too hard too fast.

"Yeah I guess you're right," I agree as we walk into Panera to order our food.

"Besides, I'm sure he's just busy with whatever popstars do these days. I wouldn't worry about it." I just nod and hope that the words she's saying are right.

I hate that I've let a boy have this much control over my thoughts and emotions after knowing him for only a little while. Usually, my normal stone-walled exterior would protect me and my fragile heart from invaders, but something about Harry's piercing eyes, kind soul, and warm heart has these walls crumbling faster than they have before.

It scares the shit out of me.

I try to ignore the feeling as I sit with Vera and enjoy our lunch, gossiping about our military friends and updating each other about anything and everything.