Don't Give Up on Me

Chapter 7: Home

"Harrison? He's gone, mum. He's never coming back." Charlotte said coldly.

"There was a mistake. He's alive." Her mother slowly regained her color.

"That's not funny mum." Charlotte's lip pressed to a hard line.

"It isn't a joke. Y/N, dear, you know I wouldn't joke about Harrison, right?" She looked to the girl sitting at the table.

"I don't... I mean, no you wouldn't, it's just, how could there be a mistake?" Y/N asked, her face filled with sadness and confusion.

"They didn't really say, or maybe the shock distracted me, but he's coming home!" Tears began to slide down her cheeks.

Charlotte got up from her seat and walked to her room. She couldn't believe that Harrison was alive. She and her family had been mourning the loss of her brother, and now he's magically alive? She wouldn't believe it until she saw him, which she figured wouldn't. Y/N tried to pretend to be happy and thrilled for the mother's sake, but she sort of had the same thoughts as Charlotte. How could they say that he died if he really didn't? What kind of sick joke was this? She did her best to put on a smile for the mother, but she wouldn't believe that Harrison was alive until she saw him.

–

Harrison was finishing packing his few belongings he acquired while in the hospital recuperating when he heard a knock on the doorpost. He looked up to see the brunette that had done the interview to see if he was who he said he was. He smiled at her.

"So today's the day, huh?" She took a few steps into his room.

"Yeah, I cannot wait to get back home and see Y/N and my family!" He smiled while zipping up his rucksack.

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure." Her smile fell slightly but she tried to maintain it.

"Can I help you with something?" He asked while his gaze returned back to her.

"Oh, uh no. I just wanted to see you off is all." She crumpled the small piece of paper in her left hand.

"Thank you. You've been quite kind to me." His smile never faltered.

"Of course, it's all in a day's work." A hint of sadness hung in the air as the words left her mouth.

"Well I should probably get going. It was nice meeting you." He placed his ruck on his back and slowly made his way out of the room.

"Likewise, Harrison." She watched him go, and shoved the crumpled paper in her pocket, upset that she wouldn't see him again.

–

Y/N walked to Tom's flat to gather the rest of her belongings. She hadn't seen Tom since the night he drove her to her flat after a night out with the twins. He did pack most of her stuff up in a box before leaving it outside her door, but no call, text, or note was left. Y/N did her best to push all of memories from that night out of her head as she found herself in front of Tom's door. She remembered where his spare key was hidden and retrieved it. As she walked in, she heard some noise coming from the kitchen.

"Back already? I thought it'd take you longer." Tom called out.

Y/N walked toward the kitchen area, and there he was. He was shirtless, and his grey sweats hung low on his hips. His back was toward her, and not receiving a response, he turned around.

"Y/..." He was only able to say half of her name before she cut him off.

"Sorry... um, I was just, uh, gonna get the rest of my stuff..." her eyes met his for a moment before looking away.