Fingerprints

Six- POV Johanna

I was a big believer in "it's not goodbye, it's I'll see you later". But how does someone know that for a fact? The last time I saw my mom before the accident, was that morning before she went to work. I was eating a bowl of Cocoa Puffs, watching over my one year old sister while she was heading out the door for work. She told me she loved both of us very much, and she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek as my mouth was full of chocolate cereal. "Love you too, mom," I said back, barely being able to say the words without milk spilling out of my mouth. At the time, it was an everyday thing; not so sweet of a moment, but looking back, it's the most meaningful kiss and I love you I've ever gotten. And I couldn't help but think that something would happen to Harry, out of my control. Was that our last goodbye?

-

        "What about this one?" Jaycee asked, twirling around in yet another pink dress.

        "Umm, I still like the second one you had on." She picked up the 3/4 sleeve, navy & white polka dotted dress, and held it up to herself. 

        "Me too!" She was picking out a dress for her preschool "All About Me" presentation the following day. I went through the bag she packed and had near her door. There was her blue stuffed bear, her pageant crown, a copy of her favorite movie, Tangled, and a photo frame of me, Harry, and her. I took the picture out of the bag, and smiled. It was right after Harry's concert about six months before. Harry had one arm around me, and the other one was holding Jaycee, who was making a silly face. Harry and I were just laughing. It was only a day without Harry, and I missed him so much. Him gone, was like a part of me was missing; I was half a person, with half a heart. I had been already counting down the days until he came home, and it was one day in. 

        "Hanna, when's Harry coming back?" She said, putting her dresses back in the closet.

        "Right after Christmas," I said. 

        "Well, I miss him. Tell him to come back today." I laughed at her request.

        "I miss him too, but he's with his band. He's performing in 15 different states!"

        "Where'd he go first?" After I told her 'North Carolina', Her question made me think, and remember how he didn't call me when he got off the plane. If he got off the plane. I gasped silently though my nose, and my heart felt like it skipped a beat. I hadn't heard from him. He didn't have an iPhone at the time, but his bandmate Reggie did. I pulled out my phone and dialed his number as a Facetime call. As it rang, I nervously tapped my foot on the floor, and bit my thumb nail.

        "Who are you calling?" Jaycee asked right as he answered the phone.

        "Hey!" Reggie said excitedly, dragging the word out, "What's good?"

        "None of you texted me! Where's Harry?" I asked as Jaycee got into frame, hugging my neck from behind.

        "He's with D down in the lobby. They should be back any minute. What's up little Jay?" I could tell she was smiling from ear-to-ear. She loved hanging out with the guys. They treated her like royalty. I looked in the background during the call, and the hotel room door opened behind Reggie. The moment I saw Harry, who was laughing and fixing his hair, my heart fluttered, and I smiled so big, I looked away from the camera for a second. 

        "Harry!" Jaycee blurted out. He immediately looked over, trying to find out where her voice came from. When he got over to the camera, he took Reggie's phone from him, and sat down on the bed. 

        "Hey!" He said, "Sorry I didn't call, we've been so busy since we landed. How's everything there? Miss me yet?"

        "I do," I said.

        "I miss you more!" Harry laughed at her.

        "You too, little one," he said.

        "Jaycee, don't you have clothes to hang up?" She looked at me, gave me attitude, and walked back to her dresses on her bed. For more privacy, I went to my room and lied on my bed.

        "Anyway," I started, "Everything's good here. Just not the same." Harry gave a half smile.

        "I know. I felt like you should have been beside me on the plane. It felt weird." His accent was somehow more intense over the phone, but definitely still the same captivating, charming voice I fell in love with. Through the Facetime call, I heard Harry's phone ring, a generic phone ringtone.

        "Hang on one second, Johanna." He took it out of his pocket, and smiled at the caller ID. I narrowed my eyes, and became suspicious. Half of his face went out of the camera's view as he put the phone down, and picked up his.

        "Hello?... Yes, I've been expecting your call... Really? That's amazing..." His face lit up, and he smiled big. "Today? Four? I think I can... You have no idea how long I've waited for this... I'll meet you there... See you." My heart sunk low in my chest, What was he talking about? 

        "Who was that?" His expression changed to surprised, as he picked up the phone I was on once more.

        "Johanna," He was lost for words, like I wasn't supposed to hear that conversation. "That was a friend of mine. I know it probably sounded bad but," he stopped and looked at his watch, "I'm just checking out her store she just opened, here in Charlotte." I let out a light sigh.

        "I trust you," I said. He moved his lips to a slight pout, not believing my words. 

        "You should, because I love you, and only you. But, I really have to go. Call me anytime," he said. 

        "Love you, too." I said simply. He pursed his lips and made a kiss noise, then laughed at himself.

        "See you, babe." The Facetime call beeped, telling me he ended the call. I grabbed a pillow and hugged it, laying my head down. I couldn't help but over think. Who was he meeting? And what were they doing? His friend's a girl. I thought. Why does it have to be a girl? I had never been suspicious of Harry sneaking around. I didn't think he would cheat in a million years, but the thoughts I had of her trying something were overwhelming. And why would he say no to her? He hasn't had sex in over two years, and I know he wanted to. I wiped water out of my eye with my finger, before it streamed down my face. Of course I trust Harry, but not her.