Bloom ➳ h.s

Chapter 20

B̺͆E̺͆T̺͆H̺͆A̺͆N̺͆Y̺͆

"Harry." I whine as he takes out his wallet to buy me an ice cream.

"Bethany." He says in the same tone, paying the clerk.

"I can pay!" I say, crossing my arms.

"Yes, but you're my girlfriend and I should be the one paying." He says giving me my ice cream.

"Then what do I do?" I ask.

"You never leave me." He says making me roll my eyes.

"That's an easy job, I would never leave you." I say with a small smile.

"I love you." He says happily.

"I love you too." I reply.

I have one week left with Harry. I haven't talked to my mother since the incident. Harry's aunt comes back the day before I leave. I'm glad because Harry won't be alone. I eat my ice cream slowly, thinking about everything that's been happening so far.

"What's going on in that beautiful mind?" He asks me.

"Just thinking." I say shrugging.

"About?"

"Leaving. I don't wanna leave I wanna be here with you, finish school and browsing through wedding books and stuff! I don't imagine myself alone studying in Seattle." I say sadly.

"Hey." He says, using two fingers to hold my chin up to face him.

"I also don't want you to leave, let's not think about that right now, we'll figure it out later okay?"

I nod and he smiles before grabbing my hand.

"Look, Forever 21." He says trying to cheer me up.

Let's just say Forever 21 is one of my favorite stores.

"Yea." I say, my mind telling me not to waste money but my heart aching to enter the store and forget about everything going on.

"Let's go, I'll treat you." He says smiling.

"Okay, I won't hesitate this time." I say making him smile in victory.

We enter the store and I start looking through the many clothes.

***

H̺͆A̺͆R̺͆R̺͆Y̺͆

Today is the last day before she leaves. I left her sleeping upstairs because I need to ask my aunt right now. The door opens and I stand up, my aunt walking inside.

"Hey Aunt." I say.

"Harry! What are you doing up so late?" She asks me as she kisses my cheek.

"I have to ask you something." I say.

"And the question is?"

"Bethany's mom wants to leave but Beth wants to stay. I was wondering if she could move in, please?" I ask.

The room stays silent.

Please say yes, please.

"I'll have to think about it Harry." She says.

"She's leaving tomorrow if you don't say yes." I plead.

"Harry, I don't know." She says with a sigh.

"You have a whole ton of money you can take care of us three right?" I ask her.

"Yes but Harry.." She says trailing off.

"I can't." She says.

She goes upstairs before I slam a fist on the wall. She can't leave, Beth can't leave. Please.

***

I kiss Beth one last time before she walks inside the plane. Her mascara running down her cheeks, her eyes red and puffy. I'm trying my best not to cry, for the sake of both of us. The doors close and I sigh. I turn around and walk with my aunt to her car.

"Why did you say no?" I ask her once she starts driving.

"The truth Harold, is that her mom asked me to not let her stay." She says.

"What?! Why do you tell me until now?!" I say.

"Because you would talk to her."

"Go to the airport please." I beg her.

She sighs and nods.

***

B̺͆E̺͆T̺͆H̺͆A̺͆N̺͆Y̺͆

I wait for the plane to take off. My mother is humming to a foreign song as I look outside the window, tears rolling down my cheeks. I suddenly spot Harry's car. He gets out and gives me a 'wait' sign. I smile, a sparkle of hope lights inside me. Minutes later the door opens and Harry is there. I get out of my seat, my mother tries to stop me but I pry off her grip. I run into Harry's arms and hug him tightly.

"You're coming with us." He whispers in my ear.

"I thought she didn't let you-"

"It was your mom, she told my aunt to not let you stay." He says.

Anger takes over me as I turn towards my mom.

"Why did you want to take me away?" I ask her angrily.

"No reason. You're coming with me, his aunt already said no."

"You said no! You told her not to let me stay!" I say to her.

Everyone's attention is on us but I don't care.

"Bethany, you can't marry Harry! You can't marry anyone! You have to marry Adriano."

What the heck.

"What." Harry and I say at the same time.

"I've had that wedding planned for years!" She says angrily.

"Adriano is just a friend!" I snap.

"Bethany, Adriano is a good man." She says.

"Harry is the one I love and if you won't accept that then fine!"

"Okay! If that's what you want. I'm leaving on this plane either you come or don't even bother to contact me." She says.

"Let's go." I say grabbing Harry's hand.

"Well then." My mo- Liliana says as we leave the plane.

"You're not my daughter!" She yells as we leave.

I squint my eyes shut, pushing away those hateful words.