And Then (Part 1)

Chapter 9

I finally decide that I need to face this shit head on. I get up from the bench and Danny looks up at me questioningly. "I'm going to go back to the bookstore. I don't know what's going to happen, but if that blonde is still there fawning all over him, I'm going to leave. I just hope I'm strong enough to handle it." And I swear if he is letting her be all over him, I am done with Harrison Fine for good. Just that thought alone causes my heart to squeeze in pain.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Danny offers. "I don't think that's a good idea. I do appreciate you offering though. You're a good friend, I hope he knows that." I tell him.

"I didn't offer for his sake, I offered to be there to support you." I blush slightly at that. "Thanks Danny, that's really sweet of you, but I need to do this on my own." I state.

"You can call me if you have any trouble and I'll be there as fast as I can. Ok then, I'm going to get going. I'll text you later to check on you, if that's alright?" he asks. "Ok yeah, thanks, I'd like that a lot!" He hugs me when we get to the bookstore, and he walks off toward his car. I take a deep breath and walk back in the store. I'm a bit embarrassed about how I ran out of here earlier, but I don't know these people so it's not a big deal anyway.

I try to not draw any attention to myself, but Harrison looks up right as I'm about to go around to the back of the store. He stands up so quickly when he sees me that his chair falls to the ground loudly. Everyone turns to look where he is looking. At me. Before I know what's happening Harrison is right in front of me hugging me to him and he just starts rambling. "I was not kissing her, she kissed me out of nowhere. I pushed her off of me as soon as I realized what was happening and saw you leaving. I tried to call for you, but you wouldn't stop. Then I saw Danny go after you. I wanted to go after you too, but everyone was here waiting for me for the book signing. I couldn't leave, they had all been waiting for so long, I just couldn't go after you." He hugs me tighter to him. "I'm so glad you came back! I have been so worried!"

"Harrison, there are still people waiting for you. We can talk about this when you're done with the signing." I try to pull out of his arms, but he won't let me go and a bunch of the people in the line reply "We don't mind". I smile in their direction. "That's very kind of all of you, but we won't keep you waiting any longer" I tell them.

"You're not leaving, are you?" he looks upset and worried. "No, I'm not leaving. I'll stay in the store. Go on. They're waiting for you." He still doesn't let me go. "Please, come sit with me at least?" The crowd reacts again "Yeah, come on, that's a great idea!" I can tell that he is not going to give up, so I agree. "Ok, ok, I'm coming." I reluctantly walk back with him. I look around but I thankfully don't see Nancy anywhere. Harrison leads me over to the table where he was sitting when I got here, he picks up his chair and pulls out the one next to his for me to sit. I finally sit down, and he does as well. I hear him let out a deep breath, I think I'm still holding mine.

After he signs each book, he puts his hand on mine until the next person walks up. It almost feels like he's afraid I'll disappear or run away if he doesn't do it. Crud, that's a problem since I need to pee. I lean toward Harrison "I'm going to the restroom." He looks over at me. "You'll come back? We still need to talk about this." He squeezes my hand. "Yes, I just have to pee." He nods. "Ok" he reluctantly lets my hand go. I go but I try to be as quick as I can because I feel like he needs me but also because I need him too. This morning was horrible without him. It was nice hanging out with Danny, but it wasn't as nice as being with Harrison. I wash my hands, dry them, and hurry to the door. Harrison is waiting just outside. "What? Did you think I was going to run away?" I ask.

"Maybe a little" he blushes. 

"Are you done with the signing?"

"Yes."