Issues // H.S. // A.U.

Chapter Thirteen

DANI

The snowstorm hit middle of midterms week. Campus was shut down after I had only done two of my tests. We were completely snowed in with seven inches of snow, the entire town basically shut down the first week of November. I even lost shifts at work, which was going to put a dent in my wallet.

Harry and I had been talking on the phone a lot, a three hour conversation yesterday in the middle of the day the only thing keeping me sane after studying for five hours. I was lucky that two of my teachers decided to just put our midterm online, only having to reschedule one for early next week once the snow started to melt. Harry had his last midterm rescheduled in person, the one that's been stressing him out. I've been trying to keep him calm the past few days, but I could tell his anxiety was getting to him. He tried his best to keep it hidden, but the edge to his voice gave him away.

I was worried about him, because he kept brushing off my concern, telling me he was just stressed about his last test. I was itching to see him, but the snow kept me inside. I didn't have any of the proper clothes to venture out in the arctic streets, never wanting to waste my money on snowshoes and snow pants.

Instead I spent my time texting Harry and hanging out with my roommates. I took both of my online midterms this morning to get them out of the way and I felt fairly confident about the test next week so I decided to just chill for a while.

Right in the middle of a reality tv binge, the doorbell rang, surprising us all. I looked over at Andrew with furrowed brows, but he just shrugged and got off the couch.

"Wonder who that could be." Mariana asked.

"I hope it's pizza." Jackie answered back.

I laughed, "Yeah, pizza that just magically appeared at our doorstep."

"Dani, I've got a present for you!" I hear Andrew call down the hall.

I turn my head before getting off the couch, trudging towards the front hall. My heart leaps in my chest when I see a very frigid looking Harry, bundled up in puffy clothes, snow on his boots and littered across the beanie on the top of his head. I barely notice the three boxes of pizza in Andrews hands before surging forward and hugging Harry.

I hear him lightly chuckle and Andrew saying he's going to put the food in the kitchen before it's just me and Harry alone.

"What are you doing here? Did you drive? Is it even safe to drive?" I ask him, my hands cupping his rosy cheeks.

He's smiling down at me, green eyes filled with emotion. I'm distracted by the obvious stress in his expression, but I can see how hard he's trying to hide it from me.

"Roads are completely shut down. Walked here." He says.

"You walked all the way here?" He nodded at my question. "Oh, baby, that must've taken you forever, and it's still freezing outside."

I start to fret over him, unzipping his winter coat, and peeling it off him. He's wearing a thick sweater underneath and what looks like a thermal shirt underneath that. He rubs his hands together after taking off his gloves while I hang his coat up.

"Wanted to see you."

I look up at him, and my heart breaks at the vulnerable boy in front of me. I step in front of him and wrap my arms around his waist. I hear him sigh as his arms engulf my body. He clings onto me as if I'm a lifeline. I bury my face into his neck, lightly kissing the cold skin.

"I'm glad you came." I mumble against him.

"Needed this. Needed you." He tells me, his hand moving to the back of my head as his nose nudges my temple.