A fresh start is exactly what London McLaren needs in order to forget the demons of her past. A new last name, a new town and a new school.
She's about to start her final year of high school, ready to obey her parent's orders to keep her head down a...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Sunday, April 5th, 2020
We drive in silence for about ten minutes. We hadn't spoken a word to each other since the phone call.
My parents had left me a note to say they had gone food shopping so Harry had been able to pick me up out front.
It was clear to me that when I first hopped into his car, Harry had known I'd been crying. Luckily for me, he didn't question it.
I wasn't sure where our destination was but it didn't even matter. I just needed to get out of my house.
I look like a mess. I hadn't had much time to prepare for Harry's arrival. I was wearing my favourite lavender coloured tracksuit set with my hair up in a messy bun, completely unbrushed. I'd barely had time to put on deodorant and brush my teeth, let alone put on an ounce of makeup.
We pull in suddenly to a cemetery and my heart sinks. This was not what I had been expecting. What were we doing here?
Harry doesn't look at me as he reaches into the back seat. I hadn't even noticed the bunch of flowers sitting there until now.
"I, um...I just have to do something," he whispers to me. He pulls on the brim of his cap whilst I nod, understanding that he needed this time alone.
He hops out of the car and I watch his long strides as he passes rows of graves. I expect to completely lose sight of him but he stops, just as he's about to become a blip in the distance.
I hug myself, suddenly feeling guilty. I hadn't even realised that Harry had lost someone. But I guess this was what Kennedy had meant on my first day when she said Harry had a lot going on.
I watch him as he crouches down, gently placing the flowers close to the grave. His palm lands softly on the headstone. I try to read the person's name but it's too far to see.
I think I notice his shoulders begin to shake and a knot forms in my throat. I look away, knowing that he deserved to have some privacy.
I squeeze my eyes shut, leaning back against the headrest.
Here he was, grieving for someone whilst I turned him away last night. It might have been for the greater good, but that didn't mean I didn't feel like shit for it.
The car door suddenly opens and I jump. I hadn't even realised he was walking back.
He climbs into the driver's seat and shuts the door quickly behind him. It was cold today, so he was wearing a navy coat. I've decided that it's my favourite colour on him.
I expect him to turn on the engine but he doesn't. He sits there, turning the keys over and over in his hands.
"I guess you're wanting answers," he whispers.
I shake my head. "No, Harry, I—"
"It's alright. I've been wanting to tell you for awhile."
"Only if you're sure," I whisper, fiddling with my hands.
