Over Again

Chapter Two

I locked the front door behind me and made my way into the kitchen where my mum was getting afternoon tea ready. I chucked my keys onto the bench and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.

“Anne called.” Mum looked up from the sandwiches she was making.

“Yeah?”

“Harry’s come home for two weeks,”

“I know.” I said, grabbing a grilled cheese sandwich mum had just sliced into a triangle.

I still couldn’t believe it. Harry was really back. I hadn’t spoken to him in who knows how long and now he was just down the street. I contemplated going to visit him later but I didn’t want to show up unannounced even though I used to be able to do that. But Harry and I had drifted apart since those days.  So I just left it, figuring that if he actually wanted to talk to me, he’d make an effort.

Mum looked at me expectantly, “Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve invited him over for dinner or something. He’s your best friend after all.”

“Mum. You know we haven’t spoken in ages, I don’t think he’ll be coming over for tea anytime soon.”

Just as I said those words the doorbell rung through the house. Pushing myself off the kitchen stool, I traipsed to the front door and opened it expecting the mailman. I definitely was not expecting Harry freaking Styles to be at my doorstep. Yet, there he was - curly hair tucked into a beanie, a dimpled smile and bright green eyes. The lot.

“Georgie,” He grinned, his hands tucked into the pocket of his skinny jeans.

I stood there for what seemed like forever just staring at him, taking in his appearance but mainly trying to figure out what to say. Twenty-six letters in the alphabet and I couldn’t find any to make a word. Not a single one. I blanked out, so I slammed the door. Right in his goddamned perfectly structured face. I panicked okay?

“Who was that?” I heard mum call out from the kitchen.

“Just door knockers trying to sell us useless crap,” I replied.

I stood at the bottom of our staircase, considering whether I should go back and open the door or call him and apologize or what. I decided to do the polite thing and open the door but when I did, he was gone. So I walked up to my room, taking the stairs two steps at a time. I closed the door behind me and pulled my jumper over my head to take it off, not turning around before I did. Wrong move. Once I’d escaped the darkness of the hoodie, I jumped back in shock to find Harry sitting on my bed with a cheeky smile.

“FUCK, HARRY. YOU NEARLY GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK.” I shouted, throwing the hoodie at him. Not exactly the words I wanted to say to him after not seeing each other for two years. I was hoping to have a dramatic speech prepared, to ask him why he didn’t bother calling his best friend or even if he still considered me as his friend at all. But, as usual, nothing I ever wanted went as planned.

“Sorry George,” He said as he walked towards me with his arms out. Before I knew it I was engulfed in a hug, Harry’s scent filling my nostrils. He was about a head taller than me now, and even a blind person could tell he went to the gym a bit. He’d definitely lost his baby fat, quite different from the Harry I remembered.

“How did you even get in here?” I asked once he released me.

“You still have the ladder by your window,” He gestured.

Ah, the ladder. It was a rope ladder Harry and I had created after we first got grounded. We made sure you could tie it up under the windowsill so our parents wouldn’t see it and that you could access it from inside as well as outside. We’d climb up or down it at night time, depending on who was visiting who. Harry had the same one at his house and I’d completely forgotten about it until now.

“That thing is so old! You could’ve fallen and injured yourself Harry.” I told him.

“Well, I wouldn’t have had to resort to it if you didn’t slam the bloody door in my face,”

“Sorry.”

“I missed you, Georgie!” Harry said, pulling me into a hug once again.

I sighed and buried my head into his chest. I wanted so much to be angry with him for forgetting about me, but I just couldn’t. I don’t think anyone could stay angry with him for too long. We just stayed in my room for a while, talking about everything like we used to when we were kids. It was always so easy to talk to Harry, just like he never left.

Harry had invited me to lunch with his family at their house the next day, so I put on a nice blouse paired with some jeans, did my hair up in an intricate braid and walked down the street. I never really enjoyed putting on much makeup, besides this was Harry, the kid I grew up with. He’s seen me looking worse.

For a while I just stood at their front door, preparing myself for the day ahead. Why was I so nervous? I’d spent half my childhood here for god’s sakes. Three minutes and thirty-nine seconds. That’s how long it took for me to finally raise my fist and knock. The wooden door flew open almost instantly; Harry’s smile welcoming me. The house was exactly as I’d remembered it, aside from the new furniture of course. Harry’s house had always smelt like Christmas to me, even when it wasn’t actually Christmas. That’s how I’d always describe it to him when we were younger.

“We’re having lunch outside,” He smiled. Christ, I hated how happy he was all the time. I wondered if his cheeks ever got tired.

The conversation during lunch basically went from how I had been the last few years, to Gemma and her boyfriend, to Harry and how much success he’s had. It was weird to think that just last week I hadn’t seen or spoken to my best friend and now here I was with his family, having lunch with them like we used to.

“Oh, mum, the boys are coming to visit in a few days. Is that okay?” said Harry.

Oh bloody hell. Don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against the other four except for the fact that they pretty much took my best friend away. I’m sure their all lovely though. And I’m happy for them and how much they’ve achieved, but the hoards of screaming girls that are going to be here – well, I don’t really want to wake up to that every morning.

“You can drive down to the bungalow, I’m sure the neighbours would appreciate it if the screaming went away.” Anne replied. “Why don’t you take Georgia with you?”

Oh no. Harry looked at me with puppy dog eyes as if he was waiting for my response. “Um…sure. I’d have to ask mum though.” WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED. I’m not that desperate to restore my friendship with Harry, am I?

“Yay! Don’t worry, Lou’s bringing Eleanor with him so you wont be the only girl.” Harry cheered, hugging me side on.

“That’s great, you’ll be there too which makes three of us!” I said, causing the rest of the table to laugh at Harry who was sulking slightly.