A Lost Object [h.s]

Chapter 70

Aurora

"For the last pose I am going to have the two of you go to the top of the stairs. When I give you the signal I want you to walk down the stairs, holding hands while looking at each other smiling." The photographer gave us clear instructions of our next pose. Harry and I turned around, walking to the top of the stair case. The sound of a camera going off indicating that the photographer was shooting pictures as we walked up the stairs.

Harry held my hand tightly, intertwining our fingers. Once the photographer started to count down, we stared to walk down the stairs doing as he told. I held onto my dress, trying my best not to fall in the seven inch heels my mother insisted I wore.

At the bottom of the stairs, the photographer had us stop and pose randomly, snapping a few more shots before ending the session.

"That was beautiful shoot. Here is my bussiness card, it has my email and other contact information on it. I will be in contact, give me three to five days to do editing and tweaking. I will email you both the pictures once I am finished. If you want prints, you can visit my website and make an order. It was a pleasure working with you both."

He was already gone before we knew it. I sat down on the steps, taking off the heels. "Do you need a ride home?"

"No, Odyssey will be back soon."

Harry nodded, "I'll see you later."

•

Odyssey parked the car on the side of the street. We got out of the car, walking up to the bookstore. It looked exactly as it did the first time I came here with Harry. Mrs.Edna was sitting at her desk reading a book. She looked up at the sound of the bell on the door. She closed her book and placed it down before making her way over to us.

She engulfed me in a hug "Aurora, how have you been darling?"

I smiled sincerely, carefully hugging her back, "I'm doing great. How are you?" She took my hands, walking me over to a seat.

"I am great as well. Who have you brought with you?"

"This is my best friend Odyssey."

Odyssey extended her hand towards Mrs. Edna, "It's nice to meet you Mrs.Edna."

Mrs. Edna engulfed her in a hug instead. "Likewise dear. What brings you girls here today?"

I opened my purse, taking out the envelope I brought to give to her. "It's the wedding invitation. I would love to have you there, Harry as well." I didn't forget Mrs.Edna telling me to invite her to the wedding. I didn't want her to miss it either. She was a person who Harry cared deeply about and cherished in his heart. She helped Harry through difficult times. It would be wrong not to have her at the wedding.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. How is my sweet boy?" I smiled at the way she always called Harry her sweet boy. It was a beautiful thing and I know Harry loves it every time she does.

"He's doing good. I was actually meaning to ask you a question. You might not have the answer I'm look for, but it's worth an ask."

"Ask away."

"Do you know of a woman named Priscilla? She and Harry might be close." Questioning Harry's personal life to the one person who he entrusted his life with was low. I realize that, but I needed to know what I was getting myself into with Harry. I couldn't sit around on this topic any longer. Harry wasn't going to budge about the topic. She is obviously a part of his life and I need to confirm just how important and in which way. 

"Priscilla. I haven't heard that name in years, is she still around?"

"Can you tell me a bit about her? Were she and Harry a couple?"

"Oh no darling. Harry and Priscilla were never together. She is a very good friend of his. Childhood best friends, they grew up right next door to each other. Growing up they only ever had each other to keep company. Harry told me this story one too many times."

"Do you think you can share it with me?"

"Their parents were always away on business trips so they were never around to fend for them. He knew her life story and she knew his. Growing up they promised to always remain best friends. As time went by the two developed feelings for one another. It was inevitable really. They made it through some rough patches, with Harry's phobia and Priscilla's depression and no parents around to care for them. Eventually they told their parents they wanted to be together. When they were only seventeen Harry went to her father to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage."

Odyssey glanced over at me as Mrs.Edna told the story. I sat up straight, breathing deeply, trying to keep my focus on Mrs. Edna. Even with the stillness, my heart was pondering against my chest. Maybe I wasn't ready to know the truth about her. How else was I going to know even when I was ready? Harry was no hope. This was my only chance. 

"He was denied. Mr. Lofty disliked Harry very much. He didn't want his daughter marrying him and he made sure of that. He served Harry and his parents with a restraining order. His parents were angry. Mostly at Harry for doing such a thing. They didn't want the two to get married as well. Of course Harry and Priscilla didn't seem to care about the restraining order, which got him arrested a few times. Eventually they lost touch. Priscilla and her family moved away from their childhood home, so did Harry and his family. Harry told me he hadn't seen her in two years, but he was only seventeen at the time so I wouldn't know if they somehow found their way back to each other. He rarely tells me anything these days." 

I was lost for words. How was I supposed to respond to that? It was far from what I was expecting. I thanked Mrs.Edna for sharing the information with me. She made me promise I wouldn't say a word to Harry about it. I planned on keeping that promise. I didn't want Harry finding out I knew about Priscilla. Not yet.

We silently walked down the street towards the car. I was still trying to process everything. My judgement was clouded.

I bumped into a person as I was walking with my head lowered. "Oh, I'm sorry." I looked up to a familiar face.

It was her. She took a step back, staring me up and down "I remember you. You're the girl who was so fascinated with my ring. Aurora is it?" Her tone was mocking.

I responded inaudibly "It is."

She hummed, nodding "Interesting. I have to get going, you two have a great day." She stared me down once more before walking around us. I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath before continuing the walk to the car.

"Oh, Aurora!" Odyssey and I turned around at the sound of Priscilla calling out my name. She walked over to us once again with a smile on her face.

"What do you think of my new ring?" She extended her hand out in front of me. It was an Estelle Diamond ring. I'd remember it anywhere.

It was my ring.

Odyssey moved towards her belligerently. "Where'd you get that from?"

"My fiancé bought it for me. You know him don't you Aurora? Harry Styles."