Like Cats & Dogs | H. S.

15

"Harry, we shouldn't..." You pull away, even though you don't want to, but you remember he still has a girlfriend.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." He whispers, and leaves you alone with your heart somersaulted.

When you arrive home, the record player was playing a soft melody and Harry was trying to make s'mores outside. You smile and join him.

"You make this look a lot easier than it is." He tells you, "I can't even make the marshmallow stay in the stick."

You laugh, "Well, it comes with practice. Here." You take the stick from his hands, "I still can't believe you never did this as a kid."

"I told you, my parents didn't exactly do things by the book. I guess that's why I am how I am."

"It's not so bad, the way you are... My parents traveled a lot for work, they were in the peace corps, so I didn't get to see them very often, but they were always smiling and laughing, and having all kinds of fun." You tell him.

"They must really enjoy their lives."

"They did."

"When I was around twelve, my mom got pretty sick. Everything happened fast, and then... she was gone." He confesses.

"I'm sorry."

"It was like something turned off inside my dad, and I just watched him fade away over the years, and then... then he was gone, too."

"Harry..."

"The doctors said he had a weak heart, but I just think it was broken."

"Is that why you did this?" You point to the folder next to him.

"Yeah." He shrugs, "I thought I could find some rational, biological reason behind the feelings of love, and loss and..."

"It might not happen again?"

"Yeah."

"And then I met you and for the first time I realized it's not just a series of chemical reactions." He admits, looking you in the eyes, "It's so much more, and it's real."

You feel tears stinging your eyes and look away, "Great. Just great."

He frowns, "What-"

"I don't like commitments, okay? Whenever something gets too serious, I take a hike. And you know why?" You cry.

"Why?"

"My parents."

"Are they divorced?"

"No, they've been married for thirty years. Now do you realize the pressure that puts on me?"

"Yes, you don't want to become your parents..."

"No, it's not like I don't want to become them... it's that I don't think I can live up to them. I'm afraid to even try. Then you appeared."

"y/n..."

"You have a commitment, you have a girlfriend. And I won't be the person to come between you and Camille. I won't. Goodnight." You stand up and rush to your bedroom, burying your head into the pillows. Frank notices you're not okay and lays next to you.

"Want a piece of advice, Frank? Never fall in love with someone who has a girlfriend..."

---

"What?" Harry looks at his cat sit on the bed as he packs his things, "I made a mistake, I know. Are you going to stay there judging me all night?" His phone rings but he rejects the call when he sees Camille's name. Mozart meows at him, and he sighs, "Okay, now you can judge me."