Office Hours |h.s|

seventy three

Maude

Laying in bed, I raise my hand up, examining my brand new straw wrapper engagement ring. A small smile pulls on my lips at the sight of it as I move my hand around, seeing it from every angle. The night comes back in flashes of memories; his proposal, saying yes, having a passionate first fuck as an engaged couple.

Sleep was nonexistent after that. The rest of the night, my mind was so full. Full of thoughts of Harry and our wedding. Full of dreams for our future. But also full of panic and stress over his family not liking me, or someone telling the administration on us, or even of him realizing he made a mistake and leaving me. I didn't sleep because even though there was a chance I could have dreamed about us being happy, there was a bigger chance of me dreaming that things would go wrong.

Taking one more good look at the makeshift ring on my finger, I slip it off, delicately placing it on the bedside table. It's not like I can tell my closest family and friends that we got engaged last night. Maybe I'll tell Will... I know I can trust him.

Even though I can't wear my ring, I can wear the other beautiful pieces of jewelry he's gotten for me. Once I'm dressed in some leggings and an oversized, cream colored sweater, I put on my necklace and bracelet, smiling at my reflection in the mirror. I look different today, more grown up.

I twist my hair up and clip it in the back, not bothering with makeup today since I can feel a breakout coming through on my chin. Hormonal acne. My least favorite part of being a woman.

Cassidy's sitting on the couch with Noah when I walk out of my room. For a second I smile, ready to tell them the news, but then I remember I can't. It hurts my heart to not be able to share this with my best friend, and I know it'll only make her more upset when she does finally know about Harry and I. Maybe I should tell her...

"Hey. Studying today?" Things still haven't been the best between us, but we're trying to move past it.

"Yeah, but I'm gonna go and do some grocery shopping first. I need some snacks and stuff for when I whole up in my room for the weekend and consume nothing but law crap." Finally some truth I can tell.

In a way I'm relieved that Harry and I have to keep our relationship under locks again the way we did in the beginning. Meeting Mitch and Sarah the other night was like diving off the deep end into Harry's life and I'm not too sure we were ready for that. Not like getting engaged is much better, but that's besides the point. But now, we get to focus on things that are important in our lives right now. For him, that's his case. For me, finals.

A well needed break from constantly looking over our shoulders. We'll have all the time in the world in England.

"Oh cool. Do you mind if I text you a list of things I need? I think it's gonna snow pretty bad this weekend and we shouldn't make too many trips out of the house."

"Yeah of course, just text me. And Noah, if you're gonna stay this weekend just let me know if you need stuff too."

He smiles, "No need. I'm just here tonight because of that party this one's dragging me to. You should come!"

Cassidy looks down at her hands. She didn't tell me about a party tonight. "Oh... I didn't-"

"I didn't think you would want to come..."

"I mean, if you want me to come I'll go. Might be nice to get out of the house with everyone since my party was kinda screwed up." I need to spend more time with them and the rest of the group. There has to be some sort of balance between dating and a social life.

Now I have a ring, so maybe I can calm down about not being with him all the time. Then again I'm already ready to pack up and move in with him.

Cass looks surprised, but she smiles a bit. "Oh! Yeah, if that's what you want. We're gonna leave around ten to head to the bar, so there's time."