The Weeks Between • HS

Week 9 • Harry *

----- Call from Gemma-----

"Mind telling me why you have a photo like that of your neighbor on Instagram?" Gemma greets me with. She has always been overprotective and that is likely to do with the fact that she is the first person to hear about it when my relationships inevitably implode.

"That's Nola. The neighbor with the three little girls."

"Yes. I know WHO she is, Harry. WHY is she sitting in that chair looking like you just-?" she doesn't finish the sentence because the implication is crystal clear.

"I didn't fuck her and post a picture of her after, if that is what you are questioning, dear sister." Though she does look quite blissful in the picture.

"Does she know all of the people that are wishing her a happy birthday in the comments? Like, seriously. You haven't added someone to that account in a long time." She's not wrong, on both fronts. I haven't added anyone to that account in months. Then, the comments. It is quite comical to me that the list of people that have wished Nola a happy 25th include Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Elton John, Sam Smith and all the boys from the band, just to name a few of the now over 300 commenters.

"She doesn't know who they are, and frankly she doesn't care, which is quite refreshing."

"Brother. That chair is on your pool deck. What made her so happy?"

"Geez, Gemma. I invited her over for dinner and said something funny."

"I think there is more to the story. Mum said you are inviting her and the girls to Italy?"

"I did. She hasn't agreed yet, but I think she is going to. Are you and Michal still planning to come to Switzerland while I am there?" I ask her, because I forgot that little detail. She and Michal planned to drive to Switzerland and stay in the house there with me.

"Well, if she is coming along, then I am definitely coming to Switzerland."

I roll my eyes, just imagining the disaster that having Gemma there could be, but I also think that Nola could handle anything Gemma wants to dish out.

"If you have nothing else, I am trying to get ready to go over and write with Mitch.

"Alright, dear brother. I'll let you go do your job," she says sounding disappointed that she didn't get anything else out of me.

----- End of call -----

I collect everything at my house that I need to go and write with Mitch, almost forgetting to get the notebooks from my studio. When I run up to grab them off the window seat, I see that Nola is feeding Hattie on the bench in front of the house.

I bound down the stairs and pack everything in my bag before grabbing my tea and keys. I bi-pass my car and go to say good morning to Nola and Hattie. As I walk up, I realize that Nola is leaning her head back against the wall as she plays with one of Hattie's hands. I clear my throat to announce that I am approaching.

"You headed out?" she questions.

"Yeah," I say. "I'll probably be gone until late, if I don't just stay at Mitch and Sarah's.

"Say 'hi' to them for me."

"I will." I say and I hear little voices behind the front door, as tiny hands attempt to open the door and escape the house. Lottie is the one who finally succeeds at getting the door open, but my girl Mia plows right by her sister and attaches herself to my leg with a head to the crotch. They are at an unfortunate height for that right now.