Chicago | hs au

14 - December 27th

Christmas comes and goes just like every year. The day after Christmas, Harry texted me from out of town. Evidently he spends Christmas with his friends in the suburbs outside of the city.

So I sat home.

Alone.

Out of sheer boredom, I walked to the corner store and bought a small succulent to keep me company. Its' clay pot is smaller than my hand and fits nicely in the kitchen window. I named it Fred.

On December 27th, Harry came back from his friends house. He texted me.

Hey, do you want to go get a bite to eat? I'm back in the city.

I respond quickly.

I'm still in bed tbh, I can be ready in fifteen.

After seeing his next message, I jump out of bed.

I'm on my way over.

I strip my pajamas off and put on jeans and a tee. Splashing some cold water on my face to wash off the oils, I hear the elevator buzz. As I rush to he gate, I throw my hair up into a messy bun. I unlock it just as it opens, revealing Harry's smiling face. Deja vu.

"It snowed." He says, walking inside. He sets his winter coat--a longer pea coat--over the back of the couch.

"Yes it did." I respond.

"Did you have a good Christmas?" He asks.

I shrug, "Just another day."

He sits down on the couch after shaking off his worn boots. I get butterflies in my stomach, he looks so much better than I remember. It's been a few days since I've seen him.

"So what's up?" I ask, taking a seat next to him. He turns his head and his green eyes meet mine. I'm startled by their intensity.

"I missed seeing you." He says.

"You're being quiet, is everything okay?"

"Well," he sighs, "Ben invited me to his New Years Eve party and there'll be a whole lot of people there and I don't know if I want to go or not."

"Aw come on, you should. He's your friend." I say, patting his knee.

He looks down at my hand, "I guess he is, we just run in different circles. He's into partying and getting high and smashed but I'm not into that sort of fun." He folds his hands together in his lap.

"How'd you meet?"

"To tell you the truth, we've been mates so long I can't even remember." He shakes his head. I chuckle halfheartedly. I wish I had friends.

"How about you? Did you have any plans?" He questions.

I shake my head, "You and Barbara are the only people I talk to on a regular basis."

"What about Ally? You and her spoke at work." He suggests with a sly smile.

"Yeah she spoke about getting in your pants more than I said anything at all." I say.

"I know, she has a massive crush on me but she's sorta creepy." He says the last part quietly.

"Creepy? How?"

He inhales, "She followed me home once."

"Yikes."

"Yeah, and every time she talks to me I don't think she ever looks at my face. I don't know, she's weird. Almost too close for comfort." He says, frowning.

"Have you said anything to Barbara?" I ask. Ally did come off like that to me, too.

"No, I don't want to start anything." He says, leaning back on the couch.

"Oh man did she get jealous when we were talking, and not to mention when we sang." I say with a light laugh. Harry smiles and his dimples pop out. He's so gorgeous, my heart starts beating a little faster and the feeling in my gut intensifies.

"She was glaring."

"Yeah, she did not like me after that." I say.

"Oh well, she'll have to get over it, because I don't intend on stopping seeing you."

I feel my cheeks turn red.

Harry must notice because then he turns the attention away from me, "Is that a cactus?"

I pinch my eyebrows together, "What?"

He suddenly gets up and strides into the kitchen, "On the window, is that a cactus? That was not here before."

I laugh and join him in the kitchen, "It's a succulent"

"Suck-what?"

"Succulent," I say, "It's basically the easiest plant to keep alive." I say, crossing my arms.

"Interesting." He says, peering up at the small clay pot.

After a a moment of silence I add, "Yeah, his name is Fred."

"Katie, you're so strange."

"This is why I don't have friends." I say while pushing my feet into my winter boots.

"You have me, though." Harry says with a cheeky smile.

"That's so much worse." I reply with a grin. He nods in agreement.

"Where are we going?" He asks, "For lunch."

"I thought you knew a place." I say.

"I was hoping you did." He admits, pulling his coat up his elegant torso. I spot black ink beneath his white shirt. Tattoos? I've never noticed nor asked, but decide to save the question for a better time.

"I mean, we can go to Barbara's."

"That's so lame, Katie." Harry whines.

"You got anything better?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips.

"Nope, let's go." He grabs my hand and pulls me into the elevator, pressing the button hard to close the door.

"Lame." I exhale sharply for emphasis.

"Hopefully Fred the cactus doesn't get too lonely." Harry sighs.

"It's a succulent."

---

Sorry for the filler chapter, but I had to set some things up. Enjoy.