Sunflower | h.s

18

Harry Styles

As I drove down the narrow roads I couldn't help but smile at everything that happened. Sure it was short but any time I get with Aaliyah I will forever be grateful for. I don't know what about the girl it is that makes me want to know more, I just do. I felt as if we had a connection from the first time we met. Sounds cliche I know, but now I understand what people mean when they say it.

I defined "connection" to be the energy that exists between 2 people when they feel seen, heard and/or valued. When they give and receive without judgement and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship. I don't mean relationship as is "love" I mean a relationship as linking back to what I said, a connection. I valued a connection between me and Aaliyah far more than any sense of intimacy or words could possibly define.

There was so much more to her than met the eye, that's what I wanted to find out. Just anything about her that no one else knew or maybe that she was afraid of telling anyone else. I understood that it would come with time. That's why I decided to wait as long as it took. It might mean the surprise in my journal I have takes a while, but that doesn't matter. What matters, is Aaliyah.

I arrive at my house within no time at all and I pull up and hop out of the car. I take my journal and hold it closed with my hand as I open the door to my house. As soon as I lock my car and get inside I rush over to my desk and start writing more things about what Aaliyah said.

"What was it she said?" I ask myself under my breath as I try to recall what it was she said to me about sunflowers.

There's just so much more to sunflowers that we'll never know.

"Yes." I say to myself as I remember the slight hints of details she said about sunflowers. Anything she said would help me with the surprise, no matter how long it took, I know she'll be patient.

I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket. I put my pen down and grab it out. The screen lights up with a phone number of my uni course. I huff and roll my eyes as I open the text.

Styles. Big news in which we'll be able to tell you when you come back to uni next week. I don't think you're ready for it!!

I raise an eyebrow out of curiosity and slight confusion but I decide to wait until next week until I can be told this "news"

I start unintentionally tapping my finger on the desk as I look at Aaliyah's phone number written neatly in black ink. I fight with my thoughts about wether I should text her or not. Maybe a simple "hi." No. Too plain. Maybe a "how are you?" No. Too boring. I lean back in my chair with my hands over my eyes as I think about what to text her. I didn't want her to think I asked for her number for no reason, I want her to know there was a use for it. I decide to just go for it because what's the worst that could happen?

Hey Aaly. It's Harry :)

I send that and shut my phone off debating on wether to look at it ever again. My heart was beating so fast for reasons I didn't even understand. My eyes widen when I hear my phone vibrate next to me. I keep muttering to myself "it'll be alright. You're overreacting." Over and over again until I felt my phone in my hands

Hey Harry! Thanks for today :)

I smile lightly without realising until I felt the dimples in my cheeks crease. I want to ask her so many things right here and there. But I knew if I did I would probably overwhelm her.

What are you doing?

She asks making me chuckle slightly

Journaling

Is that the thing I can't see until "whenever it's ready"

Yep. You can guess what it is all you want but I guarantee you'll never know until I tell you

I'm horrible at guessing so I will wait.

Good! I don't know how long it will take

That reminds me of something about my book of sunflowers

Really?

I ask in excitement with my pen already at my paper

Yeah. The thing with sunflowers is I've realised how patient they have to be. My book said that is a long process before the seed can even blossom because it has to fight through the dark soil to get light. I guess what I'm referring to is if a flower can wait to become something beautiful then I can wait to see your journal. Not in the way that you think! I'm saying I'll be patient.

That paragraph meant a lot towards the surprise. I didn't know how to put it in there just yet, but I knew it will help at some point throughout. It's like Aaliyah didn't even mean to be helpful. She just naturally is.

When can I see you again Harry?

She asks making me remember I forgot to reply to her last message because I was so lost in taking notes

I'm free the entire week before I get back to my course next week!

Want to go for a walk tomorrow maybe?

I look at the screen and feel my heart pace quicken, but this time it was out of excitement

Sure!

Meet me at the sunflower fields on top of that field at 8pm. There are some really nice woodland areas nearby! And if we catch it at sunset it will be a dream :)

Sounds awesome. See you tomorrow Aaliyah :)

Bye Harry :)

I shut my phone off and run my hands through my hair while smiling. I could not wait. Hopefully she told me more about sunflowers or brought her book with her, that would be helpful towards the surprise. Not only that, but when she read, her voice was so calming that I could listen to it for hours.

She read books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live. To feel as if she accomplished something as she tried her best to take a moral out of anything she read. That is what I admired about her.

As I walk upstairs and lye flat on my back on my bed, where my eyes were only met with the white coloured ceiling I couldn't help but look forward to tomorrow. Especially because a fraction of it was going to be spent with Aaliyah.