The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Twenty Eight

New plan. Try not to lose Harry.

I felt like I barely slept last night. Too busy tossing and turning to really rest. My mind wandering instead of dreaming. Too busy thinking about who Whitney really was to Harry.

I wasn't supposed to be in this deep. I wasn't supposed to care too much about how he behaved around other women. Who he spent his free time with, who he had past relations with, who he really wanted to be with.

I woke up exhausted.

Mentally drained.

Harry, smiling, hand resting too comfortably on the woman's waist. That's all I can see.

[9:43 am, her time]

Harry: Sorry I missed your call last night. Things ran late. I'll call tomorrow, promise.

I stare at the text, thumb hovering, but decide to lock my screen instead.

Was he with her now? Is that why he'll call tomorrow instead of right now?

I needed to get a grip on things.

The more I give, he'll want me less. I still needed to breadcrumb him, make him work for it. Play hard to get even though he knows he already has me.

I needed to distract myself so that I don't spiral. He's probably getting ready to go to sleep right now anyways so there was no need to respond to his text at the moment. I had hours to think of a response.

So I got ready to get froyo with Violet and recap last night. I hadn't realized how spaced out I was until my phone was vibrating on the table showing an incoming call from Harry.

It was nearly midnight in Tokyo, not sure why he wasn't asleep.

Violet glanced at my phone and then up at me staring at the phone before the screen went black and it sent him to voicemail.

"Is everything okay?"

That snapped me out of my daydream, "Oh, yeah. Sorry."

"So you're not answering Harry? Is that your mystery man?" She smirked.

"He's probably busy." I shrugged, moving my gummy bear around my cup as the rest of my frozen yogurt started to melt.

"He called you." She stated.

"Yeah but," I sighed, not sure what to say to this. "I'll call him later."

"Okay..." She looked a bit confused but quickly brushed it off. "So, I was thinking about spring break. Mexico, sun, margaritas, and no responsibilities for a week." That sounded like a dream. One I didn't want to pass up. I hadn't even thought about spring break coming. I definitely needed more than a week off.

"Tempting." I smirked and we sparked back into an intense conversation about the guy that Violet was dancing with for half the night before she realized he was gay.

-

At the gallery, my mother has me sorting through catalogues and drafting emails for an upcoming exhibit. I fully threw myself into it, determined to let work and my mother's chatter drown out thoughts of Harry.

I unlock the glass doors, juggling a box of brochures against my hip.

As my mom was directing some of the artists, I was balancing on a small ladder, adjusting the spotlight over a large abstract painting.

Stacks of glossy exhibit catalogs spread across a desk. I lick an envelope shut, tossing it onto the growing pile of invitations.

Driving down the highway in my car, the backseat stuffed with carefully wrapped art pieces. I hum along to the radio, tapping the wheel, wind catching my curls through the open window.