“You look great,” she said. I couldn't help but snort in my mind. Yeah, right. I bet that's exactly what she thought of me. I bet she finds the situation just as horrible as I do. I still don't understand why they're here, they don't have to be. I didn't want them to. But it's too late now, the funeral's over and I feel like shit. My eyes are still sore after all the tears, I can't breathe through my nose because of all the snot that has filled it up because of the crying. Disgusting, I know.
“Thanks. Mum. You look good yourself.” I hoped that it didn't show how big that lie was. To be honest, she looked tired, angry, pissed of and sad at the same time. Or maybe that's how she always looked, just that I'd forgot it. She gave me a weak smile, that almost felt fake and took another sip of her coffee.
Like I said, the funeral's over. I had to admit that it feels better than I thought. Like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. It was over now. Sure, I'll be shedding more tears, but that's okay. I still have people left in my life that I love. Life doesn't end here, even though it feels like it sometimes.
My thoughts were interrupted as Harry placed his hand in mine under the café table. I turned my head to look at him and received a small smile.
“Well, I never thought that Amber would get a boyfriend,” Mark started, but got a small punch in the stomach, that sadly showed, from Jim. But I pretended like it hadn't and let Jim think that his small gesture worked. At least Jim's got some manners, better late then never I guess. I could feel how Harry's grip on my hand hardened as he spilled out, with his gaze focused on Mark:
“Why not?” I could see in the corner of my eye how dad tensed a bit, but he didn't say anything.
“Excuse me?” Mark asked in his regular snob voice.
“Amber is the sweetest girl I've ever met. I'm lucky that I've got her, and not anybody else!”
* Harry's POV*
I couldn't help my words, but this guy just made me furious. Has it ever occurred to him that his words may hurt other people? Hurt Amber? Did he really think that he's so much better than everybody else that he has the right to say what he thinks and feel, no matter what it is. No matter if it's good or bad. I bet his mind works the other way around, when he thinks good of someone or something, he doesn't say it. But when he finds something bad or horrible or at least not as good as himself, he surely let it out. Well, guess what. I don't think I've ever met a person that's actually worse than him. Maybe I should let that show.
I felt guilty about it, but I actually wanted this whole family gathering thing to end, like right now. Sure, I've always wondered what Amber's family's like, but I thought that her mother and her new family would be as nice as her father. They're not.
I left the table to go to the bathroom, it wasn't that necessary, but it was at least a way to leave the table for a while. I closed the door behind me and turned around and found myself in the mirror. I placed my hands on the sink and looked at myself. My dark curls seemed a little messy, but I didn't care. My suit started to feel uncomfortable and I wanted to get out of it really bad. Maybe I'll just take it off and head back to the table in my underwear. Now, that would show that Mark guy and his stone faced father. Nah, I can't do that, even though it would be a hell lot of fun.
I flushed even though I hadn't used the toilet and pretended to wash my hands. I unlocked the door and opened it and started to head back to the table. To my surprise, it was only Amber's mother and father there. I looked around for Amber, but didn't see her anywhere. I slowly continued towards the table and interrupted them in a conversation that seemed to be about Steve's wedding or something.
“I'm sorry to bother you, but have you seen Amber anywhere?” I asked.
“She's waiting outside. We decided that you guys can head home if you want to. I'll stay here with Diana for a while. We have some catching up to do,” Steve said. I nodded.
“Okay.”
The small bell rang as I opened and closed the café door behind me. The first things I heard were voices, and I recognized them as soon as I heard them. I quickly stopped before walking down the stairs. I couldn't see them, so I hoped that they couldn't see me either. But considering their conversation, I'm pretty sure that they hadn't noticed me yet. I could feel the smell of their cigarettes all the way, causing me to hold my breath. I've never liked that smell.
“I don't like him. Who does he think he is?!”
“Quiet, he might show up soon.”
“I don't care if he hears me.”
“And then there's Amber,” the second voice, that apparently belonged to Mark, continued.
“She's just too much. I'm so glad that she's out of the house.”
“Well, I can't argue with you. She's almost as pathetic as her mother,” Jim said, as they joined each other in some sort of giggle, before opening car doors, start an engine and drive away. I couldn't breathe. They didn't know Amber. It's impossible because if they did they would see that she's the best thing ever. She's so real and honest. So sweet and caring, that the fact that someone thought different made me sick with anger. I had to bite my lip and close my eyes and try to breathe slow to make my anger fly away with the cool air. I wanted nothing more than just walk up to them and give them a nice punch in the face each. But they were gone now.
“Harry!” someone called, causing me to jump slightly. It was Amber that stood next to my car on the other side of the road. I quickly walked down the stairs and crossed the empty and quiet road.
* Amber's POV *
I could see that Harry had a weird expression on his face as he came closer. I frowned and was just about to ask him what was wrong when he desperately, yes it was desperate, pressed his lips agains mine. I didn't do anything to stop it, just enjoyed his kiss as always. I smiled as he gently placed kisses down my jaw.
“What's up with you curly?” I playfully asked. His eyes met mine and I could see that he was serious about something.
“What's the matter?” I asked, a bit more worried now.
“I just want you to know that I love you. Very much. Amber, I don't know if I've ever told you this but, you mean the world to me. I can't believe how lucky I am to have you.”
I couldn't help but have this goofy grin on my face the whole way home. I can't believe that I actually mean that much to somebody. It was a really beautiful feeling. I held Harry's hand even though he drove, he managed to do it perfectly with just one hand on the wheel. It caused him to look even more manly, which I didn't complain about. He was just perfect, and I can't even imagine how boring my life used to be without him. The only persons I'd spent time with before were the ones in the books I read, and that's not really somebody that can kiss you and hold your hand and give you comfort when you need it the most. I needed Harry.
I searched for the keys to my flat in the pocket of my coat.
“Here we have them!” I said and unlocked the door. I let Harry in and closed the door behind us.
“I'm just gonna use the bathroom,” Harry said as he took off his jacket.
“Okay,” I said and wondered if he needed to go again since he just did that at the café. Oh well, who knows. I turned on some lamps here and there just to make the flat look a bit nicer. We couldn't walk around here in the dark, right? I walked into the kitchen and turned on the lamp in the window and then walked back to my bed to turn on the one that stood on my nightstand. As I did so, I noticed that my pillow looked very weird, well at least a lot more, I don't know, messy. Yes, it looked pretty messy. At least I knew that I didn't leave it like that. I picked it up to fix it, when I noticed the small paper that was placed under it. Had Harry done this? That's so sweet. Maybe that's why he went to the bathroom, just so I would find it by myself. That goofy grin came back to my mouth as I unfolded the paper.
Missed me? I've missed you too honey. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. I'll see you soon.
I dropped it at once. I fell down on my bed, shaking. I didn't want him to do this. I didn't want him to come back. It all starts now. His plan. He's finished it. I started to cry, slowly rocking back and forth. It didn't take long before the boy I loved came and wrapped his arms round me. He fell down on the bed next to me, gently lifting me up in his lap and tried to put my hands away from my face.
“Amber, what's wrong sweetie?” I couldn't say that much, just tried to control my shaking body.
“Babe, it's okay. I know you're sad about the funeral and everything, but that's okay. Just let it out!”
I looked up at his worried, yet comforting expression. He wiped away my tears and removed some hair from my face. I don't know what I did that made him understood, but after a while he asked:
“Wait. You're not crying because of the funeral, are you?” I could feel my head shook, even though I couldn't remember that's what I wanted it to do.
“Is it him?” Harry asked with eyes that seemed to burn with anger. His mood really changed fast.
“Yes,” I let out, but nothing more than in the shape of a whisper. I slowly started to reach for the note that I dropped on the floor. I couldn't reach it though, so Harry picked it up. He looked at it, and I could see how his jaw and whole body tensed as his eyes left the paper.
“Where did you find this?” I swallowed hard before speaking with trembling voice.
“Under my pillow.”
“Did he put it there?” I didn't answer him right away, because I wasn't sure myself. I hadn't left the flat today more than once, when I drove to the grocery store to buy some dinner, and dad was still here. But wait, he said that he was going to take a shower and get ready for the funeral while I was gone. And he didn't lock the door, because I didn't have to knock when I got back. Did the man sneak inside my flat as soon as he saw me leaving? Did he know that dad was in the shower at that time so he wouldn't be seen? Just to put that note under my pillow? I bet he was in a rush, since the pillow were a bit messy. Guess he didn't have time to put it back the way it was before he came. I couldn't breathe. Just the thought of him in my flat gave me goosebumps. I wanted nothing more than to be safe right now, so I rested my head against Harry's chest, feeling a bit better when he wrapped his arms around me again and gently kissed the top of my head.
When will this nightmare be over?
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