Watermelon Seeds

(Rice)

The cool October wind blows lightly through the bare trees of Apple Park. I have been coming here since I was a baby. My mom would pack small snacks in her purse, and my dad would push me on the swings. Apple Park has always been a huge part of my life. I sprained my wrist when I was five---trying to jump off the top of the slide; and I got my first kiss, in eighth grade, on the bench by the basketball court.

A car horn honks twice, and I turn to see a black Honda. I smile as the driver gets out of the car and pops the trunk open. His shaggy black hair blows around his face as he pulls out a plastic bag.

"Hey," he says softly once he reaches me. "I brought a peace offering."

"Harry," I sigh. "You didn't have to."

He shrugs his shoulders and sits down on the swing beside me. I kick at the ground and stare questioningly at the bag. He pulls out a small container and hands it to me. I pop the lid and am met with the familiar smell of rice.

"You didn't," I smile.

"It's your favorite," he says with a laugh. "I had to get it."

As I swallow the last bit of rice, I set the small container down and turn to Harry. He merely grins back at me and reaches again into the bag. This time; however, it's not food he pulls out. The shiny, clear wrapping of The 10th Kingdom makes me gasp.

"I want you to believe anything is possible," Harry smiles. I take the movie with shaking hands. I feel the familiar stinging of tears is in the back of my eyes, and I don't know what to think.

"Thank you," I breath as I hug the movie to my chest. Harry just grins and reaches again into the bag.

"The Sims: Deluxe Edition," he smiles. "So you can create the perfect world."

"This is too much," I cry as I wrap him in a tight hug.

"No," he says sadly as he wraps his arms around my waist. "It's not enough. I was a complete asshole."

"I know."

"You don't have to forgive me, you know," Harry says as we pull apart. I reach up a hand and trace his jaw line. He shivers beneath my touch and I smile lightly.

"I want to," I answer. "I just don't know if I should do it now."

"You don't have to. You could wait a million years if you want to," Harry says as he reaches up and takes my hand. We stand in the warm sunlight staring at each other before Harry leans down and places a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I love you," he whispers, then turns and walks away. I watch as he walks across the bright green grass. Large flame covered trees sway in the wind, and their crimson leaves float lazily to the ground. I feel an aching pain in my heart as Harry gets in his car and drives away.

He doesn't look back, and suddenly a large sob breaks free from the back of my throat. I crouch low and wrap my arms around my legs as tears pour down my face. Why didn't I say it was ok?

(Two Years Earlier)

"Mom," I whine as we make our way through the garden section of Home Depot. "Why not?"

"Hermione," my mom sighs. She turns to look at me with dark blue eyes and runs her pale hand trough my hair. "Because, I'm your mother, and I say so ."

I groan as she continues walking down the aisle; stopping short to smell an exotic looking flower. Bird of…something. I turn away as she disappears behind some Japanese Maples. A display of seeds catch my eyes and I walk towards it. Pumpkin, corn, rosemary, alyssum. Catnip? Who the hell buys these?

"Hermione," my mom calls. I look around and find her standing at the sliding doors motioning me over. "Pick something and come on."

I grab a small packet and hurry towards her. As we wait in line a boy looking at hammers catches my eye. He's tall and lanky with jet black hair. I study the curves of his face, and wonder briefly if I've seen him before. As he walks around the small display case he looks up, and for a brief second our eyes meet.

Green. His eyes are green. I hate green.

"Hermione, help me with the bags will you?" My mom says as the clerk, Marissa, hands her the receipt. I pick up two tan bags, and turn to look at the boy. He's gone, and I follow my mom outside. The cool wind hits my face and I scowl.

"Now where the hell did I place those keys?" My mom murmurs as she fumbles around in her purse.

"You're holding them," I say as we reach the car.

"Will you lighten up?"

I don't answer, and instead sit quietly as we pull out of the parking lot and drive home. My mom glances at me before shutting off the car.

"Hermione," she says softly. "You have to understand why I won't let you go."

"Ginny going," I mumble as I slide further down the leather seat. "Her mom said it was ok."

The car door slams and when I look up the front door is closing. I roll my eyes and lean further into the seat. Parents. What's their problem? Is it some unspoken rule that they have to ruin their child's life?

When I walked into the house I'm met with the familiar smell of enchiladas. Dad trying to make mom happy again. I don't see why they just don't get a divorce. They hardly talk to each other, and never stay in the same room for more than a minute. It drives me completely mad.

"Pumpkin," my dad calls. I wince and walk into the living room. My dad is sitting on the couch, bare feet propped up on the coffee table. He looks relaxed with his tie loose and hair rumpled.

"Yes, Dad."

"Sit down," he smiles, patting the seat next to him. I sit down and he drapes an arm over my shoulder. "Why so down, Pumpkin?"

"Mom won't let me go to Lavender's party," I huff. My dad gives my shoulders a 'friendly' shake, and I cross my arms over my chest.

"I thought you two didn't get along."

"That's beside the point," I sigh. "I really want to go. Ginny's going, Dad. Ginny."

"Really?" my dad says looking surprised. "Just how did she convince Molly to agree to that?"

"How am I suppose to know," I growl as my dad gives my shoulders another shake. "The point is Ginny's going. Molly's got her on a tighter leash than Mom has for me. My God, do you know how embarrassing it'll be when I show up at school as the only person who didn't go the party?"

My dad smiles and pats my shoulder. "I'll see what I can do."

"Gee, thanks," I mumble after my dad has wandered off to the kitchen. I know he won't do anything. He never does. I lay back on the couch and pulls a plump pillow over my head as the phone rings.

"Hermione," my mom calls. "Phone."

"Hello," I say into the phone as I glare at my moms retreating back.

"Hermy," a light voice breathes into the receiver.

"Gin? What are you calling for?"

"I need you ask you a favor," she giggles.

"What?"

"Can I borrow an outfit for the party?"

"Oh," I say slowly. "Yeah, sure."

"Great!" she squeals into the phone.

"Listen," I say quickly. "I gotta go. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Ginny answers, and I know she's smiling. I throw the phone onto the loveseat once I hang up. She wants to borrow an outfit. One of my outfits. She wants to wear one of my outfits to the party. The party I'm not go to. Can life get any worse?

Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters belong to the talented J.K. Rowling. The Sims: Deluxe Edition belongs to Electronic Arts. The 10th Kingdom belongs to Fox Video. The rice belongs to a local grocery store.