CHAPTER 14(A WALK WITH HARRY)

My eyes were closed. I could hear the buzz of an electric fan above me. I guess I'm in the clinic now.

Someone was stroking my cheek gently. Who was it? I didn't want to open my eyes yet though. I felt too tired.

"You know, she's a really funny one. I like her. And that's a big deal because I usually don't like people", Evangeline's voice said.

"Yeah. I know. I was so worried when she fainted. I can't imagine what would've happened if things were worse", another voice said.

I know this voice… I do! Wait… Who was it again? Er… My brain's not working at the moment.

"Aw… Poor Anthea", the other voice spoke again.

I gasped. Oh my gosh! It was Harry! And he was stroking my cheek!

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! It's a dream come true! Harry's here with me. Please stay Harry.

Harry and Evangeline were still talking. I was curious. It's like they already knew each other. But I've never seen them hang out together.

"Harry, how's your dog Roger by the way?" Evangeline asked.

"He's fine. He's still the same after four years", Harry replied, chuckling.

He began to stroke my hair now. I was melting inside. I controlled myself from screaming.

"Hm… She smells like strawberry. Her hair I mean", he observed.

"Oh. That's your favourite scent right?" Evangeline said.

"Yeah. I'm amazed you still rememnber".

"How could I not? After all, you always stopped when you smelled anything that's like strawberry".

"I guess I did".

This was weird. How on Earth did Harry and Evangeline know each other? Things were certainly not adding up.

He removed his hand. I still closed my eyes. My body was still tired.

Suddenly, the door flew open. I bolted up immediately from the bed and saw a red-headed woman in a nurse's uniform.

"Where's the paaatttiieennt????" she called out in a loud voise. I gaped at her. This is the nurse?

I heard Evangeline groan.

"Moom. How many times have I told you not to yell? Especially when there are patients here", she whined.

Harry looked surprised too. He faced me and shrugged while smiling.

"No, no, no. Deeeaaarrr Evaaaannggeelliinne!! I'm doing this to help her get better!!! It's an old ritual in the fammmiiilllyy!!!" she continued yelling. Evangeline sighed.

"Mom. She's fine now. We just let her go to sleep", Evangeline explained.

Her mom suddenly grew quiet. She began to approach me. I nearly fell off the bed. She began observing my face. Then she nodded.

"Okay. She is fine. That's good. Anyway, Evangeline, tonight is a full moon. I'll need you to gather honey", she instructed Evangeline.

"Of course", Evangeline replied.

Suddenly, she turned to Harry and beamed. "Why Harry! You're here! It's nice to see you again my boy!".

"Aw… It's always a pleasure to see you Terra", Harry replied sweetly.

It suddenly hit me. Evangeline and Harry were childhood friends. No wonder.

"Look at the time. It's already dismissal", Terra said. "My dear, are you okay now?", she asked me.

I nodded. She smiled warmly.

I got up from bed and put on my shoes. I forgot my bag though; it was still in the classroom.

"Oh. Your bag's here. Danny brought it a while ago when he passed by", Evangeline announced, handing my bag to me.

Danny was really thoughtful. I owed him another one.

I took my bag and thanked Evangeline. I looked out the office. Yup. No one in sight. They all went home.

I felt better now. I guess I just needed sleep. Evangeline explained that I got infected with something by Eric. It's gone now though.

We all headed out to the main hall. Once we were outside, the skies began to turn grey. I sighed. Greeeat. It's going to rain, and I don't even have an umbrella. I'll be drenched in the rain.

Harry took an umbrella from his bag and opened it. Lucky him.

"Well, let's get going then?" he asked, grinning.

Whoa. I'm gonna walk in the rain with Harry under one umbrella? Cool.

"Sure. Thanks Harry. Bye Evangeline!" I said, waving to her. She smiled and waved back.

I felt like I was on a date. After all, Harry and I were alone in the pouring rain; under one umbrella. It felt like a movie.

And I'm just waiting for the romantic part to come hit me.

"So, you and Evangeline know each other?" I asked him, stepping on a puddle.

"Yeah. We were childhood friends", he replied.

"No wonder."

"Yeah. I know that we don't look like friends, but we're really close. She's very nice and down-to-earth. A lot of people actually get shocked when they find out we're actually friends."

"You two do look like an unusual pair."

"Yup. She's cool to me though."

We continued walking, stepping on puddles along the way. I suddenly remembered the piece of paper that I found. Maybe Harry knew something about it.

"Harry, do you have an idea who sent this?" I asked, handing him the paper. He was like Danny. At first he grinned, but then his expression turned sour. He looked angry.

"What the hell?!?" he exclaimed. I flinched again. He was the same as Danny. It's like de ja vu.

They had the exact same reaction.

"Oh. Sorry for that, it's just that… Well… I don't feel too good about this… I kind of want to protect you", Harry explained.

I felt like flying to the heavens. Harry? Protect me? Oh my gosh! That was so sweet!

"You know, kind of like an older brother", he added.

Suddenly, I felt like my wings were plucked off. As an older brother? No. I want more than that… He only saw me as a little sister, and I am so not cool with that. Well, it's not his fault anyway. I haven't even told him how much I liked him. Maybe if I do, he'd start seeing me in a new light.

An idea suddenly came into my mind; but it seemed too risky. I gulped. Okay. Is this really the time to confess? I stared at the puddles on the streets and looked up. I'd better hurry up then because my house was only a few meters away.

"Harry… I… I…" I started to say, turning red. Darn it. The words weren't coming out. Come on. Come on.

"Yes?" he asked with an innocent smile on his face.

Should I really shock him now??

"I… I… Um… You see… Er…"

He chuckled. "Spit it out Anthea, you don't need to be nervous around me."

I braced myself. Que sera sera. Time to really get out of my shell now.

"I'm in love with you Harry!" I blurted out.

He should've been stunned, but he didn't get to hear what I said. At the same time I managed to pour out my deepest feelings, the loud music and honking of an ice cream truck blocked out my voice. I was so ticked off.

Darn it! It shows up now? Just when I'm about to confess to Harry??

Also, it doesn't help that Harry was easily distracted by ice cream trucks. He was grinning from ear to ear when he saw it.

"Oh good! Ice cream! I'll get us some. Come on", he said and held my hand.

I felt like swooning. This feels like heaven. Harry picked chocolate ice cream for both of us. I have to admit, it was pretty yummy; even though I usually don't like chocolate. Or maybe I just liked it because Harry loved chocolate.

"Mmmm… This is yummy Harry. Thanks!" I said, grinning. Harry suddenly laughed out loud.

"What?" I asked, puzzled. I didn't do anything funny.

"Your teeth… They look decayed", he replied, pointing to my mouth. I smirked when he grinned as well. He had some on his teeth too. Yeah buddy, like you don't have some on your teeth too.

"Yeah right. You've got some on your teeth too", I retorted.

He looked surprised and laughed. "Um… Forget that ever happened. Wait. Anthea, you've got some chocolate… On your nose. Anyway, I've got it".

He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the chocolate from my nose. I can't believe there was chocolate there. I was so messy.

My heart pounded when Harry began wiping my nose gently. I wish this would last forever.

"Well, it's gone now. Let's take you home", he said. I nodded. Oh well. It didn't last forever, but it was enough.

I bade him goodbye when he had to leave that afternoon. I slept early, I was still pretty tired.

A few hours later, Dougie and Danny passed by my house. They were walking around the neighbourhood.

"Dougie! I told you to take the note from the locker!" Danny whined.

Dougie only chuckled "And spoil your chances of getting her? No way dude".

Danny sighed. "Oh well. No harm done though. Someone ripped off the last part of my note to her anyway".

Dougie looked at him with an outraged expression on his face. "What the hell? That was the most important part! Then she doesn't know that it was from you?" he exclaimed violently.

"Nope. She doesn't. Which is why I'm not beating you up now".

"Shut up. I know you're too nice to do that".

"Not really man."

"But seriously Danny, you're going to have to tell her sooner or later. Don't bottle up your feelings."

"I know. But she likes Harry, and I want her to be happy."

"Yeah man. But I think she could be happy with you too. I'm not kidding".

"Really?"

"Yeah. You can totally take care of her and provide her everything that she needs".

Danny sighed. "I hope so. But for now, I'm not yet going to tell her. But I'll definitely find the perfect time. I have to."

They walked away, talking about something else. So Danny did send the note, too bad I didn't know.

Dougie and Danny didn't know who ripped the last part of the note, and I didn't now about Danny's feelings for me.

Evangeline knew though.

Back at her home, she was sitting comfortably on her couch, reading a book. She pulled out the last part of the note from her pocket which said: "Love, Danny".

She grinned and chuckled. "Sorry guys, I saw that coming. I had to rip it off. But… I'd like to see you go on a wild roller coaster ride before you get to the last part".

She went back to reading, pleased with her plan.