We Part Only to Meet Again

I shook my head, watching him rant angrily about how Pokémon is so much

better than InuYasha. This conversation was only brought up because we passed a toy shop with a big

Charmander plush in the window and Harry expressed how it was his favourite show as a kid and I

simply said Inuyasha was mine. Immediately sparking his nerd mode and went off on me. I just

sat and watched in the passenger seat as he continued to tell me the "historical context" of Pokémon

evolutions. My eyes rolled and wandered to the window right as soft snow layered the road. This

neighborhood kind of looks familiar to me? Even though I get lost every time I venture alone in this city.

“Are you listening” Harry cried, trying to get my attention again “NO. Harry, shhh” I waved my hand back

at him and looked out trying to concentrate on where we are. I smiled softly seeing Evan’s sandy hair and

tall stature walking into his flat “Harry, pull over” I pointed to the flat. He nodded and veered to the left

“I’ll be back in a bit” I said hurrying out of the car before he could say anything or protest. I walked up

the frosted stairs carefully and left light knocks on the door before stuffing my already red hands in my

coat. He opened the door within seconds “hey” I waved lightly with my fingers “uhm… hey?”

I could tell he was surprised at my sudden appearance at his front door. I mean I have neglected to even

send him a text or even answer his. Clearly this shows how much of shit person I really am. I stopped

talking to him without a notice or reason. We’re supposed to be professional, I work with him for God’s

sake and I let him down just because of a problem with Harry and me. It wasn’t at all Evans fault.

He scratched his head, letting out a sigh “come in?” he said in more of a ‘I’m being nice because you

feel stupid ‘ way instead of seeming like he actually wanted me to; making me a lot more nervous than

before. I nodded and he moved from the path. I immediately warmed after he closed the door.

“I’m really sorry, Evan” I chewed on my lip, feeling extremely stupid. But got right to the point “we were having problems”

“I Know”

“Not you and me. Me and Harry”

“I know”

“He was just really angry. And I just didn't know what to do”

“Felix…”

“I’m sorry. He thought… I just didn't –“ I halted my rant, realizing what he was saying and looked up “What?”

He smiled softly “I figured something was up with you two. He looked at me like the devil whenever I was near you” he chuckled.

I frowned “its okay I guess. Merry Christmas, by the way” he cheered.

“Merry Christmas” I cracked a smile. It was good that he understood everything and that I wasn't purposely, well actually, wanting to ignore him.

Harry honked the horn outside. I almost forgot we were on a schedule “I should go” I gave him a side hug before reaching for the door “Felix?” I turned back “yeah?”

“I really-” he groaned.
“Never mind” he smiled and gave me a hug “see you soon.I hope”

I creased a smile and my brows knitted in suspicion as I nodded my head “me too”

I walked out the door immediately knowing what he was going to say, or what he’s thinking at least.

But it shouldn't bother me. It not a big deal, right? People get that feeling. It shouldn't make things

uncomfortable or weird. It’s just a feeling. It will go away over time most likely. I smiled at Harry

before I got into the car, catching a glimpse of his worried frown. I buckled in and tried to let my

thoughts fall off like water on skin. I don’t want to think of any of that right now, even though it’s an

innocent thing for him to feel. The rest of the holiday just needs to go well and I just want it to be

over, I’m tired. My eye twitched, seeing that the car remained parked outside of Evan’s flat “what?”

He shrugged “you just look upset” he said in all honesty and worry “did he do something?”

I smiled and my body clung onto that stupid butterfly feeling. “Everything’s fine” I breathed, he

nodded and gave me a kiss that lingered even after we drove away “good” he grinned. Fuck he makes

me feel so weak sometimes and I’m not trying to pull on that ‘I’m a badass that doesn't go for love’

persona, but I never used to want this. I always thought it was easier to not be strapped down by a

boyfriend. But the thing with Harry is that… I don’t mind being ‘strapped down’ by him because I feel

weightless when I’m with him. Harry chuckled “you always look like you've eaten something sour when

you’re thinking” he held up his free hand and jabbed my nose with his finger, making me well up my

face. He laughed loudly and held his stomach “that face” I looked up into the small mirror and tried to

hide my smile because it did in fact look like I ate a lemon whole. I thumped his head only making him laugh even louder.

I watched Harry walk to the back of the car to pull out bags. Right when I saw the house I felt faint…

I’m doing it. I’m actually meeting his family. What am I supposed to say? Hello? Well duh… and his

mum! Do I hug her though?! I feel like if I try to hug her it will only be because my impression of her

is a family oriented woman, but I’m not her family! So what if she feels uncomfortable if I try to hug

her. It will be uncomfortable I know it and it will just be because I’m an idiot. A knock at the window

sounded and I looked out to see Harry squatted by the door, motioning for me to pull down the

window. I smiled nervously and did as he said “what’s wrong sour face?” he grinned; reaching a hand

in and played with the ends of my hair. “I’m scared” I looked down and fiddled with a button on my

coat. I looked at him and felt the tears already brimming. His face fell and he opened the door “shhhh”

he cooed and moved to sit on the edge of the seat “I promise everything will be okay” he grinned

hopefully. I nodded and wiped away any sign of tears and pulled the biggest smile I could “I know.

I’m just being stupid” he nodded “extremely stupid” his smile was big.

The teasing may have left a few

pinches on his arms but he was just trying to help me calm my nerves and it did work, but standing at

the front door now triggered my nervous lip chewing. His hand moved to my waist and he squeezed a

bit to reassure me, I looked to him and he was already looking warily down at me “I promise” he

reminded me before kissing my cheek softly “are you ready now?”. He asked me this because I've kept

him from going in for the past 10 minutes of my nervous breathing, pacing, and not yets. I nodded

my head with confidence, feeling if I did it that way maybe it would knock a bit of assurance in me. His

eyes filled with a blissful grin and he opened the door with a thud “MUUUMMMMMMMM” he squealed

like a child whilst he looked around “Harry! No need to slam doors!” he looked up the stair way, seeing

his mother coming down. She scolded him but he had the happiest look etched over his face,

seemingly ignoring her words. He charged up the staircase, meeting her half way and engulfed her in

what seemed to be a suffocating grip “I’m so happy you’re here” her whimper was barely audible with

her face buried into her sons coat. She kissed his cheek one last time before leading him down “I have

so much for us planned tonight, love. Terrible that you have to leave so-“ her eyes flickered up to my

presence by the door and her pace quickened to the bottom. My eyes widened before she wrapped her

arms around me, teetering us from side to side. I looked up at Harry and he shrugged with a grin.

“you’re even more beautiful in person” she cried, compressing my cheeks with her hands before she

yelped in excitement and hugged me again “it’s nice to meet you” I smiled nervously and she let me

go. She pulled me by my hand into her dimly lit kitchen “sit! Sit!” she motioned me towards the table

and I obeyed as she searched through cupboards “tea?” she looked at me for a split second and smiled

at my nod before setting a kettle on the stove. Moments later after he was done setting our few bags

upstairs, Harry sat beside me at the round table “so!” he started “is she driving you insane yet?”

“N- No!” my eyes widened and I smiled apologetically at his mum and made sure to smack the back of

his head “OW! I was talking to my mum any way…” his pained scowl quickly turned into a sly smirk. I

grabbed a rag that was rested neatly over the chair and turned to Harry’s giggling mum “excuse me,

but do you mind if I injure your son momentarily?” she nodded her head lightly whilst trying to muffle

her loud laughs with her small hands. “Mum!?” he cried as I repeatedly smacked the shit out of him

with the flowery cloth “that’s” hit “what” hit “you get!” hit. He snatched my weapon from my hands

before I could have at him again “why’d you let her do that? And why are you laughing!” he whined,

trying to make sense of his tousled hair with his hand “you should be a lot nicer, sweetheart” she

cooed with a red faced grin. He pouted and thumped his head on the table “Harry? Harryyy” I poked at

his cheek, only getting him to cross his arms and duck his head down messily “Harry, please” I sighed.

His eye peeked over his shoulder, the glare holding his playful emerald eyes. My pout grew the longer

he stared at me with mock anger; Anne set the teacups in front of the two of us, smiling apologetically.

I wouldn't blame her, I bet having Harry alone is hard not to lose track of time when all he does is

make you laugh. He finally put out his smug look and kissed my pouted lips happily “be nice from now

on” he chuckled, taking a bite of one of the biscuits his mum put out. I nodded with a smile and pulled

his arm closer and took a bite of the biscuit “okay!” I chirped. He scowled momentarily, trying to refrain

from smiling but failed horribly, obviously I’m too adorable for him to handle.

“Well, aren't you two just adorable?”

I looked to the kitchen as a girl with purple coloured hair began setting bags of foods on the counter

top. She turned around with the widest grin as Harry stood to wrap his arms around her. She is so

beautiful; in that weird part of my brain she is definitely lady crush material. Harry turned to me and

led the girl to a seat at the table and sat beside me like before.

“Felix Gemma, Gemma Felix” he introduced the two of us to each other and we shared a friendly smile.

Harry had spoken about Gemma mannny times before. You could tell that guy loves his sister a lot.

I didn't at all expect her to be the least of amazing and beautiful.

After we talked for a bit at the table, Harry and Gemma led me downstairs into their lounge room.

It was pretty rad, to be honest. Big flat screen TV, posters of amazing bands hanging on the walls, a

fridge full of sweets and drinks; and I won’t even lie, this couch is so comfortable I might just cry.

Harry popped in a film whilst we waited for Anne to finish up cooking Christmas dinner. It smells so

good, I would have asked her if she needed help but I would probably burn down the house within

five minutes and ruin Christmas for everyone.

HARRY'S P.O.V

The sweet aroma of my mum's delectable home-cooking wrapped itself around me as my nose

continued to take in the delightful smell. Each moment spent in my childhood home was filled with

nothing but familiar memories which continuously flowed inside my mind; ones of me running

throughout the entire place, always making a mess while trying to find another mischievous excuse to

tell my mum after being caught once more.

Still, time and time again, I never failed whenever it came to placing a smile upon her lips despite how

mad she was at me.

With hectic schedule brought about by management, preparing for the new album, and touring plans in

the making, it had marked almost a year or so since the last time I've been able to visit. Thankfully,

everything was able to work out in the end. After the time consuming plans back to back and recent

stressful fights, I was once home again where it all started - the same exact place where I took my first

steps, experienced my most troubling ups and downs, and balanced my new life as an international

star.

Unlike all the other times I've visited before, there lay a different feeling about the place I left behind

numerous times. No longer was I the same person before when I had walked into the room.

Regardless of all the contracts, fame, and money thrown into my face over the years working in the

music industry I had adapted a new persona entirely.

Instead of being both susceptible and vulnerable to everyone else's wants and needs, over time it

involved into something more other than the charismatic boy.

Compared to other moments, I felt a little more grown up after experiencing several situations in which

countless people had tested my ability to fight through whatever it may be regarding paparazzi,

scandals, and so on. From there when it seemed to only get worse, there were six people who never

failed to stick by my side through thick and thin: Felix and the guys.

Each and every single one of them were a part of a force such stronger than any ordinary friendship or

simple bond. Each person made up a piece of my wonder wall - providing me with the strength to

overcome the various struggles in my life nonetheless while bestowing comfort and amazement

amongst the days we spent together and not apart.

Felix especially was held dear to my heart because of her timid yet vivacious and charming attitude

displayed daily. Although she was a fighter, she continued striving for happiness as well as a sense of

belonging after the death of her parents. It was a constant pain to carry but it was also a burden

whenever she became prone to certain parts of her past, more so ones she disregarded due to the

grief that followed.

Pity was never anything she wanted others to feel about her. Being one of the people drawn to her, it

took me quite some time and effort to understand why she felt that way but nevertheless Felix decided

it was best for those considered "outsiders" to the situation to stay unaware.

Leaning over to the side, I rested my head upon her clothed shoulder as she kept her eyes glued to the

pictures on Gemma's iPhone. The two of them were muttering here and there over old photos of her

both her graduation and the recent ones of us at my mum's wedding to her new husband. Calmly, I

watched as the two continued to laugh and interact with one another for the first time which made me smile.

Though often seeming shy and distant to those she meets for the first time, Felix was hitting it off

nicely with my sister. I was scared at first because no matter how many times I introduced a girl to my

family, it seemed hopeless in terms of getting them to like her but now it was different. The

atmosphere in the room was more content instead of displeased with our guest and things were

looking like they were starting to shape up for not just me but my girlfriend as well.

"So," Gemma started up again, placing her iPhone down on the table. "Enough about me, let's talk

about you for a bit. What's your family like, I bet your mum is gorgeous," she motioned towards Felix,

a wide grin placed upon her thin lips.

I felt my stomach drop at the sound of her words - almost as if the time had stopped. Felix on the

other hand kept her voice down as she tried her best to stay calm about the situation. I regret not

warning my mum or Gemma of the dilemma beforehand as I watched Felix struggle with the thought

of having to reflect back on her parents' death.

"Is there something wrong?" Gemma asked, a hint of worry lacing in her words at the sight of the timid girl in front of her.

"It's just that I haven't spoken to my parents in a while," Felix muttered only to earn a dismal look from

the Gemma. Struggling to keep her cool demeanor, I tried my best to relax Felix back

into her harmonic state from earlier.

"Why is that?" Gemma continued on with the questioning, still unaware of the tragic truth behind

everything. It pained me to have to watch the two gesture questions and comments back and forth but

it would've been worse for me to interrupt their conversation. Sooner or later, the truth was going to

come out even if it was a little earlier than I had hoped.

With a small tear falling onto her face, Felix took a deep breath before replying back,

“the food is ready, c’mon!”

my mums glee filled face poked from the door as she cheerfully told us to come up for Christmas

dinner. Gemma perked up immediately, stampeding up the basement stairs, seemingly forgetting about

an answer from Felix. Felix and I let out a chuckle in sync, listening to my mum scold Gemma for

“trying to eat the food like an elephant”. Her smile simmered down and she looked up to me with a

mixture of distress and relief. I smiled and wiped a drying tear from her cheek “when you’re ready”, I

kissed her cheek and looked at her as she nodded, understanding what I told her. “Harry! Now’s not the

time to shag!” Gemma yelled from upstairs, clearly with a mouthful of food.

“Gemma!” my mum and Robin scolded “whaaat?” she wined. I laced my fingers with my hers and led

her into the dining room where mum was still, let me say it again, STILL placing bowls and pans of

food on the already packed table.

“Mum, I don’t think we’re going to finish all of this. Only five of us here” I chuckled. She glanced at me

with grin before motioning her head towards Gemma and Robin stuffing their faces with roast and

potatoes. Felix giggled, letting go of my hand and took a seat beside Gemma. Gemma smiled and

hugged her from the side, handing her a plate as Robin told her corny jokes that she laughed at every time.

“Oh, I just love her” my mum gushed, watching the scene before us. “I love her more than anything” I

smiled as Felix looked over at me with a reddened face, chuckling and trying not to spew her food out

with her hand. “SHE thinks I’m hilarious, Gems! You should appreciate my comedic gold like her”

Robin exasperated with a loud laugh “keep this one, Harry” he gave her a toothy grin and I nodded

quickly. I started to the chair beside my girlfriend but my mums small hand pulled me back

“and never let her go” she kissed my cheek

I nodded “I wouldn't think of it.”