Chapter Twelve
In the Rough
Author's Note: Thank you so much for those reviews! I was having a bad day, which turned into a crappy week and the things you guys say make me so happy, I'm so glad you like the story! Here's chapter twelve. And don't worry, everyone's going to come to their senses soon.
The first few days at my parents' house was lonely and miserable. The house was usually empty all day because both my parents were out working so I'd lie around on the couch, stuffing my face and watching old sitcoms or cartoons.
I would never go out, I would never move to find a new house or a job or a life. Moping was the only thing I wanted to do, and damnit, that's what I did.
By the time my parents got back everyday, I had made myself look presentable and faked a story about the job interview I had or the real estate agent I talked with.
My car never left the drive, and no one noticed.
A few days have passed and I'm getting a little stir-crazy.
It's only twelve in the afternoon and I'm restless and agitated.
The house feels too small and I want to crawl out of my skin.
I walk into the kitchen and rummage through the cupboards, maybe if I eat enough I won't feel so empty.
And it's when I'm about to chew on a chocolate truffle that I have an epiphany.
Sitting around all day like this, being worthless will not help me at all. I won't get over Harry that way.
No.
I'll be the supportive best friend, we can forget what happened. Just like we forgot about our once-upon-a-time-and-very-brief romance from way back when. I can live my life out here and they'll all be in London.
I forgot about it all once, and if Harry wants to be happy with Natalie and spend the rest of his life with her then
I'll let him and I won't get in the way any more.
I've been inconsiderate enough as it is.
I'll start a new life here, in my neighborhood town.
So I take a scalding hot shower, iron some smart gray pants and put on a thin, black cashmere turtleneck and the black stiletto pumps Robbie gave me to make Harry jealous. I dry my hair, taming it so it's full of bouncy curls and it shines. I pull half of it up and out of my face and leave the rest of my shoulders. I borrow my mum's rather large, square diamond earrings that are heavy against my ear lobes. I finish it off with a trace of make up and grab my bag, and my long, wool trench coat, and leave.
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I drive around for a bit before I figure out exactly what I'm doing or where I'm going. When I realize I have no idea what to do I pull into an old park with a frozen pond and a gazebo.
I pull out my mobile and call Robbie, he doesn't answer, so I try Ron.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Ron," I keep my voice neutral.
"Hermione! How are you?"
"Good, really good."
He hesitates, "Are you telling me the truth?"
"I wish," I sigh. "I'm off my arse though, so I'm improving."
He chuckles, "That's good."
And suddenly, the question bursts into my head and I need to know.
"How's everything there?" he knows I mean with Harry and Natalie.
Ron lets some air escape his mouth and his muffles the line, then he says, "He hasn't said anything to me.... The wedding plans are," he pauses. "Natalie doesn't know anything, so they're still getting married."
Should I have expected anything different?
No.
"Oh," is all I say. "Well, that's good."
"Not exactly."
"So, you've spoken with Harry then?"
"Yes, briefly- a few times.... He didn't say anything about you though," he sounds like he wishes he didn't have to tell me the truth.
I sigh, "Oh well."
"I'm sorry Hermione."
"No, it's fine, I'm perfectly fine out here, don't worry at all, please," I pause. "I have to go though, I'll call you again soon. Thanks."
And I hang up.
I don't cry, I don't even think about crying, I start my car up, and drive again.
I think of things to distract me.
I should do something productive, something to make myself busy and productive.
I drive to the grocery store and pick out some things to make my parents dinner. I won't mope around anymore, I won't be miserable.
The grocery store isn't very crowded and I decide to make my parents spaghetti and garlic bread, a nice salad, and I'll buy some brownie mix too. I throw it all in the trolley and push it passed magazines and chips and sodas and romance novels. I take in a deep breath to clear my head, feeling as if this decision to be happy will really work. It will work, I will be happy without Harry.
I stop at a little kiosk of floral arrangements and bouquets of fragrant flowers.
I pick up a bouquet of beautiful, bright purple flowers, mixed in with some orange ones and some greenery as well. It smells nice and fresh and I contemplate buying it to brighten up my parents' dining room.
"Hermione Granger?"
I hear a man saying my name and I furrow my brow, turning to look to my left.
There's a man standing there, he's got dark blonde hair and brown eyes. He looks familiar, but I don't know where he's from. He's smiling at me, as if he can't actually believe it's me standing here, smelling a bouquet of flowers in the supermarket. He's clad in a blue and white striped button-up shirt and jeans, and I have to admit, he's rather handsome.
"Yes?" I say.
"Don't you recognize me?" he asks.
Am I supposed to?
"I'm sorry?"
"It's me! Adam Garett," he says.
I think for a minute, Adam Garett? Who the bloody hell is- OH!
"Adam!" I exclaim with a bright smile. "How are you?"
"I'm good," he replies. "And yourself?"
He's staring at me with such wonder I almost falter when I answer, "I'm good, goodness, I haven't seen you in ages!"
"I know, it's been too long. What have you been doing with yourself?" he asks.
You don't want to know.
"Well, I've been London since I got out of school. I just recently decided to move back here though," I smile brightly. "What have you been doing?"
It's so weird to see a face from my childhood all grown up. Adam Garett used to go to primary school with me, and our parents are good friends. It's so odd to see him here, in the supermarket, as an adult. Especially when I haven't seen him in years.
He stuffs his hands into his pockets and says, "I went to medical school, I'm a dentist now."
My parents must love that.
"Wow, that's great."
He nods, "Yeah, and I still live here in town too."
I nod.
"Not all of Miss Mark's class moved out to the big city," he says.
I laugh, although he said it kind of nastily, "That's too bad."
There's a short silence before he says, "I know this is kind of random, but do you have plans on Friday night?"
Oh lord.
"No," I squeak.
"Would you like to go out to dinner with me?" he asks.
This is perfect right? I can start getting over Harry completely, I'll go on a date with Adam and have loads of fun and I'll move on.
Then why do I want to say no to him?
"Sure, I'd love to."
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"You're going on a date with Adam Garett?" Mum says. "Hermione, that's fantastic."
"You know he's a dentist?" Dad points out to her.
"It's not a big deal," I say, taking a sip of water.
"I think it's adorable," she says. "You two would look so good together."
Bloody hell someone end this.
"I guess you took our advice to heart when we said you should hurry up before everyone beats you to the altar," they joke.
I laugh, but inside I'm silent.
Author's Note: I promise, next chapter everyone is coming to their senses. Merry Christmas!