I can almost hear the regret in Harry's words. But from what I've heard, Al's not the best love adviser.
"And what would you do if I had not come, Harry? Who would you have to talk to about this? Those friends of yours have no idea what's going on, why you're here. And it has to stay that way." Suddenly, Al sounds so noble. "I'm here for you. If you fail, you know you can count on me."
There's no response from Harry, but the words from Al cast a thick wall between me and them. They are close to each other, and I am not. I am alone. I don't know what's going on, or what's going to happen next. There's nothing I can do to find out, but her dividing words to him, reassuring words to him, they encourage Harry, and cement me into the ground. My feet are stuck, I can't move, and I can feel the water again, pooling at my ankles, slowly but surely rising.
"What are you going to do next?" Al asks, breaking my thoughts.
"Do you know what time the shops open on Deck five?" Harry asks.
Seven-thirty. Why don't you ask me, Harry?
"Seven-thirty."
"Got it."
"You're going to go buy her something."
"I am."
Me?
"What will you buy?"
Harry doesn't reply. Instead, the door creaks and squeals. "See you later, Al," says Harry, and then the door shuts. I realise that I need to get the hell out of here.
When I get back to the cabin, I throw myself back into bed, ignoring the slightly confuzzled look Emily gives me. Fortunately, I didn't wake up the Interrogator, who sleeps on the lower bed, sound asleep, probably dreaming about her beautiful love life with Charlie. When they wake, Emily says nothing, likely to already have forgotten, and we all get ready as usual. I'm dressed and washed up before the rest of them, and take that time to leap up onto the ledge by the window.
I didn't realise it then, but the boat had stopped moving, and consequently, so had the obnoxious sloshing of water against the ship. It was still there, which was why I hadn't noticed, but it was much quieter. I risked a glance out towards the waters, and saw no island, but knew that we had arrived at our next destination.
The water sounds that served as my coverage had died down, so the moment the door Harry had left through clicked closed, I broke into an uncomfortable cold sweat. Because I no longer had any cover to leave.
As I sat there, ready to run (also with a deep consideration to pretend to be asleep), I thought over their conversation. There wasn't much to remember, unlike I thought there would be, and even more, Al didn't seem like a… terrible person. Somehow, this morning proved nothing. Harry is still keeping a secret from me, and I have little evidence to prove that it is a bad secret. In fact, it may have proven good! Now I have someone to go on a rant about how frustrating Harry is.
Just kidding, Al.
Fortunately for me, Al waited only a minute (which felt like an eternity) before taking the same doors out (well, in) and leaving me alone on the cold, hard deck. I was sure that I smelt from all that sweating, I had a permanent scowl sketched on my face, and that I had a wet stain on my pants from sitting on the deck painted with morning dew, but the relief that flushed through me was enough to deplete all that.
Harry wanted to know what time the shops were open, and there was what Al had said… You're going to go buy her something…
Is Harry really going to buy me something? And… why? What will it be? I tuck my head against my knee and stare out the window at the graceful lapping of water. The island looks beautiful, and I can't help but wish I was looking forward to being there. With Harry.
"Are you coming, Taz?" I slowly turn to Lilli. "Damn, Emily told me you looked really sleep-deprived, but I didn't expect her to be so serious about it. Now I know why."
I leap off of my ledge and charge at Lilli. She laughs and lets me tackle her. I try not to be too rough, but my blood is still cooling off from being boiled, and there's an uncontrollable ferocity in my fists.
Emily slides out of the bathroom, cool as ever, giving us both looks.
"Eek, that could've been me," she mutters before turning back into the bathroom.
I jump off Lilli. "It could still be you!"
"GAH!"
If it weren't for my friends, I would've lost it already.
As we make our trek to the buffet on Deck twelve, I let my mind wander, unlike usual. I don't want to think of how I'll face Harry today, especially after this morning, but it's not like either of us have any choice.
When we reach the buffet, I spot Harry immediately. He's there, hair more ruffled than usual, staring down at his plate. Ben and Charlie sit opposite him, chatting brightly but glancing his way wearily every five seconds. They glance up to greet us with a good morning, more cheery than usual (probably trying to make up for the sad attempt of a cheer from Harry), and Harry tries a smile, but it falls quickly.
"Morning," he mutters.
The way he says it, like he's close to breaking down in tears, anger, possibly even screams, gives my heart a tug. Even his eyes are screaming at me emotionally, begging me to understand. For a moment, I'm standing on the soaked deck, feeling the rain through my clothes as Harry stares me down.
I take a seat next to him.