Far Away

27

"I still think it's absolutely ridiculous that he has to be with Victoria when the clock strikes twelve. He should spend New Years with you." Lindsay said, taking a sip of her water. When I gave her an annoyed look she shrugged. "Just saying."

"It's a part of his contract, Linds. I don't think he has much of a choice."

"He had the choice to not sign the contract in the first place..."

"Even then, I don't think he had much of a choice."

Lindsay sighed, leaning back against the restaurant booth. "You really trust him, huh?"

I looked down at my watch on my wrist and checked the time. Eleven thirty. Just half an hour to go until the ball drops, then a little bit after that and I can be with Harry.

I looked up at Lindsay and nodded. "Yeah, I do."

"Do you really think he'd keep his promise to you?"

"To not to kiss Victoria?"

Lindsay nodded.

"Yeah, I think he would. He knows that's important to me."

As Lindsay nodded again I turned my attention to the T.V., watching the screen scan over what was just outside the restaurant doors: Times Square. Both outside and inside the restaurant was flooded with people. The fact that Lindsay and I landed a table was beyond me.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and pulled it out. When I saw Harry's name across the screen I smiled and answered the call.

"Hi." I said.

"Hi," Harry said. "We're going to be arriving any minute now. We'll be where I told you last night, in front of-"

"I know," I said, cutting him off. "Lindsay and I are just inside of a restaurant about twenty feet away. We're going to go out now."

I ignored Lindsay shaking her head and whining saying, "But it's cold outside!"

"Okay." Harry replied. I could hear a smile in his voice. "I'll see you soon."

I smiled. "See you."

After I hung up I ignored Lindsay's eyes as I shrugged my coat on.

"You're really going to make me go outside, aren't you?" She muttered.

I looked up and sucked my lips between my teeth as I nodded.

"Harry's going to be getting here anytime now-"

"Yeah, yeah... Harry this, Harry that." Lindsay sighed, swatting her hand around as if dismissing the topic. Without another word, she and I got our coats on and left the restaurant. When the cool winter air hit me, I sucked in a breath and rubbed my arms, trying to produce some kind of heat. Where we stood there was still a lot of people, but it wasn't as squished as it was just ten feet ahead of us. There was still a little bit of walking space for Lindsay and I.

All of a sudden, noise erupted: shouts, mumbling, gasps and a couple of screams. I followed the noise to spot movement in the crowd, instantly knowing Harry and Victoria had arrived. I watched as their security swarmed them, pushing through the mass of people. Once they stood where Harry had said they would, they stopped walking and the security guards took a step away from Harry and Victoria, giving them some space.

I stood on my tiptoes, tilting and shifting to try and get a good view of them. I saw Victoria talking to Harry, and watched as Harry ignored everything she said as he looked around. Finally he looked in my direction, and I raised my hand up, waving it around to try and get his attention.