(PS: Please play the above song while reading this chapter)

HARRY

Night had fallen fast upon the land. No more than an hour ago the sky was painted with hues of red, orange and pink, but all color had faded leaving only a Matt black canvas with no stars to be looked upon.  I could feel the cold breeze gushing against my skin. I take out my woolen jacket and place it on my body. The other camp members lit up a huge fire for warmth. Tree leaves were falling from their origin. The atmosphere is beyond comfortable. I patiently wait for her to come, as I pace back and forth outside my tent. But there is something that caught my attention. A pink floral winter coat. I look up to see her coming towards my direction, wearing that gorgeous outfit. She walks faster until she stops right in front of me.

'Hey, Harry. I am so sorry for being late' she apologizes sincerely and I shake my head.

'You know. you don't have to apologize. It's cool' I tell her and she smiles.

'Thanks. I caught Shawn and Mary making out under a tree. It was extremely awkward to witness, but I am extremely happy for them too' she tells me and we both chuckle.

'Seriously? Although, it's expected' I say while shrugging.

'Definitely. I jokingly  told them to get married before walking away' she tells me and we both laugh.

'Come on in' I tell her and she comes in with me. She walks around my tent and looks intrigued and impressed. She picks up my guitar and smiles weakly at it, before putting it down. She looks intriguingly at the interiors and especially the brightly lit candles. She must be extremely fascinated by them.

'I love the interiors, Harry. Where did you get these scented candles, though?' she asks, while carefully picking up one.

'Oh, I went back to Holmes Chapel for a week. Visited my family and all. My mum gave me some, since I love them very much'.

'I love them too. I am going to ask Shawn to purchase thousands of these. It's hard to find them in Canada. I don't know why the majority of Canadians don't fancy them' she tells me,slightly disappointed by that fact.

'I can lend you mine. I have like tonnes of them lying in my house. I don't know what to do with them anymore' I tell her. We both make some space on the mattress and sit down. I grab my guitar. Ashley was fascinated by the kazoo in my bag, so I bring it out to show her. I try and play it, but it falls out of my mouth. The tent fills up with the sounds of our laughter. 

'This is what lack of practice does to you' I jokingly say. 

'But you were good. Who would you usually play it to?' she asks me tentatively. I let out a sigh and sink in my thoughts for a few seconds. But I don't hesitate in saying it to her. I know she'll understand.

'Well, I would usually play it to Emily, my ex, before any one else. She admired and loved it. I think that's why I loved her endlessly, because she loved me for who I am as a person' I pause to catch my breathe. I haven't spoke about her in years. It feels weird.

'She would have this distinctive alien perfume. She would wait for me, everyday near the train station. If she couldn't make it, I would go by train to visit her. No matter what, we had to visit each other, at least once, unless there was something serious going on' I continue. I look down for a second to conceal my expressions.

'What happened afterwards?' she asks me, not out of mere fascination, but out of empathy. 

'It just didn't work out. We just went our separate ways. Although, I checked upon her once, and found out she was already engaged to this guy. I gave up completely after that. After Emily, I have never found true love. I guess it doesn't exist?' I tell her and quickly wipe away the tear that gathered at the corner of my eye. She puts her soft hands on my shoulder, which makes me to look up at her dark, beautiful eyes.

'I am sorry, Harry. I am so sorry that you had to go through this. You're a wonderful person. Don't lose faith. One day, there'll be a person in your life who will give you all the love. Who will make your world beautiful. Who will engulf you in a hug whenever you need it' she ends it with the biggest smile on her face. God, she is so amazing. 

'Anyway, can you strum the guitar for me?' she asks, handing me my guitar.I kindly take it and wear the strap around my body. 

I play a few chords which makes no sense at all. I'm not sure which song to play. I stop for a while.

'What do you want me to play though?'

'Hmm, can you play Sweet Creature?' she asks me. I smile and nod my head.
I start to mess up the beginning and have problems in remembering it.

'Oh no' I mutter but she hears it.

'You forgot it?' she asks me cheekily. I nod my head in disappointment.

'Wait I think it goes...like this?' She comes over to try it out. She strums a few more chords.

'Thanks! My bell finally rang!' I tell her in delight and she goes back to her place.

'How do you know it though?'

'Oh. I looked up for the chords on Google once. Shawn was kind enough to teach me the basics. But it was a long time ago, but I luckily still remember it' she tells me and I raise my eyebrows.

'Should I-'

'Definitely! Can you sing the song too?' she cuts me off excitedly. She gives me motivation. I take a deep breathe and nod my head.

I take a deep breath after I finish playing the last chords. I hear claps of admiration. From that one person I genuinely started caring for.

'I'm glad to have met you in person, Harry' she tells me and I feel my gut twist. All her compliments mean something special,  to me.

'How long did it take you to learn the guitar?' she asks me.

'Well, initially Niall taught me the basics. During our hiatus, I started practising while recording for my first solo album. It got well with time.'

'I love how you play it perfectly. I have the passion, but never got the chance to actually work on it.'

'You made me remember the chords, though.'

'I know a few basics. Shawn taught me. But-' she stops midway and looks down.

'Come here' I say, trying not to sound intimidating. She hesitates for a while but eventually gets up and sits beside me. I hand her the guitar.

'I am going to teach you, if you don't mind' I reveal to her confused expression.

'Really? Are you willing to-'

'Yes.' She smiles and quickly takes off her jacket. She gets up excitedly and comes over to sit next to me. I hand her my guitar and she takes it politely. She carefully puts the strap. She looks a lot like Shawn now. The only difference is that she's a girl. She strums a few chords enthusiastically, to show me what she learned.

I begin to teach her how to smoothly change fingers. I hold her fingers and move them under my control, so that she's more clear. She puts her effort in memorizing them.

'So....is it like this?' She asks me and moves her fingers through the strings. I nod and clap my hands. I teach her some more since she was pleading me. And that's how we spend the rest of our time.

-

'Is it already midnight?' Ashley whispers slowly. I check the time and nod my head while pouting.
We clear the place and she wears back her wonderful jacket. We get out of the tent. The cold burst of the wind makes us shiver.

'I had a great time. Honestly, thank you Harry for everything' she says, with a shaky voice.

'I didn't do anything. It was always you' I say.

'Now you're being modest.'

'Not at all. You got some great talent. You better use them afterwards' I tell her.

'You mean pursue a career in music? That'd be an embarrassment.'

'No it will not. Trust me. You've learned a lot today. Keep the practise up. You can do it someday.' I motivate her but she pouts. 

'Also, I want you to sing one day' I add and she shakes her head.

'Harry I'm-'

'No excuses. You're also playing in front of Shawn too' I cut her off and she slightly opens her mouth.

'Shawn is going to be disappointed' she tries to convince me but  fails.

'Yeah. Definitely. A person can be disappointed after seeing pure talent.'
She smiles at the amount of compliments she's getting. She eventually gives up convincing me.
We fist pump and high five.

'Goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow' she says before walking away. She turns her head to look at me before continuing to walk. I wave a goodnight and go back inside.

'Today was a good day.' This is all I whisper to myself before passing out on my cozy mattress.