♬Flash-forward: August♬
Harmony’s POV
Today was a day like every other. The boys had gone to the recording studio while Simon was available leaving El, Diane, and I alone. We had planned on going shopping, but naturally rain had stopped us from our wondrous adventures. I had wanted to go, even in this wet condition, but they complained about getting a cold and ruining their shoes should we have gone. So here we sat, in front of the computer screen, two-way video chatting with Danielle and Perrie who had family/work calls to attend to out of this country.

“When do you girls get back? It’s not the same over here. Liam and Zayn are nonstop moping about how we’re here and your not,” Diane whined to the two. I, too, had wondered the same as they had been gone for the past two months, give or take.

“We’re almost done shooting our music video and finishing up in the studio. Then I’m on the next plane out of here. Jade, Leigh-Anne, and Jesy are even joining me, so I’m bringing extra company with me,” Perrie gleamed at us.

“My dad finally got discharged last week, so I should be back soon as well,” Danielle shared.

“Great. Hopefully this dreaded rain will have stopped by then, so we can all have a joyous girls day with all of us here for once,” El floundered over how boring our girls’ days had been without them. To be honest, I completely agree with her, they just aren’t the same.

“Raining? What’s a little rain going to do to you?” Perrie demurred.

I rolled my eyes. “That’s what I said, but these two are too wimp to go out in the rain. Instead of the rain, it’s these girls who have dampened my day. It’s quite upsetting,” I agreed.

“You could have gone out alone,” El advocated.

“I can’t go out alone! Are you mad?”

“We’re all mad here,” Danielle cut us off. We all laughed; it’s no lie. “Girls, I hate to end this call, but I really must be going now. Tell Liam that I’ll call him later and say hi to the rest of the boys for me.”

“I have to go too. It’s past ten already, and I have to get some shuteye for the remaining of the shoot tomorrow. Have Zayn call me tomorrow and tell Hailey that Auntie Perrie misses her.”

“Bye!” we all sadly waved to each other through the camera lens.

“I’m bored,” Diane complained.

“You’re not bored; you’re just a boring person,” I commented.

“Only because I have boring friends… When are they going to get home?”

“Not until late tonight,” Eleanor pouted.

“Cheer up, my duckies. If you want to join me, I will be outside after I change,” I said.

“You’re going outside… in the rain? Are you mad? You’ll catch a cold!” El parented me through the adventures of how wet mixed with cold can cause you to catch a cold. As if I care…

“Blah, blah, blah… You can’t stop me!” I shouted as I raced upstairs. I quickly changed into suitable rain attire. In my case, that would be a thin jacket over a clean tank top and some shorts as well as a single pair of converse. Who’s to say what I can and cannot wear in the rain?

I sneak past the girls, who were sitting on the couch, but make sure to slam the door loudly to let them know I left. I take in the fresh smell of clean Earth, the rain washing away all of the dirt and grime from the streets creating a clean, natural fragrance. This is my kind of weather.

The pitter-patter of rain beating against the glass window panes of this LA home were nothing compared to the heavy downpour going on out in the open. Sidewalks were empty, and streetlights flashed without any cars passing. I can’t seem to understand why everyone wants to stay in on rainy days. Not even a simple drive in the warmth of their car will bring people out. It’s just one of those gloomy, stay-in days for most, but I enjoy the rain.

Drew always envied my love of going out in the rain. Like El, he would scold me for risking my perfect health in chance of getting sickness. He would beg me not to go outside, but I never listened to him.

I walked mindlessly down the street. My hood pulled loosely over my head to shield my face from any secret on goers, yet my eyes strayed forward to enjoy the city lights turning on one by one as the clouds start to darken the scenery. I had no intentions of ever leaving the ever-missed California rain that gave me flashbacks of memories as a child.

Continuing my stroll through the city, I came across a deserted park. The playground equipment dripped down to the ground with dry patches under the slide and seats of the swings. I had never been accustomed to playing with other kids in such places, nor had I ever had many friends in the first place. But I had always enjoyed swinging by myself on a rainy day whilst my brother was out.

I cautiously sat down on the swing, gripping my hands around the cold, metal chains that supported my weight and slowly started to swing myself. Leaning back, as I got higher and higher, my hood fell to my back, allowing myself to be completely doused by the rain. I laughed freely, unsure of what exactly I was doing.

It wasn’t until a half hour later that I became aware of my new surroundings. The sky had become darker but the rain continued to poor. My body shook as a cold gust of wind blew past; there would be no doubt that I was going to catch a simple cold, but it was nothing unfamiliar to me.

I started my descent home where my friends would probably be waiting to scream about how they were right about catching a cold. In the end, it would be worth enjoying this rainy day as I missed doing so.

Taking note that the boys were back because of the loud noises and mishaps going on inside, I made my way in through the front. The warmth from the heater hit me, rejuvenating my body heat. I left my shoes on the porch to dry, so I wouldn’t drag a trail of mud through the house.

“Harmony? Is that you?” Harry called out from somewhere in the living room. I opened my mouth to reply, but was beat by a small sneeze. Footsteps came rushing to my side. “Babe, you’ve caught a cold!”

“I told you so!” El yelled satisfactory.

“I’m fine –achoo– just a little wet… and cold.”

I felt a towel being wrapped around my shoulders absorbing some of the water from my skin and clothes. Harry led me over to the couch where everyone else sat waiting. As soon as I sat down, I let out another sneeze.

Diane laughed, “And this is why we didn’t go out today. What did El tell you?”

“I’m fine. You girls don’t know what you’re missing,” I defended.

“We know exactly what we’re missing: a cold. Looks like we have two children to take care of now,” El smirked.

I stuck my tongue out at her and leaned into Harry’s chest.

“Ew. You’re wet!” he complained.

“That’s what he said!” Niall shouted from the kitchen. I rolled my eyes.

“Oh! We Skyped the girls today. They’re both going to be returning shortly. Liam, Dani will call you later, or soon now; Zayn, Perrie will try to call you tomorrow,” I informed them.

“But tomorrow is so far away…” Zayn complained.

“Shut up, Zayn. Perrie misses you as well, but she needed to rest up for the last take of their shoot. If you called her now, she’d have to stay longer to be awake during the filming.”

“Ugh! Fine.”

Liam’s phone rang. “That’s Dani. I’m going to take this.”

“Well, duh,” Louis said. “We all expected you not to answer your wife.” Liam left the room, his phone pressed to his ear.

“Louis –achoo– sometimes I can’t tell if you’re being –achoo– sarcastic, or if you’re just –achoo– being you,” I say between sneezes.

“Babe, I think it’s time we get you into some dry clothes… and no more going out in the rain. It’s not good for you,”

“You guys all treat me like I’m five. I know how to take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you do, but next time take an umbrella… or wear layered clothing,” Zayn eyed me up and down to prove his point at my dripping sadness.

“Ab–achoo–solutely,” I say.

“You’re sneeze may be getting annoying, but it’s still one of the cutest sneezes ever. It’s so petite!” Louis sang.

“Thanks –achoo– Lou.”

I waved goodbye as Harry followed me up to our room. I stopped at the top of the stairs, suddenly having the urge to sneeze again. It came out, making me stumble slightly backwards into Harry.

He laughed. “El really told you.”

I sniffled. “I have no regrets.”

“You never seem to…”