𝕾he woke up early to watch Saturday Night Live, going to the extra length of even asking her mum to ring her up as soon as she woke up because Kate likes to rise early and go out for a daily run.

To say that she almost died watching the entire episode would most definitely be an understatement.

All of those jokes, all of those segments blended with the actual show provided for way too good entertainment, and she's pretty sure Ruby's kind of scared of her now because of the insane animalistic voices that escaped her mouth every time something funny was said.

She's always had a knack for Harry's sense of humour, even if he's not being exactly 'funny' just the way he says something he finds hilarious — with that faint smile, that little tilt of the lips subtly brandishing his dimples — is enough to incite a giggle from her.

Regardless to say, waking up super early to catch her "not boyfriend" — friend? Are we friends? — perform live television comedy was so worth it.

And since she's not used to getting out of bed this early, she's now slumped all over the couch her head resting against the armrest, lips parted as a very small trail of drool slips past.

The sudden ringing of her phone not only startles a napping Ruby — who had been dozing off on the carpeted floor — but also earns an alarmed shriek from the blonde.

She wipes at the corner of her mouth and lunges towards the other end of the couch where her phone lies tucked in between the crevices.

Without glancing at the caller id, she picks up.

"Uhm. Hello?", her sleepy voice asks into the receiver, eyes fighting to stay open.

A familiar giggle reaches her ears and she smiles with her eyes closed.

A tiny adorable burp and then . . . .

"Hi. Did you watch it?", some shuffling sounds can be heard from the other end.

Darlene hums lazily rubbing at her scalp.

"It was so good. If your singing career tanks, you can definitely try something out in comedy".

He laughs, momentarily talking to someone in the background before returning to her.

"I'm so honoured you think that", he slurs into the phone.

She laughs quietly.

"Harry, are you drunk?".

"What is drunk?".

"Okay, yeah. You're drunk. How are you getting home?".

He coughs, "It was the after party. They complimented me a little too much and I ended up", a small sneeze followed by a sigh, "drugging myself".

She sits up straighter, eyes now open in surprise.

"Drugging yourself?".

"Oh shit", he giggles, "I didn't do anything. I just drank a little too much. Relax, darlin'".

Her insides feel like mush, filling her with a certain kind of heart wrenching flutter and she's not so sure it's just the sleep deprived-ness amplifying the feeling.

"You scared me for a second there. Anyway, how are you getting home?".

A hiccup.

"Cab".

"Good, yeah. That's responsible. Okay".

He snickers quietly, her own lips stretching into a smile at the sound.

"I mean it though, Harry. I'm really proud of you. You did great".

He exhales loudly.

"I love you, I love you, I love you".

A sharp twinging at the back of her heart, alarm bells going off in her head.

Thoughts running awild, stomach constricting and filling her with an awful deep rooted nausea.

Suddenly, everything hurts a little too much.

His words like a chant on repeat in her head, his breathing serene and soft through the phone.

Her heart pulsating in anticipation of the anxiety pooling through the arches of her mind. Her hands clammy at the sound of his light laugh.

Why couldn't I just be normal?

Another tiny hiccup sounds through the phone.

"I love you", he breathes out in realisation.

It sounds so vulnerable, so soft, so precious and she's not so sure she's deserving of this adoration — this realisation of love, this acceptance in his voice, this hint of excitement when he murmurs again, "I love you".

It's a little bit too much. Definitely not something she's prepared herself for.

Still, she stays on the line, silent but breathing to let him know she's there.

"Text me when you wake up, yeah?", Darlene finally sighs out.

Harry, unnoticing of the change in her voice, happily replies, "Of course".

"Right, uhm. Bye, goodnight".

"Bye, darling".

Oh, just kill me now.

***
besties i finished rereading beach read, what even is life