2015 || H.S

Escape Route

Maia scrambled out of Harry's arms and backed away until she tripped over the bed with a shocked expression. "We... we didn't mean to, Gemma."

Her expression was unreadable as she held herself up against the door.

"I did," Harry murmured, his eyes focused across on Maia, his chest heaving up and down with adrenaline.

"Harry," Gemma breathed out, swinging her head to him. "You finally did it, you idiot."

When a smile spread through her feautures, Maia got up again and frowned.

"What did I miss, Gemma? You told me not to get too close with Harry."

"You did what?" Harry cut in.

"I didn't know you would still-" she stopped herself and took a breath. "I'll give you guys a moment." When she shut the door, Harry moved over to Maia's bed and hesitantly lay down next to her.

"So..."

"What was that, Harry?"

"I kissed you, and it was damn good."

She smiled slightly, soon after smothering it. "What about Gemma? My best frie-"

"Best friend. Yes, I know."

"Why did you kiss me?" she asked, swinging the topic.

"Uh... you remember all those times I didn't talk to you as a kid?"

"Well, yes."

"All those times I did weird things around you?"

"Definitely."

"I think it was because I was in love with you," he muttered.

She stopped breathing. "What?"

"On my eight birthday," he began, folding his hands behind his head. "You had that blue dress on, and you came up and kissed my cheek. I thought that was the best thing that ever happened in my life."

"Really?" she whispered, remembering his red cheeks from that night.

"And the night we left, I swore to myself the next time I saw you I would grab you in my arms, and kiss you just like the men in the movies."

She turned onto her side and stared across at him, her eyes studying his relaxed expression.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

He shrugged. "I was afraid you'd laugh me off obviously. You did when we were kids."

"I'm sorry." Her hand rested between them, slowly creeping toward Harry.

"Don't be. I liked you most because you were a fight."

A phone ring interrupted them. Harry sat up and glanced back one more time before he answered.

"Harry, have you seen the papers recently?"

It was Liam's voice. "What's the next rumour? Because I'm actually a little busy right now."

"They saw you with Maia. They found her name, how you know her. She's all over the internet. Don't be surprised if paps swarm around your house because they know she's in there too."

His pulse was racing in his head. "I never told her," he whispered.

"Harry... don't tell me you didn't tell her you were famous."

"I didn't," he mumbled.

"She doesn't deserve what you know she's going to get. You should've told her."