Running [h.s.]

seventy one | luna

This song fits the vibe of the chapter so well. Maybe give it a listen!

"Luna, I promise you, we'll be alright," he reassures me as his large, strong hands gently stroke my hair. "Luna I don't want anyone else. Nothing is going to come between us, I promise when I get back it will be like we were never apart. I promise you this, baby."

Emotion overcomes me, and I have to pull away, wiping the tears from my eyes with force. I can hardly look him in the eyes as I ask, "Harry, how can you promise me that?" There's no way anyone can hold onto a promise like that, not even angels like Harry, I know better than that. I know there will be prettier women-actresses and models-throwing themselves at Harry, and that I will soon fade into the background. I don't blame him, in fact I get it. I don't want him to have to keep that promise, it's a huge one to keep.

And then he says the four words that bring me back to reality, that make my heart stop in its tracks.

"Because I love you."

My eyes instantly dart up, his words catching my attention. I stand in front of Harry, blinking rapidly. I couldn't have possibly heard him correctly.

He stands, staring at me with a look of slight shock on his face as if he didn't mean to say it yet. This look is mixed with something else... vulnerability? Could Harry be scared that I don't feel the same? If he truly thinks I haven't fallen for him, then he's a fool.

After grasping for any words to string together in response, I finally speak. "Please don't say that if you don't mean it," I breathe, barely a whisper.

"I mean it," he says simply. His arms are crossed with one of his hands up by his face, and he is chewing nervously on his fingernails. I can't even judge him for this terrible habit, because I do this when I am nervous as well.

The weight of his words crushes me all at once. I feel the earth come to a halt, as if the Universe is allowing me a moment to savor this, the two of us frozen in time. I feel my heart clamoring in my chest and again, I fumble for words to respond. Jesus, Luna. You really should be better with your words if you are going to get this scholarship.

I am pulled out my thoughts as I watch Harry shift his weight uncomfortable as he waits for my response to his confession. "You don't have to say it ba-"

"-I love you too, Harry," I interrupt him, feeling guilty for the long pause. The poor thing was about to tell me I didn't need to reciprocate to make the moment less awkward. Little does he know, I fell for him the second I met him.

I'll never forget the way we joked in the kitchen at Tyler's party, and the moment I saw his soft, kind eyes. His flirtatious demeanor and striking looks reeled me in, but his kindness and compassion is what got me hopelessly addicted.

Harry's face ignites, and a smile spreads like wildfire on his lips. His gorgeous eyes light up, and I instantly feel my legs turn to jelly. Never in my life have I seen such magnificent beauty. He is truly a sight for sore eyes.