Torn

Chapter 17

I woke up with a startle. My heart was beating fast, making me gasp for air. It was still dark outside so it had to be in the middle of the night. I didn't understand why I had woken up because it was dead quiet in the house. But there, I heard something, a thud against my window, and there it was again. This time I caught a glimpse of it. It was a small rock being thrown at my window. I slowly got out of bed and walked to the window. Outside in the dark I could see someone standing in my garden looking up. I opened the window and looked out. 

"Ash, let me in. I need to talk to you."

It was Harry. I would recognize his raspy voice anytime. I closed the window and threw on some jeans. I walked downstairs and opened the front door. Harry was standing there leaning on the porch and the minute I opened the door I could feel the stench of alcohol. He was drunk. When he saw me, a dimpled smile appeared on his face.

"Hey", Harry said in that tone that made you want to rip his clothes off.

"What are you doing here, Harry?" I said while letting him in and closing the door behind us.

"I just wanted to see you. Wow, you look sexy in those jeans!"

Harry was much more straightforward than usually, I guessed it was the alcohol talking. I ignored his comment and helped him to a chair in the kitchen. While I went to get a glass of water I could feel his eyes checking me out.

"You always take my breath away, Ashley, even when you have just woken up."

"Stop it, Harry. You are only making this harder, you know I'm with Niall", I said while handing him the water.

He put the glass down without touching it and instead he put his arms around me and dragged me close to him. I didn't hug him back but neither did I try to get out of his grip. I liked the feeling of Harry's hands on my body.

"I know, and I love Niall like my own brother, but you are making me crazy. I have never felt this way about a girl before. I can't stop thinking about you. I want you, Ash, more than anything."

I just stood there, looking into his eyes, and in that moment I just wanted to kiss him. I wanted to feel his hands all over me for real. But my common sense took over and made me think about Niall. I wriggled out of Harry's grip. His eyes looked at me with so much sadness.

"Oh, Harry, if things had been different, maybe if I had met you first..."

I didn't get the chance to finish the sentence because Harry quickly rose up from the chair and his sad eyes had now switched to anger. I tried to stop him but he pushed my hand aside and went to the front door. I went after him and managed to catch up with him right outside the door. I turned him towards me. His eyes had teared up. I reached up, standing on my tiptoes, and wiped away a tear from his cheek. He put his arms around me and hugged me tight. This time I hugged him back. I breathed in his scent and let my hand run through his curls. He had been wrong before, he was the one who always took my breath away.

Suddenly a strong light appeared and I heard the sound of a camera. We let go of each other and turned towards the light. It was a paparazzi and he had caught us on camera.