Ripped Away (A Harry Styles Fan Fiction)

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

It was exactly as Harry remembered it. When Crystal moved out after high school, she went to live in residence, so she had to leave most of her stuff behind. Her bed sheets were creaseless as if no one had touched them for ages. Her stuffed animals were in a neat pile in the corner, along with many boxes. The TV stand rested against the wall, empty and useless. It seemed like everything had been packed away.

Well, almost everything.

Crystal hadn’t wanted to disassemble her decorated walls. She worked hard to fill them with the things that she loved and she didn’t feel right taking it all down before she left. Harry scanned the wall adjacent to the door. It was plastered with posters, mostly of One Direction and Big Time Rush. Those were ‘her boys’, as she called them.

Harry remembered the first time he entered the room. He was visiting Crystal and her family for the holidays.

She was giving him a tour of the house, and they came to the end of the hallway. “And, that’s my old room! Moving on…” Crystal said hurriedly as she tugged on his arm to lead him away from the door.

He was curious to see what it looked like, so he stood his ground. “Wait, can’t I see inside?”

A nervous look flashed through her blue eyes before she tried to play it cool. “Oh, you don’t wanna go in there. Let me show you the basement…” She said tugging at his arm again, but he wouldn’t budge.

“What’s in your room that you don’t want me to see?” Harry questioned with a suspicious smile on his face.

Crystal’s eyes widened slightly. “What? Nothing! There’s nothing worth seeing in there.” Harry backed towards the door slowly, taunting Crystal. She rushed past him and blocked the door with her body; arms outstretched at her sides, preparing to hold him off.

Harry bore his eyes into hers. “Crystal, let me through.”

She shook her head viciously.

Moving closer, Harry loomed over her, maintaining his gaze. Crystal stared up at him, her heart racing. She didn’t stand a chance.

Reaching up, he brushed his fingers down her jaw line, and then lifted her chin gently as he placed his lips against hers, kissing her softly.

She closed her eyes as her head spun wildly, and before she realized what he was doing, Harry swiftly opened the door behind her and scooped her up, swinging her into the room and onto her bed. He leaned over her with a sly grin as she shot him a glare. “You’re ruthless.”

“But efficient.” He answered and gave her another kiss before helping her up.

Harry glanced around to see the multiple posters of him and his band all over her walls. Her face was bright red.

“Is this what you didn’t want me to see?” He asked, his eyes wandering over the pictures.

She looked at the ground, embarrassed. “It was years ago…before we met. You knew I was a fan…”

Harry shifted his eyes to her, now realizing just how upset she was. “Hey…” He walked over to her and grabbed her hands. “I don’t mind that you’re a fan. I’m actually quite flattered.”

Crystal frowned, shaking her head. “It’s creepy.”

“It’s adorable.” Harry corrected. “You’re adorable.” He took her face in his hands. “And I love you, exactly the way you are.”

Zoning back into reality, Harry smiled at the memory. She always said he had a way of making things okay. Just not when she needed it most, he thought sadly.

Harry walked around her room, taking all the mental images he could. He wanted to remember every detail. He picked up a giant teddy bear she got from her Secret Santa in drama. She had named him Bernard, distinctly pronouncing it ‘Bur-nerd’. He was almost as big as her, and during her play she would cuddle with him backstage on the floor. Harry hugged Bernard before placing him back in his spot among her other stuffies.

Upon continuing, Harry heard a small knock on the door. “Come in.”

A tall, blonde boy stepped into the room. He had short, golden hair and a bronzed complexion. His muscles were visibly toned, and his eyes matched the blue in Crystal’s. It was her younger brother, Jesse.

“Hey,” he said, trying to be casual.

“Hey,” Harry returned. He got along really well with Jesse, but they hadn’t spoken since before Crystal died, and Jesse had been very quiet and reserved ever since.

Jesse cleared his throat. “So, uh, I thought you might want this.” He handed Harry a metallic blue iPod he’d been holding. “It was Crystal’s before she moved out. She got a new one and left this behind. It’s still got all her old favorite songs on it.”

Surprised, Harry took the iPod from him gratefully. “You sure you want me to have this?”

Jesse nodded. “We’re keeping all her CDs, and I figured you’d appreciate listening to her stuff too.”

“Thank you…so much. This means a lot.”  As the two young men stood together, they felt a new bond form between them. They knew that they would always be there for each other, and be the brother neither of them had.

Jesse’s lips tightened as he nodded, signaling his leave.

Sitting down on her old bed, Harry scrolled through her songs, finding a wide variety of music. There were many musical soundtracks. My Chemical Romance - they were her favorite. Adam Lambert…Sum 41…BTR…and a complete collection of 1D.

Harry sighed as he took one last look around. He’d always remember the nights he had spent there with Crystal. To think, at one point, Crystal was seated in the exact spot that he was. This used to be her sanctuary. These walls kept her safe for six whole years – something Harry couldn’t himself do.

Bringing himself to his feet, he made his way to the door, looking behind him one last time before flicking the light switch.

It was goodbye.

~~~

Good evening!

Sorry it took so long to post this, busy weekend I must say!

Hope you all liked this chapter! I wanted to give a little flashback and also incorporate my brother somehow (since he wouldn't let it go until I did, silly little brothers). So, ya! Let me know what you think! Also, if you have any questions/concerns/comments that you want to address privately feel free to inbox me or find me on Tumblr! I'll do my best to answer!

Have a great week!

Crystal xx