Struggle | H.S | AU |

Fifty Four|

The next morning we were up really early. I was working out with Louis, making sure that I was ready to defend myself, if that was necessary. "Louis, what do you think will happen tonight?" I asked in-between avoiding hits. "I don't know but I know it's not going to be pretty, they are expecting us even if they don't know exactly when we will hit them." I punched him in the guts when he looked over his shoulder to see who entered the room.

"Ugh woman" He groaned and it made me smile because this was the first time I caught him off guard. The reason why he was distracted was because Niall had walked into the room and everyone knew that Niall had to keep his distance from me and by doing this he was walking on thin ice. Louis had to catch his breath and I didn't say anything as well. "Niall what are you doing here?" Louis asked. I turned my attention to Louis, making sure I didn't look at Niall because I know why he was here.

"I need to talk to Anna." He simply said and for a second I thought Louis would go against him but he gave me a quick glance and shrugged before walking off. "You've got 5 minutes before Harry will walk in here so whatever you are going to say make it quick." I saw Niall nod slowly before turning his attention back to me. I didn't walk over to him and just waited to see what he was going to do. "Anna." He whispered before he put his hands through my hair. I loved his scent and I know this was a problem but I couldn't help it. I did love Harry's scent much more but Niall did something to my heart when he touched me in this way.

"Niall you can't do this, please." I said quietly. I was afraid of my own voice because I know it would crack when I raised it. "I know but this is maybe my last chance to say goodbye and I will not let Harry take that away from me or us." I glanced back at the door and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Harry standing there in the dark. I only saw his green piercing eyes but that was enough. "Niall we really don't have to say goodbye, we will survive tonight, it will be all right." I tried to reassure him.

"Anna please look at me." I did what he asked and when I saw the emotion in his eyes, I felt really sad because there was so much love in those eyes that it hurt me. I could never love him like that because my heart belonged to someone else. "What do you want from me Niall?" I asked gently, he brought his lovely face closer and I know exactly what he was going but I had to stop him, with Harry watching us. Harry would put a bullet straight through his head If he kissed me. I did a step back, creating space between us. This startled Niall slightly. "We can't do this Niall and you know that. Yes I love you but I love Harry, it will always be Harry, I'm so sorry." I whispered whilst keeping my eyes firmly on his.

Niall sighed visibly and looked devastated. "I know you love him more, just know that I do love you with all my heart and I hope everything will be okay tonight, if not then I just need you to know how I feel about you." He gently stroked my cheek and kissed me quickly on my forehead. "You have won Harry." He said and that shocked me. How did he know that Harry was here? "How?" He gave me a sad smile and walked away. "Your body betrayed you Anna." I looked down immediately to see if anything was showing but he shook his head. "Your eyes get a look whenever Harry is near and that's how I knew." He didn't say anything else whilst walking away.

Harry came out of the shadow and looked a bit angry. I didn't like it when he looked like that because usually he would hit me, when he looked like that. Instead of that he pulled me in his arms and hugged me "Are you alright love?" He was anxious I could feel it radiating off of him. "I'm okay just a bit nervous I guess." I said with a weak smile. "That's only normal but I know everything will be okay and before you know it, it will all be over." I nodded against his chest.

"I think I'm going to take a shower." I told him, he let go of me and let me walk away. I stood under the shower for god knows how long but eventually the water turned cold and with the weather already being cold enough as it is. I quickly turned of the shower and got dressed into the gear I had to wear tonight. This way I didn't have to change clothes. I put my hair into a French braid. I never liked braids but it was something that suited this day.

Everyone was back after saying their goodbyes to their loved ones and with so many here you would think it was a loud gathering but everyone was silent, thinking about what could and would happen tonight. Eventually I couldn't take it any longer and got up to make something to eat. I made myself a sandwich and put on the water boiler for some tea. "Can I get a cup of tea as well?" Louis wasn't the only one who came walking in. They all followed and sat down where they could, asking me for a cup of tea. After I got everyone tea I walked out of the kitchen and went back upstairs.

I called my mother, hoping she would pick up the phone. She didn't of course. It was like she and my dad had disappeared from the planet. "Hi mom, I just want to let you know that I love you and dad and that I really miss you guy's, I hope that everything is well." I hung up after that message. Harry had been in the room the entire time I was on the phone. He put his hands on my shoulders and massaged my shoulders. He kissed my neck softly and it send shivers down my spine. "I've got something for you. " I turned around so I was facing him and for the first time ever I saw that he really looked nervous. "You know I don't do romance but I need to do this because I maybe never get another chance." He opened his hand and in his hand was a diamant ring, which looked absolutely beautiful. "Anna this is not an engagement ring, it's more like a promise ring and I was wondering if you would wear it?" He was flustered. I smiled at him "Of course Harry." I held out my hand and watched him as he slid the ring on my finger.

"Harry what if it all goes wrong?" I asked in a small voice, this was bothering me throughout the entire day and as the time passed it made me more anxious. "Then we have to start over but I don't think it will go wrong." I know he was trying to comfort me but he didn't. "You don't know that, what if you die?" He shook his head and took my face between his hands. "I won't but if something will happen to me, you will lead them as you are the one that will lead them. and I know that sounds weird but your are my partner and they all know that." That shocked me, as I didn't know that and why in the hell would anyone have me as a leader and I really didn't want to be here if Harry wasn't here to be with me.

"I don't want to lose you." I muttered. Harry kissed me gently. "You won't"

Notes

The chapter before all hell breaks loose....

xx