Make All This Pain Go

Chapter Eleven

Day 10: Harry's POV

After a very short, very fun day with Ashleigh, we were back at her flat, lying on the couch, watching TV. I knew now was the time. We'd had such a good day. Coffee at Starbucks, and her showing me all of her secret spots around the city, like little art galleries and shops. We did all of the touristy things, from a city dweller perspective. I honestly don't think I've ever had such a good day. And now, cuddled up on her couch, watching reruns of Gossip Girl, I knew I'd be in love with her in a minute. I knew I had to ask her now, or I'd be too late. I could tell she was getting testy about kissing me and cuddling with me since she wasn't my girlfriend. Yet. I shift a bit in my seat, making sure she hadn't fallen asleep. Her head lifts off of my chest, looking up at me. Her eyes were a bit sleepy, but her smile radiated across her face. As she went to put her head back down, I shift myself so she's got to sit up and turn her to look at me.

"What on earth are you doing Styles?"

"Ashleigh."

"What do you want freak!?"

"I need to know something."

Her face got a bit more serious, her eyes deepening.

"Anything."

"I need to know that you like me."

"No, I totally hate you. I just spend all of my time with you and kiss you and cuddle you cuz you're ugly. Of COURSE I like you!! You know how I feel about you."

"Tell me."

"Harry Edward Styles. When I first saw you on the X-Factor, I knew I'd support you in anything you did. And then One Direction formed and I've followed you since then. When I met you in that club, I was so excited, but I knew I needed to help you, not fawn over you. So I did. I helped you. Then we actually met, God bless Louis. The more time I spend with you, the faster I fall for you. I've known you, what? A little over a week? And I already feel more for you than any guy I've ever known. I care so deeply about you, Harry. It terrifies me how much you mean to me. It legitimately scares me to my core. Because I know you can break my heart, completely destroy it, at any second. And I hate that feeling. But you also fill it up with love and joy, so it's all worth it. I'm completely, and totally in like you with you Harry."

Hearing my feelings for her, leave her mouth, about me, proved it to me. Now or never, Styles.

"Ashleigh."

"Yeah?"

I pull her on top of my lap, her eyes meeting mine. I wrap my arms around her lower back, pulling her a bit closer to me.

"I need you to be my girl. I need you to know that you're the only girl I want to spend my time with. That when I see you, my heart jumps and I get honest to God butterflies in my stomach. That from the second I heard what you did for me, that I needed to know you. That you're most beautiful when you're hair is up and you've still got sleep in your eyes. Or that when you kiss me, I don't ever want to stop. How I thank Lou every time I see him for getting your number. For letting me run loose to find you. I need you in my life, because I need to be how I am when I'm with you. I can escape my life with you. Everything that's bad goes away when I look into your eyes. Be my girlfriend. My one and only. Please?"

She stares at me a moment, her eyes widening. Her entire face lights up, but she tries to hide it by burying her face into my shoulder. She leans her lips up to my ear, whispering so softly, I had to take a moment to realize what she'd said.

"I've always been yours. It's only now, you know it too."

She leans away, searching my eyes. She doesn't have long to look before I lean in and kiss her gently on her forehead. I keep giving her little kisses all down her cheek until I reach her lips. I give her a soft peck, just brushing my lips against hers. I pick her up, bridal style, a giggle escaping from her lips. I lay her down on on the couch, knowing she'd freak if I took her to her bed.