Out of Bounds [h.s. au]

Chapter 20

Penny's apartment was indeed small, but she kept it very cute and uncluttered. Everyone helped me stack my boxes against the wall near the couch. I'd hesitated putting them there, but Penny insisted. She also said I could use the coat closet in the hallway to store any of my clothes, and she'd emptied a drawer in her bathroom vanity for me to put my toiletries. I couldn't thank her enough, and I told her so.

"Don't mention it, baby doll," she said as she squeezed me. "It's what friends do."

Zack ordered us a few pizzas and we all sat around Penny's dinette table to devour them. I hadn't eaten anything since a muffin that morning so I was starving. Afterwards we watched The Shawshank Redemption on TV. Because everyone knows when it's on you have to watch it. Even when you've seen it a million times. Harry held my hand, stroking the back of it with his thumb, sometimes lifting it to his mouth to kiss it. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to make me feel better. I'd kept up a pretty decent poker face for the rest of the afternoon, but he had to know I was crumbling inside.

I knew things could have been a lot worse. It wasn't as though James had left me, I had left him. I had Harry. I had Penny and Zack and their generosity. But there was no doubt I had a rough road ahead of me. I just had to keep my chin up and be grateful for what I had, and proud of the decision I had made.

When nine o'clock rolled around, Penny shooed the boys away, announcing it was time for her bed routine and that she had to be at work early. She kissed Zack goodbye, but I walked with Harry to his car. It was brisk outside so I pulled my hoodie over my head, crossing my arms. Harry opened his door and reached inside.

"I have something for you," he said, obstructing whatever he was holding from my view.

"What is it?" I asked.

Harry smirked and looked down as his feet for a moment. "It's just a little something I got for your moving day. I was going to give it to you earlier at your house, I mean, your old house. But after the man came to the door...well, it just didn't seem appropriate."

"What is it?" I inquired again, curious and confused.

Harry pulled a small box from around his back and handed it to me. I opened it to reveal a silver keychain in the shape of the letter H. I chuckled recalling the cheesecake.

"Turn it over," he muttered.

I did so, displaying the back of the keychain which had an engraving. Harry Loves Tisa. I bit my lip, feeling my heart swell.

"That's so sweet, Harry," I choked.

"I reckon you'd put your key from Penny on it...for now. But hopefully someday, the key to my place."

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Then I lifted the keychain up and held it in my hand. I noticed it had a tiny silver key hanging from it.

"What's this?" I asked.

"That's um..." Harry started, looking flustered all of a sudden. "That's the key to my heart."

Utterly speechless, I stared at Harry, my mouth agape. "Harry," I finally whispered.

"It's cheesy, I know. I..."

"No, no it's not," I exclaimed, stopping his shaking head with my hands. I kissed him passionately, with everything I had in me. "It's so wonderful, Harry. I love you so much."

"I love you too," he mumbled against my mouth.

I watched Harry drive away before I headed back inside. Penny already had the couch folded out for me, and she was putting sheets on it.