The Brightest Dark (Harry Styles) BOOK 1

Chapter 51

"Harry," my voice almost comes out as a whisper.

He grabs me into a breathtaking hug, making my insides want to come out of my mouth. Just being in his arms brings back too many memories for such a broken heart to handle. I've always been independent and grateful for everything, but I never knew I've been heart broken all this time, till now.

The excitement that builds up in my blood streams, forming dopamine brings me to life. For a year, I would have never thought I wasn't happy, but now I realize that wasn't all joy. This is my happiness, my lively hood, and I can't deny that it makes me feel wonderful.

"I'm so glad to see you again," he lets go of me after rubbing my back with his large hand.

"You too," I nod, not able to make out such words.

"You've gotten thinner, what happened? Looks like you'd break from touching you," he frowns.

"Stress," I sigh, "becoming a dentist isn't so easy."

"We'll have to stuff her," Niall adds in.

"I'll probably throw up," I shake my head.

"Not the way I'd do it," Niall winks.

Harry clears his throat and elbows Niall's side. I stifle a laugh, but cover it with my hand. Harry eyes me and a slight smile plays along his lips, a tingle that I haven't felt in forever goes through my body.

"We should get going, the show should be starting soon," Eliana grabs my forearm.

"What? You guys just got here?" Harry frowns.

"But you guys will be starting in 20 minutes, shouldn't you guys be getting ready?" She raises her eyebrows.

"We've got 12 minutes to spare," Liam smirks.

Eliana rolls her eyes, "you guys just want to talk to Lina."

"What...no!" Louis scoffs.

"I wanted to talk to you actually," Liam scratches the back of his head,"I haven't heard from you in a year."

Eliana blushes and Liam takes her hand, leading her into the room. We all enter and notice it's just a chilling place with one black couch to the side with a large flat screen with a game station connected to it. Eliana and Liam begin to talk in the corner where Lou starts doing his makeup. They seem to be laughing and smiling already, faster than Harry did to me. Hell, he gave me headaches the couple of days I first met him, he was an asshole. Still kind of is, but not as much.

"So how's life treatin ya?" Harry grabs my attention away from them.

"Oh, it's great," my eyes trail to his.

No matter how many times I meet his eyes, they'll always give me a reason to fall all over again. They hold the best and worst memories, but I can't deny that I missed them a hell of a lot.

"Kian's treating you well?" He clears his throat.

The uneasiness clear in that tone of his.

"Yea, he's wonderful. He's starting off a career as an actor," I smile.

"Wow, that's great. It must be exciting for him," he nods, awkwardly.

"Yea, he loves what he's doing, but he has to be far from me most of the time," I sigh.

"Is he gone now?"

"Yup, he left a week ago to go film."

"Anyhow, what's like being a dentist?" Louis asks.

"Great, but the little kids scream too much," I shake my head.

"I would have shoved a toothbrush up their arse," Louis says under his breath.

"I would, but I'd get sewed," I chuckle.

"I'd say it was an accident," Niall shrugs.

"An accident that the toothbrush happen to just fly it's way up the child's arse that was once wearing pants?" Harry raises his eyebrows at Niall.

"Don't judge my thoughts," Niall crosses his arms.

"You need help my friend," Harry pats his back lightly.

The door swings open and a tall, wide man walks in with a frantic expression. He huffs when seeing the boys all together with us.

"You boys are suppose to be getting ready! Come on!" The scary looking male tells them.

"Just a few more minutes, come on Paul!" Louis chuckles.

"No! We have to get everything ready! Come on now or I'll have to make you guys," he points a finger, warning them.

"Fuck, fine we'll be out," Zayn curses.

Liam grunts, hugging Eliana goodbye. I think they've hit it off pretty well already and I didn't have to do anything!

Zayn, Louis, and Niall say their goodbyes while sharing a hug with me. Liam also gives me a quick goodbye with a kiss on the cheek. Harry of course is last, and we stand there staring at each other awkwardly. I try to start saying something, but I get interrupted by Harry starting. Sadly, he stops and tries to make me say something first, but I decline to let him go first. We kept at that for awhile till one of the boys clears their throat behind us.

"Alright, well I'll see you after the concert hopefully," Harry nods.

"Yea, we'll come for dinner," Eliana interrupts.

She gets elbowed in the side by Liam and she squeals as he takes her out the room. I roll my eyes and face Harry again, his green eyes dulling.

"Yea, I'll see you," I nod.

He gives a small smile and wraps his arms around me awkwardly, but relaxes as I snake mine around his waist. The side of his lower head squishes to the top side of my head. He's gotten larger and more muscular since last time, making me feel more diminutive. Harry rubs his bear hand against the cotton fabric of my shirt, causing my insides to stir with a strange sentiment.

"Good luck out there," I whisper as the moment becomes a past.

"Thank you," he gives a sad smile as he walks over to the door.

"I'll be rooting for you," I add before he leaves.

Harry turns around one last time, showing off his winning smirk. The one that never happens to decease in meaning.

A short flashback plays as I watch him vanish out the door. A painful, but lovely memory that I will always cherish.

*"You are not seriously trying to act like you care if something happened to me," I laugh.

My head is spinning, I can't keep up with this boy.

"I'm not saying I do...I am just warning you, it's a bad idea."

"Well I have no other options. Everyone is drunk here, even myself," I put my hands up then let them fall.

Tears fall down my face, I'm just a big mess. I can't believe I'm crying in front of him, again. I'm humiliated completely.

"Do you always cry at parties?" He asks with a small smile.

"Apparently," I wipe my eyes.

I turn around to begin to walk away again. I can't do this plan, I'll lose my mind.

"Lina," he says so soft, almost inaudible.

His face is unreadable. The place begins to spin again, I wobble on my feet, but unable to keep my balance. Harry reaches for me and holds my waist.*

That was that first time I knew. At that moment I had known he in fact did care, that side of him was just crumpled up inside of his large shadow that had over powered him at a point of his life. He was just like me back then.