Empty [h.s.]

Chapter 20 "Is that you?"

New Years Eve. A night full of alcohol and midnight kisses. A chance to say goodbye to who you used to be and the things you used to know. For me that was Harry. No, I will not stop being his friend or talking to him, but form now on I am really going to try to keep my feelings for him to a minimum. Especially, now that I think I may be in love with Sam. I can't let any past feelings or issues get in the way of something that could really be good for me.

Gemma invited Sam and I to a party tonight. She said that Sophia, Liam, Louis, Niall, Harry, and sadly Lisa would all be there too. I guess, that is where we will go. I really just want tonight to be about me and Sam and our new beginning together.

As I slip into my gorgeous sparkling cocktail dress, I have never felt so sexy in my entire life. I curl my hair into loose waves and dabb on some makeup, but not to much. Looking at the finished product I was throughly impressed with how everything came together. I just hope Sam likes it...

Sam and I take a taxi to the party because we both know by the end of the night we will both me sloshed. This is just safer. The party is going to be exciting, or at least I am excited. It has been so long since I have truly enjoyed something, and I plan on tonight being something that will put a smile on my face.

We enter the room where the party is I immediately recognize Gemma in her bright red dress. She sees me and makes a beeline towards us. Gemma has never met Sam before, I have only told her stories, so I am excited to see what she thinks.

"Grace! It's so good to see you! You look HOT!" Gemma says, arms open wide ready to receive me into a hug. I fully embrace her, it is so good to see a familiar face now and days. I feel like it has been ages since we went out to lunch.

"Thanks, Gem. That red dress looks great on you! Gemma, this is my boyfriend Sam. Sam, this is one of my best friends Gemma." I introduce the two and they shake hands.

"It's very nice to meet you." Sam says politely with a charming smile gracing his beautiful face.

"It's nice to meet you too. Grace has told me a lot about you." Gemma tells Sam. She gives me an clearly impressed look. She is probably just as shocked as I am that I was able to get such a good-looking guy to like me.

"Grace!" I hear Sophia yell as she drags Liam over to where Sam, Gemma, and I are chatting.

"It's so good to see you both!" I say hugging Sophia and then Liam. "You guys remember Sam." Liam and Sam do that weird bro-hug thing that I don't understand, what a guy thing to do.

"Oh my fucking God! Grace?! Is that you? I haven't seen you in forever." Louis says rather loudly and comes over to hug followed by Niall.

"Guys, this is my boyfriend Sam." As those words slipped past my lip, Louis and Niall's jaws drop to the floor. I can tell they weren't expecting that. I haven't seen or spoken to them since the night of that dreaded party that could have ended my life. To say they were probably shocked would be an understatement.

We all get drinks and stand around and talk some more before I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around quickly to be met with a smiling Harry and frowning Lisa. I decide to focus on the positive and only look at Harry's handsome face. I smile back and am engulfed by Harry in a hug. It is so nice to feel his warmth, and be in his familiar arms. It's like the world disappears with just a look or touch form Harry. I forget about his impending wedding and that I may be in love with Sam. It's like nothing else matters...

But reality is a bitch that comes knocking whether you want it to or not, and for me it came as soon as Harry quit hugging me. "Harry, you remember my boyfriend Sam." As I say the word boyfriend Harry's face drops from the happy grin that previously adorned it, now it held a sad look. I can't understand why he can't ever just be happy for me. It hurts that he would ever try to stop me form being happy the way he is.

Harry gives Sam a nod and turns to me quickly and says, "Can I speak to you privately, Grace?" Harry says with a pleading look. I nod and Harry grabs my hand, surprisingly, and leads me away form our group and into a quieter area.

Once we get there Harry lets go of my hand, even though I wish he wouldn't. "Tell me whats wrong." I say with a sigh and face Harry.

"You didn't tell me he was your boyfriend now." Harry says seeming more like a father than best friend. I am in shock. Does he really expect me to answer to him?

"Harry, we haven't really been speaking. Plus, does it really matter? I mean I know you are really busy with Lisa, and planning your wedding. I don't expect you to have time for me. After all, I am 'just Grace'." I finish saying and look down at my feet.

"But you're not 'just Grace'. You are my best friend and one of the most special people I know. I will always have time for you." Harry grabs my shoulders and looks me in the eyes. "I don't have a good feeling from Sam, though. I wish you would have told me sooner."

"Why don't you like him?" I ask a little dumbfounded. They acted like the best of friends when Harry crashed our first date. Why doesn't he like Sam?

"He doesn't settle well with me." He says way to simply.

"You are going to have to elaborate because that literally tells me nothing. What do you mean he doesn't settle well with you?" I ask exhausted form the lack of information he has provided me so far.

"I get the feeling he is dangerous. Like, he could hurt you if you provoke him, Grace." Harry says cupping one of my hands in both of his large ones while looking me in the eyes with the most sincere sparkle.

"We haven't even fought ever though. He doesn't seem dangerous to me." I can't believe I am even considering this as a possibility from Sam. He has been nothing but sweet to me, but Harry is my best friend and knows what is best for me. Maybe he is seeing something I don't.

"Yes, that may be so but I know you, Grace. You are bullheaded when you are arguing with someone. I just don't want anything bad happening to you, okay? So if he ever does anything at all, if he ever even lays a dangerous finger on you, you better tell me. I will help you no matter what, okay?" Harry tells me in the most sincere voice I have ever heard him speak in before, and all I can do is nod.

I'm not sure what Harry is seeing exactly from Sam that I am not, but this conversation has definitely given me a lot to think about. I ponder these thoughts as Harry slips my hand into his once again, and intertwines our fingers as he leads us back to the group we left a little while ago.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Sam asks me, concern written all over his face.

"Yeah... Yeah I'm fine, Sam. Lets just have a good time." So much for a new me...

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A/N: Do we like the advice Harry gave Grace about Sam? Are you guys picking up the same dangerous vibes Harry is? Let me know...

Niki xx