(Y/n) lit the candle with careful hands, watching Henry out of the corner of her eye. He was pacing up and down the room, muttering things under his breath. He was nervous. Very nervous. He had every right to be, this was his first ever date after all.
The mere thought made a tight pain form in her chest.
No, not now.
He needs you right now.
You can't be the jealous bitch you want to be.
He's your best friend.
Just your best friend.
Right now he isn't the guy you've been in love with for three years.
"Stop panicking" she smiled, waving out the flame on the match quickly before dropping it the sink to make sure it wouldn't set anything alight. That would be the last thing he needed.
"How?" he grumbled, pulling at his awkward shirt.
"Deep breaths, buddy" she sighed, walking towards him to help him fix it "You're gonna be fine" Her hands played with the material until it sat right on him, before leaving her hands on his shoulders in a comforting manor. He watched her with tense eyes, trying to calm down.
"But what if I'm not" he shrugged her off as he resumed his pacing, biting his lip "What if I say something rude? Or stupid? Or if I start rambling like-?"
"Like you are right now?" she grinned, pulling him so he stood in front of her once again "Henry, you won't do anything of those things okay. It'll be perfect. And even if you do, I bet my life she'll find it cute"
I know I do.
"You really think so?" he gave her one of his lopsided, half smiles, making her heart fluttered.
"I'm sure of it" she replied in a quiet voice, trying to not show how much he affected her.
"Thanks, (Y/n)" he drew her in for a quick hug before she grabbed her coat and walked out the back door, wringing her hands as she went. He didn't seem to notice however. He also didn't notice the tears dribbling down her face as she walked home.
Henry walked down the road, his hands stuffed into his pockets, head low. The date hadn't gone well.
She doesn't like me that way.
Figures.
The one chance I have at normalilty and its snatched away from me.
He glanced up at the small two floor house in front of him. He noticed the girl's light was still on, despite the fact she had told him she wasn't feeling well that day. She had been walking around helping him with a glum tired look on her face. He had just assumed she was sick. But this doesn't make any sense.
He knew (Y/n) like the back of his hand. And when she was sick, she slept as much as she could.
He knocked on the floor door tentatively, wiping away any evidence that he had cried on the walk home.
He could wait until he was alone before the tears started again. He would have to. (y/n) hated to see him cry. But he had to get to the bottom of this.
"Um, hi Mrs (Y/ln). I was wondering-"he began as the girl's mother opened the door in her dressing gown.
"Oh Henry, how many times have I told you?" she tutted "Just call me (Y/mn). Now come in quick, or we'll both catch our death of cold"
She ushered him in quickly, smoothing out her slightly messy hair.
"Now, I'm guessing you're here to collect those books you left here last week" the woman smiled "(Y/n) left them down here for you-"
"Actually, I'm just here to see (Y/n)" he interrupted, heading towards the stairs "Buts thanks anyway"
"I don't think that's a good idea love" she stopped him, a tight lip smile on her face "She isn't feeling well, wouldn't want you to catch it too"
"Then whys she still up?" he frowned.
(Y/mn) didn't answer, her fake smile faltering.
"I think it's time you got home now"
"Why can't I see her?"
"Henry-"
"Has something happened?"
"You need to go now. She'd just not feeling well"
He could hardly fight back against the woman as she manoeuvred him towards the door, confused and slightly frightened.
"but-"
"See you tomorrow maybe"
And like that the front door was closed once again.
Henry looked up at the girl's bedroom window. The blinds were closed the lights on. She was in there. A tight feeling in his stomach told him something was wrong.
So naturally, he couldn't just give up there.
(Y/n) heard a shuffling noise coming from outside, moving her head up from her crippled position. She was laid out on the bed, hair tangled, sleeves still damp from when she had wiped at her eyes. She had told her mother she didn't want anyone near her, retreating to her room to cry in piece. She and Henry were very much alike in that sense. They didn't like to show others how upset they were.
She had heard someone come in minutes before, but just assumed it was her father finally in from a long day of work. But now with the mysterious shuffling, she started to wonder if something more sinister was at work.
She listened as her window slowly slid up, cursing at the fact she hadn't put on the latch.
(Y/n) felt her heart jump in her throat as a hand pulled back her curtains. She got ready to scream for her mother, but when a familiar head poked through the gap in the material her cries fell silent.
"Henry!" she hissed, diving for him "What are you doing? You're going to get yourself killed. Inside, inside this room right now!"
She helped pull him through, landing roughly on her back with him hovering over her.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds, trying to catch their breath.
"You've been crying" he whispered, reaching forward to stroke her cheek.
"No I haven't" she replied quickly, flinching away from him.
He frowned at her actions, wondering why she was shutting him out.
"Why are you upset?"
"I think you should go, Henry"
She pushed him gently, standing up slowly. She walked over to her door, opening it for him as she turned off her bedroom light. She was tired. Too tired to fight anymore.
"Doesn't matter what you think" he answered smartly "I'm staying"
She laughed lightly at his persistence, sitting down on her bed with a loud thump. After a moment or two he joined her.
The two sat in silence, (Y/n) staring at her hands dully. Henry watched her however, trying to decide what was wrong. But after a while, he become more captivated with her.
He loved the way the moonlight was bouncing off her (Y/hc) hair, the brightness also reflecting in her (Y/ec) eyes. She was slouched over, fragile. Tired.
"Beautiful" he mumbled, catching her attention.
"Pardon" she frowned.
"Nothing, it's just um...you...uh" he stuttered "You look beautiful, I mean"
She glanced at the mirror and snorted. Her hair was puffy and a tangled mess. Her eyes were bloodshot, large bag forming underneath them. The skin of her cheeks was blotchy and wet, clothes crumpled.
"Funny" she grumbled, falling back against the covers.
"I'm being serious" he copied her actions, reaching out to play with her hair.
"So I'm guessing the date didn't go that well" she changed the subject quickly "Or you'd be with her"
"Yeah" he sighed "She doesn't see me that way"
"I'm sorry" she whispered "I know you really liked her"
"Yeah"
He wasn't really listening, he was looking at her lips and then at the sad look in her eyes.
I wonder.
He rolled over so he hovered above her once again, sliding one hand so it lay against the top of her head.
"What are you doing?" she gulped, a light blush covering her face.
He didn't reply, bending down lightly.
"Wait" she stopped him "Don't do this if it's a pity kiss. Don't do this just because you know that I'm hurting and that you're hurting. Don't do this out of pity Henry"
She paused.
"If you kiss me, do it because you actually want to kiss me. Not her. Me"
He waited only a second before smashing his lips onto hers.
