No Passing Through

Chapter 21: Feelings I've Never Known

Harry's POV

"Yes," she whispered and I just want to beat myself up.

She is scared of me. But why? I don't understand. I cannot understand.

Her gaze remained on her lap and I can't think of something to say or do to make her feel better. Hold your shit together, Harry!

I shift so I am right in front of her, I lift her chin so she's staring straight at me. Her big brown eyes are irresistible, it's the window to her soul. Hailey's beautiful soul.

"I frighten you?" Finally I spoke and my voice cracks like it's the first time I've used it today.

She closes her eyes, obviously trying to hold back tears and she once again breaks our eye contact. "Please Hailey, look at me." I beg, my voice barely there.

She sniffs, "I can't," and she scramble to her feet, running towards the ocean and leaving me sitting there alone as I stare at her from a distance.

I swallow hard and followed her, once again taking this chance to tell her how I really feel about her.

"Hailey, please, what is it?" I asked and I am alarmed to see that tears are streaming down her face.

I reach out and grasp her hand in mine, "Hailey," I urge her to speak, to tell me why she's acting like this.

She finally lifts her face to look at me, the light of the moon is illuminating her flawless face and I just want to grab her face and kiss her.

"I fear that," she chokes. "If I fall in love with you, you won't be there to catch me." Hailey's words are an agonized breathless whisper.

I inhale sharply, pulling her towards me and burying my nose against her hair. "Hailey, I-" And I am once again out of words to say.

"Please don't cry," I rub her back soothingly as I try to calm her.

"Listen to me," I release her and I hold her face between my hands.

Tears continue to flow down her cheeks and I wipe every single one of them away, "Hailey, I already proved to you that I will catch you no matter what,"

"I know this may sound crazy but," I trail off.

I bring her face closer to mine, "I love you." I breath the words and now that I've told her, I don't think I can ever stop myself from saying it again.

"I love you, Hailey." She giggles and damn it, I had the sudden urge to kiss her, to press my lips against her soft ones.

I lean in closer as I plant a soft tender kiss on her soft lips. It was the perfect kiss, just like having my first kiss all over again. We didn't shove our tongue down each other's throats, we just kissed and claimed each other our own.

Much to my liking, she pulled away breathless. I smile as I kiss her forehead, inhaling her scent on the process. My sweet, sweet Hailey.

She raises an eyebrow at me, she looks adorable. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing," she nibbles on her lip. Oh that lips. They are mine. Only mine.

I scoff, not believing her. "Tell me." I press on.

She smiles, I stop breathing. "Its just that," she says, stifling a laugh.

"Go on," I urge her to tell me.

"I remember your words from that night," she started.

"What night?" I ask, completely puzzled.

She giggles, "What's our last rule again, baby?"

And right there and then, I recall Vanessa's voice ringing inside my head like a song stuck on replay. "No falling for each other." My stupid words flashed before me in red twinkling lights, "It's just that, fall in love with any of you? Never Gonna Happen" I mentally slap myself. I was so stupid. A douche, to be perfectly honest.