Redemption

Chapter 26: Holding On

"This is your hiding place?"

Harry sat down beside me. "Yeah. I built this with Gemma a few years ago. I come here to think and get away from Niall and his pestering self."

We both laughed. I looked up at Harry and looked away once we made eye contact. He was so beautiful.

"Jen, why are you crying?"

"I...I don't know." Harry grabbed my chin and held my head to face him.

"Don't lie to me."

"Harry. I miss my mom and dad. I miss Kent. I miss my own bed! I have friends  who are probably worried sick about where I am. When I first got here, you scared me. You hurt me. And then after spending a few days with you...you stole my first kiss." I jerked my head away as I felt my cheeks flush.

"The truth is, I've never been around a girl like you. Jen, you speak your mind no matter the cost...and this God of yours has kept you alive, I guess. Do you still trust Him?"

"More than anything." I replied.

"Then maybe I should give Him a try."

"Really?" I looked back up at Harry.

"Yeah...but this will be our little secret, okay?"

"Just like the hiding place."

Harry brought me into his arms and held me there. I'm not sure why, but I felt safe in his arms...safer than I've ever felt in my life. In that moment, I began to fall in love.

"Let's go inside. It's dinner time." Harry said as he lifted me to my feet. He took my hand in his and led us out of the hedge.

ONE WEEK LATER

I woke up to the sound of rain pouring outside. It was an ugly day and I wasn't feeling at my best. I opened the nightstand drawer beside my bed and pulled out my journal. I uncapped my pen and began writing.

It's been a month since I've left home. So many things have changed. I actually like the boys now. Niall still makes me laugh. Liam still makes me feel welcome. Louis still frightens me, but I've come to be around him without showing weakness...wow I sound so criminal. And Harry...well, Harry makes me smile. We've had three devotionals this week. He really seems to be getting into the Word. I'm not sure how, but I feel like this is just a part of a bigger plan. Harry and I have gotten so close and I like spending time with him, but I don't want to get attached. I'm just hoping my family finds me soon...or Allen comes forward about his past.

It's almost time for a devotional with Harry. Until next time.

There was a knock at my door. "Come in." I said as I pushed my journal under my pillow

"Hey, Jen." Liam smiled. There was something different about his presence though; Liam seemed distressed. He wasn't very good at hiding it.

"What's wrong?" I asked as Liam sat down.

"It's about Harry. How much has he told you about his past?"

"He told me about how his mom was killed in a car accident and how his dad beat and left him and about he and Gemma's foster homes and such. He told me about what Allen did." I said truthfully.

"Has he told you about why Gemma is with Allen now?" Liam asked cautiously.

"No..."

"Gemma and Allen have been dating since Allen started attending Manchester. They genuinely love each other. That night Harry said she was raped was the complete opposite - it was consensual. Gemma was just shaken up over the fact that Harry saw her naked and having sex. Harry went to the Dean and had Allen kicked out, claiming he had raped his sister when in reality Harry didn't want someone coming in between the two of them. Gemma was all he had left of his former life and he thought if she was serious about the relationship, she'd go with Allen to America. Once she found out what Harry did, she left anyways. No charges were pressed because Gemma ran away. Ever since, Harry keeps visiting America to either kill Allen or try and take Gemma home."

I stared at Liam with confusion. I believed every word. How could Harry lie and have my brother falsely accused and kicked out of school? Why would he trick me into thinking my brother was a horrible person?

"What am I supposed to do? Do I confront him?" I asked helplessly.

Liam shook his head. "No. We want you to act like everything is fine. Harry is finally discovering something other than hate in his life. We will make sure you get home safe and sound if you can somehow convince Harry that what he did was wrong and somehow lead him to Christ."

I stared at Liam in awe.

"Yes," he said, "I am a Christian and so is Niall. We have been for a while. Sophia is Catholic...she curses a lot, but we all believe." I laughed. "Jen, keep trying and keep holding on."

And with that, Liam walked out and shut the door behind him.