Afraid To Fall

Chapter Six

"You can tell me anything. I promise," Harry insisted, taking my hand in his once more. I never noticed how large they actually are. "I've never...uh, I've never actually had my first....kiss," I stuttered out, embarrassed for my life. He raised an eyebrow as if he didn't believe me. But it's true. I've never been kissed by anyone. "You're absolutely beautiful! How have you not had your first kiss?" I shrugged my shoulders and looked down at my feet. "It's alright, Elizabeth.. Don't worry about that. The right lad will change that," he told me, rubbing my knuckles with his thumb.

I smiled slightly and nodded. "So, the second question," I began. He grinned. "Have you ever been touched before? By, you know, a girl?" He bit his bottom lip. "No.." I smiled and nodded my head. "I'm surprised." He chuckled. "I already know the answer for you," he said, nudging me to go on. "Have you ever lost anyone really close to you? If so, who?" His eyes sadened, nodding his head. "I lost my best friend, Danielle to cancer." My mouth gaped open at the thought of that. "Oh, Harry.. I'm so sorry!" 

"It's alright," he reassured me, smiling. "You?" "I lost my grandmother. She cared for me more than my mom actually," I mumbled, holding his hand a bit tighter. "Let's go to the next question." "Alright.." I looked up at the sky for inspiration on what I should ask next. "Have you ever been stoned?" "What?" he asked, his eyes widening. "You heard me!" "Um, yeah.." I frowned and shook my head. "Bad, Harry." 

He chuckled. "I'm guessing you haven't." "You guessed right." Harry got up slowly, tugging me out of my seat. "Get up," he said softly, smiling. "Why?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. He just looked at me with those gorgeous green eyes to get me up. I melted, staring into them. He lead me to the closest shade tree, letting go of my hand. "Stay there. I have an idea," he said. I sat at the trunk of the tree and waited as he ran off somewhere. 

~

It's been two hours since Harry had left. I have no idea where he is and I'm getting kind of scared. I pull out my phone and check the time. "Elizabeth?" a hoarse voice asks, the crunch of leaves leading toward me. "H-hi, Zayn," I say, stiffling back tears. He practically just left me there. "I thought you were with Harry," he said, sitting beside me. "He left me.." Zayn frowned and pulled me into a hug as my tears fell. "I'm sorry.. Did he say where he was going?" he asked quietly, rubbing small circles in my back. 

I shook my head, sniffling. "H-he just left a-and tol me t-to st-stay here," I replied as he pulled away. "Don't cry, beautiful," he whispered, swiping his thumb under my eye to collect the dripping tears. I smiled at him, breathing heavily. "I knew he would do this.. That's just the person Harry is," he said. I looked down at my lap and hugged him once more, "I'm so sorry." "I-it's ok," I said against his neck. 

He rubbed my back once more until our embrace fell away. "Do you want me to take you home?" he asked, holding my shoulders. I shook my head. "Can you take me to the ice cream parlor?" "Of course!" I smiled and pulled myself onto my feet, pulling him up as well. "I'm getting up," he started and once he was on his feet he said," I'm up!" 

I laughed at his silliness and he took my hand in his, walking towards the nearby ice cream parlor. "So, what exactly were you two doing?" he asked me, swinging our arms gently. "We just came to the park to talk, I guess. He just told me we were going to the park," I answered, shrugging my small shoulders. "Oh, I asked if I could come because I wanted to make sure he wouldn't hurt you or....touch you." I glanced down at the ground as the parlor came into view.

"He would touch me?" I asked, stopping at the door. "Yeah.. I was scared," he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. I continued into the parlor, walking up to the counter. "Steven!" I said, hugging him over the counter. "Hey, Beth!" "I didn't know you worked here!" He laughed and leant against the counter. "Nobody does. It's a secret." 

I gave him a questioning look and he just shrugged. "Well, you should know what I want," I said, pointing at him playfully. "Yep, two scoops, one mint, one chocolate." "Bingo!" He laughed and Zayn just stood there awkwardly. "Oh! How rude," I said with a pout. "Steven, this is Zayn. Zayn, this is Steven." Zayn nodded and Steven waved. "What would you like, sir?" Steven asked, scooping up my usual.

"Nothing, thank you," Zayn snapped slightly. Steven looked over at me and I just shrugged. "It's on the house," he said, handing me the ice cream. "Thanks, Steven! I'll talk to you Monday." Zayn tugged me towards the door as I dipped my spoon into the mint scoop. "What's up?" I asked, cocking a brow. He shrugged and smiled innocently at me. 

"Are you sure you don't want any? Not even a bite?" I asked, twirling a spoonful of ice cream around in his face. "Maybe a bite." He opened his mouth slightly and I smiled, pushing it inside of it. He bit down, taking the ice cream off as I slid the spoon out. There was a little bit of ice cream on his lower lip and I bit mine. "What?" he asked, smirking. 

I debated in my mind either to kiss him or wipe it off. I leant forward, keeping my eyes on his lips. Kiss him it is.. I pressed my lips to his, sliding my tongue over the lost ice cream. He wrapped his arms around my waist, moving his lips against mine. Wow, kissing is not what I thought it would be. "Zayn!" a deep voice shouted. Zayn was suddenly ripped from me by....Harry. "How could you leave me like that?!" I shout at him, pushing him with my free hand. 

"I didn't!" "Oh, so I sat at the same tree for two hours waiting on you and you didn't leave me!?" His gaze dropped to his feet, making my anger boil inside of me. "You're a jerk, Harry!" I spat, pushing him once more. He gripped my shoulders and shoved me into the wall of the ice crem parlor. "I didn't....leave you," he said through gritted teeth. "Prove it," I hissed, setting my ice cream on the nearby table. "I..I was going to bring a stupid picnic basket and candles," he said, pointing behind him. Near a tree there was a basket. My eyes widened and I immediately felt bad.

"But..it took you two hours?" I asked, regaining my anger. I tried to shove him away, but he didn't budge. Zayn stood there, watching us. "How the hell do you think Zayn knew where you were?" he growled, moving away. "He tied me to the fucking fridge because he wants to get into your goddamn pants!" I felt tears well up, but I ignored them, shaking my head. Zayn shoved Harry out of the way and rested his hands on my hips. "It's not true," he whispered, leaning his forehead on mine. 

I pushed him away and grabbed my ice cream, running back towards my house. "I hate you both!" I shouted once I had turned around. I choked back sobs as I ran faster and faster. The leaves crunched as they ran behind me, shouting my name. My life was normal before they came along. Why did they have to come ruin it? I knew I shouldn't have fallen for Harry. Just forget them. Forget them both. 

Zayn caught up to me and grabbed my wrist, spinning me to face him. "I...I really like you," he breathed out. My eyes were stuck staring in his until he crashed his lips on mine. Both of his hands held my cheeks as I rose mine to hold onto his arms. Our lips moved in perfect sync, deepening every second. 

He slid his tongue over my lower lip, begging for entrance, but I just pulled away. "No.. I'm not falling for either of you," I whispered, backing away. Harry had caught up by now and shoved Zayn out of the way. "Elizabeth," he sighed. I just stared at them both, sill backing away. I'm not falling. I can't. I don't want to end up hurt.. 

"Elizabeth, please!" Harry begged, walking towards me. "Stay away from me," I demanded, turning on my heels for home. I ran off, leaving them both behind and sobbing loudly. My voice cracked every time I took a breath or whispered to myself. Once I reached the front door, I realized it was locked. "Mom!" I cried out, banging my fists against the wooden door. Footsteps scattered down the stairs and towards the door, opening it quickly. 

"Elizabeth? What happened?" she questioned, pulling me inside. "I hate love!" I cried, burying my face in the soft fabric of her nightgown. David came down moments later, sincerity clearly in his eyes. "Did Harry do this?"