paint it black [h.s]

[eight] promise

-Stella-

"Stella!  Stella!  Over here, honey, look at Mommy!"  She had her face stuck in a camera trying to get my attention.  My grandparents crouched on either side of me smiling towards her and pointing to make me look.  Once I finally looked in her direction, she snapped the picture as quick as she could. 

It was our family Christmas at my grandparents' house.  Of course, I wouldn't remember this.  There were gifts wrapped in various coloured paper with bows and glitter.  It was magical. 

My eyes trailed over the old photographs in the photo album.  I must've been about three, or so.  I remembered my grandparents and how I used to spend every summer with them.  It killed me when I was about eight, my grandfather passed from lung cancer and the following year my grandmother was in a car accident.  On the day it happened, I overheard my relatives talking and saying she probably died from a broken heart and that the crash was intentional.  It broke my entire heart. 

Before I reminisced too much to the point of crying, I closed the photo album.   I got up and got ready to see Harry.  I haven't seen him since the other night and he hasn't texted me.  Of course, my parents still don't know that I'm going out with a guy.  They wouldn't approve of it and I don't know what Harry considers me as.  Hell, I don't  know what I consider Harry as.  He's different and I don't exactly know why. 

I put some makeup on and put on a white sweater with some jeans and some white shoes.  My heart was beating fast as I made my way down the stairs and said goodbye to my parents.  I only told them I was going to the coffee shop.  I was nervous, of course.  Walking alone down the street is scarier than it sounds.

The sound of bells rang in my ears when I walked through the doors.  Outside, it was cold and harsh against my face but once I was in, I felt the warm soothing heat.  It was filled with a familiar intense smell of coffee. I looked up and noticed a smirking Harry coming my way, wearing of course all black.  My heart was racing.

"Hi love," he said to me, still smirking while I blushed. 

"Hi."  I said somewhat smiling.

"Shall we?" he asked, holding out his hand for me to take. 

Confused, I asked, "Where are we going?"  He simply chuckled and led me out the front door where I noticed a large black motorcycle. Harry got on and looked up.

"Aren't you coming?" he said, looking genuinely concerned.

"On that?  Oh, I...I...I don't know..." I was hesitating.  Truly I was scared.  I hardly know this man and I've heard of too many motorcycle accidents. My anxiety was through the roof.

"C'mon love, just hold on."  I knew I should just do it and stop being such a baby, I thought.

Sighing, I got on behind him. He handed me a helmet and I held on to his torso as tight as I could. 

We drove through the streets in town and I couldn't believe it was me...me on a motorcycle. I'm scared of most things and for me to actually that a stranger, go out with him twice, and ride on his motorcycle.  God, he really brings out my wild side. I get this whole new rush of feelings with him. I never wanted to let go.

He finally stopped in front of a local, American-style diner. 
"I know I know, you would probably rather eat at a fancy restaurant, but—" I cut him off.
"No, I love this," I said smiling. 

---

Over dinner, we just talked about nonsense once again, and it was amazing.
"So my friend Niall is having a house party next weekend, would you like to go...with me?" He asked.

"Sure, I'd love to."
Dinner was fun, until Harry brought something up. To be honest, I was quite scared, yet intrigued.

"Stella, the other day when you were with me and I wasn't acting like a normal person, I got quite harsh..."  I listened and watched as his yes darkened. "Look, there's something wrong with me.  All of this is going to sound crazy but I need you to take me seriously.  Since I was a teenager, and my mother passed, something took control of me.  It's voices commanding me to do the terrible things I do. Since the beginning I thought it's what I needed, but since I met you I now know I need to get it out of my mind. I can't explain it, but it's what took control of me that night at Phoenix.  But something stopped me."  He stared me down and I felt my heart drop into my stomach. His eyes were the darkest I've ever seen them. Darker than the day at the coffee shop, darker than the last time I was with him, darker than that night at the house party.

"Stella," he started, grabbing my hand from across the table. I bit down on my tongue, more scared than I should be. "Stella, you stopped me. Just from being with you makes me want to get this thing out of my mind.  It makes me need to get it out of my mind.  And you're the only thing that stops it." 
I stared at him, not knowing what to say, but somehow I felt sympathy for him and I wanted to help as much as I could.

"I'm sorry I've poured all of this on you, but it was killing me and I had to explain my peculiar behavior.  You don't have to say anything, I just thought you should know." 

"Harry," I started but he interrupted me.

"You just don't understand that I hear this voice every single day, and it will not cease.  Nothing can stop it.  Nothing."

I held onto his hand and looked into his emerald eyes.  "I don't care how long it will take, but I promise you, I will make them go away once and for all."

---

Ahhh new update yayyyyy I'm so happy with the way this chapter turned out, what do you think??? And what do you think of the new cover ??
Thank you guys for the votes and support on this story xx
I apologize for slow updates

Xx Natalie