Pride {l.s.}

16- Missed You

"Are you ready to see Harry?" Zayn asks. It's raining outside, so I slide on my jacket along with my shoes. I internally thank Zayn for never asking too much about why I need a break with Harry. He's always been understanding of me even when I don't understand myself.

"Ready as I'll ever be." This is as fixed as I'll get.

"Okay. Make good choices, Lou."

My stomach has butterflies as I walk a route that I know too well. The thought of butterflies reminds me of that tattoo that stretches out over his stomach. I always liked his tattoos. He will always be this walking piece of art to me, and I find it hard to comprehend the fact that I'm going to see him again.

I'm going to be able to say hi to him again. I might even get a hug or at least a handshake. I'll be able to hear his corny jokes and his laugh. I'm going to see this clumsy, weird giraffe, and I'm excited.

I'm also scared. I'm scared he doesn't care about me anymore. Maybe I'm just this passing phase in his mind that he's already forgotten. I hope that I'm more to him than that. I mean I am hanging on his wall with the picture of us during the pride parade.

I stand outside his wooden door. I can hear my heart beating extra hard, and I know that it's time. I need Harry. I like the curly haired boy. I miss him.

The door is opened a couple moments after I knock. Before me stands the same boy that I know. He still towers over me. He wears pajama pants and a simple white t-shirt, yet he still looks good. He tiredly wipes his eyes before he looks up at me. His eyes open wide at the sight of me. Harry, being the clumsy person he is, trips over his own feet in surprise. He luckily catches himself.

"Oops," Harry mumbles under his breath before looking back up at me.

"Hi," I say shyly with a small smile.

That's all I manage to say before he pulls me in. His strong arms are wrapped around my smaller body. I instinctively wrap my arms around him. I feel safe being back in his arms. It feels like home. Harry smells like vanilla, and I finally feel like I can breathe again.

"Hi, Lou. I didn't expect to see you this soon. I was going to head down to the studio later this week to see you," Harry says before he finally pulls away. He opens the door and lets me into the apartment. I slide off my shoes and toss them next to one of his pairs of heeled boots.

"I couldn't wait," I admit shyly as we make our way to the kitchen. "Did I wake you?"

"I should've been awake. I've started talking naps in the late afternoons. It's probably not good for me, but I've just been tired," Harry admits with a shrug. "I was going to make some dinner. You up for some food?"

"Always am," I reply. "Are you feeling okay?"

Harry shrugs his shoulders. He walks around the kitchen in silence for a few moments as he gathers some ingredients.

"Is meatloaf alright with you?" Harry asks, completely avoiding my question.

"Perfect."

Harry doesn't smile as he begins to cook. I sit there and watch him. I just want him to talk to me. I was supposed to be the one with walls, not him. As I watch him getting the things ready to cook, I notice the small things about him. I notice the yawns, the tired eyes, and the way he shuffles his feet.

"Are you okay, Hazza?" I ask. Maybe the nickname will help him open up.

Harry puts down whatever utensil was in his hand before he turns to face me. "Yeah, I guess. I don't know. This is going to sound crazy."

"I'm sure I've heard crazier. As long as you don't tell me that you boiled water so much that it caught on fire," I say, trying to get a laugh out of him. It somewhat works as a small smile reaches his face at the memory of Niall in the kitchen.

"Okay, well I've just been missing you."

"That's not crazy. I've been missing you too."

Harry looks right into my eyes as he replies. "No, it's not like the you go on vacation, and you miss sleeping in your own bed. It's this deep aching to just hang out with you again. I just wanted you to be sitting there again as I cooked. It's crazy since we haven't known each other very long, but I craved your presence from the second you left."

I feel the blush on my cheeks, but I do my best to ignore it. I do let his words warm my heart because he really did miss me.

"The missing was mutual, Haz. Life is a lot less colorful without you in it."

"That's a lot coming from a painter."

We both laugh at this. I miss the sound of his laughter. It's a sound that seems just amazing when it's here, and you definitely miss it when it's gone.

"So you really did miss me too?" Harry asks somewhat quietly as he scurries around the kitchen getting everything ready for dinner.

"I missed you like... like someone missing home. I went to the movies with my girlfriend, and we watched some sappy romantic comedy. I thought of you the whole time. You would've loved it."

Harry freezes. I can't see his face since he is facing the counter as he chops some carrots. The knife is now set on the cutting board. He leans against the counter with both hands used to hold him up. He doesn't move. Harry is worrying me, so I slowly make my way over to him. Once I'm standing next to him, I can see that his eyes are fixated on one point on the counter, but he is completely zoned out.

"Haz? Please talk to me. Tell me what I said that was wrong," I say quietly even though we are the only two in the apartment.

"You... You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend."

A/N

I just hit 1K reads, and I can't believe it! I've never had a book receive so many reads so fast. I want to thank you all for your continued support and crazy comments that make my day. All the love.

xoxo raindropkiss1