Aftermath (h.s.)

V.

"...Harry."  I felt my pulse quicken as he graced me with a crooked smile. I watched as his head tilted slightly to the side. His eyes roamed over me as if he didn't really believe I was standing here. It all felt unreal to me, so I couldn't imagine what it felt like for him.

"I didn't exactly think this through." He said with a short laugh. He brought his hand up and ran it across the back of his neck as he looked away. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say. After five years how do you just start up a conversation.

I did admire how he ran his hand through his hair and pulled at his bottom lip with his fingers. Some things never change.

"Neither did I. Coming here tonight was an impulse. I'm sorry if it's been uncomfortable." I cast my eyes down as I spoke. I didn't want to see the look in his eyes. I heard him move closer while I pretended to find a flaw in my perfectly manicured nails.

"Uncomfortable? You could never make me uncomfortable Lani. I was glad to see you.. it's been a long time." My head snapped up of its own accord. We were only about a foot apart at this point. I could see the light stubble on his jaw and the intense green of his eyes. He was honestly still the most beautiful human I had ever seen. I couldn't deny myself that fact.

I'm sure he thought I was crazy standing here just staring at him. I coughed a bit to cover my embarrassment and smiled.

"I can't say that I'm not glad to hear that. I want to apologize for up and leaving but I feel as if we're in better places now. I fully believed we needed a break from one another." I let the words tumble from my lips paying no mind to how the words would hit him. I just needed the truth out in the open. I was done hiding things five years ago. That was was thing I vowed to myself. I would always be truthful. I owed it to myself and everyone around me.

"I have to agree but I hate the way it happened, you know." The small smile he produced lessened the hurt his answer caused. I knew I had went about it all wrong. I didn't know how else to separate myself from him. He was a drug to me. His entire being was magnetic like nothing I've ever experienced before. Even now, standing in front of me five years later, he was a breath of fresh air. It was like I hadn't been breathing real oxygen before.

"I know.. but I'm happy I've finally seen you. You look great. Your music is so successful. I'm so happy for you I could combust." I said followed by a laugh when I realized how ridiculous I sounded. Fan girl for life man.

"It's great to hear you say that. You've crossed my mind." He gave a sheepish grin as I narrowed my eyes. I knew exactly what he was referring to. He had written a song about me, "Carolina." Niall was the one who broke the news to me about it. He didn't release it as a single but it was still on his first solo album. One of the first songs you hear. He poured out his heart. I cried when I heard it even though it was an amazing song. Finally, I had to delete it from all my devices I had that could play any type of music.

"Lani! There you are... oh. Hey, Harry. Sorry if I'm interrupting. Cat sent me on a mission to find you." Louis smiled wide. Wider than I had seen him smile in quite some time. He looked from me, to Harry, and then back at me. I was beginning to not trust the smile. He always was a little too mischievous.

"Oh no, we were just catching up. It's been a minute." I said as Louis tried to cover a childish giggle. I narrowed my eyes while Harry soon wore a smile of his own.

"Come back soon. Guests are missing you." Louis winked at the two of us and hurried back down the hall.

"I guess we should be getting back." Harry said as he held out his suit clad arm to me. I hesitated for only a second before wrapping my own arm around his.

The thrill that went through me is indescribable. I glanced sideways to see if he had any reaction to being so close after all these years. My knees weakened when I saw him staring at me. The look in his eyes mirrored the feelings coursing through my body.

"Shall we." I whispered. He sucked in his bottom lip and gave a slight nod of his head. We began the short walk back to the party in silence. There wasn't enough room for small talk with all the nostalgia floating around us.

Harry stopped us right outside the entrance, still lightly holding to my arm. He pulled me in a little closer.

"Care to join me for dinner later this week? If your schedule permits it, of course." He didn't look at me when he spoke. His eyes were fixated with something somewhere else. Maybe beyond to all the times before. I tried to keep my hands from shaking. I had gone from normal to a nervous wreck within minutes.

"I think I can find time. Just let me know when you would like to." I smiled as he stole a glance my way.

As we walked into the party, arms linked, several eyes fell upon us. Some were curious, some were skeptical, and then there were those of our friends. None of them seemed the least bit surprised. I wasn't sure what it meant, but I wouldn't dwell on it now. I was determined to enjoy the rest of my night. I had Harry back in my life. I wanted us to work toward a healthy friendship. Things had felt empty for so long. I hadn't noticed until he stood in front of me again.

Things would be different this time. I was sure of it.