Through the Dark

Chapter 7 - Harry

Chapter 7

Harry's POV

"Are you out of your mind?!" James shouted, making me wince.

I'd just left Sammy's office and rushed straight to James to tell him about the date. I could barely contain my excitement—Sammy had actually agreed to go out with me. It felt like I was floating on cloud nine.

I like Sammy. A lot.

The first time I saw her that morning at a coffee shop, something inside me shifted. I felt a pull, an undeniable force urging me toward her. Being around her felt electric, like we were connected in a way I couldn't explain.

It's chemistry. No... more than that. It's like we're meant to be, like soulmates finally finding each other. And I'm not about to let anything—or anyone—get in the way.

Months had passed, and my feelings for her had only grown stronger. I found myself caring for her more than I expected. Every time we were together, I discovered something new about her—something that made me admire her even more. She's beautiful, not just on the outside, but inside as well. I still can't believe she's never had a boyfriend before. With looks like hers and a personality that lights up a room, any guy would be lucky to be with her.

I can feel she likes me too, but there's something holding her back—something buried in her past.

She told me she doesn't believe in love. Who doesn't believe in love? To me, love is this special, unexplainable feeling. They say when you fall in love, you're willing to do crazy things just to make that person happy. I've never truly fallen in love before, but I believe in it. Maybe I've just been waiting... waiting for the girl who'll make me fall head over heels and change everything.

And somehow... I think that girl is her.

"Calm down, James," I said, raising a hand to shush him. I couldn't believe he was acting like this. I thought he'd be happy for me. He's my best mate. He should be happy for me.

James and I have been friends since high school—we were practically inseparable, classmates in every subject. We went to the same university, shared the same late-night study sessions, and always had each other's backs. Whatever decisions we made, we supported one another. That's why I couldn't understand why he was losing it now.

"Calm down?! You want me to calm down?!" he spat, disbelief and frustration mingling in his voice. "What are you planning, Harry?! Why do you want to date her?! No! You can't date her! I know your games! She's too fragile to get hurt, and I won't let you do that to her!"

I leaned back slightly, keeping my tone calm, even as a small smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. "James... listen. I'm not playing games. I like her. And I'm serious about this. I wouldn't—couldn't—hurt her. She's too important to me for that."

James stared at me, his chest heaving, caught between disbelief and frustration. I let out a slow breath, letting my green eyes lock with his, steady and unwavering.

"I get it, James. You're protective. I respect that. But I promise you... I'll take care of her. I won't let her get hurt. Not on my watch. She's broken, and I want to help her heal. I know I can, James. I will do everything to make her happy, to make her believe in love again. I won't let her dwell in her past forever. I care about her... so damn much. So fucking much!" I breathed out, the words heavy with conviction.

James studied me, his gaze sharp, trying to read if I was truly sincere—which I was.

"You care about her that much?" he asked. I nodded firmly.

"If you truly wanted to help her... will you stay with her if things get messy? Will you never leave her if the worst comes?" he pressed.

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "I will always be with her. I will never leave her, no matter what happens. My intentions toward her are good, and I won't let anything harm her."

"Just one thing, Harry," he said, his voice steady but intense. "If you ever find out about her past, promise me you will never hurt her. Promise me you'll take care of her, no matter what. I know it's not my place to tell you what happened, or to be overprotective... but I have to. I want to. I care about her too much. She only has me and Stacy since she left her hometown. I love her like a sister, like my own blood. I won't let anyone hurt her."

I looked back at him, my resolve unshakable. "And she has me now, too. From now on... I promise you that, James. With all my heart."

And in that moment, I vowed to keep that promise—even if my life depended on it.

For a long moment, James just stared at me, his eyes searching mine as if weighing every word I'd said. The tension in the room was thick, but I held my ground, keeping my gaze steady.

Finally, he let out a slow, resigned sigh, the hard edge in his voice softening. "Alright... Harry," he said, running a hand over his face. "I can see you mean it. I... I trust you. But know this—if anything, anything happens to her because of you, I won't forgive you."

"I don't expect you to," I replied calmly. "I'd never ask for that kind of blind trust. But I promise, James... I'll do everything I can to make her safe and happy. She won't get hurt. Not while I'm around."

James leaned back, finally allowing himself a small, almost reluctant smile. "You better mean that. Because she's the closest thing I have to family. I've watched her grow, helped her move on from her past... and now, she's letting someone else in. That's not easy for me to accept."

"I understand," I said softly. "And I don't take that lightly. You and Stacy have been her anchor all these years. I won't try to replace that. I just want to be someone she can rely on... someone who makes her life better, not harder."

James studied me a moment longer, then shook his head, a hint of a chuckle escaping him. "You're a stubborn one, Harry Simpson. But... I'll give you a chance. For her sake."

"Thank you," I said sincerely, the relief in my chest easing slightly. "That means more than you know."

James nodded, still serious but noticeably lighter. "Just... don't mess it up. And remember, I'll be watching."

I smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

And with that, the tension lifted. It wasn't full trust yet, but it was a start—and that was all I needed to show James that my intentions were true.

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