Before She Falls

Chapter 41

The time is 9:56pm and my mom had given me strict orders to leave Harry's house by ten o'clock sharp so I could be back at the Payne's house by ten-thirty with Liam's car, or else she'll leave me in England which didn't sound like such a bad punishment.
"You have to stay longer!" Gemma whines as I look in the kitchen for my, well technically Liam's, car keys.
"I can't" I whine back. "My flight leaves at noon tomorrow."
"Ugh, just stay" she pouts and she sticks out her bottom lip, just like her brother happens to do when he doesn't get his way.
"I wish I could" I say, scanning the table top. "When will you two be in the states again?"
"Three weeks" Anne answers while her back is turned to wash the dishes.
"We're coming to New York to see the boys perform at the MetLife Stadium. Oh you have to come to that show!" Gemma latches herself onto me and I hug her back.
"Please come" Anne chimes in. "You'll be so close!"
"Of course I will" I answer. "I wouldn't miss it."
"Katrina!" I hear Harry's voice call from upstairs, he's probably in his room. "I think I found your keys!"
I leave Anne and Gemma in the kitchen and climb up the staircase and proceed to Harry's bedroom.
He's standing near his freshly-made bed with my keys swinging around his long index finger.
"You found them" I say gleefully and step closer to him.
"You're welcome" he pulls me into his torso and wraps his arms around my shoulders comfortably, his hands reaching down to my waist. "You aren't really going, are you?"
"Harry" I look up at him and see his lips curling into a smile.
"I'm going to miss you" he leans down to kiss my forehead, just above my left eyebrow. The soft texture of his mouth tickles my skin.
"I'll miss you too" I hold my hands against his back, running the pads of my fingertips down his spine. "I'll see you in three weeks, though."
"Oh, does that mean you're coming to the show?" His lips' motions distract me from answering right away.
"Yeah" I reply. "As long as someone gives me a ticket..maybe a backstage pass."
"Maybe if you beg Niall he'll give you one" he smirks and takes my hand, leading me towards the door.
"Cheeky bastard" I shake my head while Harry chuckles to himself.
"Actually don't beg Niall, beg me. You know I love it."
"Oh shut up" I push his chest with my free hand.
Harry laughs and runs his other hand through his hair. I don't know how he does it; somehow he manages to make his brown locks look loose and messy but at the same time look sleek and sexy.
"Katrina's leaving" Harry calls into the kitchen to his mother and sister when we reach the bottom of the stairs and travel towards the door.
Gemma appears first from the doorway and runs up to me for a hug, "Bye Kat!"
"Bye Gem. I'll see ya soon" I squeeze her and then we both let go.
"Bye sweetheart" Anne takes me into her arms next and I embrace her. She smells like a mixture of lemon-scented soap, probably from washing the dishes, and lavender. "Looking forward to seeing you in New York."
"I can't wait" I smile at her and then Gemma.
Harry opens the front door and guides me outside into the chilly night air. I close the door behind me and Harry stretches his hand back behind him and wiggles his fingers, cueing me to grab onto them with mine.
I giggle and then intertwine our hands together and he pulls me next to him; my hand in his until we reach the car. He opens the driver-side door.
"Harry Styles, proving that chivalry isn't dead one day at a time" I joke and wrap my arms around his torso.
"Text me when you get on the plane, please" Harry puts two fingers underneath my chin to lift my face up.
"You got it" I lean up to give him a kiss and right as I pull away, he brings his hand to hold my face next to his.
His lips move against mine in a perfect rhythm as if they are a mechanical machine.
"It's bad that I miss you already isn't it?" Harry mumbles in his accent.
"I'm still here" I laugh at him and kiss him one more time before climbing inside the car.
"Three weeks will fly by, Haz" I shut the door and roll down my window.
"I love you" I hear as I'm starting the engine.
"What?" I turn the key back to the left so my car makes absolutely no noise.
I look at Harry who's obviously blushing outside my car, standing with his hands in the pockets of his jeans and I suddenly remember I'm still in his blue flannel. Oh well, more of Harry's clothes for me.
"What did you say?" I ask, just to be sure I heard what I thought was said.
"Oh c'mon, you heard me" Harry sighs but a smile forms on his lips.
I giggle at his sudden timid manner, "Just say it."
"I love you" I feel a knot in my stomach when the words reach my ears and process through my brain. "Happy?"
"I love you too" I stick my head out of my window and purse my lips, signaling him to kiss me.
"I love you" Harry repeats himself, his grin is wide across his face and his dimples are fully indented into his cheeks. He tilts his face to the right of mine and kisses my lips gently.
"I heard you the first and second time" I smirk. "But I love you too."
I put the car into reverse and start to pull out of the driveway. When I'm in the street I blow Harry a kiss. He reaches his hand out and pretends to catch it, and then he proceeds in pretending to drop it on the ground. I laugh as he picks up the imaginary kiss and dusts it off, finally placing it against his lips.
I wave and drive down the street with butterflies in my stomach because Harry Styles said he loves me and I feel confident saying that I love him right back.