You're My Everything

Chapter 17: Whatever It Takes

*Liz's Perspective*

"So you're really leaving, aren't you?" Harry says, his hands tucked in his pockets, his head down, shaking his curls from his face.

I pause, my foot already in my car. "Um, yes. Harry, I'm halfway in the car, babe."

"I know," he says quietly. His eyes don't reach mine.

"Aw, you can't do this to me now." My voice cracks. I step out of the car to hug him one last time.

One last time.

It physically hurts to be leaving him like this, so much that it brings tears to my eyes. It only hurts more once he runs to me, and I fling myself onto him. I bury my face into his shoulder so he can't see the tears.

"I'm going to miss you."

He remains silent. I don't blame him, the lump in my own throat is too large for any more words.

He rubs my back, and we sway there for a little while.

"I'm going to miss you, too," he says gravelly. "And those college boys-"

I put my palm over his lips. "Don't even. You're Harry Styles, you think anyone's gonna mess with the king of the world's girlfriend? If that's even the right word. And if they know you-- which everyone DOES--they know me, too."

"That's the problem. Hard to get, yeah? Makes you, if even possible, more attractive to everyone."

I scoff. "So? It doesn't matter. I won't ever be into anyone else."

"But-"

"Quiet, kid. I meant what I said and I said what I meant."

"But-"

"Harry."

"Okay, love," he sighs. "I just don't know what's going to happen."

"Harry? Chances are I'll see you everyday, whether on TV or Instagram... But you'll never see me. And you can do so much better than me. Whereas it really isn't the same."

He cuts himself off from saying something, pulling out his phone. He unlocks it quickly, then shows me something. His photos.

It's me. Pictures of me I didn't even know existed. My other hand slowly covers my mouth. Paparazzi shots. The few selfies I had ever taken. Pictures of me when I was younger. And a ton of pictures of me he's taken himself, pictures of both of him and me together, me by myself.

Insane. "W-wh-," I stutter.

He raises his eyebrows. "I will see you every day. Promise."

"You-you don't-"

"Text me. FaceTime. Whatever it takes, Liz."

"Whatever it takes." And I kiss him.

He kisses me back. The gray clouds start to drizzle, but we don't care.

It's pouring, and my car is still running, but all that matters right now is him. Us. Together. And no distance, no college boys, no college--nothing period--could ever break that apart.

I've finally found someone to lean on, someone to trust, someone to love with everything I've got. Someone to save me.

"I love you." One can never say it too much.

"You're my everything."

I kiss him one last time, on the cheek.

"Whatever it takes," I say. Then I step into my car again, leaving my life out in the pouring rain.