Whirlwind

1. PROLOGUE

What about all the things we said 

Talking on the phone so late (so late) 

I can't let her get away from me, oh

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PEPPER'S POV:

"Harry, I don't want to ruin the atmosphere of our date but is there something wrong?" I asked, untangling my fingers off from our clutched hands. We stopped walking as I stood in front of him, questioning his looming figure. Clearly, something's bothering him and I don't think I could bear the silence for too long.

He just stood there in stillness, the amount of curls in his hair mildly covering his eyes. He longed his sight at the engulfing view of the sea beside us. I let him remain his sight aimed to the waves but I didn't unlock my gaze from him. We were both overwhelmed by the sight we're looking at. Him at the sea, me at his beautiful face.

The cold trembling feeling washed all over me, like the sea beside us suddenly transformed itself into a tsunami of waves. I was soaked from jealousy but of course, it's not like I could win against the admirable sea. Instead, I deeply locked my gaze at him, and my heart raced like it always did. Oh gosh, it was beautiful. I wonder if he's thinking the same when he admired at the sea.

"Harry. Face me." I gently insisted, putting my fingers against his cheek so that he could meet my eyes.

We were never like this. We rarely show our vulnerable sides to each other. Most of the time, when we were still friends, all we did was bicker playfully and joke around. Now that our feelings are in stake, we almost did what typical couples usually do. Being in each other's company and touching each other's hands carefully.

I think I'm getting a bit paranoid because right now, I'm actually going to tell him that I'm flying to Australia the next week and will study architecture there for a year.

I was surprised when he reaches out for my hand that's resting on his cheek. I was more stunned when he put my hand down and disentangled my hand away from him. The waves seem to roar a bit louder and it seems like my stomach has now turned into a haunting black hole.

"Harry Styles. Tell me what's wrong. TELL ME."

"Fine. You want to know what's wrong?" He staggered, his voice getting a bit edgier at every single word.

"YES. DO TELL." I rose my voice too, leveling my tone with his.

Startlingly, he held both of my cheeks and kissed me softly. As gentle as the salty breeze caressing our faces. It was quick and I felt his lips touch mine barely. He rests his forehead on mine and I was easily caught in a trance.

"How could you?" His voice broke.

"What did I do?"

"How could you trust Niall more than me?"

I instantly recoiled from Harry, putting his hands down away from my cheeks. What is he talking about? Of course I trusted Niall, but not as much as Harry. Harry's the one whom I trusted the most. Why would he say that I trusted Niall more?

"What are you talking about?"

"...Australia." He whispered, like it pained him to spit out something that led him to agony for a long time.

My eyes widen in shock. How could he... oh. Of course.

So that's what Harry is talking about. A day ago, Niall accidentally discovered that I was going to Australia when I was talking it through with Etienne and Andi. If he could just shut his mouth for a bit longer, I would've discussed this through easily with Harry. Okay, maybe the 'easily' part is actually not that simple.