Reasons

Chapter 34

Theme song for this chapter:
Let her go- Passenger
All of Me- John Legend
All rights go to John Legend's song! (:
Harry's POV
As I watched Rylie read to the kid, I knew I still loved her more than she would ever know. From her smile as she pointed to the picture to her voice when she read, she was simply amazing. I realized why I has ever loved her to begin with. She has a kind heart, and I was dumb to ever believe she would date me because she was using me.
I rested my head back against the wall as Rylie finished the book, closing it gently. The kid was staring up at her drowsily as he buried his head into his pillow.
Rylie was about to turn to leave, but Marcus stopped her.
"Rylie?" he mumbled, his voice muffled by the fluffy pillow.
Rylie turned; her face was full of pure despair for the young child. "Yes, Marcus?" she murmured, leaning down so she was eye level with him again.
The kid reached up and twisted her curls beneath his fingers. His eyes studied her before he whispered, "Are you two together?"
I could barely hear his despite the quiet room. He must've not wanted to embarrass her. I couldn't help but smile lightly at his assumption. I wanted to be with her. I have since the day I lied eyes on her.
To think back when I gaze her an evil eye was almost unbelievable. I envied her joy, her life, her grin, her attitude. I was jealous of her back then. I wanted what she had. I wanted the love in my life to spring up and make me smile. Not only did I want my joy to return, but I also wanted her talent. I wanted success. Little did I know, she was, perhaps, just as messed up as me. She didn't have a perfect life. She placed a smile on her face and acted. Even now, sitting next to the frail child, she held compassion and sorrow. Now, I had my reasons to smile. I had my reasons to be happy.
Reasons, oh so many reasons to love her.
As all of this occurred to me, I knew what I had to do. Instead of cutting in and correcting the child, I stepped over and gave him an embrace. He helped me realize what I needed to do to get to love of my life back. "Thank you," I whisper in his ear. The child was staring at me in wonder, but nodded as if to say, "you are very welcome."
I towed Rylie out of the hospital. Barely, she struggled to follow my pace. She was tumbling after me and with one last tug, we were out the door.
--
"What's going on Harry?" Rylie asks, chewing on her bottom lip. It has been almost two months. I haven't had the courage to say what I needed to. I am a coward, if that wasn't obvious when I fled when she confessed her love for me.
"Happy birthday," I quickly interject, grinning at her.
Her confused expression morphs into a grin. "My birthday is tomorrow you doofus," she replies, nudging me. "Why did you have to take me out today if it is tomorrow?"
"I have work tomorrow. Besides, I want you to spend time with your mother tomorrow. This is your last year before you are an old woman," I tease, nudging her back. I resisted the urge to kiss her cheek. I would confess my love for her all over again tonight. Not now, however.
Rylie leans back in my car; her eyes closed. "Tell me, Harry. If I were to leave for a year, would you miss me?" she murmurs softly.
I almost laughed at the theoretical question. Of course I would miss her. I would miss her brown eyes, her smile, and just her in general. I couldn't imagine not having her around, even for a year. "Yes I would miss you," I answer slowly, raising a brow.
Rylie opens one eye and studies me. "Oh," she murmurs, biting down on her lip. "I would miss you too," she replies, shrugging.
Despite all the trials we went through when we were together, the statement didn't fail to warm me. Subconsciously, I was greedy and I wanted all I could get. Even if we were friends, it gave me hope that maybe we could go back to the way we were before.
"Why did you ask?" I slowly inquire. I would think it would be obvious that I would miss her. She must have a motive behind it.
Looking at the ground, Rylie shrugged her shoulders. Her brown eyes were hidden from me. Reaching forward, I lifted her chin so she was looking me in the eye. "Rylie please tell me," I plead, studying her face.
Rylie half smiles and whispered, "I was accepted to be an exchange student."
Rylie's POV
Emotions. So many emotions flashed across the face I loved so much. His green eyes masked pain, and his face was equivalent to a depressed monkey (not that he looked anything like a monkey; he's way cuter). His mouth opens, then closes again. Slowly, he whispers, "I am happy for you. You must have worked hard for it."
I bite down on my lower lip and nodded. My hopes that he would try to stop me vanished. I should have known it wouldn't have happened. He probably lost all his love for me the day he saw the text. It felt like centuries ago, and we have moved past this. It makes no sense why all of this happens.
"Thanks, it took a lot of convincing from my mom," I reply. In my head, I had been imagining him stopping me and telling me to stay for him. However, that would not work. This was reality, and in the real world things don't always turn out the way said person wants it.
Harry offers me his winning smile. "So that means we have to spend as much time together as we can," he states, starting his vehicle and heading out of his driveway. "When do you even leave?" he asks after a moment.
Feeling sick to my stomach, I twiddle my thumbs. "The end of July," I whisper. It was too soon to even breath. I wish I didn't have to leave my best friend behind, if I can classify Harry as that. He was more than just a best friend to me, even though he was my best friend.
Harry's express appears to morph in front of my very eyes. "Rylie, I only have about two weeks left to be with you before you leave to who knows where?" he mutters, clutching the wheel and pounding on the breaks.
"I am going to Italy," I cut in, staring at my lap. "They accepted me because my academics were fairly high. Besides, they have an English speaking class," I state, attempting to defend myself. If anything, I wanted Harry to think better of me.
Even with my explanation, he doesn't look any happier, which is understandable. "Well then, we are going on a trip," he states. At my bewildered expression, he goes on to explain. "Not now. In a week. You will have time with your family. Then, next week we are going back to the beach. Remember the letter I gave you after we went to the beach with Gemma? Yeah, I remember because it realized just how much you meant to me when I realized I had to leave you for what felt like an eternity. Anyway, we can go back. I remember wanting the two of us to go. What do you say?" Harry asks, rambling.
It was cute to see him ramble on and on. Truthfully, I would listen to his voice all day. His rough accent was almost music to my ears. Even now, I loved him just as much as I had when we were dating. I yearned to be near to him like we used to. By the way he acts around me everyday, he doesn't feel the same way.
Harry was staring at me expectantly. We haven't moved from our spot in the middle of the road.
"I will go," I agreed hesitantly. My mom can't really tell me I can't do what I want anymore. Sure she probably could still tell me to do something, but I won't do it. I want this time with Harry, and surely she would understand.
Harry's cheeky grin returns; his dimples were a radiant beauty. "By the way, I have something for you," he states, nodding for the console of his car. As he began to drive again, I open the console. I expected to have to dig through a bug of unnecessary junk, but instead there was a single CD. The plastic container wasn't one used for an album. The plain, clear container held the CD I could only place as the sound of the only boy I yearned to hear.
"Put it in, Rim," Harry coaxes. I opened my mouth to object to his nickname, but then closed my mouth back. He knows just as much as I do that I love his nickname. I undo the CD container and take the CD out. Hesitantly, I slipped it into the CD player. Moments pass before a soft strum flows through the speakers. The pitch was slightly off, but compared to any other person I would rather hear this. He took the time to learn something, for me or not.
"What would I do without your smart mouth?
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out.
You've got my head spinning. No kidding.
I can't pin you down.
What's going on in that beautiful mind?
I'm on your magical, mystery ride.
And I'm so dizzy. Don't know what hit me. But I'll be all right.
My heads under water but I'll breathing fine.
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind.
'Cause all of me loves all of you.
All your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections.
So give your all to me. I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning. Even when I lose I'm winning."
Harry was staring at me as the words flew through the speakers. Tears fell from my eyes as I listened. Not only did his voice sound so amazing, but also it touched me. It was as if a wave of pain punched me in the gut.
"John Legend would be proud," I whisper, wiping the excess tears as the song continued to file throughout the vehicle.
"The song is true you know," Harry states, staring ahead at the road. He begins to join in in the chorus. His voice in person was even better than the CD. "All of me, loves all of you," he quoted, singing it.
I could feel the tears pulling at my eyes. I was almost shell shocked. "So give your all to me. I'll give my all to you," I quote along with him, my voice changing to singing as well. Normally, I didn't sing in front of others. Now, it was almost mandatory.
As the car parked at a park, Harry turns to me. Our eyes lock, and the song nearly ended as our lips locked.