Try.

Chapter 22: It'll Be All Right

*One week later*

I sighed heavily as Harry pulled up outside the complex. He reached over and grabbed my hand, giving it a small squeeze. I rolled my lips between my teeth, gazing up at the familiar building.

"Want me to stay here?" He asked. I looked over at him and shook my head.

"No, I want you with me."

He nodded and unbuckled his seatbelt, as did I. He followed me up the stairs to the apartment, cardboard boxes in hand, and I hesitantly opened the door. The familiar scent of an apple crisp Yankee Candle filled my nostrils, and I pursed my lips as I looked around for Tanner.

The place was quiet, and I prayed he wasn't in bed again with some other girl. I entered the bedroom and it was surprisingly empty, and when I glanced at the closet, it was also empty.

"Where are my clothes?" I frowned.

"They're right here." Harry said, and I turned to see him pointing at two boxes labeled, Viv's Clothes, stacked neatly in the corner of the room. I sighed, out of both relief yet slight hurt. It felt weird knowing I was officially moving out of here, for good. No closure, or anything.

I set down the empty box in my hands and grabbed one of the boxes, Harry taking the other, and we went back out to the car and stuffed them in Harry's large trunk. We went back inside to fill the other boxes with anything else extra that wasn't already at Harry's house. I purged a few things and left them for Tanner to deal with. When both boxes were full of my things, we headed back for the door.

I took one more glance around the small space, feeling so empty. I finally closed the door and looked at Harry, who simply stood there with a somber look on his face.

I followed him down the stairs and out to his car, and lo and behold, Tanner was walking down the sidewalk towards us. He looked up from his phone and stopped, his eyes landing on me and I felt the whole word come to a halt — but not in a good way.

"Vivian," he breathed. "Did you. . . did you, uh, get everything?"

I pursed my lips and nodded, and Harry appeared suddenly, taking the box from my hands and walking back to the car. "Thanks," I said softly to him, and then back to Tanner, "Uh, yeah, and thanks for putting my clothes in boxes for me."

He nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Y-Yeah, uh, just wanted to make it easier for you, I guess."

The awkwardness was killing me, but having Harry with me made it a little less terrifying. "I think we, uh, we'd better go now."

He nodded and I reached into my pocket, pulling out the key and handing it to him. He pursed his lips and curled his fingers over the metal, stuffing it in his pocket. "I'm really, really sorry, Vivian." He said quietly. "You deserve better. And I hope Harry is better to you than I ever was."

He walked away without another word, heading into the apartment and I remained silent, my eyes moving to the ground and I simply stared at my feet. I felt Harry come up behind me and engulf me into a very warm hug, and it wasn't long before my arms found their way around his waist.

Even after a week since the Alex incident, Harry still felt more comforting to go to than anyone else. I enjoyed coming home to him and I hoped he enjoyed coming home to me. Even though he was a little on the possessive side, it wasn't as toxic as Tanner. Harry didn't hold me back like Tanner, he just wanted to protect me from other people who may have the wrong intentions.

We drove back to Harry's and for a moment, I stood by his trunk just staring at the boxes, contemplating even taking them out. Should I stay with Harry and just live with the fact that we'll never be an item? Or do I find another place to live and figure everything out for myself?