Choosing A Direction

~Chapter19~ The Ultimatum Part Two

 I sat in the back of the car, fidgeting with my bracelets and then my hair, and then my dress. I'm wearing the dress I bought for Harry's party since I didn't have another. I needed something to keep me busy as we drove off to make the biggest decision of my life.

We rolled up to the beach and it was surprisingly quiet. I had expected more people. Harry sat at a table fixed with candles and food, waiting for me. I paid the cab and stood there for a few moments after he was gone, mentally editing the speech I had in store for him.

"Savannah!" He cried happily. I cringed at the sound of his him saying my name, knowing that he'd never be able to say it with such joy again.

He pulled me into his warm embrace, one I was definitely going to miss when this was all over.

"I knew you'd choose me. We were made for each other," 

It hurt me even more to know that Harry had thought such things, but this pain was only the beginning.

"No Harry," 

His facial expression goes to one of confusion. "No what?"

"I didn't choose you," The words come out in barely a whisper, I'm surprised he can even hear them.

"W-what? Then why are you here?"

"I needed closure. I didn't want to just go straight to Niall without clearing things out with you,"

He nodded as if he understood. I placed a hand on his shoulder and got him to face me. His green eyes were glistening with tears, threatening to spill over.

"I'm sorry Harry,"

"Don't be. As long as you're happy," He said this last part hesitantly, as if the words were torture on his tongue, "I'm happy. Even if you aren't with me,"

The tears have finally broken through. Seeing him like this and knowing that I'm the cause of pain breaks my heart. I wiped the tears from his cheeks and put a light kiss where they used to be.

"I'll always love you, Harry. I'm just not in love with you," Wow Savannah, how corny was that?

Harry nodded and we pulled in for one last hug. He flagged down a cab for me and gave me one last yearning look before finally letting me go.

"Who the hell was so smart as to build a million stairs, but no elevator?!" I gasped when I finally reached the top of the Eiffel Tower. My throat burned and legs ached from running up the stairs, but I knew I had to get here as quickly as possible. I put my heels back on and searched the small platform for Niall.

 I spotted him near the west side, a small table set up with French food, candles and wine, just like Harry's. He was pacing around it, checking his watch every now and then.

"Niall!" I called. When he turned around to face, I saw his face transform into one of utter sorrow. Why was I making all the people I love cry today?

He seemed shocked when I knocked him into a hug. He stood rigid and tense.

"Where's Harry? Did you bring him with you so he can witness my rejection, too?" He said coldly.

"What? No! Harry's--"

He went from cold and mean to sad and open in a split second, cutting off my question. "Why can't you love me? Why can't anybody love me? It's always all the other guys who get the girls, but with me, I'm always the one dating food,"

"Niall let me--"

"What's wrong with me Savannah? What's so bad about me that you can't find yourself to love? i'll change if you want--"

Now it's my turn to cut him off, but I did it more creatively. I smashed my lips upon his. The kiss was demanding, yet gentle, letting him know that I was doing this to shut him up and because I enjoyed it. We reluctantly pulled apart and I start speaking before he can.

"You're perfect, Niall. Not society's version of perfect, but my version. You have your flaws and that's what makes you beautiful," I laughed a bit at how I snuck in a song lyric there.

"But why did you go to harry first?"

"i needed closure. I couldn't just leave him at the beach with no explanation,"

Niall nodded. I knew he'd understand because he didn't like hurting the people he loved either.

He pulled me so I'm standing in front of him and he laid his head on my shoulder, nuzzling my neck. The action send shivers down my spine for I am extremely ticklish there. We wrapped our arms around each other and just stood in silence for a while.

"I love you, Niall," i said finally, praying that it will be returned.

"I love you, too, Savannah. Forever and always,"

And we stay like that, wrapped in each other's arms, watching the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower.

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Yeah yeah yeah, i know, extremely sappy ending, but hey, it was an extremely sappy story to begin with. Epilogue might be coming up soon, I don't know yet. 

Thank you for reading and enjoying my story, but all good things must come to an end *tear  tear*