bella [harry styles] a.u

Chapter 13

AnnaBelle

I was more than relieved when Harry got off of me and let me put my clothes back on, him doing the same, almost as though he hadn't just cried into my shoulder. Harry got a key out of his pocket and undid the cuff around my ankle, I finally being free from the obnoxious hunk of metal.

"We're just going to have to be extra careful now that they know you're missing." Harry murmured mostly to himself as he sat beside me on the edge of his bed.

I remained quiet as I absolutely couldn't believe I was discovered missing. It had probably been the best news I had gotten for awhile, which was sad but also true. I had to hide how happy I truly was, watching out of the corner of my eye as Harry fidgeted, probably trying to control his anger.

"I, I don't want you worrying. We'll always be together, I promise." Harry spoke as if I was actually worried about not being with him. I wasn't worried, I was hopeful I'd soon be separated from him and would never have to encounter him again. "Are we clear?" I nodded my head at Harry slowly, letting him know that I had in fact heard him. "No, I want you to speak to me when you respond."

I sighed, taking in a deep breath to stop myself from saying something I knew I was going to end up regretting. "Okay." Harry looked at me expectantly, his gaze harsh and vigorous. "I won't worry."

Harry was obviously pleased with my final response, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as I desperately wanted to not be touched.

"I love you." Harry told me like he tended to continue to do on a daily basis. It was like he never wanted me to forget, almost as though those words were going to be his final and he had to make sure they were directed at me. It was weird. "Say it back, Bella." Harry had never told me to say it back to him before, ever.

"N-No." I shook my head defiantly, willing myself to not tell Harry I loved him and lie. Maybe it was a pride thing and I was just stupid enough to not fake it for my own safety, but there were certain boundaries I simply couldn't cross.

After my parents passed away, love had begun to become a big deal for me. It was a huge deal, for that matter, and I couldn't just say I loved someone, just for the heck of it. It wasn't right.

I could tell Harry was beginning to panic as his face contorted into fear and vulnerability. I desperately wanted to look away from him, slightly feeling bad for the pain I knew I had caused him, but I couldn't. Harry was in my line of sight and I would have to physically turn away from him to no longer have to stare at his pained expression, something that would only make the situation worse for myself.

"Y-You don't love me?" Harry whispered to himself, a frown on his face. "B-But we're, we're meant to be. You have to love me."

"I, I'm sorry." I tried to apologize, like I seemed to tend to do when I wasn't sure on how Harry would react.

"You love me, Bella, you love me and I love you, that's, that's how it works."

I didn't know what to say. Harry's arm that remained limp around me suddenly came back alive and pulled me into his chest, my face squashed against his hard torso. I couldn't move as his fingers tangled within my hair, keeping me close to him as he pressed a single kiss on the top of my head.

"Gemma would be so proud of you."

"What?" I was beyond confused. It was the second time Harry had ever mentioned this Gemma person, someone who I believed was a girl. I've never known a Gemma before, so who was she?

"Your mum." Harry informed me, spitting out false information.

My mum's name isn't Gemma, it's Marie.