All Along

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Louis kept brushing my wet hair but stopped when we both heard footsteps shuffling up the stairs.

“He’s here…” I whispered.

“Just go talk to him.” he reassures me.

I limped over to the door but stopped near the door. I turn back towards Louis and he nods. Taking a breath, I step outside just as Harry emerges from the stairs. His eyes meet mine and I can tell he is surprised I’m here.

“Hey.” I say.

“What happened to your leg?” he simply asks, with a tiny trace of worry in his face.

“I-uh, how did you know something happened to my leg?”

 “You’re limping.” He states as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Oh, well I tripped.” I answer in the same tone.

For a split second he looks concerned but then he remembers our fight and how angry he is with me. His face turns back empty and blank.

“What are you doing here Ellie?” he asks coldly.  

“I need to talk to you.”

“Talk to me about what? I thought we made ourselves clear.”

“About you know, what happened. And no, no we did not.” I respond, determined. I did not come all the way over here for nothing.

“Are you sure because you sure had nothing to say last night?” he challenges.

“Harry don’t make this worse.” I warn, almost pleading.

“Make it worse?” he nearly yells, astonished.

I flinch, surprised at his sudden volume.

He looks down and says softer, ‘There’s nothing to talk about.”

He walks down in hallway towards his room but I quickly make my way towards him.

“There’s everything to talk about, Harry.” I quietly say as I put my hand on his door, as if that’ll stop him from going inside and shutting the door in my face.

“You didn’t want to say anything before so what changed your mind now?”

“Losing you.” I reply honestly.

He looks at me, clearly taken back and I place my hand on his white t-shirt, hoping to keep him there to actually listen to me.

“I didn’t think you cared.” He spits out.

“But I do. I really do, Harry.”

“For the millionth time Ellie, not the way I care.”

He sighs and turns the handle on the door.

“I want to try.” I suddenly say, surprising the both of us.

“Try what?” he says slowly.

I swallow and say what’s on my mind without realizing what I am really saying. 

“Us. Well what could be an ‘us’. I don’t know.”

He kind of just stares at me. “You want there to be an us?” He says trying to process the information.

“I want you in my life, no matter what the circumstances. I need you Harry.”

“Are you just saying that because-

“I… can’t lose you the way I lost him.” I add urgently, stepping closer to him.

His hands wrap around me and I bury my face in his chest. “You won’t, you won’t.”

“Promise me.”

“Promise you what?” he asks.

“That you’ll always be there beside me. That you won’t leave me.”

He unwraps himself from me and pushes the hair from my face tenderly. His hand lingers and his fingers graze over my cheek. Whispering, he says “Ellie I can’t stand next to you without having all of you. Without you feeling the same way.”

“You won’t have to.” I whisper back. I gently bring my hand up to his cheek and look up at him. I try to memorize what he looks like in that moment.  He’s never looked so vulnerable or tender. His features are soft and his eyes are bright. He’s never been this open with me.

I shove all my doubts away and lean in towards him. When our lips meet it’s a feeling I’ve never felt. Strangely, it feels familiar. I’ve known this boy for what seems like my whole life and I thought I knew him better than the back of my hand. But I haven’t known him like this. I haven’t felt his breath on my lips or his hands in my hair. I haven’t felt my body pressed up against his. This was all new. It was foreign and confusing. But somehow through the blurriness of it all, it was clear to me what I wanted. For the first time, I actually knew what I needed. I needed him to help me be happy again. Because when I’m kissing Harry I forget. I forget what happened or how much I still hurt inside. All of that heavy weight evaporates and I’m lost in his arms. For the first time I actually believe we can mend our broken hearts.

Too soon, Harry slightly pulls away and touches his forehead to mine. “You don’t even know how long I’ve waited for that.”

I smile. “I can only imagine.”

Hi guys, I know I've never really posted an Author's note because being completely frank they bother me too. lol But I think I should start. I'm so so so sorry it took me forever to update. I had a lot going on but I'm back! With that being said please, please, please vote & comment! Comment Comment Comment! Tell me what you think :) Ideas on what should happen or shouldn't, I don't know whatever. I hope my American readers had a great Thanksgiving :)