Lifesaver »» l.p {AU} (Discontinued)

Second Chance at Love

**Chapter 26**

I sat on a wooden bench outside the campus center, staring at the clock on my phone. Harry had two minutes to get to this bench, or else I was going to hold up my end of the bargain. I was finally ready to know why he stood me up, and his reason better be spectacular. If it's not, the likelihood of him getting a second chance will be very, very slim.

I watched the crows fly across the pastel blue sky, enjoying the somewhat warm weather. The early October breeze made the warm air slightly cooler, making goosebumps rise on my skin. I watched as groups of people went into different buildings, not one person looking familiar. Moments later, Harry came into view, running quickly in my direction.

As he approached me, he slowed down to a fast walk, then stopped directly in front of me. His forehead glistened with sweat as he panted in front of me, "Did I make it in time?" he asked, trying to catch his breath.

I looked up at him and cocked my head to the side, "Well I am still sitting here aren't I?" I asked with a straight face.

Harry sighed with relief, "I thought I wouldn't make it here in time. I was just getting out of class when I read your text, but then I realized that I only had a few minutes to get here and of course I had to be in the furthest building away," he said with a light laugh, then looked down at me, "I'm just really happy you're giving me this chance, Julina."

"Well, your time is running out. Tell me why you stood me up. I want to know everything Harry and your reason better be damn good." I said, staring blankly up at him.

He nodded and gestured towards the seat next to me, "May I?" he asked. I gave him a nod and he sat down, turning his body in my direction, "I'm going to tell you everything. I won't leave out a single detail. You just have to hear me out okay?" he asked.

I sighed and nodded, "Okay."

I watched Harry, analyzing his body language. His legs were fidgeting, he was picking at his nails, and he wouldn't look me in the eyes. He was nervous, making me scared in return. What if his reason was something I didn't want to hear? What if his reason changed everything, but not for the better? I was honestly scared of what was about to come out of his mouth.

He sighed, then looked at me, "That night, I texted Niall the directions to the restaurant we were going to go to, then I asked him to keep it a secret so it was a surprise for you. After I had texted him, I continued to get ready in my room, taking a shower, getting dressed and what not. Then out of nowhere I here my mum scream, but it wasn't a scream of fear or pain, it was more of a scream of joy or happiness," he said pausing for a moment, looking over in another direction to break eye contact with me. "I ran out of my room to see what was going on, and when I found my mum, she was staring at her phone, covering her mouth with her hand. I asked her if anything was wrong and if she was okay and she looked at me and said that my sister, Gemma, was finally having her baby." he said, and my eyes widened slightly. I never knew he had a sister. I assumed he was an only child.

He laughed to himself, "My mum just kept saying, 'Gemma's having the baby! Gemma's having the baby! I'm going to be a grandmother!' In that moment, I just forgot about everything. We dropped everything and went to the hospital as fast as we could, not wasting a single second, and I know that sounds terrible. I was just so excited to finally meet my nephew. We had been waiting for him for nine long months and he was finally here. Gemma wanted my mum and I to be in the delivery room when she gave birth and I promised her that I would be there no matter what. We stayed at the hospital that night, and when I woke up the next morning, I realized what I had done to you and I regretted everything." he said, looking over at me again.

He took my hand in his and looked me in the eyes, "Julina, love. I am so incredibly sorry for what I have done to you. It was wrong of me and instead of forgetting everything, I should've texted you telling you what was going on. Please, if you give me another chance, I promise I will never hurt you like that again."