how you get the boy

epilogue

Six months later.

Niall's words had been going in circles in my head and I hated myself for giving that much power to his words. Alas, a voice in the back of my mind told me that whilst Niall could be unreliable sometimes, he was never a liar. At least not when it came to something this huge.

Because of that, whenever Harry and I were alone, I felt my heart thumping against my chest so hard that I was surprised it's not on the floor next to my feet. And whenever he sunk to his knees to either pick up something on the floor or to play with his family's cat, I felt like I might throw up from the nerves that were overwhelming me.

And I blamed it all on Niall who couldn't keep his mouth shut and keep his friend's secret to himself.

Good thing Harry didn't seem to be aware of it, though, but that changed when I flinched the second he took my hand in his, squeezing it because he noticed that I was freezing cold.

His brows furrowed in confusion. "You alright?" He asked as he warmed my hand. Licking his lips, next, he pointed out, "You've been a bit jumpy since we got here."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, aware of his sister's eyes burning holes on the side of my face; she must've heard his question too because it seemed as though she's waiting for the answer as well. I couldn't blame her for being curious.

All of sudden I wished Harry hadn't suggested a movie night with his family in the living room and I wished no one had agreed with him, letting him choose Love Actually and earning multiple groans in return.

But then again, I'd rather feel the intensity of Gemma's eyes on me than be alone with him at the moment because my brain was still trying to register Niall's words.

Words that he whispered in my ear yesterday before Harry and I left London: Tee, whatever you do, don't tell him that I told you this. But I think he's gonna propose to you. Act surprised when he does that, yeah?

"Bunny?" Harry's voice brought me back to reality and I blinked my eyes once, twice, before I looked around, realising that the world hadn't stopped for us even though it felt like it had. Harry's parents were still cuddled up on the other couch and his sister had casted her gaze back to the telly, all of them enjoying the movie more than they'd like to admit. And certainly more than I did given that they didn't have to worry about Harry suddenly getting down on his knee and pulling out a velvet box from his pocket. "Are you okay?"

I nodded before the answer could leave my mouth, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Harry didn't believe me, of course he didn't, because he always knew when something's wrong. But since we weren't alone – thankfully – he decided to let it slide and bring my hand up to his lips, kissing each finger absentmindedly, as his eyes were fixated on the screen of the telly once more.

Once the movie was over, I quickly excused myself to go to the bathroom. There, I braced myself against the sink, telling myself again and again that I needed to pull myself together. So what if Harry wanted to propose to me? We loved each other more than we could have ever loved anyone else and sometimes when I closed my eyes at night, I saw him in my future. But why wouldn't the fear leave me even when I'd told myself that it's fine if he got on one knee and pulled out a box that held a ring he bought for me?

I washed my face three times, willing the thoughts, the fear to leave my mind. And they did when someone knocked on the door so loud that I thought I might've jumped out of my skin.

"Tenley, are you in there?" It's Harry's sister, Gemma. "Let me in."

I frowned, wondering why she wanted to be cramped in the toilet with me.