Put Your Heart On Your Sleeve

Chapter 5

“Cris,” he said, almost in a whisper. He gave her a nickname. She smiled, and blushed feeling her stomach fill up with butterflies.

“You’re so beautiful in these pictures.” he said. He stood up, and looked at her. His height made her feel so short but she kept looking into his piercing green eyes.

“I’m alright,” she said smiling, looking at the ground. She was never used to this kind of attention or compliment. She had never been told she was beautiful. She had to believe she was beautiful without being told. 

“You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful even now,” he said. He moved closer to her, inches away from her. She looked down at the ground again, blushing. 

“You really think so,” she said, almost tearing up. Her eyes began to water up. This was the first time she had been told she was beautiful, and not just by anybody either. She felt a gentle finger on her chin, and her face being lifted up, looking into Harry’s eyes. 

“Yes. You’re beautiful,” he said. He placed his hand back down to his side and smiled. 

She smiled, staring at him. She wiped the tear off her eye. 

“Want to see some real photos now?” she asked. Harry nodded and then stood by Cristina, next to the chair.

“I took these just when Summer was about to come,” she added before staying silent while Harry looked at the pictures.

“You’re really good,” he said. He then walked back to the bed and took a deep breath. “You ever thought of printing your photos,” he asked. She looked at her photos on the screen. She had put her finger to her mouth, biting on her nail, but not breaking it. 

“Uhm,” she looked at her photos for one more second before turning to him. “Not really, I mean I didn’t really think I was that good. I just knew I was good enough that people would like them.” she said. She stood up from her chair and sat besides Harry. Her feet were just barely touching the floor. “I’m so short,” she said, ashamed of her height. 

“Short girls are beautiful,” Harry said. He smiled and placed his hand on her back. She smiled a little, looking at him. 

“But I don’t understand why no one pays attention to me. I mean, someone told me if I was just a littler taller I’d be really hot.” she said.

“You are hot,” he said with a laugh. “But you’re beautiful too,” he added.

She smiled, looking at him. “If only there was a guy like you at my school. School would be so much better. I don’t say a single word since no one really talks to me.” she said. He pulled her in with his arm and hugged her. 

“You’ll be alright. Just think positive. You’re not going to see those people ever again after you graduate.” he said.

She nodded, “true.”

She stood up and lent out her hand for him to take to help him up from the bed. “Want to go eat some Chicago pizza?” she asked him.

“You know I’ve heard those are actually really good.” he said as he grabbed her hand, and got up from the bed. They both put their hands back to their sides.

“Ugh! Amazing! You have to try one. I’ll take you to the best pizza place there is in town.” she said. She walked downstairs, leading him out to the front. 

“Hope, we’re going out. Want some pizza,” her sister stood up from the couch with Karly. 

“Where do you think you’re going,” Karly asked.

“I’m going out to get pizza. I’m hungry.” she said.

“Well, I’m not hungry so I’m not going.” karly said.

“That is plenty fine with me, Karly. Trust me. But if you do get hungry just text me what you want and I’ll get it for you.” Cristina said.

Cristina, Harry, and Hope walked out to the car. “Hope, can you please sit in the back and let Harry sit in the front?” she asked.

Hope rolled her eyes and got in the back. 

“Thank you,” she said, smiling.

They all got in the car and drove to Rosati’s Pizza. “Hope, this is Harry. Harry, Hope.” she said.

Harry turned, waving at her. “Hiya, Hope!” he said.

“Hey,” she said a little shy. She was not used to Cristina having guy friends. Especially cute guy friends. She was more beautiful than Cristina. Even exotic looking. Although, Cristina had always thought Hope was more beautiful than her, Hope thought Cristina was the most beautiful person in the world and that she had become so strong in her journey in life.