Goodbye Henry

~ The end ~

There he stood. It was really him.

I stood with my mouth open for what felt like years.

The same emerald eyes shone at me and his gleaming smile as wide as usual.

I had to be imagining it. Henry was dead, no way was he stood there.

"No" I barely even whispered.

"I promise it's me" he chucked softly and lifted his hands in caution.

I didn't speak. I just shook my head and started to turn around. I had definitely reached a point of insanity.

"No wait!" Henry's familiar voice called after me. I hadn't heard that voice in so long. That perfect voice.

I turned and he was closer now. I felt a tear stream down my cheek slowly. It couldn't be real.
My Henry.

MY Henry Stood In front of me a year after his death. Stood in front of me looking as healthy as ever.

I didn't know what to do. I wanted to run and hug him like the world was about to end but I also was too stunned to move.

I had so many questions.

"Heyyyy Lu" he edged closer with ease in his voice.

"It's not you" I said slowly and bowed my head.

I felt his familiar hand lift my chin so my face met his, just like before. "It is" he smiled.

"You weren't giving up were you" he chuckled causally "I came to you instead because-"

I don't know what came over me but I slapped his hand from my face in a second not letting him Finnish.

"What the f*** Henry" I felt more tears come down my face faster now and my voice began to shake.

"I'm sorry Lu but-" i didn't let him Finnish for the second time and he backed away slowly with shock and fear on his face.

"But what? But what Henry?" I didn't know what to do, the words poured out themselves.

His face was smothered in shock and confusion at my reaction. Even I was confused at what I was doing.

"Can I just explain?" He said with more fear and desperation in his voice than I'd ever heard.

"Explain what? Why you faked your own death? Why you left me in so much f***ing pain?" I breathed and put my hand to my face in anger before continuing "You f***ed off without telling me anything Henry! And you were supposed to be my best friend?" I let the tears stream down my face continuously. Too angry to wipe them away. "you f***ed off pretending to be dead!!! You made me think the most important Person In my life was dead..." i shouted with more tears streaming.

"I couldn't tell you Lu" he blurted out

"Why!" I didn't let my anger fade. I had been in hell for the past year and he had to know.

"I needed to escape." He said in a low and panicked voice. His head lowered which was what he did when he couldn't face me.

"You don't think I ever wanted to escape?!" I was so shocked at his appearance i didn't think about anything I said. "You could of at least told me? But pretending to be dead?!" My voice rang with nothing but hurt.

"I know you did Lu. I know how badly you did but I couldn't stick around being in love with you and -" his voice was desperate but I cut him off again

"Wh- what?" My face fell and his did too when he realised what he said.

Then his face lifted again.

"I'm in love with you Lucy Rose" His face softened and his voice relaxed.

"But-" I couldn't even speak

"I am so in love with you that I couldn't see you everyday and be with you every second when you didn't feel the same." He explained "I didn't want to see the familiar walk and hear your usual adorable laugh because hearing all those things" he breathed "and not being able to be amused by the girl I love and that I was so damn lucky to have her and her be mine was too painful. I only wanted you Lu"

"But the funeral. And-and joy? And school?" I spoke so stammered in utter shock

"I planned it all, it would be believable—even for you, who knew me the best out of everyone." He paused and moved closer to me again "I knew I'd visit joy because you wouldn't believe what she told you, school would accept the death and move on...I expected you to do the same" he looked down at his worn out shoes.

"I would NEVER give up on you Henry" I said and I took his hands in mine. I let the anger fade now.

It was my Henry. He had always been my Henry.

"Really?" He looked at me and a tear fell down his cheek as he smiled.

"Isn't it obvious enough? After a year and one boyfriend later I still prioritised you" I laughed softly and he did too.

"I am so so so so sorry Lu" he smiled carefully "but Harry gave up on you...stupidest mistake anyone could make in my opinion" his eyes gleamed at me once more.

"It's okay. It may of been the worst time of my life without you but I'm just glad your back..." I breathed "and yeah, although he had made me happy for a little bit. I wasn't nearly as happy as I was with you, don't worry" I laughed and winked at him.

I didn't even think about the next thing I did I just kissed him.

It didn't feel wrong this time but instead right. It wasn't like before when it was so sudden and 'wrong'. I thought I was just another girl to Henry Rogers, I guess I was wrong.

"By the way" I said once we both pulled away "I'm in love with you too" I laughed and he kissed me this time.

This time his hands felt okay holding my face gently and it was comfortable.

  He walked me home. It wasn't strange or new, it was normal. Like how we had always walked home from school. Only this time I wasn't with my best friend, but my soulmate too.
I'd just never realised it before.