ambivalent | hes

16

Harry had fixed the window while I was asleep. Well, he didn't necessarily "fix" it. He just threw away the broken pieces and taped a trash bag over it and scheduled a window company to come the next day.

I sat on the couch as they worked on it. I couldn't look at it. It was just a reminder that someone out there wanted to hurt me. I hugged a pillow to my chest, trying to comfort myself as they repaired the damages.

I was staring at the ground when suddenly a pair of feet came into my vision. I looked up to see one of the workers there, a worried expression on his face.

"Hi." He spoke as I looked at the pillow in my lap.

"Hello." I responded.

"Uh, do you mind if I sit?" He asked.

I shook my head, picking at a loose thread on the pillow.

"That was some severe damage." He told me, exaggerating the incident a bit in order to make conversation as he took a seat beside me.

I didn't respond, not really in the mood to talk to some stranger about the agonising event.

"How did it happen?"

I looked at him, curiosity displayed on his face.

"I-I don't know. I was asleep." I lied, hoping he'd end the conversation there and go help the others.

"You had to have heard it. That would've woken me up." He stated.

I squeezed the pillow as a tear threatened to spill out over my eye.

"Is something wro-"

"Lyla, will you help me in the kitchen?"

Harry must've over heard the conversation because he interrupted.

"Sorry." I apologised to the guy before getting up and following Harry to the kitchen.

I instantly wrapped my arms around his waist, sobbing into his chest as he stroked my hair to try to sooth me.

"Shh, it's okay. It's going to be okay." He said, rubbing my back.

"No, it's not." I pulled away, wiping the tears from my cheeks.

"Yes it will. I'll make sure of it, I promise." He told me.

"Harry, he knows where I live! He could set my house on fire, or hurt me while you're gone, or-"

"I won't let that happen. I promise if he lays even a finger on you I'll pound his face in."

He pulled me back into a hug. I looked up at him, trying to imagine Harry beating someone up. If I had just passed him on the streets, I probably would've thought he got into many fights. But I know Harry. He's sweet and kind and caring. I could never see him hurting anyone.

I smiled, causing Harry's dimples to appear.

"What?" He asked, laughing a bit.

"I just can't imagine you hurting anyone." I told him.

"Really?"

"Really. You're too nice." I said, poking his dimples.

"I could beat someone up if I wanted." He told me.

He flexed, showing his muscles. He did have rather large biceps.

I wrapped both of my hands around, trying to get my fingers to touch. There was just a little bit of space that my hands couldn't cover.

"Damn, Styles." I said.

"See? I'm not weak." He replied.

I smiled, wrapping my arms back around his waist.

"I still can't see you fighting anyone." I told him.

"I would for you." He said, leaning down and pressing his lips to mine.

I couldn't help but smile, Harry seeming to do the same. He pulled away, chuckling as I laughed.

"Let's go check on their progress." He said, wrapping an arm around my waist as he led me to the living room.

They had removed the shards of glass that remained stuck in the edging of the window and were carefully placing the new one in.

I rested my head on Harry's chest as we watched them.

"Lyla, have you ever been to Ground Zero?" Harry asked.

"No, but I've heard of it."

"Would you like to go? You know, after this is over. Just me and you, well if Bea wants to come she can." He suggested.

"Yeah, it sounds cool. And I'll have to ask her."

"Alright. I've been wanting to introduce her to my friend Louis for awhile, I think they'd get on well."

I smiled, grabbing my phone off of the coffee table and texted Bea.

Of course she said yes to joining us, but I didn't tell her about Louis. I wanted that to be a surprise.

"Bea will be accompanying us at Ground Zero." I told Harry, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"And so will Louis." He placed his hands on my hips, smiling at me.

He kissed my forehead, then pulled me into a hug.

The window was fully repaired about fifteen minutes later. It almost felt like a fresh start, like my life had fell to pieces and then someone came in and glued each piece back together, just like they had done with the window.