The Chase (h.s. au)

Chapter 10

Lauren.

"He brought you home," my mother smiles, my body sitting up in bed. My father joins the room and hands me a plate of toast.

"At midnight. He has no sense of responsibility," he mumbles, my mother scoffing.

"He brought her home because he didn't want us to worry. Lauren was asleep and restless, he said. What happened last night?" she asks, my shoulders shrugging.

Last night, I trusted myself to Harry and we gave each other a part of our pasts. I've never felt safer in my entire life.

"We were just talking and I must have fallen asleep. I can't remember if I had a nightmare or not," I lie, her head nodding in understanding.

"You're lucky he didn't take advantage of you," my father says, my hand setting the toast down.

"Harry's not like that," I reason, his lips frowning but he doesn't say anything.

After I finish breakfast, I change into a white button down and jean shorts. Once I grab my sunglasses I'm out the door, walking to through town to get to the beach. I walk along the shore for a while, holding my sandals and thinking of my beautiful boyfriend.

"Since when do you come to the beach?" I hear someone ask, my head turning to see Lance.

"Just needed to clear my mind," I smile, his feet walking beside me.

We walk in silence for a while, his hands moving into his pockets.

"You know, Harry's crazy about you," he says, my lips curving.

"Really?"

He nods and his words make me smile.

"He's always talking about you. Ever since you said yes to 'hanging out' with him," he says, my heart beating faster.

"Harry has always looked at you in school. He rarely ever thought about anyone else. God, you should have seen him after he kissed this girl. He was so distraught and thought it was the worst thing because he feared that you could've saw him do that and wouldn't like him. He's done it a few times, kissing girls as dares or shit at parties, but he regretted it so much. It's like he hated every girl except for you, even though he barely spoke to you. He's practically in love with you," he says, my eyes widening. The sunglasses cover my surprise and shock at his words, but I can't help but allow my curiosity to grow.

In love with me? Harry and I haven't really talked about love before.

"Do you think he is? You know...in love with me?" I ask, his shoulders shrugging.

"I can't tell. I've never seen him in love before. But Harry...he's genuine. He's a good guy and hasn't had experience in love before. His mind isn't tainted and he was grown up focusing on good morals. People are drawn to Harry by his positive and happy demeanor, something that makes Harry a great guy. He's overlooked so often but I've been friends with him for years. Harry doesn't pay attention to things most guys do. Not once has Harry ever called a girl hot or sexy, it's always beautiful or lovely. In fact, I honestly think if I ever heard Harry say something about a girl having a nice ass or huge boobs, I'd think he's on drugs," he says, causing me to laugh. He smiles and I can't help but realize how lucky I am.

Harry's always smiling and happy, seeing the positive in everything. His optimism is admirable and I am always happiest when I'm with him.

"Speak of the devil," Lance grins, my head snapping up to see Harry at the edge of the water, head hung low. His feet are in the water and his hands are shoved into his shorts pockets.