Play! [Discontinued]

Chapter 5 - Secrets - Part 2

A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates. Since it's the holidays, my family is around a lot and it's hard to find a moment to write. I'll do my best, though. Please comment as you read. 

HARRY:

Dress shopping wasn’t nearly as fun as I’d made it out to be. Of course, I loved hanging out with Cami, but she was extremely shy.

“Are you ever going to come out of there?” I asked.

I was sitting in a chair, outside of a massive dressing room. We had decided to go to some of the more exclusive dress shops, which provided some privacy from the many fans in New York City. This, unfortunately, made Cami afraid of moving around in anything that might rip.

“I think this one is too expensive,” she said. “I’m going to take it off and find something else.”

I sighed. “Please, Cami. Just let me see it first, okay? You’ve been in there for hours already.”

“Well, picking clothes is a hard task for a girl.”

I rose from the chair and walked over to the curtain. Speaking in a low voice, I said, “Then let me help you. I’m here anyway. Besides, a second set of eyes can’t hurt, right?”

She sighed, and I stepped back, ready to let it go.

“Okay,” she said. “I’m coming out then.”

Surprised, I turned around just as she pulled the curtain, revealing herself in a beautiful black dress. Her hair was flowing freely around her head, and she was biting her lip.

“Wow,” I said.

The urge to kiss her was overwhelming, especially as she looked at me with her big brown eyes.

“You like it?” she asked with a small smile.

“Very much.”

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and I reached out for her hand. She looked at it briefly and then took it.

“What?” she asked and met my eyes.

“I just feel like you should give me a little twirl.” I grinned and spun her around carefully.

“That’s so cheesy.” She laughed.

“My middle name is cheesy.” Grinning, I pulled her closer and wrapped my left arm around her waist. “And you look absolutely gorgeous. How could I possibly resist?”

She averted her eyes as I leaned in, and with disappointment, I released her.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “It’s just—”

“I get it,” I interrupted. “No worries. So, is this the dress then?”

Cami nodded with a small smile. “I think it is, yes.”

“Great, because I’m starving.” I turned around. “If you go get changed; then I’m buying lunch.”

I walked outside and waited for her to finish changing clothes. How could I be so stupid? Just because she’d kissed my cheek… I clenched my fist, fighting to avoid punching the wall. Somehow, I highly doubted that the several security guards would appreciate it if I ruined the décor.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed Zayn. It rung three times, and then went to voicemail. I inhaled deeply.

“Hey man,” I said. “I’m doing some stuff with Cami tonight. Don’t know when I’ll be home. Just… When I do. Can we please talk? I think I’m losing it.”

I hung up and sat down in a nearby chair. Covering my face with the palms of my hands. Shit.

“Are you okay?”

Looking up, I saw Cami standing in front of me. Giving her vague smile, I nodded. “I’m a bit tired, that’s all.”

“Want to go grab something to eat? I think I saw a japanese restaurant next door.”

“Sounds good.” I stood up and walked out of the story with Cami by my side.

I wanted to say something—anything—to break this god awful silence between us. But all I could manage was small hums and grunts. I’d promised myself to tell her the truth, but I didn’t know how.

The truth would make me vulnerable. If I told her everything, it’d mean that I could be hurt.

We found a table, and Cami ordered sushi for me while she got the terriyaki chicken. I studied the cards on the table, trying to avoid conversation. I wanted to speak to her, but where should I start? When the food came, I grabbed a set of chopsticks and slowly began to eat.

I didn’t notice the taste of the food. My mind was on something else. It wasn’t until Cami spoke that I returned to earth.

“You haven’t said a word all dinner,” she said.

I looked at her. “I’m thinking of something.”

“And what is that?”

Taking a deep breath, I tried to determine if it was worth the risk. “Do you remember what I wanted to show you last night?”

Nodding, she stopped eating.

“Well,” I said. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you there, but… I wanted to tell you about my brother.”

“Your brother?” She frowned. “I didn’t know you had one.”

“That’s because…” I inhaled deeply. “We don’t talk about him much. Well. I don’t, at least.”

“Why not?” Slowly, she began to eat again.

“It hurt too much, I guess.” I shrugged. “I don’t know how to deal with it. I wanted to be there for him, but then life changed everything.”

“Life has a filthy habit of doing that,” she said.

I snorted. “It’s ironic,” I said. Before she could speak, I continued, “Those you love the most are also the ones who can hurt you the most.”

She grabbed a piece of chicken, chewing thoroughly. “I think it’s part of life. What happened to him?”

Gulping, I took a sip of my drink. “It’s easier if I show you, actually. But not here. Later maybe?”

“I’d love that.” Cami smiled. “We should get going too. I need to get ready too.”

“You could get ready at my place? There’s enough room.”

“Well,” she said. “I do have the dress, and it’d keep me from having to explain everything to Annie just yet. I’m sure she wants a full report on everything.

I chuckled. “She seems like the type.”

She reached a hand up and caught the attention of the waiter who came over with the check. “That’s a deal, then.”

 A/N: Hope you enjoyed this very brief chapter. I'll try my best to update soon. Also, I'm gonna make it up to you as soon as I can by writing a whole lot of chapters for you in one day. Please give a vote, yeah?