She | A Harry Styles Fanfiction

Chapter 31

Last night was a mess. A disaster. Not a total disaster, though. Most of the day was good. The last few hours were horrible.

Ruined.

Stained.

After last night, I understood that Harry might be the one for me. The one who I want to hold me during my hard times. To be there for me when I need him. One who protects me. Maybe love me one day. But although he might be my person, I don't know if I was his person. Maybe my baggage will make him overthink. Hate me even.

I had to set one thing straight today before I could tell him everything. I had to find my mom. Confront her for the first time in years. Harry was amazing last night. He made me tea and held me while I cried. I've hardly been emotional with him, but he was amazing when I did. He didn't pressure me into anything. He wanted me to be okay.

Now I'm up, pacing around my room to get dressed. I know her schedule even now. She'll be hungover and in a few hours, getting high. I had to beat it before she got high again. I must've been making too much noise because Harry moved. He patted the spot next to him, noticing I was missing. He turned over to see me brushing my hair.

"Going somewhere?" He asked in a raspy, but playful voice.

"Yes," I admitted, not as happily as him. He rubbed his eye.

"Are you alright?" I inhaled sharply, trying to be okay and trying to tell him where I was going. "Can I help? Maybe go with you?"

"I'm not sure I'm ready for you to change your mind about us," I explained. His eyebrows pulled together in confusion. That was probably a lot to wake up to.

"I wouldn't. It's not about us, it's about you, so it seems." He said, pulling at the covers. "I don't want you to think you can't talk to me."

"If you want to come, then you can, but it's going to be a side of me you've never seen before."

"You're human, Everly. You're allowed to have emotions." He assured me. "Should we maybe discuss somethings like... a bodyguard when you go out?"

"That'll only draw attention. Harry, he's not going to follow me like a stalker. He'll be gone in a few days." I tried to minimize the situation because I knew his patterns. He's not going to find me on the street. He messes up the essential things to prove he has control, like my birthday.

"Okay, well I don't like the idea of him catching you alone, and it would be ridiculous to always be by your side everywhere you go." I nodded as he slowly got out of bed. Maybe if he takes a while, I can chicken out. I won't have to see her. I had to see her.

"Everything will be fine. He just caught me off guard last night."

"You shouldn't be on guard." He argued, walking into the bathroom. I took a deep breath, trying to see it from his point of view. "You know, I've thought of many ways I'd meet your ex. That way did not cross my mind."

"What do you mean?"

"I was thinking more of an interaction like Ryan and I have. Where there are coded words, but nothing happens. I never thought I'd see him hit you." He scoffed, shaking his head as he put the shirt on. I looked up at him in guilt. "The audacity he had."

"You dealt with it well." I complimented.

"He's not going to ruin your life. I won't let it happen." He explained, beginning to brush his teeth.

"I appreciate it," I said, but was too nervous to have this conversation.

"I think I need to meet him in person again. Set things straight so he'll leave you alone." He said, spitting out the toothpaste. I rubbed my hands together. "What did he say to you before we got there?"