I was on my way to my best friend’s house. Harry was having a small gathering with me and the boys. I got along with them easily, because according to Harry, I was ‘one of the guys’ and ‘his best mate’. That killed me every time.
See, i was in love with him. Harry always dated the wrong girl, i saw him get hurt a thousand times, but I was the one constant in his life. He just didn’t see that us two were perfect for each other, everybody knew I loved him but him. I was close with all of the boys, so they were all there for you when I was upset over him, they actually wanted Harry and I to be together too.
I walked into Harry house, I always just walked in if he was expecting me. “Haz?!” I called. “In here babe!” He called back. My heart sunk.
Every time he called me ‘babe’ he had no idea what he was doing to me. I just wished that he would call me that and mean it as an endearing name for his girlfriend. I went into the kitchen and all the boys were standing around talking.
“Hey guys!” I said. “Hey Kimberly!” They all said back. Harry walked over and embraced me in a hug. He smelled sweet and minty, always. I took in the moment and all of the guys knew it was hurting more than helping. They were all giving each other ‘that look’.
As soon as Harry let go of you the doorbell rang. He ran to answer it.
“Don’t give me that look!” I whispered harshly.
“When are you going to tell him? He has the right to know.” Liam said.
“I don’t want our friendship to be ruined!” I replied. I thought about telling Harry a thousand times, but couldn’t bring myself to ever do it.
I heard a girl giggling in the hallway. My heart sank again and my gut twisted.
“No…” Niall said in a low voice. Then a smiley Harry came walking in, hand in hand with a blonde.
“Guys, Kimberly, this is Mandy!” She smiled and waved sweetly. “Nice to meet you!” I said and shook her hand. I was good at putting on a poker face. The boys all chorused ‘heys’ and ‘hellos’ to her.
Harry had a weird look on her face. “Love, why don’t you go check out the basement! I just had it redecorated!” He said to her and squeezed her hand. She was going to argue, but she must have gotten the hint and she nodded and walked out.
“What the hell was that?! Is Kimberly the only one that can be happy for me?!” He said harshly.
“Mate, it’s not that…” Zayn was the first one to speak up.
“Then what is it?!” He yelled.
The boys all looked at me.
“Don’t put this on her! She’s at least being civil to Mandy!” He yelled.
“Harry don’t yell at them! They’re fucking protecting me!” I burst. The anger in his face left and his face softened.
“Wha—what are you talking about?” He asked and took a step forward. In return i took a step back. The boys surrounded me. They supported me more than anything.
“Kimberly, you need to tell him.” Liam said softly as Niall held my arm. I took a deep breath.
“What is going on?!” Harry asked again.
“Haz, I am so completely fallen for you. I kicked down all of my protective walls, I’m so truly in love with you it’s ridiculous. The boys have known for a while. That’s why they never welcome any of your girls, they try to protect my feelings.” I finished.
Harry face softened again. “Kimberly…” He began.
“No, don’t say it, ok? I’m just going to leave.” The boys all nodded. They followed me out.
As soon as I was in the driveway I started bawling my eyes out. The boys embraced me in a hug. “You did amazing in there love!” Louis said supportively. I sniffled, “He can never love me, that girl was gorgeous and I’m me. I’m so crazy in love with a guy that can never love me back.” I sobbed. “Don’t say that, you are perfect.” Niall said. I untangled myself from the boys. I wiped my eyes and heard footsteps pounding on the pavement behind me.
I turned and saw Harry standing there. “I told you you didn’t have to say anything.” I said. “I want to. Just listen.” I nodded.
“Kimberly, I don’t know why I of all people didn’t see how hurt you were, we were supposed to be best friends. I’m fucking stupid. I see that now, you ARE the perfect one for me. I just feel it, ok? Can we try this, us? I want to try it. I don’t want to hurt you again and I sure as hell can’t lose one of my closest friends.” He said. I took a deep breath.
“Harry, I don’t want you to date me because you don’t want to lose a friend.” I said. The boys were still protectively hovering around me.
Harry took two long strides up to me and held my face. He pulled my chin up to his and he planted his lips on mine. It was everything I hoped it would be, sweet and nice. He tasted minty, just like I imagined and he was so gentle. He pulled away and looked in my eyes, “I don’t do that to my friends.” He said. I smiled and kissed him again
