I had lingered around the kitchen doorway, my back leaning against the hall wall. When Harry appeared my body quickly removed itself from my supported position, standing boldly in front of the looming figure. I mirrored his movements as he stepped to the side, blocking his path once again. Harry's jaw tensed, eyebrows descending along with his darkening state. He was angry. His towering frame shadowed over me, eyes deeply penetrating my own. I knew from his harsh exterior that Harry was trying to intimidate me, but I shoved the fearful thoughts to the back of my mind.
"Talk to me." I spoke.
I witnessed his focus falter for a second, clearly not predicting my pleading instruction. Harry composed himself quickly, shielding himself once again with his unapproachable posture.
"Move..or I'll move you." Harry's voice threatened.
Why was he being so cold?
"Not like that." I frowned.
I knew what he was attempting as the expanse of his palms caught hold of my waist. But Harry was unsuccessful, almost instantly placing me back on my feet as I struggled in his hold. I stumbled back slightly before closing the distance between us, gripping his shoulders and mustering my strength to shove Harry away in annoyance.
"Stop!" I cried. "Stop doing that, I'm not a little child that you can just pick up, and brush off to the side when you don't want to talk to me."
My chest was rising and falling at an uneven rate. But Harry took no notice, my eyes squeezing closed as he coldly brushed passed me, lightly knocking into my shoulder. I could sense his growing irritation as I pursued him into the living room, Harry taking a seat on the sofa.
I watched on in disbelief as he snatched the remote from the coffee table and flicked the TV on. The channel was changed multiple times before settling on a football match. He had to be kidding me.
"Harry."
His frown deepened, staring impassively at the screen. I strode over to the device that held his unconvincing gaze, standing directly in front.
"You don't make a very good window." Harry glared.
"I don't care." I replied in a hard voice.
The sound of the audience on the TV ground away at my patience as I waited for Harry to act. His frosty green vision chilled my body until I turned, pressing the button to cease the annoying distraction.
"Talk to me."
"Why didn't you tell me!?" Harry harshly spat.
The abrupt raise in volume caused my heart to pound, ill-prepared for his sudden question.
"Because I wanted to protect you! I wanted to keep you safe for once. He said he'd kill you if I told anyone."
My body betrayed me, unwanted tears leaking from my eyes which I hastily wiped away. When Harry rose from his seat I took a step back in fear, only to bump into the TV stand. I couldn't comprehend how frightening he could become when he wanted to.
"I can take care of myself, which is little to be said for you!" He cuttingly shouted.
I cried out in aggravation. How dare he. I'd been perfectly fine with looking after myself before he came along. Harry could be such a stubborn arse at times.
"I didn't tell you because I couldn't bear to have anything happen to you!" I yelled. "For goodness sake, Harry, it's because I'm in love with you!"
The words tumbled out before I had a chance to contemplate the consequences. Harry's eyes were wide, mouth parted as he stared at me from across the living room. The silence was deafening, my bottom lip trembling. I swallowed the lump in my throat, head darting to the door in a panic. I hastily retreated, fleeing to the hallway. My bag was scooped up, items escaping before I desperately collected them.
Harry had come to stand in the doorway, struggling to form any sort of sentence. I beat him to it.
"I-I'm going home." I stuttered quietly.
My feet rushed clumsily down the hallway, it was only then that Harry managed communication.
"Lou."
I cursed with the sound of his raspy whispered voice behind me. I yanked at the door, the wood only complying to open a small amount. My eyes desperately darted to the obstruction of the silver safety chain. Cheeks running with tears, I slammed the door, hurriedly fumbling with the chain and drawing it across to allow me to escape outside.
I brusquely shut the door behind me, the dark wood providing me with a barrier between Harry and myself. I barely made it to the bottom step before breaking down in uncontrollable sobs, collapsing to sit. What the hell had just happened? I'd confessed my love for Harry and then fled. I was unable to collect my thoughts, my head too much of a mess to think clearly. The only question my mind tortured me with was asking why he didn't say it back.
The clicking of a latch brought my attention hurtling back to the present, fingers quickly brushing away the evidence of my distraught emotions. I glanced back to see Harry at the top of the steps, desperate gaze focused upon me. My body scrambled up as he descended a pace towards me. I forced my legs to cooperate, my feet quickly carrying me along the path away from the flat I had just exited.
"Louis!" Harry yelled. "Louis, wait!"
And for the second time in a matter of days, I ran from him.
Chapter Forty Five.
Start from the beginning
