The Only Exception | W2S

FORTY FIVE.

DOUBLE UPDATE WARNING 

Um guys. So this is weird to even say but this is the penultimate chapter. It's come about a LOT quicker than I thought it would, but I don't want to drag out a book just to make it longer. I feel as if we're nearly at the end of Holly and Harry's journey, and I've had the end of the book planned for ages, and it's time!! 

THIS IS THE PENULTIMATE CHAPTER. I HAVE ALSO UPLOADED CHAPTER 46 WHICH IS THE FINAL CHAPTER SO MAKE SURE YOU READ THAT TOO. 

 Also, this book is currently #1 in the Sidemen tag!! (it's beating Eight which is #2 im so geeked) thank you!!

Also sorry, I promise this is the last authors note bit whatever but our girl has grown exponentially, like im so proud of her this chapter. Go Holly!!!

I never did end up returning to my apartment. I'd let everyone else know that I was okay, but there was something I needed to do first. 

Something I should've done before everything went crazy. 

"I need to go home."

Harry's head twisted to face mine. "Your apartment?" 

I shake my head. "No. Home home."

His eyes soften as he realises what I mean. "Your parents'?"

"Yeah. I want you to come with me," I continue, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. It was a nervous tick. 

"To drive you? Sure, that's fine. When were you thinking?" He asks, blissfully ignorant of what I truly meant. 

"No, not just to drive. I want to introduce you to my parents. As my boyfriend. I don't want to wait any longer," I tell him, feeling as if a humongous weight had been lifted off of my chest. 

He doesn't move, but I see a smile blooming across his face, every single one of his features lighting up.

"For real?" 

I nod my head, confirming it for him. "I - look, I wanna do this properly. There's still so much uncertainty, but I'm certain about you. I'm so certain about you," I repeat myself, emphasising the point that he was the one constant I wanted - no, needed, in my life. 

"Hey, I'd love to meet your parents. You know I would. Let's do it," he grins, finally reaching over and giving my hand a squeeze. "You gonna tell Jess? About us, I mean?" 

"Yeah. I'm gonna give her a call before we leave, and I'll tell everyone else when we're back. But I would like to tell my parents first."

"Alright. Let's do it. Let's go," he says excitedly, already standing up. 

"Slow down, Harry. I still need to phone Jess. And - it's a long drive. Maybe go stretch those legs," I smile, which he takes as his cue to leave me alone to phone Jess. 

I hover over her contact on my phone for a little longer than I should, but I press it eventually, waiting for her to pick up. 

"Holly?" She asks, picking up almost immediately. 

"Hey," I reply, realising that I'd missed her voice in the forty eight hours I'd been with Harry. 

"George said you were okay but it's totally not the same as hearing your voice," she laughs, and I can hear the relief in her words. 

"I'm sorry, Jess. I'm so sorry," I apologise, already feeling a little emotional. I always did when it concerned Jess. 

"Hey - it's okay. More importantly, are you okay? Where are you? Are you -"