How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 24

"No, we're at hers."

"I spoke to one of the girls Kate was with before she came back so upset. Kate was talking with some of the girls she works with. Maybe one of them said something that bothered her," Louis guessed.

"Don't know," I shrugged. "I'm sure she'll talk to me when she's ready."

"Call if you need anything."

"I will."

"Send her our love!"

"Bye, Lou."

"Later, Harry."

I put my phone on one of the bedside tables and noticed the running water had stopped. I walked back to the bathroom door and listened to the muted sounds of water splashing against the sides of the tub.

I sank to the floor and leaned against the wall with my legs outstretched. I thought about what Louis had said. Maybe someone mentioned something to Kate that really set her off. I blamed myself. I should never have let her go off alone, I thought. She had been so nervous about going out and seeing people since her memory loss. I was responsible for looking out for her. How could I have let her down like this?

There was something so much worse about seeing someone I care about suffering. I wanted nothing more than to take all of her pain away. If given the chance, I would assume every bit of frustration, anger, and heartbreak Kate felt. She was far too good to deserve this much bad in her life.

"Harry?" Kate's voice, weakened from the crying, came through the door.

"Do you need anything, love?"

"No," she responded. "I was just making sure you were still there."

"I won't leave until you tell me to."

Kate called out for me four times while she was in the bath. Each time she was still just checking if I was near her. I never moved from my position outside the bathroom in case she called out again. I wanted her to know I was there for her.

____________

{Kate's Point of View}

When the bath water had gone lukewarm and my fingers had wrinkled, I got out of the bath. I wrapped a towel around me and looked at my reflection a second time. My face had been cleared of all excess makeup and the red blotches had mostly vanished.

The water disappeared down the drain and I got into the clothes Harry had set out for me. I paused with my hand on the doorknob. My time in the bath had been spent sorting through the memory that had returned to me when Laura and I talked. I had also thought of the right way to tell Harry what was on my mind.

I felt ridiculous for having such an intensely emotional reaction at the club. I hoped Harry would be understanding and not put off. I was taking a huge risk by telling him what was bothering me. I turned the knob.

Harry was sitting on the floor outside the bathroom. His hair had been taken out of the ponytail and framed his face with vicious curls. When I walked out, he immediately got on his feet and gave me a smile. "Feeling any better?"

"A little." I toyed with the hem of my shirt and avoided extended eye contact with Harry.

"Are you tired?"

"I want to tell you what...that...was all about."

"You don't have to tell me right now. You can wait until you're ready."