I couldn’t face Harry over the next few days. I had mulled over his words many times but still couldn’t bring myself to believe him or forgive him. Jealousy and hurt were still coursing through my veins. I knew that he was telling the truth, but I just couldn’t bring myself to acknowledge it yet. I felt like the longer I put off thinking about it, the longer I could escape from it.

The flat was silent for those days. I didn’t say a word to him. I knew he wanted to say something, but was wise in staying silent. He finally snapped one day, unable to bear the silence and tension that had been building between us.

“What is it going to take for you to believe me or forgive me?” he shouted at me as
I passed. I looked at him over my cup. “I’ve said ‘I’m sorry’ so many times! What do
I need to do to prove to you that it’s true?”

“You should have fought her off,” I said simply. His eyes blazed.

“IT WAS UNEXPECTED! I HAD NOT TIME TO REACT! How many times do I have to tell you this?!”

“Oh really?” I asked. I had somehow managed to stay calm. “It looked like you had plenty of time to push her away to me. Don’t give me your bullshit, Harry. Even if you didn’t know it was coming, you had plenty of time to stop her.” I practically hissed the words at him. He ran a hand through his hair, an angry noise coming from his throat. I turned away, unable to face him anymore. I went upstairs to the bedroom and closed the door. I didn’t want him to see how deeply the situation was affecting me.

I fell onto the bed and cried my eyes out. I didn’t know what to do. I knew he felt bad about the whole thing, but I couldn’t stop imagining the kiss in my head. He hadn’t even tried to push her off. The thought brought my tears thicker and faster.

A knock came at the door.

“Darcy, I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated and I miss you. I didn’t mean to snap. This whole thing is just stressing me out. I hate fighting with you and don’t know how to handle it,” Harry said through the door. “Please forgive me.”

I heard him slide down the wall next to the door. Sobs reached my ears, but I couldn’t go out there. His actions were still stinging, but my resolve was slowly crumbling with each sob. I loved him and hated fighting with him as well.

----

My eyes felt puffy and my throat was dry. I went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. I avoided the mirror, not wanting to know what I looked like. I went downstairs but stopped at the bottom. I heard voices.

“She needs some time. She’ll come around. She didn’t seem too upset when she left you?” Zayn’s voice floated to me.

"Yes! She was! But the worst part is, is that I could hear her crying in the room! I messed up letting Melissa kiss me! I told her that I had a girlfriend. I wasn’t expecting her to kiss me after that! I should have fought harder!” Harry’s anguished voice reached my ears. He had been crying.

“Listen mate, I think the best thing for you to do right now is to just wait for her to come around. I know that you’re hurting over this, but so is she. Give her a chance to think about it. I’m sure she’ll come around. She loves you, Harry,” Louis said. I crept closer to the bottom, not wanting to alert them to my presence.

“I hope so.” He sounded so defeated and my heart broke. My resolve had come tumbling down piece by piece as I thought about all that he had told me. I came around the corner and the lads looked up at me.

“I love you, Harold Edward,” I whispered. His head snapped up and his green eyes bore into me.

“I love you, too Darcy!” he said breathlessly. He stood up, and I ran to him, falling into his arms. I saw Louis and Zayn slip out the door.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled into my hair. I pulled away just enough to look at him.

“I know. I’m sorry, too. I did, do, believe you about Melissa, but it was just so hard to see her kissing you. I’ve never had to deal with something like this before. The hurt and jealousy were just too much for me to handle.” He pulled me in for a kiss.

“I love you and only you Darcy Rae. No other girl will ever hold my heart the way you do.”

I melted at his words.

“I’m going to make this up to you tomorrow. I’m going to take you on our second official date,” he said and pulled me close.

----

The next day, we pulled up to a park that was across from the office building. I climbed out of the car and could see Melissa at her desk through her open window. I was a bit surprised that we would come here, but I shrugged it off, ready to have a wonderful day.

I grabbed Harry’s hand. It was a beautiful day outside. I laid down on the grass with my hands behind my head. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my face. Darkness fell on my eyes causing me to open them. Harry stood over me, a mischievous grin on his face.

“Harry, what-”

Before I could finish my thought, he tossed me over his shoulder and was off running toward the lake.

“Harry, no!” I shrieked as he threw me into the water. I grabbed his hand and pulled him in after me. His face was shocked and I laughed. The other couples on the small beach watched us with amusement. We splashed around in the water for a few moments, but when my teeth started chattering, I climbed out.

I flopped onto the grass to dry off, feeling eyes on me. I looked at Melissa’s window to see her watching us. I could still feel her eyes on me as I turned away. I felt Harry’s arms wrapped around my waist as he sat down next to me on the blanket. He kissed me and I smiled into it, deepening the kiss. I broke away and reached for the basket that he had brought along.

“Someone’s watching us,” I said to him. He glanced at the window, and I knew that Melissa was still watching. He kissed me again. I laughed as I pulled away, knowing that he had done it because she was still watching. I glanced up again, but she was gone. I shrugged; nothing was going to ruin my day today. I heard heels on the pavement coming near us.

When I looked up, Melissa stood over us, a sneer on her face.

“So this is your newest bird, Harry? I didn’t think that you would move on so quickly, but I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised. You were always a bit of a player,” she said.
Her words dripped with venom.

“You know, that is a great look for you! How many guys do you manage to pull with that face?” I asked. My words were just as venomous.

“I see he hasn’t told you.”

“He’s told me all I need to know about you.” Harry pulled me closer to him. His chin rested on my shoulder but his eyes were locked on her.

“I think you should leave now,” he said softly. “People are starting to stare.”

“I don’t care what people are doing,” she spat. “Keep your hands off my man,” she said to me. I burst out laughing.

“Your man?” I said. An amused smile had spread across my lips. I knew I was being loud but didn’t care. Harry stood up and grabbed my hand.

“Well it was lovely chatting with you, but I’m afraid we need to go now,” he said.

He kissed me again. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, making a show. He responded by pulling my hips close by the belt loops on my jeans. I heard Melissa hiss and couldn’t help but smile into the kiss.

When we didn’t break away, I heard her growl. I finally broke away and
pretended to look surprised.

“Oh, you’re still here. So sorry you had to see that,” I said. My eyes were flashing and the smugness was so evident in my tone. She glared at me and then launched at me so fast I didn’t have time to react. Her body hit me so hard that the breath was knocked out of my lungs. She began throwing punches. I winced as her fist connected with my jaw. I was so stunned that I couldn’t fight back. I resorted to closing my eyes and throwing up my arms to protect my face. I felt her weight lift off me. I opened my eyes and saw Harry shove her aside. His face was hard as he
helped me up.

“Are you alright?” he murmured. He touched my lip and his hand came away bloody. I nodded. My blood was boiling. I saw her coming for me again and I was ready. Before she could throw any more punches, I threw one at her. I heard a satisfying crunch as my fist connected with her nose. Her hands flew to her face as blood spurted through her fingers. She turned and ran out of the park, hands still to her face.

I shook out my hand but felt satisfied. Harry gingerly took my hand and the tears started. He pulled me into him.

“I..I was..I’ve never…I didn’t expect…I just..” I couldn’t form sentences.

“It’s okay. Everything is okay. Let’s get you home and put some ice onto that hand.” He scooped me up into his arms and headed toward his car. I held my now throbbing hand, silent tears still coming down my face.

Notes

xo

I don't actually like this chapter either, but, oh well. I hope you enjoy it!