Riley's POV:

"I'm telling mom you two are hanging out!" Joni teases, hopping out of the front seat so Harry can slide in. I texted him on the way home that I wanted to get together and talk and he was more than willing.

"Will this make you shut up?" Harry smirks, handing Joni and 20 dollar bill. Her eyes light up at the money and she nods, sprinting towards the front door.

"You're horrible!" I laugh, and he gives me a cheeky smile. He looks quietly pleased that I asked him to come out with me and I think he's going to be even more pleased after I speak to him.

"Yeah yeah... So where are we headed?" He asks as I pull out of the driveway and down the icy road. "Maybe you should let me drive?" He adds, and I roll my eyes.

"We're going to the dance studio." I state and he knits his eyebrows together in confusion.

"Why are we going there?" He questions me but I just turn up the radio to tune him out and every time he lowers it, I make it louder. I made my decision about a lot of things on the drive home from the dress store, a lot of things. Celia really got through to me, so Harry should be grateful.

When we walk up the front steps, I can see Harry is confused and slightly annoyed. He is not a fan of surprises, never has been and probably never will be.

"So something interesting happened today..." I break the awkward silence as I put my key through the door. There are no classes this weekend because of the snow storm.

"Hmm?" Harry sits down beside me in front of the mirror.

"I met Celia Chambers... Seth's sister." I smile, and his little grin fades away.

Harry's POV:

Holy fuck. Where the hell did she even meet her? What the hell did Celia say? She probably brought me here to end things altogether, fuck.

"Where?" I ask, trying to keep my cool because inside, I'm about to explode like a fucking firework.

"At the dress store in Maywood..." Her at first confident voice is now a small whisper. What the hell was she even doing at the dress store over there? Seth's mother fucking owns the place.

"A dress?" I ask unintentionally. Of course, I ask her the question that will make her most uncomfortable. I know she wants me to ask her to that stupid dance that stupid Perrie is forcing me to consider going to, but I'm just not into it.

"Yeah, for the winter dance next week... just in case anyone asks me." She nonchalantly says, refusing to make eye contact with me. I don't blame her, I'm staring her down pretty hard right now.

"You won't be going to that dance with anyone except me." I spit, and her eyes finally meet mine. My heart beat quickens at the look she gives me, so hopeful and full of excitement. What did I just do?

"Does that mean you're taking me?" She asks, and I mentally sigh. Well if I don't take her, no one else better fucking take her.

"If you want me to--"

"I want you to." She cuts me off with a smile. I feel a twinge of warmth growth in the bottom of my stomach, what the hell is that? "So about Celia..." She murmurs, distracting me from the sudden feeling of joy I was experiencing.

"Whatever she said, don't take it to heart." I close my eyes. This is like ripping of a bandaid and I wish she would just get on with it. I know how much Celia probably hates me so I'm mentally preparing myself for the inevitable.

"She told me I should be with you and give you a second chance." She whispers, standing up from the ground. I watch aimlessly as she kicks off her combat boots and plugs her phone into the speaker. My hands get sweaty at the thought of her performing another dance for me, she really is herself when she dances.

"What are you doing?" I ask, even though I know exactly what she's doing.

"I want you to listen to the words of this song, ok? Because I don't know how else to put what I'm feeling right now." She gives me a soft smile and when the music starts playing, I watch her move and listen to the words intently.

Stop and Stare - One Republic

This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
It's time to make our move, I'm shaking off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
Steady hands, just take the wheel...
And every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal... for the life I lead

Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can you see what I see

They're trying to come back, all my senses push
Untie the weight bags, I never thought I could...
Steady feet, don't fail me now
Gonna run till you can't walk
Something pulls my focus out
And I'm standing down...

Stop and stare

When the chorus fades out and she's out of breath, I feel water on my cheeks. I'm crying, and I'm not even hiding it. She tip toes her way in front of me and lets out a large breath.

"I love you." She takes my hand, putting it to her heart which is beating incredibly fast.

"Does this mean..." I whisper, but she stops me from asking anything by putting her cold lips to my moist mouth. Her touch feels like a drug that I've been without for a while, but I'm relapsing fast. I need her, and now I know that she needs me to whether she likes it or not.

"I want to be with you Harry... I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out." She whispers, pulling away and resting her head on my chest. I spread my legs just far enough for her to fit in between them perfectly and I settle my arms around her stomach. As I leave kisses on her cheek and neck, a smile forms at the corners of my mouth.

"You had every right to take your time... I'm just glad you're mine again." I whisper into her ear, and holding her close to my chest.

I'm never letting go of her ever again.

Notes

short-ish chapter! There aren't many left :(

Please vote if you haven't already & comment for an update... no comments & votes = sad Corey and no updates!

yay they're back together :) x