Keeping Hope

Monday morning Harry was waiting in his SUV for Emma to come out of the house, so he could drive them to school. The weather outside was gloomy and cold, and he had the heating on knowing Emma would need it. Yesterday she managed to get him to help her colour the pink strand of hair, which he would never do for anyone else in his life. But for some strange reason, when Emma asked he was more than willing to help, painting the colour on slowly, while she begged him to hurry up, telling him that hair dye should be put on swiftly.
Today they would be spending time at Harry's home, his mum out for the evening.


Emma's POV

I step out letting the door close and lock behind me. Harry's car was already in front of my house. I walk over watching as Harry stretched to open the door, pushing it open for me.

"Hi" I smile pulling off Harry's beanie I used to keep my head warm.
"Come here," He groans, tugging me closer so he could kiss my lips. I kiss him back, a smile appears, still not used to this Harry. I felt his hand run down the strand of hair he helped colour as he inspected it again.
"I did a rather good job," He smirks, proud of himself.
"Yes you did," I peck his cheek as he started the car towards the school.

I was nervous getting to school, walking in with Harry at my side. I didn't care what people thought, but I didn't like the attention nonetheless.
Also we haven't heard from Niall since I handed over the diary, reminding myself mentally to remember to ask it back.

Harry parked the car at the school parking lot, and put on his jacket that was thrown over the driver's seat. Then he pulled on a beanie just like the one I had.
"We match," I pick up the hat to show him.
He takes it out of my hands and pulls it on my head, swiping the strands of hair out of my eyes.
"Perfect," He grins.

We got out of the car, and I slung my bag over my shoulder, Harry reached out to hold my hand. He entwined his fingers with mine, as we walked hand in hand towards the school gates.
My pace slows as I notice the eyes on us. Harry's grip on my hand tightens as if he knew I was thinking of pulling away.

"Everyone is staring," I whisper to him looking around.
"Let them stare," He mumbles.

"Hi guys!" Jennifer walks over, ignoring our linked hands, as she hugs me and then Harry.
"Let me see the job Harry's done on your lock of hair," She pulls off my beanie.
"Not outside, she was sick, keep that hat on," Harry orders. Jennifer rolled her eyes but obeyed. We made our way into the building, running away from the cold.

"Yo Nick!" Harry called out, spotting Nick at the lockers. We all shifted towards him.
We stood talking about Harry being my personal hair dresser when someone tapped on my shoulder.

Harry's POV

I watch Niall walking up to us as Nick and Jen made fun of me doing girly things. He walked up to Emma tapping her shoulder. She turned and gave him a half hug asking him how he's doing.
"Ni! I haven't seen you for donkey years! Where have you been?" Jennifer moved around us so she could give him a noisy kiss on the cheek, pressing herself to him in a hug.
"Out and about," He shrugged smiling. He was watching me know, tilting his head slightly, letting me know we need to talk.

"Babe, I'll catch up with you soon," I touch Emma's shoulders before moving along, following Niall.
"So you're officially together then," Niall turns to me, when we reach a quiet spot with no students.
"Yes, we are," I say in a hard tone, letting him know this is not open for discussion.
"Look, I owe you an apology," Niall changes the subject, taking out Hope's diary from his bag and handing it over.
"You read the whole thing?" I ask narrowing my eyes in disbelief.
"I did, and I don't want Emma involved- I don't think any of them should be- you need to take this to my uncle- let him deal with it, stop playing cop,"
"No! I want him to admit it to me first!" I say stubbornly

"Why the fuck would you need that? He knows you were there!" Niall exclaimed.
"It's more than that! He killed my sister! My sister!!! If someone would do the slightest to Emma you would flip! He killed Hope- she is dead! She won't grow, and graduate, she won't go study art in college and won't marry, and it is all because he killed her," I took a step closer to him. Niall put a hand on my shoulder to calm me.
"All right, I get it… How can I help?" He asked quietly.
"Are you joking?" I raise my brows at his question.
"No, he dated one of my best friends! He hurt Jennifer, I want him punished,"
"No way man, too many people are in this," I shake my head.
"You have a bunch of girls in on it, you need some mates bro," Niall pushes.
I couldn't believe he wanted to help me, out of all people.
I study him before agreeing to his help.
"What have I missed?" Louis ran up to us.
"You have two new mates," Niall flashed a smile, as Louis came to stop by our side.

Emma's POV

I was sat at the cafeteria for lunch break, with a bunch of people I would never think to see sitting together.
On my right sat Harry, his hand around my waist. On my left was El and by her side Louis. Across from Louis sat Niall, which next to him sat Jen, who apparently had all the intel about the diary from Dylan who sat by her side. Perrie kept moving back and forth from sitting by Dylan to standing by Zayn at his table with Liam and the rest of the football team.

"So I was thinking.. next weekend, we can go check out Colleges.." Niall said glancing from Louis to Harry.
We all knew what Niall meant by colleges, we should go check out the college where Tyler is at. Harry nodded agreeing with Niall.
It was strange watching Niall be friendly to Harry, both of them getting along as if they were friends forever.

"What about the football game?" Louis questioned.
"Well, the girls can go up, and we can join after the game, Niall shrugged.
"No way, not happening!" Harry shook his head profusely.
"But why? That is a good idea!" Jen spoke up.
"I am not letting you girls drive up by yourselves and spend a day in arms length to Tyler without one of us around," Harry exclaimed.

"But Harry, we aren't alone, and it is a big place.. Tyler will probably not even know we are there," I try to reason with him.
"Emma no! Last two times he did something was next to a bunch of people, I don't want you anywhere near him,"

I could hear by Harry's tone that his mind was set, and there was no way in changing it.
"Well, Dylan isn't on the team.. So he can drive up with us," Jen smirked at Harry, the only one who wasn't fazed by his temper.
"Do you really want an answer Jen?" Harry scoffed at her.

"Well, we are going to drive up on Friday, you guys can join whenever," Jen pinched her lips not giving in to Harry's desire.
"Jen, you do whatever you want, as long as you don't drag anyone else with you," Harry rolled his eyes.
"Guess Emma you will be staying behind then," She winked at me.
I crossed my arms in a pout, knowing that now is not the time to fight Harry about this. After that Eleanor changed the subject to school related things to keep everyone calm and out of a fight, though I was still glancing at Jen who gave me a sympathetic look.

Harry's POV

I parked the car outside my house, still annoyed with Jen and her big mouth. She always does and says things without thinking, which drives me crazy!
I will not let Emma drive up there without me, not after what happened the last time she had seen Tyler.

"Harry, you have to let it go," Emma touched my arm as we walked up to the front door.
"I am trying, but it won't happen if you keep bringing it up," I snap. I know I should control my temper with Emma, it wasn't her fault Jennifer acted like that.
"Harry, you know.. I respect your wishes but if I decide to drive up there with Jen and Dylan, you can't stop me, I am my own person after all," She said calmly but firmly.
"Emma, please don't fight with me on this," I asked of her. This was the last thing I wanted, I was in a bad mood as it is, and fighting with Emma would only make it worse.
"Fine, when you calm down, we can talk about this rationally," She said, putting down her bag and sketchbook on the kitchen table.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, opening the fridge to find us something to eat.
"Not much, maybe later," She waved me off. I closed the fridge and took a banana from the counter instead, pulling on her hand so she should follow me up the stairs.
When we reach the landing I stop, remembering my mum's comment about the painting. I wasn't sure if I was ready to share it with Emma yet. I knew for a fact her mum painted it, no way it was done by someone else. I continue to my room ignoring the closed door of my sister's bedroom.

Emma sat herself on the bed laying her head back on my pillow.
"So what do you fancy on doing?" She questions looking at the ceiling.
"I have a bunch of ideas," I smile, pacing over to her. I swing my body over hers, holding my weight up with my elbows so I won't hurt her.
"Oh yeah?" She giggles, as I spread little kisses down her neck.
"Mmm," I hum as I continue kissing her. I move up to her lips, enjoying every moment of this. I loved touching her, I just couldn't get enough of it.

Emma's hands ran through my curls, which made me freeze.
"What's wrong?" She tries to sit up, pulling her hands away from me.
"Nothing- do it again," I breathe.
"What? Touch your hair?" She pulled a face in confusion. I nod, and Emma brings her fingers back to my curls. At first she was cautious with her movement, but once she was sure this is what I wanted she played with my hair with more confidence.

I lay my head on her chest as she ran her fingers through my curls. I brought my arms around her waist playing little circles on her side.
Her touch was delicate, and it had the calming effect it used to have when Hope used to play with my curls.

I forgot about this, Hope playing with my hair, and making ponytails and stuff. This was one of the reasons I kept my hair longish, just so it could be played with, though it hasn't been done for years, until now.
I listened to Emma's soft heartbeat, and I knew I had to take her to Hope's room to see the painting. I owed her that much.

I sit up and look at her. I bring my lips to hers once more, tasting her before we'd need to move from this perfect setup.
"I need to show you something," I say when we break for air.
I get off of her, taking her hand in mine, lacing our fingers together the way I liked doing, and walked with her out the room.


Harry and Emma stop in front of my closed door. Harry glanced down at Emma. She knew very well this was my room, and she wondered for the reason Harry was letting her in.
He pushed open the door and they step in. It doesn't take long before Emma realizes the reason she was brought in here.
She moves swiftly over to my dresser standing in front of the painting her eyes bright and wide open.
It was as if she wasn't in the room, leaving Harry and the room behind and landing on that piece of beach, on her own, in the sun and the birds above her head.
When she finally turned to look at Harry, there were tears running down her cheeks. She took a step closer, running her fingers over the artist's signature.
"How do you have this?" Was the only thing that left her lips, in a whisper full of pain and hurt.

Notes

Finally we are getting to the part of Emma finding out about the painting!!!!
Want to find out how Hope had got it????
I promise to write about it in the next chapter!

Let me know what you think of my story so far..
I must say I am shocked by the amount of people reading this.. I didn't think it would do that good, so thank you so much for reading!
Hoe many more readers and votes you think I could get before the next update??
I wish!!!