A/N: Hi, so I wanted to clear the air of any misconceptions people may or may not have about the chapter 'Guilt'. When I said Harry was falling in love with Lucy, I meant just that. He doesn't love her yet, but the feelings he has for her could definitely turn into that. I believe falling in love and being in love are two very different things. Love can take months or years to develop which is why I haven't made either of them say "I love you" yet. I hope that slightly changes your view of the last chapter if you misinterpreted and sorry for not being as clear as I should've been.


“Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you apart.”— Haruki Murakami


♢Harry's POV♢


A couple of hours had past since my petty episode back at Al's, and I was still a complete, undesirable mess. Why couldn't I be enough for her? How could she fancy two men at the same time? These were the questions that continued to plague my thoughts as I entered a phase of pain and regret. Needlessly to say, I did this to myself but unconsciously so.

I never intended to become so attached to Lucy, but something drew me to her the second our worlds collided at Planet Bang.


The energy of the room suddenly began to orbit around her as if she was the center of its universe, and my undivided attention shifted on the beautiful damsel before me. I cupped her sides and steadied the tipsy girl back to balance. Even in my own intoxicated state, I could clearly outline her features under the calm blue lights. Those chocolate brown eyes, that jet black hair, and those soft pink lips of hers caused a smile to form across my face.


I knew then that I had to have her. But never did I imagine that during our short time together she would simultaneously develop feelings for another man.

Though it seems like an innocent attraction now, Lucy's fondness of Connor will only deepen and, while it does, I don't want to be the “other guy” in the picture. It was silly of me to think I could ever be in a serious relationship with someone, but despite my history, I still wanted to try. The kind of affection I had grown for Lucy was different from the one I displayed in past relationships. Maybe it simply had to do with the fact that I took comfort in knowing she was just as screwed up as I was and had a history of bad choices like me, but I like to think I treated her the way I did because she deserved better. No girl deserves to experience the kind of pain Lucy had to, and the same day she told me I vowed that if I ever saw the fucking bastard, I wouldn't hesitate to beat the shit out of him.

The bloke needs to pay for what he did, but I doubt the authorities would be much help. All the campus security guards at NYU seemed to care about was the fact that Lucy willingly intoxicated herself at the party and initiated contact with the suspect first, not that she was a victim of rape. It angers me to no end knowing her attempt to seek help was denied on the basis of her intoxication and history with Dylan, but I suppose this isn't necessarily my problem to worry about anymore. I'm actually kind of glad I never told Lucy I loved her. One could say that if we had stayed together, I would've felt that way about her eventually, but only time would've been able to tell.

I released a heavy sigh I had been holding in as I pushed some curls out of my face and walked into the kitchen. Water, I need water. I was in the midst of opening the refrigerator to retrieve a bottle of Poland Springs when I heard an abrupt knock sound against my front door. I set the beverage on top of the counter with a groan before taking out my phone and checking the time. 12:07 am.


Who the hell is visiting me at twelve in the morning?


I put the device away in my back pocket and cautiously approached the front door with clenched fists. I removed the chain whilst twisting the silver knob to unlock the door, and my heart nearly stopped beating upon seeing the sight behind the frame.

“Lucy...W-what are you doing here?”

---

♢Lucy's POV♢


I can do this. I told myself as I exited the elevator when the doors opened. No, no, no, you can't Lucy. My conscious teased me, and I immediately turned around to go back inside, but the doors closed in my face before I could take another step.


Shit. There was no going back.


I bit my lip to suppress a growing frown as I glanced down the hallway to see Harry's apartment only metres away from me. I thought about all of the things I would say to him on the bus ride to his flat, but the closer I got to his door, the more forgetful I became. Where would I even begin to start? I just have so much to apologize for.

I balled my left hand into a fist and quickly knocked on the door before I could give this a second thought. I still had no idea what I would say or how I would answer his questions; I was walking on eggshells. One shot. I had one shot to make things right and, if I blew it, there may very well never be a Harry and me. Before another concern entered my mind, the door to Harry's condominium swung open and a man with curly brown hair and forest green eyes stepped outside into the shadows. Even in the dim lights, I could tell he was shocked to see me.

“Lucy...W-what are you doing here?” His husky voice was barely audible above a whisper.

“I-I uh...I'm..” My voice broke mid sentence, and my eyes started to swell with tears, “God, I'm so sorry Harry. I never meant for any of this to happen. Please f-forgive me. I need you in my life. You make it so much better. I forgot what it was like to live until I met you. I know you think I like Connor, Harry, but I don't. Yes, he's attractive, but in no way does he compare to you. I should've told you that in the beginning, and I should've told Anya about us. Even if we weren't using titles, she deserved to know. You told me that you could've seen yourself falling in love with me, and I didn't get a chance to say anything back. I'm going to be completely honest with you, Harry. I've never done this kind of thing before, and I have no idea what I'm doing, but if you give me one more—”

Before I could finish my sentence, Harry smothered my words with the plumpness of his pink lips, silencing me with a kiss. I was shocked to say the least, but it was the nicest way anyone had ever shut me up. I eagerly kissed the boy back and wrapped my arms around his neck while he stroked my cheekbone with his thumb. His lips were incredibly full and felt amazing pressed into mine. The brief contact was sweet and only lasted for a few more seconds, but it was enough to get me through the night which was all I needed.

"Come inside, okay?" he mumbled the words I never thought I'd hear him say against my lips, "It's too late for you to walk by yourself at this hour, and I'm too tired to drive you home," Harry told me, taking my hand and guiding me inside his flat.

I nodded my head, seeing no reason to protest, for his touch was reassuring. Somehow I knew things would be alright between us, at least for now, and I was okay with that. For the first time in my life, I was fine with being just 'okay' because being 'okay' meant that I could be with Harry, and there was no other place I'd rather be.

Notes

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving <3 What are you thankful for? I'm thankful for family, shelter, Turkey, 1D, and everyone who reads Picture Perfect. Speaking of Picture Perfect, how would you guys like to see this on wattpad when it's finished? Follow me @kkgal15 and I'll follow back!

Please comment your thoughts on the chapter below. Vote & Subscribe only if you want to. I may take a short break from this story to work on other things so this story will be on hold until further notice.

Love
-M