An Unexpected Turn

I wanted time to stop and just kiss Harry forever. It felt like we were the only two people in the world and as if nothing ever mattered before that kiss.

Harry pulled away, his gaze fixed on mine. His face looked so soft until it hit him what we had just done.
"I, um... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." he says, his right hand tucked under his left arm.
I didn't even know what to say or do. My fingers kept lightly brushing against my lips. Lips that were kissing Harry just seconds ago. Part of me wanted to say how wrong this was but an even stronger part of me wanted to launch myself at Harry and kiss him again.

That's it, I'm kissing him.

I begin to move forward when he storms back inside.

Fuck, I took too long.

I head back inside and close the glass doors lightly.
"Tea is ready!" Harry says holding up two white tea cups.
"Perfect." I reply and go to grab one from his hand. He gives me a smile and heads to sit in his same spot. This time I join him on the couch instead of sitting on the loveseat.

Once again, I wasn't paying attention to the tv. My eyes were looking but the only thing my mind was processing was Harry next to me. I was fixated on his breathing and the way he smelled. I couldn't help it so I turn to look at him. His eyebrows furrowed as he watched the movie. He must have sensed my eyes on him as he then softened his face and turned towards me.

He smiles and says, "Mel, you're making it hard to concentrate."
"Why?" I smile back.
He looks down at his hands and stays silent. I scoot closer to him until our knees are touching.
I take his right hand in mine and say,"Don't be afraid. I feel it, too."
His eyes dart back up to meet mine. Those green eyes always so alluring.
"It's wrong." He says. He was right, but all I was hoping for was for him to say that we should forget everything and everyone and run away.
"I know..." I say disappointed.

After that we dropped the subject but whatever we were feeling was very much present between us. I stayed close to Harry during the film and eventually dozed off on the couch.

-.-.-

The following morning, I woke up to find myself in a bed that wasn't mine. It was so comfy with tons of pillows and fluffy blankets. I look around to see a familiar place. Harry's hotel room. I sit up and rub my eyes, trying to adjust them to the bright light coming in from the glass doors.

"Good morning!" That deep voice I love says from the living area.
"Good morning." I say getting off the bed.
"Don't worry, I slept on the couch. You fell asleep last night so I took you to the bed." He explains.
"It's ok, I trust you." I say when it suddenly hits me.

NIALL!

"Harry, did Niall show up here last night?! I need to find him!"
"No, he didn't but I got a call from Louis at like 4 in the morning. He was dropping off Hannah at your flat when they found Niall passed out in front of the door."
"What!?" I exclaim. If I had gone home, I would have found him. Instead, I was here kissing Harry. I wish I could say I regret it but I don't.
"Yeah, don't worry. Louis and Hannah took him inside. He's fine, probably terribly hungover." he laughs.

This is not laughing matter!

"Well, serves him right for being an asshole to me."

-.-.-

Back at our apartment, I find Hannah sitting on our dining room table. She's munching on celery and on her phone.
"Well, well, where have you been?" she playfully says with a raised eyebrow. I can feel my face blush. If anyone would understand the Harry thing, it would be her.
"Not now, Hannah. Where's Niall?" I ask, setting my bag down on the loveseat by the door.
"Your room."

Without hesitation I barge into my room to see him sleeping in my bed. I was prepared to make a scene but he looked so comfortable. I walk over to the bed and gently sit at his side. He looked so peaceful sleeping, he looked like the Niall I learned to love. I stroke his cheek with my hand and accidentally startle him. He notices it's me and immediately grabs my hand in his and kisses it.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." he apologizes but I've heard this one before. His blue eyes looked darker, different.
"Niall, this is not ok. I will not allow to be treated like that." I stand up to give him my back. Even though he fucked up, I felt guilty too. After all, I was kissing Harry while he was missing. Harry... His best friend, his bandmate!

I'm so messed up.

Niall comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
"Love, please forgive me! I'll get on my knees if I need to."
I pry his hands off of me and turn to face him.
"Niall, you have to understand that this is a sore subject for me. I watched for years how my father treated my mother. What alcohol does to people. It wasn't always like this. He, too, started with throwing random objects at her. I'm not about to fall into the same pattern."
It hurt me to be doing this, after all I did love him. He held a very special place in my heart.
"Melanie, please, I love you. You have to forgive me, baby."
"No." at my response his eyes became watery, he knew I wasn't going to give in. I could feel tears brewing in my eyes, but I needed to remain calm.
"What does this mean, Mel?" his eyes now shedding tears, it was breaking my heart.
"It means that I need time... And you need to figure out what to do." at that statement, he abruptly turns around and puts a hand to his mouth.
"I'm not an alcoholic, Mel! I'm capable of controlling myself!" his voice now raised.
"Really, Niall? Really? Then why don't you control yourself if you're so capable?"

Niall acts as if he's going to say something but instead he storms out of my room and out the door.

Notes

Nooooooooo! Come back, Niall!