Chapter 10:

Chapter 10

"Where have you been?" Harry asks as I walk in the door. I close it behind me and shoot him a puzzled glare.

"Work, why?" I murmur, dropping my purse down on the chair. He sits in the tv light, green eyes drilling me from afar.

"Well, it's late for one and for another I was sick with worr-" He stops himself mid-sentence and forces a fake cough. I find myself smiling wider and venturing toward him.

"Did you just say you were sick with worry over my late absence?" I trail, smirking at him and crossing my arms as I come to a stop at the carpet rug. He runs a hand through a fistful of curls roughly and chuckles slightly.

"I mean- yeah. You can't just come home late when you had told me you'd be home earlier!" He shouts, on his feet now. I can't help but laugh. Why the heck does he, of all people, care when all he does is bring girls home in the wee hours of the morning?

"Well this is ironic.." I mutter. "Considering the fact you said we had no inputs on eachothers lives-"

"What did I say? I. Dont. Share." He growls, a few inches from me now. I turn my head to the side to avoid him. My heartbeat grows uneven, pounding at the closeness.

"I was just with Ed.."

"Oh really? Because that sounds a lot like a guy to me!"

"He's Ed, for goodness sakes, Harry. Why in the world do you even care?" I burst, rolling my eyes and turning away.

"Because I care about you!" He shouts from behind me, causing me to stop in my place. His eyes are pressed closed as tight as he can as if regretting his decision.

"You what?" I say disbelievingly.

"I don't know, I just care about you for some reason. I don't care for many people but I- I just want to make sure your safe so- so can you just let me know if you're going to be home late..." He whispers the last part quietly. His hand brushes over his eyes as if trying to focus himself. I can tell how much it hurt his pride to say that. Just by the way he covers his face as if embarrassed by it. I manage a nod.

Without giving me a chance to respond, Harry is climbing the stairs two at a time. I sigh. The boy confuses me to death

•

I wake early, just as dawn is about to break and as soon as I do I know I won't be able to go back asleep. I'm well rested and not at all tired anymore. There is no sound whatsoever in the house except for the low purr of the heater that isn't doing a great job of keeping the house warm. Content with staying in my bed, I reluctantly stand and decide on exploring the mansion while Harrys asleep. My bare feet hitting tile sends shivers splintering my spine.

I haven't had the chance to explore the mansion since I had arrived but it's so intricate. Everything from the painting on the walls to the magestic carpeting that line the rooms. Room after room sits beautifully designed interiors with specific needs. After awhile of wandering I come upon an ending room which is edged in windows on one side that faces the sunrise in one corner and sunset in another. In the middle of the room is a large black piano that's middle is open to show the wheels. It's gorgeous.

The sun is just rising and it looks so splendid what else can I do? I sit on the stool and begin to play one of my favorite songs to sing, 'A Thousand Years'. The lyrics flow out of my lips like a recitation of a diary entry, not taking in account of the situation. I'm back in my little world, belting out note after note. My fingers effortlessly gliding across the keys like they had after the long days at the shop. I let the last line slide off my tongue, the keys coming to an end as I drift from my own world and back into this living hell.

"So is this what you do at the shop?" A husky voice comes from behind me. My eyes shoot up in panic at the voice of Harry. He stands there with faded jeans and a chest hugging black long sleeve shirt. I quickly stand and stutter with my words.

"I-I was just going. I didn't mean to-" He catches my arm on my way out.

"You're really good, Taylor. Here, sit down." he directs me back in, sitting down on the stool and motioning next to him. I do as told and sit next to him, blushing slightly. "how did you play that? Show me."

"Just, play this and then slide your fingers to this." I murmur, sliding my fingers across the keys. "then just put it all together." The chorus of notes join together to make up the basic background of the song.

He nods slowly, trying to copy my motions. "So it's like.." He says, joining them all together fluently before adding his voice to the mix.

"I have died every day waiting for you," He sings, staring into my eyes. I gasp at the tone of his voice, it's angelic. His voice like silk with rasp giving it the perfect appeal, he could be a sensation if he'd show the world another aspect of his perfection. My smile spreads across my face, joining my hands on one side of the piano and singing the next line.

"Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years"

Then both of us,

"I will love you for a thousand more."

We pause in mid chorus, our eyes locking. My heartbeat racing as Harry suddenly leans closer into me. I can't do this, I cant. I'll embarrass myself even more than I have already. Just as our lips come to connect I turn my head so his lips hit my cheek. His face falls as we once again make eye contact.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-" He starts, breaking the silence. He was about to kiss me. He was really about to kiss me.

"No, it's okay. I shouldn't have been in here. You're a really, really great singer, Harry. You should add that to your credits," I give him a light smile, still pink from the moment we had experienced.

"Thanks, I've never actually shown anyone before. Music... just makes me vulnerable. I don't like to be vulnerable in front of people, that's kinda why I have this room." He smiles sincerely. He does look vulnerable, his eyes innocent and smile pure. Everything about him is true, this is how he really is. His hair slightly messed from tossing and turning, his green eyes radiant, his cheeks red and dimple-ridden with a smile.

"I can relate, I have this stage fright that I cannot get over.." I trail off as bad memories surface. His hand suddenly covers mine on the piano keys.

"I think you're really talented. You deserve more." He says. I smile geniunely at him in his eyes, using my opposite hand to press to his cheek again. I can't help it, he looks gorgeous in the sunrise light making him glow. He grins wider at my touch.

"Thank you, that truly means a lot to me." I say, studying his features from up close for once. For once I'm intoxicated, like I'm already in his grasp. Before I can pull myself out again of it, I'm drawn in by the pinkness of his lips. Here I go again, preparing for utter embarrassment because I've never kissed or known how to kiss a guy before. Softly, I lean in first this time, gingerly pressing my lips into his. I'm timid at first, this being my first kiss and all, Harry taking the lead gently as he slowly parts, leaving me wanting more from the feeling I had never felt before. Our foreheads gently lean on eachother as I breathe more heavily than what was needed. My heartbeat quickened and causing me to be out of breath even after the short but unforgettable kiss.

"Wow- I- I better be getting ready.." He stumbles, standing up. I nod too quickly to myself, clearing my throat and joining Harry in standing up.

"Y-eah, yeah. So should I.." I add though we both know that it's a Saturday.