chapter 27

Harry parked the car outside his house. The whole way home Him and Emma were quiet, sulking and pouting at each other. Emma knew she was wrong to keep the messages from Harry, since they were in a relationship and she had to trust and share these kinds of things with him, but she was too hurt by Harry's shouting that she couldn't admit it to him.

When Harry killed the engine, Emma opened the door stepping out and slamming the door shut after her, making Harry cringe. It made her feel slightly better, and she started her way towards her house without another word to him.

"Emma," He called out after her. She stopped in her place, but didn't turn to look at him.

"I can't believe you are storming away without saying a word to me," He said  in an angry voice.

"Harry.. Believe me.. you don't want me talking to you right now," She hissed.

"You are fucking unbelievable!" He threw his hands in the air.

"When you are done being a prick of a boyfriend, and ready to talk to me without cursing and shouting let me know!" And with that Emma stormed up the stairs to her front porch and into her house.

Emma's POV

I can't believe I just cursed at Harry! He is so infuriating sometimes that I just can't stand it. I was going to tell him about the messages, he found out before I had the chance.

The house is empty and I fish out my phone to call my dad and see where he is. I have a few missed calls and messages.

The missed calls are from my dad, Dylan and Jennifer. I look at my messages before I decide if to call any of them back.

I know Dylan probably wanted to apologize again for telling Harry everything there and then, and Jennifer probably called because Dylan told her what happen.

I have a message from my dad telling me he had to go back to work and probably will only be back tomorrow morning, a message from Harry from before he found me in the school, and a message from a blocked number.

'Don't go tomorrow, stay away,'

I throw my phone in frustration, watching it land on the carpet. I guess that is a good thing since I cannot afford to by a new phone if it breaks. I go fetch me a glass of water to calm me down. I stand and sip from my glass while watching my mum's painting that is hanging between the two front windows.

It is a painting of the same beach that is up in Hope's room, though it isn't the same and isn't as nice. My mum painted it for me after she saw how sad I was when I found out she gave it away.

I sink into self pity when I notice movement outside. I move closer sure it is Harry feeling bad or coming to fight some more. When I can finally make out the figure at the window I freeze. It's not Harry, it doesn't seem like anyone I know! He is dressed in a black jumper, the hood pulled over his head. His eyes lock with mine for just a flick of a moment and then he is gone, moving swiftly back into the dark. I feel the colour drain from my face as I command my feet to move back so I can fetch my phone.

I am frantic trying to remember if I locked the front door, then remembering it locks by itself the moment it closes.

My fingers fumble with the phone and tremble while I try and call Harry.

"Please answer," I mumble over and over too scared to move from behind the couch.

"Are you calling to scream at me some more?" He answers with a taunt.

"Harry.." My voice is small and I can't stop it from cracking once I hear him on the other side.

"Emma?! What's wrong??"

Harry's POV

When I heared her say my name in that scared voice, my heart fell to my boxers. I flew out the house my phone to my ear looking around like a mad man.

"I don't see anyone love, he is long gone," I said softly, all the anger I had inside of me evaporated. I sprinted to her front door.

"Em, I am right outside your door, come open up," I asked. I heard footsteps and the fiddle of the lock.

The door finally opened and Emma flew into my arms hugging me tightly, her eyes streaming.

"He was right there! Up close to the window watching me! I am telling you he was," She cried. I could tell she is letting all she was holding in this past day gush out of her as she wept on my shoulder. I pet her hair while moving us into the house, letting the door shut behind me.

"It's alright sweets, I'm here, you're safe," I whispered into her hair, kissing the top of her head.

"I'm sorry Harry! I should have told you from the beginning I was getting messages, it was stupid of me not to," She cried.

"Forget about it for now, let me get you some water," I murmured pulling back, but still hugging her as I walked to the kitchen.

"Watch the glass, I broke it when he startled me," She pointed to the broken glass on the floor.

I pulled out a stool for her to sit down on as I cleaned up the glass. By the time I was done her tears were dry and she was back to breathing properly.

I handed over some water, and she siped while I watched her.

"I'm sorry," She mumbled putting down the glass of water, looking up at me through her lashes. When she looks at me like that I can't remember why I was cross with her in the first place.

"Never apologize for being scared Em," I tell her "Now tell me, did you see his face?"

She noded, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"He had a black hoodie on, pulled over his head and he was tall and.. and.. he looked straight at me," She pulled a face, clenching her teeth as if she is trying her best not to start crying again.

"Did you call you dad?"

"Well.. No.. I immediately thought of you.. Nothing else," She whispered, and even though this was a bad situation, I couldn't help my heart swelling up with happiness by the fact that when she needed something- when she was scared and she needed someone to make her feel safe she thought of me.

"When is he getting back?" I asked, not letting her know how her statement made me feel.

"Tomorrow morning,"

"All right then, come on. You're not staying here tonight," I pushed myself off the counter and stood up straight.

 "I need my things," She said, her eyes wide, and I was happy she wasn't fighting me about not staying here.

"You only need your bag for the trip, is it packed already?" I took a few steps towards the stairs. She noded, getting up to follow me. I reached out and took her hand in mine as we climbed up, tracing circles on the side of her thumb.

I cluldn't help but let my mind think of what If this hooded wanker would have forced his way into the house, what if he would have hurt Emma?

I let a course slip from my mouth making Emma cringe next to me.

Emma's POV

I know even though I called Harry, and even though I was scared and started crying, he is still upset with me. I keep quiet allowing him to collect my belongings and tell me what to do just to avoid another fight.

I turn to get my sketchbook and 'Paper Towns' which I am reading right now, but when Harry sees them in my arms he shakes his head shifting to my side and peeling them out of my grip.

"These are staying here," He orders, and I need to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from answering.

"You don't need it with you, you won't have time to sketch, and no time to read," He reminds me. I know he is right, but I never leave my sketchbook behind always having it with me.

"Fine, bring only that thing with," He gives in, taking only the John Green book and tossing it on the bed, leaving the sketchbook in my arms.

He then takes my bag and reaches out to lace his fingers with mine once again as we leave the room.

I don't tell my dad I am not sleeping at home since he wouldn't have seen me in the morning as it is, us leaving early.

When we enter Harry's home it is empty, and I guess Anne is working a night shift. I can't but feel nervous about spending the night alone with Harry even though I have done it once before, but I push the nerves away, feeling safe and secure with him here with me.

I follow him up stairs to his room, and watch as he sits my bag down on the floor by the door.

"Do you want to shower?" He asks, and I nod again, too tired to speak. Without another word Harry walks out and a few moments later he is back with a towel for me. He walks over to his closet and pulls out a clean shirt and boxers handing them over to me too.

I thank him lightly leaving for the shower. When I am done I enter the room, my wet hair spilling over my shoulders, finding Harry sitting on his bed looking down at his hands, his phone thrown on the floor.

I walk over slowly stopping right in front of him as he finally looks up at me.

"I got suspended from the next game," He says simply, but I can tell how much he is upset by that. His eyes are dark and his rims red. I can't help but feel it is my fault for his suspension, since he left the game to look for me, if I had just told him the truth…

"I'm sorry," I stutter again, feeling that is the only thing a can say, and still it is not enough, needing to repeat it over and over again.

"Come here," He orders me, and I take a step closer, close enough for him to reach out to me and pull me on to his lap, I lean my knees on the sides of his thighs as he hold my waist looking straight into my eyes.

"I need you to promise me something," He breathes. I nod, his eyes captivating me in a way that only Harry can.

"Never again.. mever keep something like this from me, understood?" He demands in a low voice.

I nod again not able to look away.

"I want to hear you promise," He says, my nod not enough for him.

"I promise," I whisper.

"You promise what?" He pushes me.

"I promise not to keep something like this from you ever again," I sigh.

"Good, and promise one more thing," He goes on, "Promise me, that whatever happens, and whatever big of a fight we might be in- if you are scared or in trouble or lonely or need something- anything- you call me! No matter the time or place, no matter what," He tells me, his eyes full of emotion, and my heart swells with these words of his.

"I promise you I will," I smile lightly, feeling so much better.

"Good," He mumbles bringing his lips to mine, as he holds on to my waist. I let my hands brush through his curls, feeling blessed to have Harry in my life, happy I hadn't listen then to Niall, happy that I gave him a chance.

Not long after, Harry and Emma went to sleep knowing they had to get up early the next day to meet up with the rest of the lot and drive up to Western University.

They fell asleep cuddled up on Harry's bed, forgetting about their fight, forgetting about the messages and the hooded man lurking outside their houses.

Tomorrow is a new day, a new day to fight their demons, to fight for the truth to come out and shed some light on the past and future.