16

Chapter sixteen: Heart palpitations

Nervously I brushed my hair with my fingers, the strands getting caught from the slight matts. I was nervous. Though perhaps even that was an understatement and I couldn't fathom why I was feeling like this, me and Henry were never legitimate.

Memories eluded my already heavy brain; Evan's supple and plush lips moving effortlessly against mine as we officiated our feelings. It was like a dream- too good to be true and my heart wasn't sure whether to give in to happiness or dwell on the 'it's not going to last'. Good things don't happen to me.

I knocked on Henry's door and awaited for him to answer with my palpitating heartbeat increasing in my chest. Henry meant so much to be that it almost terrified me that he would be offended by this. What if he thought it was genuine ?

"Ah- Maeve hey" Henry said in bewilderment with a playful smirk "didn't expect to see you knocking on my door"

Nervously pulling my lips into a smile I nodded "you know me. Full of surprises"

Henry lead me inside and made me a glass of water which I happily accepted to soothe my dried lips. "Is everything okay?"

Raising my eyebrows I laughed dryly "does it seem like something is wrong ?"

Henry shrugged effortlessly and sat next to me "not particularly but you have a look about you. You have something to tell me"

Gulping saliva I began to toy with my glass, the opaque water swirling in little waves as I tilted it back and forth. "You're right. I have something to tell you"

"Good because I have something to tell you too" Henry chimed back in a playful tone "great minds think alike because I was going to come to your house"

Blushing lightly I turned my head away and bit down on my lower lip "so I've been thinking about this whole fake relationship thing"

"And I can't thank you enough for what you have done.." I trailed off with a nervous breath "Evan and I have admitted our feelings for one another and so I would like to see where it goes"

Henry looked taken back- that playful grin on his face now replaced by a light frown and a bleak expression. "Oh.. I must admit I didn't expect that"

I sighed and rested my head back "it's a relief to finally be in this position and I couldn't of done it without you"

"Well.. I'm glad you're happy" Henry said lightly though I could tell something bothered him. "But is Evan the right guy for you?"

I sat up with scrunched eyebrows "yes.. I mean I believe so. He is a really great guy"

Henry scoffed "a great guy wouldn't of made you feel like your feelings were incompatible with theirs. They would of been straight up"

"End of the day this is how it happened" I admitted shyly "I- really do like Evan. I'm sorry if you're disappointed with my relationship decision" I said in an almost comedic way.

Henry nodded briefly and turned away "right, I am sorry but I forgot I'm meant to be helping my mum clean the car- but thanks for coming round"

"Ah- okay sure thing. I don't want to disturb you" I rambled as I quickly stood from the sofa "I'm sorry if I burdened you" I chuckled

Henry pursed his lips together in a small smile "you're never a burden- but yeah get your arse moving before I make you"

Laughing I took off and planted a small kiss on Henry's cheek "thank you again. I owe you"

**

Walking down the sidewalks I began to feel elated about the weight lifted off my shoulders. Henry knew about me and Evan and I couldn't be more joyous than I am right now; though he wasn't the fondest which I could understand because of Evan's attitude towards me as of late.

Evan was meeting me for coffee so I made way to the local coffee shop- the appearance of it made it look almost tacky but I enjoyed the quirkiness it offered the basic surroundings. If you hadn't already gathered I wasn't the most normal girl you could meet- I enjoyed the slight alternative look so anything slightly out of ordinary piqued my interest.

"Hey there stranger" Evan said as he strolled in wearing some black skinny jeans and a red hoodie. Instantly all the saliva dried in my mouth and I was eagerly grabbing at my coffee cup. This man was... something else.

"Hey there stranger" I mimicked in the same tone "don't you look ravishing" I teased with a playful grin.

Evan pursed his lips together and rested a hand on his hip "could say the same about you" he then took a seat opposite me.

"I suppose we should talk about..." I hummed but I couldn't finish my sentence from the flutters in my stomach.

"The kiss?" Evan cut in with a smirk "yeah sure let's talk about how I gave you the best kiss of your life"

Blushing profusely I lowered my gaze "o-okay you're confident" sipping my mocha I laughed to myself lightly. "But hey, I'm not complaining"

Evan chuckled back "good- you better not be complaining because there is tons where that came from" he said flirtatiously which made my stomach clench.

"May I ask a question?" I asked softly with a timid look "because otherwise it's going to eat me up"

Evan nodded and grabbed my hands across the table "ask me anything"

"Are we... friends or are we more?"

Picking up my hand he put a soft, gentle kiss upon it "you don't have to avert the question so much..."

Furrowing my eyebrows I waited for him to continue but instead he kept on smiling at me like a mad hatter. Most would find it a-little unnerving but anything Evan did sent shockwaves throughout my body.

"I would absolutely fucking love to be your boyfriend if you'll have me?" Evan said in adoration. "I know I've fucked up by not admitting it sooner and continually giving you the cold shoulder but... Maeve I want you to be my girlfriend"