“Do it. Or you’re...ugly.” You walked in at a great time. Liam and Harry were sitting at Liam’s kitchen counter. Liam had just called Harry ugly. Harry looked like he was going to pass out.
“Ouch. You want me to call the burn unit?” You chuckled, but they both looked at you confused. “Cause Harry just got roasted? Seriously? No one? Sheesh.” You shook your head and continued to the refrigerator as they started mumbling to themselves again.
“You could do it right now. You could just spit it out.” Liam was getting more aggressive as he went on.
You’d lived with Liam for a few months. He was dating Cheryl. Cheryl was your cousin. You were a broke student. She had a big heart and boom. You ended up living with Liam Payne. All you had to do was babysit their son every now and then and make sure the house wasn’t falling to the ground when they had to travel. It was a great deal.
But the best part of the arrangement was the company they kept. Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles to just name a few. There were countless other stars who came and went as they pleased, but those three were your favorite.
“Knock it off Liam.” Harry barked and you jumped a little. Harry rarely got short, but when he did his voice was intimidating. “See what you’ve made me do? I’ve scared her.” He shook his head and turned to look at you. You assumed he opened his mouth to apologize, but instead Liam spoke for him.
“I like you.” Liam mocked Harry’s accent, but you froze and looked at...well...you weren’t sure what to look at. Harry shot Liam his usual disgusted face, but instead of letting it go after a few seconds his held it. Liam was unfazed by it as usual. But it didn’t pass by you.
“See?” Liam stood up and squeezed Harry’s shoulder. “Wasn’t that hard.” He walked out with a short wave. “I’m going for a run. House to yourself. Don’t break anything with any body parts. Thanks.” With that the front door shut and you found yourself face-to-face with Harry.
“Uhm.” You blinked and busied yourself by struggling to open a water bottle with shaking hands. Of course you were shaking. Did Liam realize what he’d just done? Liam knew you liked Harry. A lot. Niall and Louis were sweet, but there was something about Harry’s intelligence and talent and sense of humor and kind heart and family sense that just made him better than anyone else.
“You want some help there?” He chuckled softly as you almost dropped the water bottle. He opened his hand and you cautiously handed him the bottle. You were like a scared dog afraid to be touched by its new owner. “Here you go.” He grunted as the pop snapped from the band.
“Thanks.” You squeaked before guzzling the whole thing and taking a breath. “Okay. Uhm, well, I...I don’t know. I think I have something to do. If I don’t I’ll find something.” You went to turn around but you heard the chair he was sitting in scrape against the floor. You stopped. “Harry, I don’t know what to say.” You whispered.
It was true. You weren’t the best with words. Especially not in these situations and he knew that. He usually spoke for you whenever there were parties at the house because he knew you would freeze up. He’d keep an arm around you or a hand on your shoulder or arm so that you’d be okay.
“You don’t have to say anything.” He stood up and pushed the chair in and stiffly shrugged. “He’s not lying. But I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything.” He was so perfect.
“I don’t feel pressured.” You mumbled and he scoffed making you raise your eyebrows and cross your arms. “Excuse me?” You laughed.
“You always feel pressured when you have all the attention on you.” He raised his eyebrows this time and leaned against the counter. There was now feet of space between you and you didn’t like that suddenly you weren’t close.
“You always talk for me when that happens.” You took a few steps forward. Harry rolled his eyes.
“If I talk for you now you may not like my words.” He was blunt about it and looked you right in the eye.
“Try me.” You took a few more steps and uncrossed your arms.
“Seriously? You’re going to make me do this?” He laughed, but his eyes widened as he leaned his arms behind him on the counter top. You took the spot next to him and mimicked his posture. The stance left him looking down at you on his left. You nodded. “Alright, well, uhm,” He stopped and ran a hand through his hair then pinched his bottom lip.
“Let’s go, Harry. I’m aging here.” You teased, but your heart was going ten miles a minute as you waited for him to say something. Anything really. He could start singing Gaston’s Song and you’d be relieved to a certain degree. It wouldn’t be what you wanted to hear, but it’d fill the tense silence that was settling around you both.
“I’d say that you’d say you feel the same way. That you don’t want to be friends anymore.” He stopped and so did your heart.
“I don’t.” The words choked out of your throat as you managed to look up at him even though your neck was now stiff.
“Oh.” His face went white as a sheet and he looked down at the floor. At first you were confused before you realized what upset him.
“Oh, no! No, Harry! That’s not what I meant!” You slapped your hand against your forehead and stood in front of him. “I didn’t mean I don’t feel the same way. I meant to I don’t want to be friends. Well, I do. I like being your friend. I like it a lot. But, I mean, I do feel the same way. That’s why I don’t want to be friends. I want to be more than friends. That’s what you meant right? Be more than friends? Or did you mean that you like me and don’t want to and so we shouldn’t be friends? Cause if you did that’s cool. I guess. It’ll suck, but like, whatever you want man. No judgement here.” He watched you carefully as you rambled on. You didn’t realize that the color had returned to his face and he was brushing hair out of your mouth as you aggressively motioned as you ranted.
“You done?” He asked when you stopped to take a deep breath. You nodded. “Good.” He laughed before kissing your forehead and resting his hand on your cheek. “You cleared it up at oh no.” You blushed and shook your head.
“This is why I don’t talk for myself.” You laughed realizing that he now had his hands trailing down to your shoulders.
“It’s okay. I’d be happy to speak for my girlfriend.” He smiled like a goof and you imitated it.
“Oh good. You did it.” Liam was suddenly standing in his kitchen again with a smirk on his face. “It’s about time.”
It didn’t matter how long it had taken. You were just glad it had happened.