Savior

The Boy that Shows

"Scarlett, are you home?"

I nearly drop the entire tray of cupcakes in my hands at the sound of His booming voice. He is home -my home, our home, it's one in the same now- a few hours earlier than usual and my heart sings with hope.

"I'm in the kitchen!"

While the sounds of His footsteps draw near I set the tray down, wipe the flour from my jeans and take off my apron, and undo the band that was holding my long locks back.

And when He steps into the kitchen my knees almost give out because He's got a black button down tucked into His black jeans, chestnut locks slicked back and He never dresses up for anything and -oh my- He pulls out a bouquet of daisies from behind his back.

"My favorite!" I snatch them from Him like a greedy child and shove my face in between the petals to sniff them, having never received flowers before, "You told me you wouldn't be able to celebrate tonight?"

He scoffs, leaning in to press a light kiss on my forehead, "Wanted to surprise you is all."

And when He pulls back He somehow manages to slip two tickets in front of my face like some sort of magician and as soon as I read the blue slips I squeal in excitement and wrap my arms around His waist.

"Shakespeare in the park?! I've always wanted to go!" He grins like He just won the lotto when He sees my smile and I have never wanted to kiss Him so badly, "You didn't have to do all of this."

"Of course I do. It is your birthday after all. Your 16th birthday and you know what that means don't you?"

And of course I know what that means, how could I not?

His eyes have a twinkle in them and I almost want to start crying, but I hold it back and simply opt for pressing a light kiss against His stumbled cheek, lingering there much longer than needed.

"How could I ever forget....? Thank you. So much."

He shakes his head, grabbing the flowers from me and turning to rummage around the pantry for a vase, "It was my pleasure."

My heart is almost bursting at the seams with love and family and I suddenly have everything I always wanted but could never have and I am trying so hard not do anything to mess it up and all I really want is to show Him how grateful I really am to Him for giving me so much, but I know that wouldn't be appropriate.

Not for our situation, no matter how I feel.

So, instead, I swallow down my love and turn around to ice my cupcakes, something that keeps me calm and takes my mind off of how good His butt looks in those jeans.

But, it's on my third cupcake when I feel those cerulean eyes on my back and another minute later when I hear His soft confession. Something I think we have both felt for a long time, but something that is illegal and probably immoral.

"I love you, Scarlett."

And my heart skips a beat and I think that I might just be hearing what I want to hear but when I turn and see Him looking at me like He never wants to let go I know I'm not. And I have never felt this much joy.

And though it may be stupid and reckless and I may come to regret it later, I can't keep my feelings in much longer, not when I own Him the world.

"I lo-"

"I love you, Layla."

And this confession is sure and raspy and the familiar voice sends shivers down my spine before I even turn to face him. And when I do, the tube of icing falls right out of my grasp form shock.

Because it's long curly hair and boyish dimples and a jaw that could cut glass.

I know who this is and I know he doesn't belong in this memory.

"Harry?"

And they say those three words again at the same time with different names attached and suddenly the flowers are gone and my cupcakes are gone and then He is gone and Harry disappears as well and I am all alone, but those three words just keep echoing in the background on repeat.

I love you... I love you... I love you...

"...Layla.... Layla," and suddenly I feel someone jostling me and I am ripped away from the dream and the cold and lonely feelings it brought and am transported back to earth and a cake in my face, "Happy Birthday!"