VALERIE

Chapter 26.3: Strike One

  Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2013

VALERIE’s POV

As soon as I see the brunette curls looking over the railing of the balcony outside the dining area, my eyes sparkle and my heart leaps automatically as I jog towards him. I quickly wrap my arms around his waist, my cheek pressing against his nape, and he leans over to see me. I giggle as I grab one of his arms and place it over my shoulder when I stand beside him. I lace my fingers with his, my other arm comfortably wrapped on his waist, and I kiss him on the cheek saying, “Good morning, Harry!”

He only answers with a smile and I join him for a little while, looking around the area. It’s true; we can practically see the wide vineyard from where we stand. The birds are flying carelessly across the bright blue sky over the scenic view of the Purbeck Hills. The sea from afar looks so still and inviting.

“Look, Harry!” I yelp and gaze at Harry like some three-year old, pointing at the field with so many horses. I look back to the field, “I’ve never seen so many horses in my entire life.” I gasp and hold onto his hand once again.

“Yeah, me too.” His answer is thrift and he looks down on the floor of the balcony.

I tilt my face to the side and examine his face. “Something wrong, Harry? Is there something that’s bothering you?” I wonder. He seems to be okay before we parted last night. What seems to be the problem now?

He only shakes his head slowly and looks to the field again. I know something’s bothering him. I might be an insensitive stupid witch sometimes, but I can feel something’s bothering him.

“Harry, I know something’s wrong. Tell me about it, please?” I frown and stare at him so intently but he doesn’t meet my eyes.

“Nothing.” is just his answer.

I pull my arms away from his waist and fondle his shoulders in place. My stare is still intense as I attempt to get answer from him. The life of his green eyes is dissolving when he looks away from me. My heart slowly sinks at the instance but I’m determined to know what’s off.

“Harry, baby. Please look at me. What’s wrong?”

“I said nothing, Valerie. Just snap out of it.” He spits and I’m taken aback. My eyes widen in shock as he takes me off-guard with his answer and the way he uttered his words.

I let go of his shoulders slowly, frowning at the floor and stare at him again with timid eyes. My heart slowly sinks down to my toes because I didn’t expect him to snap at me just like that.

“Sorry…” He tells me once he realizes his exclamation made me down. I quickly smile at him but he doesn’t reply with one. He just stares at my face with remorse, and I grin wider just to assure him it’s fine. But still, I am bothered by his off aura today.

“It’s okay.” I say, and I see to it that my smile meets my eyes. I choose not to bug him anymore with my questions as I don’t want him to snap at my face like that again. I’m used with us yelling at each other before, simply because I didn’t care about what he feels and vice versa. But now, I love him and I care about him.

“Vee, Harry. Breakfast, now.” We turn to the side and see Niall grinning as he stands along the doorway, waving us in. I giggle at the nickname Niall called me and I grab Harry’s hand with me as we walk back inside. I notice him shudder with my touch and he gazes at the way I hold his hand, as if it was a strange gesture for him. I squeeze his hand and when he glances at me, I grin at him sweetly. I love him.

When Niall pulls out a chair from the table, I quickly sit on it releasing Harry’s hand in the process. Niall scowls at me but he laughs when he realizes I am just being playful. He sits down on my left side and Harry on my right. The rest of our friends are already emerging to the room and taking their seats. I smile at Liam once he sits down next to Sophia who’s just across me. I smile at her too, though I can tell she’s surprised when I did so. She smiles back at me, nonetheless.