The Chase (h.s. au)

Chapter 24

Harry.

My fingers run through my hair as I get used to the feeling of my hand without the cast. It's bare and repaired, leaving me with a small ache that's supposed to occur.

After the doctor allows me to leave, I walk out of the stupid hospital and make my way to my car. There is nothing to look forward to when I get home to my dad and I attempt to get over the fact that I let her go.

Fuck, I let her go.

Last month, I went home and Lauren decided to have space for a while. It was hard leaving her but I held her, explaining to her that I love her and I'm waiting for her.

We haven't even texted. I've called her once and I was crying the entire time. I felt pathetic but she promised me that she's not with anyone. She's still mine and I'm still hers.

There is nothing worse than the feeling of emptiness. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. She's my only; the love I know is real.

As soon as I'm in my father's house, I slam the door and run up to my room. The door shuts behind me and my hand grabs my phone, dialing her number before I know what I'm doing.

Voicemail. I get her voicemail.

My thumb exits the call and I fall on my bed, pushing the sheets down. After getting into sweatpants and brushing my teeth, I pull my shirt off and grab my phone. Dialing her number again, I'm met with her voicemail and I give up. I sigh and go to sleep.

As I wake in the morning, my eyes stay closed and I adjust to the light. But I begin to feel a soft touch to my chest, my hand coming to feel a small hand. My eyes shoot open and I quickly turn around, pulling the brown-eyes beauty into my arms.

"Lauren," I smile, curling her into me.

"Hi handsome," she grins, my arm moving under her shoulders as I lean over her.

"Wh-What are you doing here?" I ask, her hands setting on my cheeks.

"Spring Break," she says quietly, my lips curving. She pulls my head close to her and she meets our lips, my eyes closing as I consume myself in her. I've missed her so much.

Her fingers run into my hair and I feel my heart race, loving when she pulls my hair. The way she lightly runs her nails over my head and twists my curls to define them make my head spins and kiss her even more.

"When did you get here?" I ask, kissing her cheek.

"Last night. I was on the plane when you called but I wanted to surprise you. Your dad hid the key in the mailbox for me," she says, my lips attached to her jaw.

"Are you done? You know...thinking?" I ask, her lips releasing a sigh.

I sit up to look at her better and she sits up, climbing onto my lap much to my happiness.

"There is a lot to think about when moving in together," she says and I instantly feel like the bad guy. I don't want to push her into this, but I sure as hell don't want to lose her.

"We're 19, Harry. We have time," she says and holds onto the crook of my neck.

"I get that we're young, but why does it matter when I have you? I only want you," I remind her, her forehead leaning on mine. My eyes close and I suck in a deep breath, her thumbs brushing against my cheeks.

"I'm so in love with you," I tell her, feeling as though she doesn't reciprocate my love for her. I feel used.

"And I love you. We'll get through this because I will always want you," she says, my hands holding her tightly.