Lucy's POV:

When everyone had finally left, I sighed and sat down at the booth. I put one hand on my forehead and sighed.
“Tired?” asked Harry, who was hovering by the fridge. I think he was uncertain whether or not to come any closer to me.
“Beyond,” I said, rubbing my temples. It had been an exhausting day, and Piper missing only made it more stressful.
Harry hesitated for a moment before sitting down across from me in the booth. I looked up and he was smiling at me.
“She’ll be alright, I’m sure of it,” said Harry reassuringly, smiling. His dimples widened, and again, I admired his smile. He really was cute. But I wasn’t going to let myself fall for him. I had more pressing matters at the moment.
“Knowing Piper, she will, but lately I’ve been worried about her. Usually we all worry about Reagan – she’s the crazy one, in a good way – but now it seems to be Piper,” I admitted. I instantly regretted saying anything when I saw the uncomfortable look on Harry’s face. He knew what I meant.
“Lucy….I’m pretty sure you know why Piper’s been acting like that,” said Harry slowly. “And I’m going to admit that I have ideas why she is too…but I really don’t think it’s your problem or anyone else’s to get mixed up in.”
I was shocked by his words. He was trying to tell me what to do! With Piper in distress and the others inexperienced to take on the role of leader, I had assumed the role of making sure everyone was okay. I couldn’t just ignore Piper and her problem.
“Why do you say that?” I asked evenly. I tried to keep my face neutral as Harry responded.
“Well…” said Harry slowly, choosing his words carefully. “I know it has something to do with Louis…”
“You’re correct,” I broke in.
“…and that it was mutual….” said Harry, but I cut him off.
“It wasn’t ‘mutual’, he got her drunk,” I snapped. “That’s hardly ‘mutual’.”
“You have to remember at that point Louis was drunk too. He was throwing up all the next morning,” said Harry, shooting me a look.
I stopped and thought for a moment. I – along with everyone else – had assumed that Louis had merely taken advantage of Piper, but thinking back, I really had no idea what had truly happened between the two that night.
Harry watched me as I processed this.
“I don’t know what really happened, and you don’t know what truly happened,” he said, voicing my thoughts. “You can’t judge him or her for something you don’t truly understand.”
I nodded slowly.
“Piper never really said….” I began, but Harry cut me off.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said sharply. “Forget Piper for the moment.”
I looked up at him, and he was staring intently at me. God, his eyes were beautiful. They were nearly green, cat-eye green, and they were piercing, sparkling brightly. I stared back, stunned.
He took my hand.
“You worry too much,” he said, his voice soft, a grin slowly spreading across his face. I stared back dumbly until I realized what he was doing. Or at least, what I suspected he was doing. I decided to let him continue.
“You need to focus on yourself a bit more,” said Harry softly, reaching out and stroking my face. I felt myself flush. What was going on? Things were moving way too fast for me to process, and I jerked away. Harry wasn’t fazed.
“Or you could worry about more pressing issues,” he said, leaning in, his eyes fluttering a little. I knew what he was going to do, and I knew I wasn’t ready. I don’t think I was ever going to be ready.
“Harry, no,” I whimpered, turning my head away, but he just grabbed my face and turned it back to him, leaning in still, his lips puckering. I didn’t want to be kissed, I didn’t want to be in this situation, I didn’t want to be in love.
Harry’s lips met mine, and it felt all wrong. It wasn’t wet or anything, just awkward and clumsy, and not at all romantic. I tried jerking away again, but Harry had a grip on me and held me down as he slipped his tongue into my mouth. That part was wet and slimy, and I began to struggle, trying to get away.
Harry broke off and let go of me, enough time for me to get up and back away.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking at me, hurt. “I thought….”
“I’m not ready,” I said, my voice quivering, tears beginning to form at the corners of my eyes. “And after that, I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.”
Harry looked at me dumbstruck, and he got up, perhaps to hug me, reassure me, comfort me, I don’t know, because I held up a hand.
“Stop. Don’t get any closer,” I said, my voice shaking. “I don’t…I don’t…just no. No.”
Harry looked at me sadly, hurt, confused, unsure of what I was telling him.
“I thought you felt the same way…” he began, trailing off when I bit my lip. I didn’t feel the same way. I wasn’t sure how I felt, but now I was sure I didn’t feel at all what he felt for me.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, turning around, hiding my tears. “It’s just…”
But by then I had walked out of the kitchen, leaving Harry, confused, sad, and alone.