HALF A HEART
Chapter 49
Annie's POV
Two Weeks Later...
I awoke to the beautiful spring sunlight streaming through my bedroom window. I stretched my cramped limbs so that my feet peaked over the edge of my bed and my hands grazed the wall. I rolled onto my side with a huge smile plastered across my face as I picked up the white rose Harry had given me for prom. The edges if the petals were now brittle but I didn't care. It was still beautiful. I also grabbed the picture I had framed of Harry and I standing in my living room that same evening. Gosh he looked good in that tux.
In the picture, Harry had his hand wrapped protectively around my waist and my arm was wrapped around his ribcage. I was smiling at the camera normally and Harry was looking down at me with a small, proud smile. I remember taking this picture. My mom had demanded that she get a picture of the two of us before we went to the dance. Harry had instantly latched his hand onto my waist and pulled me against him. I remember him kissing the top of my head before we posed for the picture.
I hugged the picture frame to my chest and smelled the decaying rose one last time before I got out of bed. I went over to my closet and grabbed a light ivory knit sweater and some light skinny jeans. I slipped on my Keds, ran my fingers through my natural curl, and applied some light makeup before walking casually down my stairs and into the kitchen.
"Good morning honey." My mom greeted me from the stove as she made an omelet.
"Hi mama." I smiled.
She glanced up from the stove for a second with a small smile on her face. "You're unnaturally giddy this morning." She laughed.
"I'm just really happy." I smiled.
"Guys can do that." She laughed without taking her eyes off of the pan.
"Yes," I smiled again, "Yes they can."
"I'm happy for you Annie." She said.
"Thanks mom," I replied, "I'm gonna go wake Harry up now." I said and started walking towards the door.
"Have fun honey." She laughed.
I put a skip in my stride as I walked down the street to Harry's house. I knocked a couple of times and then I heard footsteps approaching the door.
"Annie!" Gemma said once she opened the door.
"Hey! Is Harry up?"
"Nope he's still crashed of course." She laughed. "You should go jump on him or something." She said deviously.
"Way ahead of you love" I chuckled as I stepped into his all too familiar home.
Gemma walked back into the living room and crashed on the couch as I walked up the stairs to Harry's room. I opened the door slowly and peered in. He was in fact crashed on his bed still. He was laying on his back with one of his arms was hanging over the edge of the bed and the other hand was folded on his bare chest. His covers looked like a tornado swirled them around. I jogged over to his bed and plopped on the foot of it.
"Whaaaa--" He said in a sleepy surprise. "What the hell--ANNIEEEE!!" He said when his emerald eyes met mine. A smile instantly occupied his face when he registered who had just disturbed his slumber. He sat up and held his arms out like he wanted to give me a hug. I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his neck as his hands snaked around my waist. As soon as I made contact with him he pulled me against his chest and pulled me on top of him as he crashed back onto his pillow. I gave a squeal of delight and surprise as I felt the corners of my mouth grow into a massive grin.
"Harry!" I squealed when he didn't release me.
"Hmm?" He asked.
I folded my hands on top of his bare chest and rested my chin on them. I looked at the sharp angles of his jawline before he lifted his head to look at me.
"Hi." He chuckled and moved one of his hands from my waist to comb his fingers through my curls. "How are you love?" He asked as he began to sit up. I moved to get off of him but he trapped me in his arms and pulled me up with him so that I was sitting on his lap, my legs to one side of him. "I don't think so missy," he laughed, "You're staying right here with me."
I wrapped my arms around his neck again and admired the darker flecks of green that flowered sporadically around his pupil.
"Come here." He whispered and moved one of his hands to the back of my neck. He pulled my lips against his and I gave a sigh of relief as the reassuring pleasure of knowing Harry is mine washed over me. He slid his hand down my back and rested on my hips. He lifted me up suddenly so that I was not straddling his hips. One of his hands went returned to the back of my neck as his other hand slid up to my lower back and crushed me harder against him. His tongue moved across my lips before he parted them and I followed his tongue with mine as he began move inside my mouth. I knotted my hands in his thick chocolate curls and pushed his lips harder onto mine until it hurt. He let out a small groan as I moved my hands down his bare toned chest and I could tell that goosebumps were rising in the wake of my hands. I felt his heart racing against his chest and I could only imagine that mine was doing the same.
"Annie." He said against my lips and I pulled my lips away from his so that there were only centimeters of distance between us. I focused on his emerald eyes as I inhaled the breath that I hadn't been able to take during our passionate kiss.
"Yeah?" I breathed. Why is he so attractive when he says my name?
"I have to ask you something." He said.
I leaned back and say in his lap while I still straddled him. I moved my hands so that they rested just below his shoulders on his chest. His hands locked behind my waist and his eyes searched my face for answers to the question he hadn't asked yet.
"What's wrong?" I asked moving a curl away from his eyes and for a second his eyes fluttered shut and then snapped open again as he returned his focus to what he was going to ask me.
"I just have to talk to you about something," He said and my heart began race with nerves. "A few weeks ago Eleanor was giving us shit and asking why we hadn't--" he paused. "You know." He finished and his eyes grew wider as he looked down.
"And?" I asked still unsure of what he was going to ask.
"Well I just want to know your thoughts on it. Because I'm fine with not doing it but we've never really talked about it." He finished and let out the breath he must have been holding.
Relief flooded over me as he gave me his thoughts on the subject that had been worrying me. "I don't feel like I need to do it in order to show you how I feel." I shrugged.
"Same here." He said with clear relief threaded into his words.
"I mean it's technically called 'Making Love' but I don't feel like it holds the same meaning anymore. Not to our generation anyway. Everyone is just overflowing with hormones so I don't think it's a good indication that they love each other." I explained more in depth than what I had told El.
He took a deep breath. "I'm really glad you said that." He smiled at me and pecked my lips with his.
"But now I have to ask you something." I said now feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"What's up babe?" He asked and my heart fluttered at his choice of words.
"El told me that before you met me you were more," I paused trying to find the right words, "Uh I don't want to say careless but--"
"--Did I sleep with other girls before I met you?" He cut me off. I nodded slowly. He took a deep breath before responding. "Yeah, I mean I wasn't the most ideal teenager out there. I went through a lot in Holmes Chapel before moving here and it got better when the guys and I started the band, but I was still depressed and unmotivated. I mean I wasn't sleeping with every girl in the school Annie but a few of them yes." He finished.
"Why is it different now?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" His eyebrows knitted into a frown and his emerald eyes began to search my face again. "I'm not gonna go sleep with someone when I'm dating you. You're too important to me and way more incredible than anyone in this damn city." He said.
I smiled and gave him a lingering kiss, pulling him harder against me before leaning back again. "I guess I just mean why don't you have the desire to do it anymore? What changed?"
He looked directly into my eyes as he said, "I met you. I don't need to anymore." He shrugged.
I kissed his lips and this time he was the one to hold me against his lips for a prolonged instant.
"Why are you so good to me?" I whispered as I rested my forehead on his.
He closed his eyes as he responded. “Because you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” He opened his eyes and looked at me with a passionate emerald gaze. “I love you.” He breathed.
I felt the corners of my mouth twitch into a smile. “I love you too Harry.” He tilted his chin up to meet my lips and slid his hand up my back so that his fingers curled through my hair.
“I have to go rehearse with the guys for the gig today. You’re coming right?” He asked when he pulled away.
I rolled my eyes. “Of course I’m coming dork.” I laughed and pressed my lips against his again before I lifted myself off of his lap and stepped onto the floor. I looked back at him from where he sat in nothing but his boxers and he was looking at me with a small smile. “What?” I laughed.
“You’re gorgeous.” He breathed and threw the remainder of his covers off of him and walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of black skinny jeans.
I ran up behind him after he had finished putting on his pants and snaked my hands around his stomach so my fingers glided over his toned abdomen. His hands rested on top of mine as I kissed his shoulder blade and laid my cheek on his shoulder. He turned his head to look at me, and he had the most joyful dimpled grin plastered on his face.
I kissed his shoulder again and turned around to walk away. “Okay I’m going to go. I’ll see you at the gig.” I said. I heard rushed footsteps behind me before I felt two hands snake around my waist. Harry buried his face in my neck as he crushed me against him. I turned around in his arms and locked my hands behind his neck as I pulled his lips onto mine and enjoyed the artificial cherry flavor as it seeped into my mouth. I pulled away and walked toward his door. “I love you.” I said before closing the door behind me.
I jogged into the coffee shop that the guys would be playing at and spotted him and the rest of them setting up their equipment by the small stage. I ran up to Harry and threw my arms around his neck as I crashed my lips into his.
“You’re here!” He said with delight against my lips.
“Yeah and I just needed to say hi. So hi.” I laughed.
“Stop being so damn cute.” He laughed and hugged me closer to him.
I giggled and kissed him again. “I’m going to go get a cappuccino.” I said and he released me from his grasp. I ran over to the line that Eleanor and Perrie were standing in.
“You guys are so fucking cute.” Perrie laughed when I got up to them.
“Yeah seriously. It’s adorable.” El nudged me and I could feel my cheeks turn pink as I turned to look at Harry. He was lifting something above his head so his V-line was showing causing my cheeks to turn even redder. We ordered our drinks and went to sit by Dani and Lizzie. They already had their drinks.
“So this is your first gig Lizzie?” I asked as I sat down at a stool and Eleanor and Perrie quickly occupied the stools on either side of me.
She nodded vigorously. “Yeah I’ve never heard them sing before. I’m incredibly excited.”
“You should be. They’re incredible.” I smiled.
“Yeah they are, but the fact that your man has written you two songs and performed them for you helps too.” Perrie laughed and nudged me as I shrugged. Can’t argue with that. The guys settled themselves in front of their mics and tested them quietly. Then Liam got the coffee shop’s attention.
“Hey guys! We’re One Direction. Thank you very much for having us.” Liam said and he was greeted with a pitiful amount of applause, which instantly made me a bit irritated. “The first song we’re going to do is called “Strong.” Enjoy.”
They settled themselves again as the music started. Zayn started with a gentle melody and the coffee shop instantly became silent. Liam sang after Zayn with the same delicate dynamic as Zayn. The chorus sounded with Harry singing and my heart instantly melted as the words washed over me. Louis started to sing with the same gentle feel that Liam and Zayn had sung. Harry started to sing the chorus again and I rested my elbow on the table and my chin in my hand and let Harry’s angelic voice wash over me. Zayn sang after Harry was finished with the chorus with incredible power and control that gave me chills. Goddamn these guys are good at what they do. Niall began to sing with an even more delicate sound than what the rest of the guys had sung and I could feel the atmosphere of the coffee shop become mesmerized by the angelic sounds of the five guys that occupied the stage. Harry started singing the chorus again and I immediately melted into goo again and a smile perked at the corners of my mouth. Harry’s voice makes me die let’s be honest. It’s just so incredibly beautiful. The song concluded and the coffee shop erupted with applause and I immediately felt better. Yeah that’s the reaction they deserve. I was so proud of them.
Louis cleared his throat and leaned toward his microphone again. “Thank you. Again that was “Strong.” And now we’re going to be doing a song written by this chap right here.” He said as he clapped a hand on Harry’s shoulder. My heart immediately skipped a beat.
“So I have a little story to tell you before we play this song,” Harry said clearing his throat and focusing his attention on me. “About a month ago, I was in a serious accident where I was in a coma for a very long time. I almost died,” The shop got quiet, “When I woke up I couldn’t remember anything that had happened to me in the past few months. This was devastating because I actually forgot who my best friend and my love was.” I felt tears rim my eyes, as the memories and pain washed back over me like water.
Perrie nudged me, “Okay when your man writes you three songs.” She laughed and I chuckled with her.
“She did everything she could to get me to remember her and then suddenly when I listened to a different song that I wrote for her I remembered her clearly and everything came back to me.” There was a chorus of “aws” in the shop. Harry lifted his index finger and pointed directly at me, “That girl right there is everything to me and I would be so lost if she hadn’t done what she did to get me to remember.” He replied and his voice cracked a little. I felt a few strangers turn to look at me with admirable smiles as Harry continued. “So without further adieu, this song is called, “Don’t Forget Where You Belong.” I love you Annie this one’s for you.” He finished and settled himself in his stool again as my heart skipped a beat. Gosh I love this guy…
The music started and it was so gentle. Then Liam started to sing, “Been a lot of places. I’ve been all around the world. Seen a lot of faces. Never knowing where I was.” My heart melted instantly as I remembered how lost and confused Harry was as he tried to remember the life he had before the accident. Liam continued by singing, “On the horizon. Oh well I know, I know, I know, I know the sun will be rising back home.”
Niall started to sing, “Living out of cases. Packing up and taking off. Made a lot of changes, but not forgetting who I was. On the horizon. Oh well I know, I know, I know, I know the moon will be rising back home.”
The chorus started and I could distinguish Harry’s voice threaded in with the other four guys as they sang, “Don’t forget where you belong—home. Don’t forget where you belong—home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own. And the proof is in this song.” I felt tears stream down my cheeks as the meaning of the words washed over me. I’m here for you baby. I love you Harry.
My heart stopped as Harry started singing, “I’ve been away for age, but I’ve got everything I need.” I tried to stifle the sobs that escaped my mouth as I thought of the conversation Harry and I had that morning about how he wasn’t himself when he got to Holmes Chapel and I was the best thing that ever happened to him. “I’m flicking through the pages I’ve written in my memory.” I almost laughed at the pure genius of his word choice. Every picture in the scrapbook went through my mind and a huge grin spread across my face. “I feel like I’m dreaming. Oh so I know, I know, I know, I know that I’m never leaving. No, I won’t go.” I started crying even harder as he described his surreal like feelings he has when he’s with me. Oh Harry…
The chorus started again and like before I picked Harry’s voice out, “Don’t forget where you belong—home. Don’t forget where you belong—home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own and the proof is in this song.”
Louis started to sing, “Lights off when they should be on. Even stars in the skies, they’re wrong.” Zayn started to sing, “Short days when the nights are long when I think of the things I’ve done. Don’t matter how far I’ve gone—I’m always feeling at home.”
Most of the music cut out and the guys started stomping their feet and clapping their hands. The crowd in the coffee shop mimicked their gestures as they sang, “Don’t forget where you belong—home. Don’t forget where you belong—home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own. Never, never never.”
They continued, “Don’t forget where you belong—home. Don’t forget where you belong—home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own and the proof is in this song. Home.” Niall sang, “Don’t forget it.” And they continued, “Home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own”
Liam sang, “And the proof is in this song. Never forget it.” Zayn sung, “Don’t forget it.” Liam continued, “No, I never forget it. This song.” And Zayn concluded, “You were never…” The sound diminished and the coffee shop erupted with wild cheers.
The guys stood up and took a bow then everyone but Harry sat down so he could be recognized for writing the beautiful masterpiece that we had just heard. I gave into my temptation and bolted to the stage. Harry spotted me immediately and he jumped off of it to greet me. I threw my arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around my waist as he lifted me into the air and spun me around. He crushed me to his body as he buried his face into my neck. As soon as Harry and I made contact the coffee shop erupted in even bigger applause.
He set me back down again and looked at me with a searching emerald gaze. “That was incredible.” I breathed and he moved his hand to cup my cheeks as he wiped away my tears with his thumb.
“I love you Annie.” He whispered before crashing his lips onto mine.
Two Weeks Later...
I awoke to the beautiful spring sunlight streaming through my bedroom window. I stretched my cramped limbs so that my feet peaked over the edge of my bed and my hands grazed the wall. I rolled onto my side with a huge smile plastered across my face as I picked up the white rose Harry had given me for prom. The edges if the petals were now brittle but I didn't care. It was still beautiful. I also grabbed the picture I had framed of Harry and I standing in my living room that same evening. Gosh he looked good in that tux.
In the picture, Harry had his hand wrapped protectively around my waist and my arm was wrapped around his ribcage. I was smiling at the camera normally and Harry was looking down at me with a small, proud smile. I remember taking this picture. My mom had demanded that she get a picture of the two of us before we went to the dance. Harry had instantly latched his hand onto my waist and pulled me against him. I remember him kissing the top of my head before we posed for the picture.
I hugged the picture frame to my chest and smelled the decaying rose one last time before I got out of bed. I went over to my closet and grabbed a light ivory knit sweater and some light skinny jeans. I slipped on my Keds, ran my fingers through my natural curl, and applied some light makeup before walking casually down my stairs and into the kitchen.
"Good morning honey." My mom greeted me from the stove as she made an omelet.
"Hi mama." I smiled.
She glanced up from the stove for a second with a small smile on her face. "You're unnaturally giddy this morning." She laughed.
"I'm just really happy." I smiled.
"Guys can do that." She laughed without taking her eyes off of the pan.
"Yes," I smiled again, "Yes they can."
"I'm happy for you Annie." She said.
"Thanks mom," I replied, "I'm gonna go wake Harry up now." I said and started walking towards the door.
"Have fun honey." She laughed.
I put a skip in my stride as I walked down the street to Harry's house. I knocked a couple of times and then I heard footsteps approaching the door.
"Annie!" Gemma said once she opened the door.
"Hey! Is Harry up?"
"Nope he's still crashed of course." She laughed. "You should go jump on him or something." She said deviously.
"Way ahead of you love" I chuckled as I stepped into his all too familiar home.
Gemma walked back into the living room and crashed on the couch as I walked up the stairs to Harry's room. I opened the door slowly and peered in. He was in fact crashed on his bed still. He was laying on his back with one of his arms was hanging over the edge of the bed and the other hand was folded on his bare chest. His covers looked like a tornado swirled them around. I jogged over to his bed and plopped on the foot of it.
"Whaaaa--" He said in a sleepy surprise. "What the hell--ANNIEEEE!!" He said when his emerald eyes met mine. A smile instantly occupied his face when he registered who had just disturbed his slumber. He sat up and held his arms out like he wanted to give me a hug. I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his neck as his hands snaked around my waist. As soon as I made contact with him he pulled me against his chest and pulled me on top of him as he crashed back onto his pillow. I gave a squeal of delight and surprise as I felt the corners of my mouth grow into a massive grin.
"Harry!" I squealed when he didn't release me.
"Hmm?" He asked.
I folded my hands on top of his bare chest and rested my chin on them. I looked at the sharp angles of his jawline before he lifted his head to look at me.
"Hi." He chuckled and moved one of his hands from my waist to comb his fingers through my curls. "How are you love?" He asked as he began to sit up. I moved to get off of him but he trapped me in his arms and pulled me up with him so that I was sitting on his lap, my legs to one side of him. "I don't think so missy," he laughed, "You're staying right here with me."
I wrapped my arms around his neck again and admired the darker flecks of green that flowered sporadically around his pupil.
"Come here." He whispered and moved one of his hands to the back of my neck. He pulled my lips against his and I gave a sigh of relief as the reassuring pleasure of knowing Harry is mine washed over me. He slid his hand down my back and rested on my hips. He lifted me up suddenly so that I was not straddling his hips. One of his hands went returned to the back of my neck as his other hand slid up to my lower back and crushed me harder against him. His tongue moved across my lips before he parted them and I followed his tongue with mine as he began move inside my mouth. I knotted my hands in his thick chocolate curls and pushed his lips harder onto mine until it hurt. He let out a small groan as I moved my hands down his bare toned chest and I could tell that goosebumps were rising in the wake of my hands. I felt his heart racing against his chest and I could only imagine that mine was doing the same.
"Annie." He said against my lips and I pulled my lips away from his so that there were only centimeters of distance between us. I focused on his emerald eyes as I inhaled the breath that I hadn't been able to take during our passionate kiss.
"Yeah?" I breathed. Why is he so attractive when he says my name?
"I have to ask you something." He said.
I leaned back and say in his lap while I still straddled him. I moved my hands so that they rested just below his shoulders on his chest. His hands locked behind my waist and his eyes searched my face for answers to the question he hadn't asked yet.
"What's wrong?" I asked moving a curl away from his eyes and for a second his eyes fluttered shut and then snapped open again as he returned his focus to what he was going to ask me.
"I just have to talk to you about something," He said and my heart began race with nerves. "A few weeks ago Eleanor was giving us shit and asking why we hadn't--" he paused. "You know." He finished and his eyes grew wider as he looked down.
"And?" I asked still unsure of what he was going to ask.
"Well I just want to know your thoughts on it. Because I'm fine with not doing it but we've never really talked about it." He finished and let out the breath he must have been holding.
Relief flooded over me as he gave me his thoughts on the subject that had been worrying me. "I don't feel like I need to do it in order to show you how I feel." I shrugged.
"Same here." He said with clear relief threaded into his words.
"I mean it's technically called 'Making Love' but I don't feel like it holds the same meaning anymore. Not to our generation anyway. Everyone is just overflowing with hormones so I don't think it's a good indication that they love each other." I explained more in depth than what I had told El.
He took a deep breath. "I'm really glad you said that." He smiled at me and pecked my lips with his.
"But now I have to ask you something." I said now feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"What's up babe?" He asked and my heart fluttered at his choice of words.
"El told me that before you met me you were more," I paused trying to find the right words, "Uh I don't want to say careless but--"
"--Did I sleep with other girls before I met you?" He cut me off. I nodded slowly. He took a deep breath before responding. "Yeah, I mean I wasn't the most ideal teenager out there. I went through a lot in Holmes Chapel before moving here and it got better when the guys and I started the band, but I was still depressed and unmotivated. I mean I wasn't sleeping with every girl in the school Annie but a few of them yes." He finished.
"Why is it different now?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" His eyebrows knitted into a frown and his emerald eyes began to search my face again. "I'm not gonna go sleep with someone when I'm dating you. You're too important to me and way more incredible than anyone in this damn city." He said.
I smiled and gave him a lingering kiss, pulling him harder against me before leaning back again. "I guess I just mean why don't you have the desire to do it anymore? What changed?"
He looked directly into my eyes as he said, "I met you. I don't need to anymore." He shrugged.
I kissed his lips and this time he was the one to hold me against his lips for a prolonged instant.
"Why are you so good to me?" I whispered as I rested my forehead on his.
He closed his eyes as he responded. “Because you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” He opened his eyes and looked at me with a passionate emerald gaze. “I love you.” He breathed.
I felt the corners of my mouth twitch into a smile. “I love you too Harry.” He tilted his chin up to meet my lips and slid his hand up my back so that his fingers curled through my hair.
“I have to go rehearse with the guys for the gig today. You’re coming right?” He asked when he pulled away.
I rolled my eyes. “Of course I’m coming dork.” I laughed and pressed my lips against his again before I lifted myself off of his lap and stepped onto the floor. I looked back at him from where he sat in nothing but his boxers and he was looking at me with a small smile. “What?” I laughed.
“You’re gorgeous.” He breathed and threw the remainder of his covers off of him and walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of black skinny jeans.
I ran up behind him after he had finished putting on his pants and snaked my hands around his stomach so my fingers glided over his toned abdomen. His hands rested on top of mine as I kissed his shoulder blade and laid my cheek on his shoulder. He turned his head to look at me, and he had the most joyful dimpled grin plastered on his face.
I kissed his shoulder again and turned around to walk away. “Okay I’m going to go. I’ll see you at the gig.” I said. I heard rushed footsteps behind me before I felt two hands snake around my waist. Harry buried his face in my neck as he crushed me against him. I turned around in his arms and locked my hands behind his neck as I pulled his lips onto mine and enjoyed the artificial cherry flavor as it seeped into my mouth. I pulled away and walked toward his door. “I love you.” I said before closing the door behind me.
I jogged into the coffee shop that the guys would be playing at and spotted him and the rest of them setting up their equipment by the small stage. I ran up to Harry and threw my arms around his neck as I crashed my lips into his.
“You’re here!” He said with delight against my lips.
“Yeah and I just needed to say hi. So hi.” I laughed.
“Stop being so damn cute.” He laughed and hugged me closer to him.
I giggled and kissed him again. “I’m going to go get a cappuccino.” I said and he released me from his grasp. I ran over to the line that Eleanor and Perrie were standing in.
“You guys are so fucking cute.” Perrie laughed when I got up to them.
“Yeah seriously. It’s adorable.” El nudged me and I could feel my cheeks turn pink as I turned to look at Harry. He was lifting something above his head so his V-line was showing causing my cheeks to turn even redder. We ordered our drinks and went to sit by Dani and Lizzie. They already had their drinks.
“So this is your first gig Lizzie?” I asked as I sat down at a stool and Eleanor and Perrie quickly occupied the stools on either side of me.
She nodded vigorously. “Yeah I’ve never heard them sing before. I’m incredibly excited.”
“You should be. They’re incredible.” I smiled.
“Yeah they are, but the fact that your man has written you two songs and performed them for you helps too.” Perrie laughed and nudged me as I shrugged. Can’t argue with that. The guys settled themselves in front of their mics and tested them quietly. Then Liam got the coffee shop’s attention.
“Hey guys! We’re One Direction. Thank you very much for having us.” Liam said and he was greeted with a pitiful amount of applause, which instantly made me a bit irritated. “The first song we’re going to do is called “Strong.” Enjoy.”
They settled themselves again as the music started. Zayn started with a gentle melody and the coffee shop instantly became silent. Liam sang after Zayn with the same delicate dynamic as Zayn. The chorus sounded with Harry singing and my heart instantly melted as the words washed over me. Louis started to sing with the same gentle feel that Liam and Zayn had sung. Harry started to sing the chorus again and I rested my elbow on the table and my chin in my hand and let Harry’s angelic voice wash over me. Zayn sang after Harry was finished with the chorus with incredible power and control that gave me chills. Goddamn these guys are good at what they do. Niall began to sing with an even more delicate sound than what the rest of the guys had sung and I could feel the atmosphere of the coffee shop become mesmerized by the angelic sounds of the five guys that occupied the stage. Harry started singing the chorus again and I immediately melted into goo again and a smile perked at the corners of my mouth. Harry’s voice makes me die let’s be honest. It’s just so incredibly beautiful. The song concluded and the coffee shop erupted with applause and I immediately felt better. Yeah that’s the reaction they deserve. I was so proud of them.
Louis cleared his throat and leaned toward his microphone again. “Thank you. Again that was “Strong.” And now we’re going to be doing a song written by this chap right here.” He said as he clapped a hand on Harry’s shoulder. My heart immediately skipped a beat.
“So I have a little story to tell you before we play this song,” Harry said clearing his throat and focusing his attention on me. “About a month ago, I was in a serious accident where I was in a coma for a very long time. I almost died,” The shop got quiet, “When I woke up I couldn’t remember anything that had happened to me in the past few months. This was devastating because I actually forgot who my best friend and my love was.” I felt tears rim my eyes, as the memories and pain washed back over me like water.
Perrie nudged me, “Okay when your man writes you three songs.” She laughed and I chuckled with her.
“She did everything she could to get me to remember her and then suddenly when I listened to a different song that I wrote for her I remembered her clearly and everything came back to me.” There was a chorus of “aws” in the shop. Harry lifted his index finger and pointed directly at me, “That girl right there is everything to me and I would be so lost if she hadn’t done what she did to get me to remember.” He replied and his voice cracked a little. I felt a few strangers turn to look at me with admirable smiles as Harry continued. “So without further adieu, this song is called, “Don’t Forget Where You Belong.” I love you Annie this one’s for you.” He finished and settled himself in his stool again as my heart skipped a beat. Gosh I love this guy…
The music started and it was so gentle. Then Liam started to sing, “Been a lot of places. I’ve been all around the world. Seen a lot of faces. Never knowing where I was.” My heart melted instantly as I remembered how lost and confused Harry was as he tried to remember the life he had before the accident. Liam continued by singing, “On the horizon. Oh well I know, I know, I know, I know the sun will be rising back home.”
Niall started to sing, “Living out of cases. Packing up and taking off. Made a lot of changes, but not forgetting who I was. On the horizon. Oh well I know, I know, I know, I know the moon will be rising back home.”
The chorus started and I could distinguish Harry’s voice threaded in with the other four guys as they sang, “Don’t forget where you belong—home. Don’t forget where you belong—home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own. And the proof is in this song.” I felt tears stream down my cheeks as the meaning of the words washed over me. I’m here for you baby. I love you Harry.
My heart stopped as Harry started singing, “I’ve been away for age, but I’ve got everything I need.” I tried to stifle the sobs that escaped my mouth as I thought of the conversation Harry and I had that morning about how he wasn’t himself when he got to Holmes Chapel and I was the best thing that ever happened to him. “I’m flicking through the pages I’ve written in my memory.” I almost laughed at the pure genius of his word choice. Every picture in the scrapbook went through my mind and a huge grin spread across my face. “I feel like I’m dreaming. Oh so I know, I know, I know, I know that I’m never leaving. No, I won’t go.” I started crying even harder as he described his surreal like feelings he has when he’s with me. Oh Harry…
The chorus started again and like before I picked Harry’s voice out, “Don’t forget where you belong—home. Don’t forget where you belong—home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own and the proof is in this song.”
Louis started to sing, “Lights off when they should be on. Even stars in the skies, they’re wrong.” Zayn started to sing, “Short days when the nights are long when I think of the things I’ve done. Don’t matter how far I’ve gone—I’m always feeling at home.”
Most of the music cut out and the guys started stomping their feet and clapping their hands. The crowd in the coffee shop mimicked their gestures as they sang, “Don’t forget where you belong—home. Don’t forget where you belong—home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own. Never, never never.”
They continued, “Don’t forget where you belong—home. Don’t forget where you belong—home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own and the proof is in this song. Home.” Niall sang, “Don’t forget it.” And they continued, “Home. If you ever feel alone—don’t. You were never on your own”
Liam sang, “And the proof is in this song. Never forget it.” Zayn sung, “Don’t forget it.” Liam continued, “No, I never forget it. This song.” And Zayn concluded, “You were never…” The sound diminished and the coffee shop erupted with wild cheers.
The guys stood up and took a bow then everyone but Harry sat down so he could be recognized for writing the beautiful masterpiece that we had just heard. I gave into my temptation and bolted to the stage. Harry spotted me immediately and he jumped off of it to greet me. I threw my arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around my waist as he lifted me into the air and spun me around. He crushed me to his body as he buried his face into my neck. As soon as Harry and I made contact the coffee shop erupted in even bigger applause.
He set me back down again and looked at me with a searching emerald gaze. “That was incredible.” I breathed and he moved his hand to cup my cheeks as he wiped away my tears with his thumb.
“I love you Annie.” He whispered before crashing his lips onto mine.
Notes
Hey guys!(: How is everyone? Thanks for commenting where you're all from! It's so amazing to know that I'm connecting with people from all over the world. In case any of you were wondering I am from the USA(:
I just wanted to let you guys know that Chapter 50 will be the last chapter of Half a Heart. I can't believe it's almost done O.o I have some ideas flowing so I'm just gonna say don't worry <3 I'll be giving you more details later.
Okay perhaps you have seen or heard of the "One Direction FanFiction Awards"? It would mean the absolute world to me if you guys could either nominate me or this story and for me/it. It...I can't even describe how incredible that would be <3
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~JoseyWhite
Chapter 22 is my fav chapter!!
11/9/16