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SAY SOMETHING

Chapter 5

I walked glumly back up the stairs to my apartment. As soon as I clicked the door behind me I rested my hand on the cool surface of the wood. My hand fisted as I scrunched my eyes shut in my desperate attempt to stifle the sobs that were eager to come out. I released the tension in my hand as I opened my eyes and tears poured down my cheeks. I turned around so that my back was on the door. I slid down it slowly and collapsed onto the floor. I folded my knees into my chest and put my face in my hands as I finally let the sobs escape my mouth. My stomach started to churn and I soon felt nauseous.

"H—Harry." I whimpered into my hands. My hand flew to my stomach as it continued to make me feel sick.

When I collected myself as best I could I shuffled over to the kitchen table so I could shut down my computer. I glanced out the window at the orange, pink, and purple sky as the sun was setting. The Hollywood sign looked more yellow-orange than white.

After Harry and I split up I moved back to LA. I wouldn't be able to live in the same city as him for fear of casually running into him on a random trip to the grocery store. Truth is, I'm hiding. I'm trying desperately to hide the pain that still holds my heart. I had to move to LA so I could let go of the life I once held so closely to my heart.

The Next Day...

I glanced around my gallery. For once there was actually more than one person in there at a time.

"Oh Annie, these are lovely!" Mrs. Duncan noted as she admired my watercolor paintings.

I felt my cheeks flush. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."

"I'm telling you sweetheart. It's only a matter of time before you become known across the world for these. Just beautiful."

"Thank you Mrs. Duncan." I laughed from behind the front counter.

She glanced at her watch and he eyes grew wide. "Oh my is that the time?! Oh shoot! I really must be going Annie. Marvelous job as usual my dear." She said as she began to waddle toward the door.

"Have a nice day!!" I glanced around the gallery and my shoulders slumped as I realized that the one other person that had been in my shop was already gone.

"Dammit." I mumbled and scooted out from around the front desk.

I walked into the back room where Carlton was standing admiring her work.

"That's beautiful Carlton!" I exclaimed.

"Oh Annie! Thank you so much! That means so much to me coming from you." She said and gave me a refulgent smile.

"How many paintings do you have done?" I asked as I wiped a strand of hair away from my face. I glanced at my hand and saw paint on it. Shit I just got paint on my face... Oh well...

"Seven." She smiled.

"Well I think it's time we make room for you on the wall." I said simply.

She whirled her head to face me and her smile grew even larger. "Are you serious?" She giggled. I nodded with a proud smile. "Shut up shut UP!!" She screamed and threw her arms around me in a crushing embrace.

"Whoa." I said in surprise but didn't push her away. I heard the bell ring out in the gallery as an indication that someone had walked in. "Can you go see to that person Carlton? There's something I needed to do in here." I smiled.

"Of course!" She skipped through the doorway out to the gallery.

I walked over to the paint selection and grabbed my clipboard so I could check off what colors we were running low on. I grabbed a few bottles and ignored the paint that always tinted my hands from doing this chore.

"Holy shit." I heard Carlton breathe. I lifted my head and I was about to ask her what was wrong when she said, "Y—You’re—You’re H—Harry Styles!" She squealed.

I dropped the paint bottle I'd been holding onto the floor and teal paint splattered all over my shoes and the bottom of my apron. I felt my eyes grow wide and my heart began to hammer painfully against my chest. My vision became blotchy as I bent to pick up the bottle I had dropped. He couldn't really be here could he? My breaths were coming out short and raspy as I registered that Harry was standing only 20 feet away from me. My stomach began to churn even worse than it had last night. Why would he be here? He doesn’t even know that I moved back to L.A.

"Oh no." I heard Carlton's flirtatious nervous laugh. "I'm not the owner. She's in the back room I'll get her."

Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit.....

"Hey Annie!" Carlton hissed. "You're never going to believe—“

"Harry Styles." I said and was immediately frustrated with the way my voice quivered. She nodded excitedly and I nodded back but I felt like I was going to throw up.

"He asked for the owner." She whispered. I nodded because I couldn't speak around the knot in my throat. "I told you you were a Directioner." She giggled and I shot her a glare that instantly shut her up.

I took a deep breath and walked slowly to the doorway. When I saw him I immediately felt tears rim my eyes and my heart pound against my ribcage even harder. His back was to me but it was easy knowing that it was him. He was admiring a painting of a snow and ice covered beach... The one he had taken me to... Shit...

He looked different from the last time I saw him. His curls weren't as long and he had taken to pushing them into a quiff on top of his head. His hands were crammed in his pockets as he leaned closer to the painting of the ice-covered beach.

"This is her Harry." Carlton said proudly as she squeezed around me. I felt my stomach lurch as he began to turn around.

"Thank—Annie?" He whispered the question as his piercing emerald gaze, which I hadn't seen in person for a couple years, searched my face to make sure that it was actually me. I couldn't answer. I just felt my eyes growing wider and my fists clenching harder so that my knuckles were white.

We stayed there and stared at each other for what felt like several minutes but I knew it was seconds. Carlton looked from Harry to me and back again. She extended her index finger and began pointing at both of us.

"Am I missing something here?" She asked but I still couldn't speak for fear that I would burst into tears.

Just then the bell above the door sounded and an all too familiar voice sounded.

"Harry, we seriously don't have time—holy shit! Annie!?" I tore my gaze off of Harry's and saw Niall standing close to the doorway. I let out a small gasp that was honestly more like a whimper. "Holy shit it is you!" He turned around and leaned his head out the front door. "Guys you're never going to believe who's here!" He shouted

No Niall. No don't bring them all here. You're only going to make this harder.

The rest of the boys filed into the gallery and I heard Carlton gasp next to me. Harry's eyes hadn't left mine yet.

"Annie!!" Louis yelled. The rest of the lads joined in yelling my name with delight. It took them a couple seconds to realize that Harry and I were in an unofficial staring contest. The amount of pressure and emotion that built inside of me was too much and I finally let a couple tears slide down my cheeks.

"Annie." Harry breathed and he finally left his statue like state to take a couple steps closer to me but he stopped as soon as he saw me flinch away from him.

"What the hell?!" Carlton screamed and everyone stopped what they were doing to register that she was in the room. "Annie, you know them personally?" She asked and I could only nod, not able to pull my gaze off of Harry. "Why the hell didn't you tell me!" I finally tore my gaze off of him and looked at her so she could see the hurt in my eyes and my tear stained cheeks. She stopped talking immediately. "Annie I—“ she stuttered but I shook my head to get her to stop talking.

I looked up to the ceiling as more tears slid down my cheeks and then I looked down at the floor with my eyes squinted shut, my head still shaking because I just wanted all of this to go away. I brought my index finger and my thumb up to pinch the bridge of my nose to release the tension that was growing but it didn't help at all. I let my hand fall to my side as I looked up to glance at Harry again.

I wanted him to see me like this. I wanted him to see how much of a mess I was. I wanted him to see how much he affected me. I wanted him to see what he does to me.

As soon as our eyes met I saw the concern and pain threaded into his emerald stare. He looked upset and disappointed.... Good... I shook my head at him and then turned around so I could go to my studio. I needed to paint... I needed to clear my mind....

"Annie? Wait. Please." I heard Harry croak.