Which Direction? Chapter 29

<<Chapter 28

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The impact of the water rushed up to bubble around my body. I felt my arms and legs go cold as I felt the adrenaline rush pump inside of me. 

Not long after, I felt the wave of someone beside me. Underwater, I looked to my left seeing Harry. His eyes were squeezed tight as he sunk, smiling. His boxers clung to his thighs causing me to blush. I made my way above the water, breathing heavily. 

His curly hair popped up beside me moments later. His eyes made contact with mine for a split second before his strong hands swooped in to lift me up. I wasn't the skinniest of girls, I was pretty built yet his arms easily lifted me above his head. 

I bit down on my lower lip to muffle a squeal. He spun me around a few times, making my surroundings a whirl of color. I laughed as he lowered me down slowly only to throw me back down into the water. 

I smiled. I swam around his legs, as he spun around confused. I nearly laughed underwater at his confusion. At the perfect moment, I sprung up tackling him on the back. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, my legs straddling his hips from behind. 

His hair was dank and soaking, yet looked hotter than ever. I was taken back when his hands threw back behind him, heading straight for my sides. His fingers tickled my torso causing me to flail back, letting go of him. But before I could fall right back into the water, he spun quickly around, catching my fall. I exhaled, staring into his eyes.

His long arms held me close, my toes brushing against his own, underwater. He brought his face close to mine, his forehead resting against my own. He smiled. A wide smile. The same smile I fell for the very first time I saw him. 

I closed my eyes, connecting my hand to the back of his neck. This is what living is all about. Finding someone who makes you laugh, doing wild things, the adrenaline. 

And in that moment, everything sort of stopped. The world around me stopped taunting me, it stopped reminding every second of my past. The memories that have been haunting me, glued to the back of my mind for the past 10 years suddenly stopped. I realized something pretty scary right then. I realized that I would go through all of it again, to be here with Harry right now. I would take it all again, to be with him. 

I could tell his eyes were watching me intently. Watching the world suddenly lift off my shoulders. He knew what I was thinking, I was sure of it. My questions were answered when his lips touched mine. At first it was gentle, unsure. But then my hands wrapped in his curls, the way my eyes fluttered shut, the touch of his chest against mine, told him it was okay. 

We stayed there for seconds, wrapped in each others embrace, kissing the night away. The mix of the pool water and his breath, made me weak. He pulled away, his eyes still closed. 

"Thank you," he whispered quietly. The pool around us sparkled with anticipation. 

"For what?" my voice quiet and cracked. 

"For letting myself fall," he took a deep breath, "for you." My hand found his hand beneath the water, entwining it to his immediately. "I never thought I would feel this way. I never let myself feel this way." 

"W--why not?" My question was answered by him leading me to the edge of the pool. He flawlessly lifted me up, sitting me down on the hard edge. He climbed up next to me, rustling his hair between his hands. 

"Because isn't it just easier not to..." he paused, "...feel?" 

I dangled my feet against the silent pool water, "Harry trust me. I've tried that. I've tried shutting off all my emotions. I know what it feels like. To feel like nothing good is ever coming your way. But feeling is what makes you human." 

I knew his story and mine were different. I was trying to shut out fear he was trying to shut out love. 

"I told myself I would never get attached. Because getting attached always causes problems...someone always gets hurt," I knew what was coming next, "And I really don't want anything to happen." 

He was talking about us. He didn't want anything to come between us. 

"I know I sound ridiculous, but I have never felt this way about anyone before. It sounds cliche but you're different Chelsea. And I want this to last." 

I wanted to say that I feel the exact same way. I wanted to say that the last thing I want to happen is for something to happen to this. I wanted to say that no matter what I'll always feel this way about him.

But instead I said, "I know Harry, I know," before I connected my lips to his for the last time that night. 

...

Before Mr. Malik started, I sat next to Niall and Riley who were deep into conversation. They were looking at each other with those flirtatious eyes. I smiled. 

The english lecture was far more interesting than anything Mr. Eads had to say. I loved this class, it was so...inspiring. 

The way Mr. Malik made words come alive never failed to amaze me. He read us some of his own work hoping to "inspire us to write more". 

I went up to him at the end of class, once everybody left. 

"Mr. Malik?"

"Hey Chelsea," he stopped packing his things and looked up at me. 

"Can you teach me to write like that?" I asked. I never realized how much I enjoyed English. I guess I was just never really that exposed to it. 

"Of course," he smiled, "But trust me. Your writing is already pretty great. I don't know how much I can help you with." I blushed. "But what do you say you meet me in my office at 3 and we can come up with something for the school newspaper." 

Oh yeah. The school newspaper. He wanted me to write for it. 

"I'm in." 

"You're in to meet me in my office or to join the school newspaper?" he laughed, his dark features elating. 

"Both." 

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inbox me if you want to see chapter 30 :)

hey guys so i realized that i never thanked you for getting me to 2.9K followers...THATS AMAZING OMG im not trying to brag in anyway i just wanted to thank all of you for reading my preferences and fanfics and for sticking by me all this time :)

theres many times where i just wasnt feeling like writing anymore and had no inspiration but you guys pushed me to keep going. so for that i just want to give all of you a giant hug :)