The One That Will Always Be Chapter 5

Harry had quickly fallen asleep again, leaving me to stare up at the ceiling and think some more. My mind drifted off to the day of his audition. That day had been nerve-racking for the both of us- he'd been practicing so much and I wanted him to get through so badly. It would have made his dreams come true. And when he'd called me, after his audition, telling me he'd gotten through, I had no idea that one audition would change our lives forever.

It was two weeks later and i sat in the park, anxiously awaiting Harry's call. He'd left for the X-Factor audition early in the morning and had told me he'd call once he'd finished. He knew that song and he sang it fantastically. He was going to kill it.

I'd sat with him at his house for hours over those two weeks, helping him perfect that song. Not like he didn't already sing it well, like I said, but he wanted to make sure it was X-Factor ready. I'd never seen him so serious in our entire relationship.

Fighting back a yawn, I looked down at my watch. I'd been so nervous I'd hardly slept. It was 3:00 now. He should have been done by now, right?

What if he hadn't made it? What if he was waiting to give me the bad news in person? Terrible outcomes raced through my mind.

Suddenly, I felt my phone vibrate in my hand. Looking down at the caller ID, I felt my heart hammer against my chest. It was Harry.

"Harry? How'd it go? Did you make it? Please tell me you made it." I said in one big rush.

I heard him laugh on the other end. "Hello to you too love."

"Harry," I said, "C'mon. Answer the question."

"Well..."

"I don't like how you are starting that sentence." I cut in. I wanted him to just spit it out already.

"I did it Taylor. I made it."

"WHAT?" I screamed, jumping up. People around me turned and shot me weird looks, but i didn't care.

"I made it Taylor. I'm moving on." he said. I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Harry, that's amazing! I knew you could do it. I'm so proud of you." I gushed. I couldn't stop smiling. He'd done it. He'd really done it.

"Thanks," he said.

I was so full of questions now. "What now Harry? What happens next?"

"I head off to Bootcamp next. Where we do more performances and perfect what we can do."

"Sounds fun. When is that?" I asked.

There was silence on the other end and I had a bad feeling that I wouldn't like his answer. "Harry?

"I leave in three days." Harry said.

"Three days? That's so soon though."

"They have to prepare us for the live shows. The sooner the better." Harry replied.

I sighed. "Okay. I understand."

There was static and then I heard Harry say "Hey, I'm losing you, okay? Wanna meet at Lulu's for ice cream when I get back?"

"Sure," I said, "Sounds good."

"Alright. See you soon. Love you."

"Love you too."

Both of us sat on the front steps of Lulu's, sipping our milkshakes and staring up at the sky. It was beautiful night, cloudless, and you could see all the stars.

"I can't believe you're leaving so soon." I said, leaning back on my hands.

"Yeah, it's crazy, isn't it? But I won't be gone that long." Harry said.

I looked at him and shook my head. "Yes you will. You're going to be gone this entire competition. You're going to make it to the very end and you're going to win this thing. Because you're amazing Harry and everyone is going to love you. I know it."

"I'd like to hope so. I'd like to hope everyone will be voting for me." Harry said. I could start to hear the nervousness in his voice.

Reaching over, I grabbed his free hand and smiled. "You'll always have my vote."

Harry smiled at me and then kissed my hand, kissed all five of my fingers and then my wrist. His lips felt warm against my skin. I'd definitely miss this when he left.

But I'd miss more than that. I'd just miss him. The crazy, funny, sweet Harry. I'd miss being able to talk to him whenever I wanted to. I'd miss being able to see him whenever I wanted, instead of waiting until the next X-Factor episode came on.

Pulling me closer to him, he said softly "Don't worry, okay? Nothing's going to change." It was like he was reading my mind.

"I'm not worried," I lied.

"Right. Whatever you say." he said with a cheeky smile.

Rolling my eyes, I touched my forehead to his cheek. "Fine. I'm a little nervous. But I know it's going to be fine. You'll be fine. I'll be fine. I trust you Harry." Then, teasingly, I said "Just don't fall in love with any girls while you're there."

Smiling- this time a real smile, showing off his beautiful dimples- Harry said "Why would I be doing that when I've got you waiting for me back here?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. You might find some stunning blonde and go 'God, she's gorgeous!' and run off with her, leaving me here. Alone." I pouted.

Harry laughed and kissed me. He kissed me for a long time before saying "You're a freak. That'll never happen. Promise." He then stood up and tossed his empty cup into the trash. "C'mon. I gotta get you home."

I followed suit, tossing my cup. Reaching out, I grabbed his hand, feeling his warm fingers wrap around my own. I felt shivers run down my spine.

"You want to come over tomorrow to help me pack?" Harry asked as we walked.

"I'll have to ask my dad, but I'm sure it'll be fine." I said.

Squeezing my hand, Harry and I continued our walk and silence. But it wasn't awkward or anything. It was comfortable. A comfortable silence.

When we reached my doorstep, Harry bent down and kissed me again. He slid his arms around my waist and pulled me close while I wrapped my arms around my neck.

It felt like we'd been kissing forever when the front door opened, revealing my dad in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. "Alright love birds," he said.

Breaking the kiss, I felt my cheeks heat up. Harry, however, didn't miss a beat. "Hello sir. Just making sure your beautiful daughter got home safely."

My dad smiled. "Thank you Harry. Come on Taylor."

I rolled my eyes and stood up on my tiptoes, kissing Harry's cheek. "Good night Harry. I love you."

"Love you too." Harry said. Then, causally waving to my dad, started down the steps, sliding his hands into the pockets of his pants.

Stepping inside, I turned around and started to shut the door. Peaking outside once more, I saw Harry standing at the end of our yard. He smiled cheekily at me, waved, and then started down the empty street.

"Taylor," my dad called from the kitchen.

"Coming," I said. I then shut the door and headed into the house.