Chapter 38 – Harry’s P.O.V.

            Valerie was crying. Tears were soaking her pale cheeks and I could feel my eyes gloss over as I watched her, unsure of what to do. I’d love to bring her on the tour, but with her being hooked up to an oxygen machine, it’s kind of impossible to do so. Maybe when she gets out, I can send her a plane ticket or something.

            My mind was still whirling around the fact that I fell in love within two weeks. It’s unbelievable, honestly, but maybe that whole “love at first sight” shit does have some truth to it. I don’t believe you can fall in love with just a quick glance at a girl, but I now believe that love can develop quicker than you plan. But Valerie and I have spent literally every day together, and with management having plans up their sleeves, we’ve been through quite a lot already.

            “This isn’t forever,” I assured her as I kissed her forehead.

            Valerie sniffed, mustering a weak smile through the oxygen mask. “I really don’t even know why I’m crying.”

            “What do you mean?”

            “I don’t know if I’m crying because I met you, because I’m dating you, or because you’re leaving. Maybe all three,” she practically whispered.

            I smiled, brushing her hair off her forehead and tucking it behind her ear. “Don’t cry, love. I have a surprise for you, by the way.”

            Valerie’s eyebrows furrowed together as she watched me lace our fingers, securely locking our hands. I didn’t want to let go, but right now I didn’t have to. The time would come shortly, but that time wasn’t now. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a tape recorder and a folded piece of paper. Valerie’s eyebrows frowned further as she looked up at me, clearly confused.

            “Remember that song I was writing for you?” I said as I set the objects on her bedside table. The lads were waiting outside the door, so I had to be quick, as much as I really wanted to stay.

            Valerie nodded.

            A blush crept onto my cheeks as I sheepishly smiled, shrugging slightly. “Well, I recorded a couple more on there for you. It’s just my vocals, though, so I hope you don’t mind. I just thought if you wanted to hear the official version, you could just go buy the album when it comes out.”

            Valerie grinned. “Really?”

            I nodded.

            “Thank you,” she said as she struggled to sit up and hug me.

            “Anything for you,” I replied as I tightened my grip, the fear to let go biting me.

            Letting Valerie go took a lot of effort, especially since she was lying in a hospital bed with a serious heart condition. Anything could go wrong and she could disappear away from me at any moment. I didn’t want to think like that, but I couldn’t help it. What if she’s gone by the time the tour is over? What if she’s gone as soon as I leave the building? I don’t want to lose her in only two weeks. That would be cruel, heartbreaking, and a sick and twisted world trick. It just can’t happen.

            Valerie and I stared at each other a few moments, as if trying to remember what each other looked like in this moment. I didn’t want the only and possibly last image of her being in the hospital in my head. I hated seeing that mask on her, those IVs jammed into her arms. But if it was keeping my girl alive, so be it.

            “I love you,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to hers and closing my eyes. I needed to remember her scent, her touch. I need to remember her, and I knew I’d have no problem in doing so.

            “I love you,” she repeated, a smile tugging at her lips. “Not just the famous you, either.”

            I chuckled. “Isn’t that a relief?”

            Most of the time, I’d push girls away for this specific reason; in case someone were using me. But I know Valerie more than I should in a matter of two weeks, and I know she’s not like that. The girl really does love me for me and that’s all I’ve ever asked for. Finding love is difficult in this business, truthfully. You don’t know who to trust and normally when a girl says she’s interested in you, she just wants the bragging rights to say she dated or had sex with Harry Styles. I don’t see the big accomplishment in that, but I guess I don’t understand how a lot of females work.

            “Now go out and buy me a huge diamond ring and a private jet,” Valerie teased, earning another laugh from me.

            “I’m on it, princess.”

            Valerie giggled as I kissed her nose (well, the oxygen mask), then her forehead, cheeks, and finally her lips. I’m going to miss the way our lips mold together, but I know this won’t be the last time. It can’t be. I’m going to kiss these soft lips again. I’m going to see this gorgeous girl again. I’m not letting her go, not even if she lets me go.

            The kiss was gentle, but passionate all the same. You could feel the love between our lips moving smoothly together, the tingly feeling in the pit of my stomach growing wilder the longer the kiss lasted. I didn’t mind the duration of two minutes with this tender kiss, simply because I didn’t want to leave her. But I knew if I tried to stay extra, Valerie would beat the shit out of me for not starting the tour on time. It’s just who she is, honestly, but I’m glad she understands my hectic schedule.

            We repeated our “I love yous” as I finally (and unwillingly) broke the kiss, connecting our foreheads once more. I couldn’t help but to place kisses all over her face, just to reassure myself that she was still here, that she’d always be here. She’ll wait for me, just like I’ll wait for her. I’ll come back and we’ll finally be together again, no management in the way next time.

            A knock came at the door. “Styles, hurry it up in there!” I heard Niall’s voice holler.

            Groaning, I planted a kiss on Valerie’s lips once more. “I’ll be back, I promise,” I assured her for the thousandth time today.

            Valerie smiled, nodding once as her eyes watered once more. Forcing myself to stand, I pushed away the feeling to sit back down and kiss her all over again. I had to pull myself together, dammit. What happened to the hard rock I was two weeks ago? Oh, right. Valerie diminished that cold side of me.

            With one little sad wave, I exited the room. I didn’t want to see Valerie crying any more, but I also didn’t want to be the reason for her tears. Stepping outside the door was like stepping into a world ages away from her. I hated the distant feeling.

            Louis patted my shoulder. “You’ll be together again, yeah?”

            Mustering the best smile I could, I nodded, even with the small hope inside of me fading with every step we took away from her door. “Yeah,” was all I could say.

           And then just like that, we were gone, almost like we never came.

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A/N: Omg, guys, this is the LAST chapter of this book c; So... should I do a sequel? If I get enough votes for a yes, then I'll take it into consideration. Thank you so much for supporting this book, and if I do end up making a sequel, I hope you enjoy that one all the same(: Love you all xx

**dedicated to @TaylorSwifty for making this one of her favorite books! Thank you soo much <3

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