Chapter 20

                                    

                                          
Ophelia's POV
                          
I feel embarrassed.
                          
I didn't mean to break down like that in front of Harry, but it all just got to be too fucking much. 
                          
The frustration I felt surrounding my encounter with both Denver and Harry that night all came rushing back to me when I saw Harry at my front door. I was surprised it took me so long to actually break. 
                          
A new record.
                          
The comfort I felt from Harry's touch when I was in a puddle of tears made me even sadder, it just reminded me of how good he was to me when he wasn't being an annoying asshole.
                          
There was no doubt that I was absolutely fucking pissed when he arrived at my place, but I couldn't say that I wasn't expecting to see him. 
                          
Jenna had called me and told me that he had talked to her. She said that he was a complete nervous wreck when he approached her, so I wasn't expecting him to come over this quickly. 
                          
It's amazing how fast he moves when he's not avoiding me.
                          
Seeing how desperate he was to explain himself at the door made my defensive facade falter. I couldn't help but to let him inside. 
                          
Harry has managed to somehow weasel his way into having me develop a soft spot for him, which is dangerous.
                          
Denver made me realize that I'm a major people pleaser, desperate to do anything to keep those around me close to me. 
                          
I've also quickly come to realize that a combination of that and having a soft spot for someone, is just a fucking recipe for disaster.
                          
I like to think that I've gotten better over time at not always putting others above myself and what I want, but sometimes I just can't help it, especially when you're someone I've come to really care for. 
                          
I tell myself that I've gotten better but then I do things like say I'll go home for Christmas despite my unwillingness to do so, just because my mom wants me there, just to please her.
                          
Oh well, you win some you lose some.
                          
My growing soft spot for Harry freaks me out a bit because when I had one for Denver, and he realized it, he made sure to manipulate the fuck out of it. 
                          
I know Harry wouldn't do that, but it doesn't make me any less scared. I let my guard down too easily with him, but I really couldn't help it.
                          
He's the first guy I've let stick around since Denver, and he pulled me in with the way he treated me.
                          
Except for when he unexpectedly vanished, fuck that.
                          
My love language is physical touch, so Harry's knee squeezes, head kisses, and back rubs weakened my defensive shield, which was very fucking solid until he came along.
                          
Bastard. 
                          
I know Harry felt very fucking bad for how he treated me, and I think I conveyed to him well enough how hurt I was from it. 
                          
I knew it was a bit of a low blow to accuse him of being careless in protecting Niall by letting us go to Vulture, but it was something I said in the heat of the moment.
                          
Him letting me read Denver's text was a step in the right direction, but I wish I didn't fucking see the other text's he sent Harry though. 
                          
Of course he was harassing Harry, whether it was just to piss him off or deter him from me I didn't know, but I really hope it didn't start to affect the way Harry looked at me.