Chapter 72

Harry's POV

We got home about an hour ago, Louis insisted I rest. Is he freaking kidding me? I've been in the hospital for like ten days, the last thing I need is rest. I tried to talk him out of it but he wouldn't hear of it so here we are laying in bed watching a movie. Louis fell asleep about twenty minutes ago he's so cute, he's wearing one of my sweat shirts and a pair of boxers while curled up hugging the blankets. His mouth is hanging open and he's snoring, It's down right adorable.

I know Louis hates it when I do this but I couldn't help it. I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture, or two or three.

I went on Instagram and chose my favorite picture of the three, I tagged Louis and then captioned it "Lou is so adorable when he's sleeping" lame caption but it's true. I hit post and smiled to myself. He'll hate me for it but it was worth it.

He must be so tired though, he's been rushing around and doing everything in his power to make sure I'm happy. He stayed at the hospital many times, he'd come and sit with me or read to me. He was always upset when he had to leave, as was I. He'd give me a kiss and whisper 'I love you' then he'd wave and head for the door. He's too sweet, I don't deserve him.

I've never been so in love before, and to know he loves me back makes it one thousand times better. He's so amazing and wonderful, I couldn't ask for anything more. He's all I need.

I've been 'resting' for almost an hour now and I'm bored out of my mind. Louis's still sleeping so I have no one to talk to. Seth keeps texting me and it's bugging me, yes I want to help his brother but it's Edward we're talking about. The guy who wanted me dead, probably still does. Why should I help him? I guess it's just the right thing to do....I have to admit I am a bit worried...no, worried doesn't even begin to describe it. More like terrified. He's physically hurt me twice, he's bullied me, called me names made fun of every flaw I have. I'm only human, I can't be perfect, even though Louis keeps saying I am, but I'm NOT.

Seth just texted me and told me, begged me, to go talk to Edward. Before I could stop myself I had agreed to go over...right now....

I got sighed deeply and got up, careful not to wake Louis. I pulled on a sweater and grabbed my keys and phone. I tiptoed out of the bedroom and quietly shut the door. I walked down the hall and into the living room, I grabbed my jacket out of the closet and headed out the door.

~~A while later~~

I pulled up in front of Edward's house. Seth gave me the address and told me to call him if anything went wrong. As if he even had to tell me that.

I parked my car and stepped out onto the sidewalk. I walked up the narrow drive way and stopped a moment to look at his house. It was actually quite big, unlike I'd expected. It was built out of red-brown brick, it was about two stories and there were three or four windows on the second floor, probably where their bedrooms were. There was small metal black fence around the front of the house.

I opened the gate and wandered up the path to the porch, I walked up the steps and stood in front of the door. I took a deep breath and rang the door bell. No one answered. I rang it again and sighed. I leaned over and peeked through the front window, to my disappointment I couldn't see through the dark curtains.

Still, no one had answered. I have to admit I was getting a bit frustrated. I drove all the way over here and no one seems to be home.

I was about to knock on the door when I heard yelling and swift footsteps approaching.

I backed up and put my hands in my pockets.

The door swung open and Edward poked his head out.

He stared at me, almost in shock it seemed "what are you doing here?" He sneered, leaning his head against the frame.

Ok, this is it...I'll just tell him and get it over with.

"Well....I..your brother wanted me to talk to you..."

"Oh yeah? Well he's a bastard. Get off my porch, fag. Leave me alone"

He went to slam the door but I put my foot in front of the frame, stopping him.

"I-I'm...I won't leave until you talk to me."

"You wanna play that game do you? I'm giving you ten seconds to get the hell out of my face or I'll hurt you"

"No."

He stared at me blinking, as if I wasn't the same guy he'd been pushing around, I don't think he's used to people standing up to him.

"I'll hurt you" he mumbled, in a small voice.

"No you won't"

"What do you want?"

"I just want to talk...I guess..."

He looked at me strangely and stepped outside. He quietly shut the front door and sat down on the step next to me.

"why...why would you wanna talk to me?"

"Your brother came and talked with me. He said he's really concerned about you, your safety and just you in general"

"liar...who put you up to this? He doesn't care about me!"

"I'm not lying, Edward... he told me everything. He also said he loves you"

Edward stared at me with hurt confusion and in his eyes. For once he showed an emotion other than hate or anger. He looked so miserable, I wasn't sure if I should hug him (uh..no) or just sit there and wait for him to speak again.

"He said he loves you, he's worried about you"

Edward shook his head as tears welled up in his eyes. He leaned forward and rested his elbow on his knee and put his hand over his face.

I reached over to put my arm around him and he glared at me

"Stop, Ok?! No one cares about me! NO ONE! So get the hell out of here and leave me alone!"

I pulled my arm back and bit my lip. "I'm not leaving...I promised Seth I'd help..."

"You know what, screw you! Get lost. You hate me don't act like you don't. No one can love me!"

I don't know what made me want to do this, especially after he'd just yelled at me, but I ignored him and pulled him into a hug. He gave up and let me hug him. I can't believe I'm doing this...

He pulled away from my hug and stared down at his feet. He kept sniffing and wiping his tears while his black eyeliner ran down his cheeks. He ran his fingers through his dark hair and as a pitiful sigh escaped his lips.

He looked over at me and wiped his cheeks with the back of hand.

"You know everything, huh?" He whispered, nodding.

"Pretty much..." I said, blankly.

"Really? So when was I born?" He scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Not like that. Like...what happens at home...how you've been mistreated and abused...what you did to yourself in high school..."

"oh..."

We sat there a while, neither of spoke a word. The sky was getting dark and cloudy, even though it was only like 12:00 in the afternoon. It might rain. I should probably get going soon...but I want to help.

I glanced at Edward who hadn't stopped crying sense I mentioned his brother. I admit, I do feel bad for them...no one should be treated that way...

I spoke up saying

"Does your dad still beat you..?" Maybe I shouldn't have but I was just curious.

His face hardened and he slightly nodded.

"All the time" he said with a laugh, although it sounded sad.

"I'm so sorry..."

"You have nothing to be sorry about. So stop ok? Quit trying to act like you care when we both know you don't. You only came to please my brother, then you'll leave and never think about me again as long as you live"

Ha...yeah right, I think I'll remember him for the rest of my life.

"No...that's not true...I want to help..."

"Why?! Why are you being nice to me?! Just why?"

"Because...because no one deserves to be treated that way, I could hurt you like you've done to me, but I'm not like that. You deserve a second chance...not even you should be mistreated, I want you to know that...so don't think I only came because your brother asked, I wanted to help you"

"I'm gonna kill Seth, I will...I-I s-swear-" his sentence was cut off by angry sobs, he pulled his knees up and laid his head down, he looked at me muttered

"show me"

"Show you what?"

"Show me what I caused you to do."

At first I didn't understand at all, but then it hit me.

I didn't feel comfortable showing my cuts, especially to him...sure his hurtful words caused me to cut, but it wasn't all him. It all started because of the hate and things just got worse and worse...and I also thought Louis didn't love me...am I glad he does, I wouldn't be here without him.

"Show me. Now"

Edward demanded, narrowing his eyebrows at me and lifting his head up.

I swallowed and muttered "ok" I was still pretty frightened of him, who knows what he'd do to me. He could snap at any minute.

I slowly rolled up my sleeves and glanced away as Edward gave a disgusted look. He took one of my arms and inspected it carefully.

"Did I cause that..? Tell me. Don't you frickin lie"

I swallowed hard and nodded

"A lot of it...other things happened too...and I just..."

"Don't do that ok? Stop."

"You can't just stop. Don't you think I've tried?! Once you start you can't quit..."

"Yeah, I know. You don't have to lecture me about it..."

"How long did you do it?"

"Three years..."

"Oh...I'm sorry to hear that...can I see?"

His eyes filled with guilt and he cocked his head

"ok..."

He hesitantly rolled up the sleeves of his black hoodied and set his arms down in his lap.

I looked at his arms and made a face. He had tons of scars and to my surprise there were fresh cuts on his arms...something I would never expect from him now...

I reached over and ran my fingers over his cuts. He flinched and clenched his jaw. He looked at me like he was begging me not to hurt him, he actually seemed scared for once.

"Hey...I'm not going to hurt you, all right?"

He nodded and sucked in his breath "uhh..ok...whatever..."

And he made fun of me for cutting?! His were just about as bad as mine, probably worse and so much deeper.

I just don't understand...his situation is worse than mine I guess...but why did he feel the need to make me feel terrible about myself? You'd think if someone was hurting that much they'd be nice to people because they wouldn't want other people to suffer as much as them...I don't get it...

Edward had tears in his eyes again, he ripped his arm out of my reach and rolled his eyes.

"Go ahead. Laugh. Do it! I don't care anymore."

"Why would I laugh?"

"Because you think you're better than me...you're some famous person right? Why are you even here? don't wast your time on people like me, you think you're better, you don't care about other people's problems"

"No I don't! I hate myself ok?! Why do you think I cut? Why do I cry myself to sleep every night? Why did I try to commit suicide?"

He stared at me with his mouth hanging open

"wait...what? You...you actually tried? You did it?"

"Yeah...I did..but I didn't die, thanks to my boyfriend"

"I-I didn't think I mean...I..I didn't think you would do that...I didn't. It was just a joke, didn't think you'd be dumb enough to listen to me..."

"Suicide isn't a joke..some people will do it..believe it or not"

"I-I know...I was planning on it tonight..."

"What...Don't..please..."

"Why should you care?"

"I care because you're a person. You have feelings, you don't deserve to die..just don't do it ok?"

"You seem like you actually care..."

"Because I do"

He started tearing up again and told me to leave. I hugged him and begged him not to kill himself.

~~an hour later~~

Ok so this might not be the best idea but....I kinda invited Edward over to our flat...it's just for tonight, I don't want him to kill himself and I wanted to get him away from his dad.

We pulled up in the parking lot and went inside the building. Edward followed me upstairs and we stopped in front of the door.

"You sure this is ok?"

He bit his lip and brushed his hair from his face.

"Yeah. It'll be fine"

I dug around in my pocket and pulled out my keys, I unlocked the front door and pushed it open.

"c'mon"

He followed me inside and looked around

"Umm...I guess I'll sleep on the couch?"

"No, we have a guest bedroom?"

" we?"

Suddenly, I heard my bedroom door open Louis walked in the room. He stopped in his tracks and glared at me

"WHAT IN THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?!"