Reluctant Hearts

Chapter 7

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The sound of jingling keys unlocking my apartment was the only thing I could focus on, trying to avoid the tears threatening to spill down my cheeks from exposing me to my entire floor. With a pounding heart and blood rushing, not helping my case, I finally got the door unlocked and shoved myself inside.

Why did Harry have to be so rude and condescending all the time? I hated him, I really did. And yet, here I was, stuck working with him on this project.

Sitting in the living room, gaping at me stunned were both Melissa and Niall, immediately noticing my red puffy eyes. Melissa sprang from her cozy spot next to Niall on the couch, sensing my distress as soon as I walked in the door, and rushed towards me, enveloping me in a much needed hug with a comforting hand on my back.

My breaths came in ragged gasps, and my heart pounded in my chest. I couldn't hold back the tidal wave of emotions that had been threatening to engulf me.

"What's wrong?" Niall questioned, his voice filled with worry. I looked up from Melissa's tight embrace and noticed Niall removing my backpack, then leading all of us back to the couch. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, struggling to find my voice.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words just wouldn't come out. My heart was racing, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I took another deep breath and tried again. I couldn't bring myself to tell them what had happened with Harry, so I just muttered something about feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Is it because of Harry?" Melissa probed gently, knowing me too well.

I scoffed. "Of course it's because of Harry. He's impossible to work with, always criticizing everything I do."

Niall's brow furrowed as he exchanged a concerned glance with Melissa. "What did he do now?" he asked, his tone protective.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "He... he said some really hurtful things," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just can't deal with him anymore."

Niall spoke up, "I know he can be a bit grumpy, but he's really not a bad guy once you get to know him. Maybe you guys just need to put your differences aside and work together for the sake of the project."

"Differences!?" I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air, "I wish it was about differences, he's always attacking me. Half the time, no wait, every time, I did nothing wrong." My voice began to shake as I looked at Melissa silently communicating with her, knowing she understood.

Niall's expression hardened as he clenched his jaw. "I told him to lay off, Ev," he said, his voice tinged with anger. "I thought he understood."

I appreciated Niall's efforts, but I knew Harry too well. He was stubborn and prideful, and admitting he was wrong wasn't in his nature. Melissa shot Niall a reassuring look before turning her attention back to me.

"Is this about Riley?" She questioned but ultimately knew the answer. I gave a weak nod, Niall giving a tight lip reaction. He knew what happened between Riley and I, drunk me one night decided he should know, and now he does.

Niall was someone you can get close with quickly, one of the easiest people to talk to and always made me laugh. He always had a listening ear and gave the best advice. Our friendship bloomed, and I found myself comfortable with him knowing about Riley when confiding in with Melissa. There was just something about Niall and Melissa that made me feel comfortable and safe.

"I don't know, Harry's words tend to trigger and start to sound like stuff Riley would say to me too." I leaned my head on Melissa, "It's just that I finally found myself after Riley tore me down and now it feels like I am back again where I started, except with Harry."