Gotta Be You

Hope's POV

I couldn’t sleep and decided just to get up because it’s not worth trying anymore. I brushed my teeth and changed into a tee-shirt and some jeans. I decided just to leave my hair the way it was because for once it looked like I was having a good hair day.

I walked past Louis and Lilly’s bed but they weren’t in it. I was secretly hoping that I wouldn’t run into them when I went outside. Harry was still asleep soundly. I started to think of what Liam said; about me giving him a chance but I don’t think Harry wants anything to do with me anymore.

I was surprised as I felt the lump in my throat. I missed Harry more than I ever thought. This was even more weird because we shared a bed last night, so it’s not like I don’t see him, but he never talks to me. As a matter of fact, the only person I’ve seen him talk to is Louis.

I stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. I smiled as the sun was already high in the sky. I walked into the kitchen and Captain Daniel was there making himself some cereal.

“Hey Hope.” He smiled under his moustache.

“Hey Captain, what’s new?” I asked.

“Well the storms gone so it’s all smooth sailing until our next island.”

I nodded, “Alright, sounds good.”

We stood there awkwardly as he finished his cereal. “Well,” He said, putting the bowl into the sink, “I have a ship to sail.”

“Can I come with you?” I asked.

He hesitated, before shrugging, “Sure, why not?”

He led me up to the very top of the yacht and opened a door that said ‘Authorized Personnel Only’. The small room was very confusing with many knobs, dials, and switches. He automatically began to press many buttons which made me very confused. Then all of a sudden he stopped and began to walk back out the door.

“Wait,” I asked, “Where are you going?”

“It’s sailing itself.” He told me, I just sat there and gave him a puzzled look. He sighed, “You know how on planes there’s autopilot?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. The only reason why I knew that is because I wanted to be a pilot when I was little.

“Well it’s kinda like the same thing for boats, well, I’m going to go downstairs and make sure the boat is still shipshape.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his choice of words, “Alright, can I stay here?”

“As long as you don’t touch anything.” He cracked a smile before leaving.

And that’s how I found my little hiding place. Every morning I would go up there, with a book or my iPod and just sit there and think. I would come back down at lunch time and try to socialize but Liam refused to talk to me. Lilly was pretty busy with Louis and Niall. Harry was spending a lot of time alone or with McKenna and Carly and Zayn were in their own world.

One morning I was up there, reading The Help (Lilly told me it was good so I decided to read it) when Louis came in. He was wearing a sailor hat and had a huge grin on his face. The smile faded when he saw me, “Hope, What are you doing here?”

I looked up from my book, partially surprised; partially disappointed that he found my hiding place.

“So this is where you disappear to every morning.” He laughed, sitting down beside me.

I tried to smile, “Yup. I’ve been thinking about going in the afternoon as well since no one seems to want to talk to me.”

“I’ll talk to you!” He said eagerly.

I couldn’t help but laugh, Louis can make anyone laugh. “Alright, what should we talk about?”

“Captain Daniel said I could sail the boat!” He was ecstatic.

“Well, do you know how?” I teased.

He pretended to be hurt before confessing, “Not really, but I have instructions!” He held up the thick booklet in his hands. Then he showed me the page he was on, there were many diagrams of different controls and he pleaded, “Will you help me?”

I nodded a big smile on my face. It took us awhile but we finally figured out how to make it sail itself. We went downstairs and into the kitchen to get ourselves some well earned lunch.

Lilly soon came to join us, “So how was sailing the ship?” She asked Louis.

“It was fun.” He smiled before kissing her, “I’m a pro.” He and I exchanged a glance and he winked at me.

I smiled back before walking out of the room. Even with a fun morning the day was still going to be boring and lonely. I walked in on Carly and Zayn kissing on the deck, I automatically turned the other direction and ran into Niall, Liam, and McKenna. I almost groaned before running past everyone and into my bedroom.

I plopped down on the bed and yelped as I felt something squirm under me. I stood up and ripped back the covers to reveal Harry’s messy hair and underneath, his startle face.

“I’m so sorry.” I apologized immediately, “Are you okay?”

For the first time in two weeks, I saw him smile. But he didn’t just smile, he actually began to laugh too. I was a little startled at first but sat down beside him and we both continued to chuckle.

“I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you.” He told me as I wiped the tears out of my eyes.

“You were avoiding me?” I teased, still giggly.

He face was serious, “It’s just that a lot has gone on and I didn’t know what to do. Above anything I want you to be happy and-”

I cut him off and kissed him. He pulled away quickly, rejecting me. I suddenly felt horrible.

“I’m sorry.” I blurted out, “I just thought…”

“Hope, I really like you so if you want to try this again, I think we should do it right, and take it slow.

I nodded in agreement, “You’re right.”

I guess everyone was right. Harry really is an amazing guy now that I’m giving him his well earned chance.

For the rest of the afternoon Harry and I hid in the bedroom and talked about our lives, something that I’ve realized we’ve never really done before.

“So where are you guys from?” He asked.

“I grew up in Calgary but I moved to Chicago when I was fifteen and I’ve been there ever since.” I told him. “And you?”

He shrugged, “England.”

“I’m jealous.”

“So am I.” He answered, “Chicago? That’s crazy, and where’s Calgary?”

I shrugged, “Canada.”

“Harry!” Louis called running into the bedroom, “Oh hey Hope, what are you doing here.”

“We were just talking” Harry answered for me.

I couldn’t help but get the feeling that Louis doesn’t like me with Harry. He kept glaring us, wearing an expression that showed disbelief. I know I’ve had a pretty bad reputation with Harry but I’m determined to make things right, and maybe I’ll fall in love on the way.