Emma's pov

I absentmindedly fiddled with the small charm bracelet on my left wrist after ringing the doorbell to Harry's house a couple times.

My breathing was shaky and uneven, and the longer it took for Harry to open the door, the worse I imagined it would be once he finally did. The tension inside me had already began rising to the top and I was absolutely terrified.

Suddenly, my head snapped up at the sound of a familiar deep voice, "Good morning," Harry yawned groggily.

I bit down on my bottom lip and raised an eyebrow up at him, "Harry, it's two in the afternoon." I explained making his green eyes widen.

"Oh," He nodded, before a look of realization flashed across his face, "Wait, weren't we supposed to meet at one thirty in the afternoon?" He asked cluelessly.

"Yes, I've been standing at your door for half an hour," I glared, making him bite his lip guiltily.

He directed me inside and I followed him quietly, stopping to look at a thing or two every once in a while.

"You have an awfully beautiful home," I whispered, trying to break the ice.

He simply nodded making his curls flop around on his head before he sat down in a seat. Awkwardly, I mimicked his actions and sat in the seat farthest away from him.

"We have to talk to each other at some point," I spoke up, earning a huff from him.

"I know," He grit out irritatedly.

"Well..." I trailed off, "Where should we start?"

"We really have to do this, don't we?" He asked again, as if we hadn't already discussed our requirements.

His hair was sticking up in all different directions and his eyes were a deeper green than I had seen before, explaining on their own just how tired he still was.

Each time he spoke, I noticed how much raspier his voice was compared to usual and found myself sometimes having to lean in further just to hear a little clearer what he was actually saying.

So this is what Harry's like in the morning... I thought to myself.

"I'm afraid so," I sighed, glancing around the room is search for nothing in particular, only trying to avoid eye contact at all costs.

I flickered my gaze toward Harry and acknowledged the intense look in his eyes while he stared ahead of himself in a distant way as his lips pressed together in a line while he seemed to be contemplating something.

I tapped my fingers on the arm chair I was sitting in and pondered how I could possibly get through to him. Or if I ever would.

Suddenly, my confidence bubbled to the surface and urged me to do all that I could as soon as possible, instead of watching from the sidelines as our time together faded away.

There was no backing out.

"You know, we will be spending quite sometime with each other, so why not get to know each other while we're at it? I know it all seems like a pathetic situation right now, but we might as well make the most of it, right? Modest wants us to feel terrible about it all, and I know I do work for them, but that doesn't mean I have to be the same way. Maybe we can eventually become... Friends?" I suggested with a glint of hope shinning through my voice.

From across the room I watched as his eyes widened ever so slightly at my sudden change of mood.

He obviously wasn't as keen on the idea as I was but he shrugged anyways, "Uh, sure?" He agreed hesitantly, sounding more like he was thinking out loud and still debating his decision.

My smile widened at his response, and for a moment, I couldn't help but think that maybe it wasn't completely impossible for us to get along. Of course, that was before realization struck me like a ruthless bullet flying through the air, just waiting to pierce someone's heart.

I couldn't possibly build a friendship with him; not with the intention of eventually breaking his heart. My throat went dry at the stream of thoughts threatening to make my breathing stop altogether.

I could already picture his sorrowful emerald eyes staring at me with confusion and worry while I told him I hadn't ever needed or wanted him, causing him to crumble emotionally right before my eyes.

My mind began fighting with itself and I was overcome with solutions for the situation I had just put myself in. Meanwhile, my emotions had already stirred and my body couldn't help but make my lip tremble to release some of the stress that was building inside me.

I closed my eyes for one hard to grasp second and forced myself to gain back all the composure I had left in my system, though it wasn't easy to find. Harry had sat there with a raised brow, questioning the new come silence while remaining oblivious to my terror.

He'll be fine. He doesn't need your sympathy anyways. This is for the best. I reminded myself once more.

"That was easier than I thought," I smirked, looking carelessly at the boy sitting across the room from myself.

"What was?" He asked curiously, his forehead crinkling in the midst of his confusion.

I laughed out loudly with a new tone of voice which was slowly collapsing on top of my once sweet one, "You didn't really think I wanted to be friends with you, did you? I was only testing your vulnerability. I must say, I expected more from you styles'."

His body tensed and his muscles flexed involuntarily under the fabric of his shirt at my words, "Excuse me?"

I rolled my eyes, "You heard me just fine, darling."

His expression held both a look of shock and upmost anger, which under the surface, nearly frightened me to death. He clenched his jaw and as his breathing had now become ragged, clenched and unclenched regularly.

"Get the fûck out," he growled, facing away from me.

"What? But why? I didn't mean to spoil the fun," I pouted playfully.

"I said," he growled again, "Get out."

The raspy flare to his tone sent chills down my spine and as I glanced at my arms, I noticed the hairs on them stood. My smirk didn't fail to remain intact and my stance showed that I had some remaining confidence, even as I stood back on my feet.

As I surrendered my endurance, I locked eyes with his once more and took note of the fury they contained, "Bye bye, Harry. I can't wait until next time." I grinned with a wink, before making my way out of the room.

I opened the large French doors at the front entrance and inhaled the fresh afternoon air with desperation. Exasperated with all that had just happened in the course of only minutes, I let out a deep - much needed - breath of relief, as I walked out of the front door.

This is not why I took acting classes in high school.