A Leap Of Faith

Still At The Beach

Diana approaches Harry and the rest of his friends including hers, and she introduces Annabelle to the crew.

Diana: Everyone, this is my best friend Annabelle. She'll be joining us for the volleyball game. (Puts her hand around Annabelle's shoulder) On my team of course.

All: Welcome, nice to meet you. (Annabelle suddenly locks eyes with Harry who cannot stop staring at her).

Diana: (To Annabelle) Let's go, so you can change into something more fashionable.

Annabelle: What?. Why?.

Diana: Because, you need to represent the best team, our team.

Annabelle: Thank you, but I'm good with whatever I wear.

Diana: (Quickly inspects Annabelle who is dressed in a bodysuit and a pair of shorts to cover her thighs) No no no sweetheart. This will not do. Come,(pulling her a long) I have something better.

Annabelle: But I don't want to. (10 minutes later Diana and Annabelle join the crew. Annabelle's bodysuit has been updated to a black bikini. It glitters with the sun. Harry can't take his eyes off her. Her beautiful brown skin complements her bikini. Meanwhile, Clarissa and Eline are playing in the water with lots of other people)

Diana: (After noticing Harry's reaction. I bet he can't take his eyes off her) Common, let's play. (Immediately they all start playing, Annabelle tries her best to meet their expectations and to help her team score, though she isn't too good at it. Harry keeps looking at her. Harry's team wins the first round. The second half, while trying to hit the ball, Annabelle falls to the ground and sprains her left leg. Harry immediately runs to her aid).

Harry: (Worried) Are you okay?.

Annabelle: (Struggles to stand ) I'm okay (falls back to the ground when she feels a sharp pain on her left leg, right next to her ankle). It hurts.

Harry: I'll take you to shelter. (Carries her without warning, with his hand around her waist. Annabelle's heart starts beating so fast, she tries to calm it down, hoping Harry won't hear her heartbeat. Harry puts her down gently to sit on a long mat and an umbrella above to shade her from the sun). Where does it hurt?.

Annabelle: My left foot.

Harry: (massaging her entire leg and reaches to massage her ankle when Annabelle screams) I'm sorry. I'll put some ice on it to drive the pain away.

Annabelle: (Her eyes slowly follows his hand and movements as he grabs some ice from a gigantic flax they had brought a long. He places the ice cubes on a plastic bag he got from his bag-pack which was next to the flax. He gently massages her ankle with the bag of ice when Annabelle screams again) ouch, it really hurts.

Harry: It'll be over soon (notices her hair keeps flying across her face, controlled by the wind. He quickly moves behind her leaving the bag of ice on her ankle. He slowly grabs and gathers all her hair and braids all together from the back). There, it'll help you see better.

Annabelle: (staring at Harry in amazement. Her heart starts pounding again when he goes back to massaging her ankle) Thank you. (Feeling embarrassed) I don't want to disturb you any further. You don't really need to do this. You can go back to your friends.

Harry: (smirks) I'm here because I want to. You'll feel better if you just rest. You don't need to play anymore.

Annabelle: I can't even if I wanted to. I really don't know how to play volleyball.

Harry: (smirks again) You were pretty good to me. By the way, you look good in anything. She didn't have to try so hard (referring to Annabelle's bikini and Diana wanting her to look good).

Annabelle: (Feeling more embarrassed, she stutters) She's... always like that. She buys me a lot of fancy stuff even if I'm wearing the most expensive dress my paycheck can get. She's never satisfied with how I look.

Harry: It's like she's grooming you for someone or an occasion. (Continues massaging her leg carefully and lovingly) It makes you look extra pretty. (Annabelle's heart starts beating so fast again. She immediately pulls her leg away from Harry) Is there something wrong?.

Annabelle: I can do it on my own (smiles awkwardly while massaging her ankle).

Harry: Okay (sits besides her when Annabelle suddenly gets irritated).

Annabelle: (At this rate my heart is going to explode. He won't go away. What do I do?) Aren't you going to play?.

Harry: Everyone's enjoying themselves. I'd rather stay here just in case you need anything.

Annabelle: I don't need anything else.

Harry: You can't walk (She's just so stubborn. Perhaps she feels uncomfortable. Does she think I'm going to eat her?).

Annabelle: (Getting frustrated) You're really not going?.

Harry: (grabs two cones of ice cream from the flax and gives her one. Teases) You can't stand up to get more ice cream, but I can.

Annabelle: (Damn it, he really knows how to get me. Biting and licking her ice cream gracefully) Thanks.

2 Hours Later, At Annabelle's Apartment

Diana drops Annabelle and her sisters off. Annabelle waves back to Diana as she drives away. Harry had already driven home in his personal car.

At Diana's Apartment

Diana arrives and sees Harry waiting outside.

Diana: Why are you out here?.

Harry: Just breathing some fresh air.

Diana : (Suddenly remembers all her effort to make Annabelle attractive and she finally decides to tell Harry a piece of her mind) Until when are you going to tell her?.

Harry: (Pretends not to understand) Tell who and what?.

Diana: Don't play innocent. I have very good instincts and I know you like Anna (short form for Annabelle), but you just won't tell her. Why are you so slow?. I'm tired of trying to make you confess your true feelings.

Harry: When you bought her such a revealing bikini?. Anyone would have wanted her number at that point.

Diana: At least you'd get jealous.

Harry: (Getting frustrated. In a loud tone) Hey!. You think it's easy for me to look at her every day and not be able to say anything?. I saved all her pictures and I go through her feed every day like a crazy stalker. Sometimes I just want to write down all my feelings to her, but I just can't bring myself to do that.

Diana: Would you rather watch from afar and see another man dance his way into her life?. I'm trying to help you prevent that.

Harry: Look, I understand you're trying to help me and I appreciate it a hundred times. I'm just too scared. You and I both know I went through a bad breakup. I wasn't attentive and I missed a lot of special occasions when I should've been there for her.

Diana: She left you even when she knew that the only thing that took up most of your time was because you had a lot of trainings to do at the camp. You don't have to make excuses for her.

Harry: In a relationship, what partners need the most is attention. I failed. I don't wanna hurt Anna like that.

Diana: You didn't fail. She just didn't love you enough to wait. Annabelle was once involved in a distant relationship. For 2-years she loved and waited, but he broke her heart. Not because he couldn't go to her, but because he was a selfish jerk. No matter how much time she gave him, he still cheated and fooled her right from the beginning. No one should be in a relationship if they're not ready to wait. When the love you have for each other is real, nothing can break you apart. Listen to what your heart is telling you and not your mind (Diana walks inside and Harry doesn't seem to budge. He is deep in thought).