All We Are // H.S.

Chapter 8

WREN

A bloody hand reached over and cradled my jaw, his thumb rubbing my cheek. It felt like all the air in my lungs had been vacuumed out and there was nothing left inside me. Before my mind could register what was happening, he leaned down and pressed his warm lips to mine.

I indulged for a moment in the taste of his swollen lips before pulling away in realization.

I stared at him in complete astonishment. Did that really just happen? I could still taste the bitterness of his mouth on mine.

"But it's no good is it?" He asked, looking frustrated and leaving me speechless.

He pulled his hand back, focusing on me with the same startled expression. He opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it, only adding to my confusion.

I could feel his intense eyes on me as I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth that he had transferred.

My weak stomach twisted at the sight of the liquid, heightening my desire to leave.

I stood thoughtlessly and turned to exit while muttering, "I have to go."

My mind was racing and jumbling all my complex thoughts. When I entered the kitchen, Niall was stood in front of the counter, placing ice in a bag, blind to the scene that had unfolded just moments before.

"You good?" He asked.

I was anything but good. I was scared and homesick. My only good friend was pals with a sociopath who was drawn to danger. People kept messing with my thoughts and feelings like it was game that I could only loose at. I was exhausted and smeared in blood that wasn't my own. Marlee would hate me for bringing her ex-boyfriend to a party. And to top it off my manager was probably lying dead in a gutter.

"Ya, I'm fine." I reassured. "Why?"

"You've got a little ..." He gestured towards his jaw.

"Oh." I replied, quickly wiping any remnants of Harry from my face.

Niall finished wrapping the ice before sighing.

"I can't believe he beat up Dean again." He shook his head in dismay.

"Again?" I pressed, appalled.

He shot me a look that said that I should know better.

"There's been times where they've almost killed each other." He explained. "Let's just be thankful he's in one piece."

I nodded, not fully understanding but too drained to even try.

"I think I'm gonna go back to mine. Do you need anymore help?" I selfishly hoped he would decline my offer. I was both mentally and physically beat. Plus, I don't think I could handle another disorienting conversation with Harry.

"No, go ahead. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

I waved a goodbye before heading out the door. Once in the vacant hall, I allowed myself to fall back against the door and draw in a deep breath. I rubbed my hands over my eyes, overcome with affliction.

My mind wandered back towards Harry and how his enticing lips pressed against mine.

I rolled my eyes at the complex and draining situation that was my life. Everywhere I went anguish had followed and this city wasn't proving to be any different.

It wasn't fair for Harry to do that. He had forced his untidy self into the life I was struggling to disencumber. The memory of his smirk made me want to run back down the hall and smack it off his face. I was tired of others stealing my virtue, or what I had left of it. Harry was a repulsive reminder of the others who took and took and ignored the fact that I was a limited resource.