The Ashes

Chapter 7

Francisco Lachowski as Harvey above *dies*
Song for this chapter is One by Ed Sheeran because the lyrics mean everything to me

~~~

My phone pings as I groan. I try to stretch out before I realise I'm lying on the sofa with my back against Harvey's chest, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist and his legs tangled with mine. How did this even happen? I poke him cautiously.

"Harvey?"

His eyes don't open but his lips tug up at one corner.

"Morning, kitten." he mumbles, his eyes still shut. I try to wiggle out of his grip but he tightens his arms around me. "Stay.", he orders. With a resigned sigh I stop moving and relax into his arms, and there I stay until his lips press against my neck as he suddenly scoops me up, blinking into the sunlight.

"Harvey!" I shriek.

"Yes, kitten?", he asks innocently as if this is completely normal. He carries me into the kitchen and sets me down on a tall chair by the island. He reaches for the pre-sliced bread, dropping it into the toaster as the doorbell rings.

"One second, it's probably Cleo being dropped off.", he says, already halfway out of the door. I can hear his muffled conversation with who I assume is the mother of Cleo's friend, as well as a high pitched giggle getting closer and closer. Harvey walks back in, with a little a girl, presumably his sister, wriggling around in his arms and squealing as he tickles her. His entire face is lit up with a white smile, his eyes shining in a way I've never seen before. He sets her down on the kitchen counter as she gasps for air, glaring at her brother as he snickers.

"Cleo, this is my friend Thalia. Thalia, this is Cleo."

"You're pretty." Cleo states simply, having regained her breath and smiling at me.

"I agree." Harvey says, his eyes staring into mine.

"Thank you, but you're prettier." I tell her, dragging my eyes away from Harvey only to realise, as I meet hers, that they're exactly the same. She blushes, hiding in her wavy blond hair.

"Okay that's enough with the girly stuff, I'm here too." Harvey intervenes, pouting.

"Sadly." I snicker, and Cleo giggles with me.

"Don't gang up on me!"

Just to annoy him I grab her hand and we run up the stairs, laughing as Harvey tries to follow and ends up tripping and landing on his hands and knees by the washing machine.

"Come one!" Cleo urges me, grinning. My heart thumps in sync with Harvey's feet thumping up behind us. It's one of those moments which is not dangerous but so much fun that you get an adrenalin high anyway. The giggling blond girl tugs me into the massive space under the sofa, through the layer of fabric which hides the makeshift cave.

"I'm coming to get you.", Harvey teases. I can hear him pretending to look for us as Cleo muffles her laughter with her hand. It's suddenly silent. Too silent.

"Boo!" Harvey pulls up the fabric and reaches for Cleo, who scrambles out of reach and out of the other side of the sofa. He grins at me.

"Let's team up and find her.", he suggests, taking my hand and helping me out. He doesn't let it go as we dash after the excited child. He nods at me. Corner her, he mouths. Our hands finally separate, and I sneak around the two-entranced bathroom as he takes the other exit.

"Traitor." Cleo pouts once she sees she has no way out. Harvey scoops her up and tickles her, making her squeal.

"Okay be nice, Harvey." I say. He looks up, and an evil smirk spreads across his face. I know exactly what he's thinking. He starts to shuffle towards me on his knees, putting his sister aside.

"I'm not ticklish." I warn, and I'm not lying.

"That's what they all say.", he grins, until he realises I'm telling the truth as he tries to tickle me. "Well that's disappointing."

I stick my tongue out childishly.

"Very mature." he laughs.

"Shut it."

~~~

It's late in the afternoon and we're wandering through the park aimlessly, watching the sun cautiously approach the horizon.

"Thalia?"

"Yeah?" I answer, kicking at the stones on the path as I wander.

"Today was fun. I kind of thought you were one of those superior people who thinks the world is below them but I was completely wrong, you're actually not half bad."

I snort. "Thanks."

"I'm serious though. We've known each other for, what, three weeks now? And I feel like I know you better than anyone else at school."

"Never would have had you down as the sappy type."

"Girls dig that, kitten."

"If you say so."

He laughs, and I join in. He tugs me down onto an old wooden bench and sets my head on his lap so I can see his strong jawline outlined against the sky of dancing oranges, pinks and reds. He absentmindedly plays with strands of my hair, twisting the bronze locks around his fingers. I rest my arms on my stomach, watching the numerous bracelets slide down slightly. The final days of sunlight wave over the horizon eventually, bathing us in a soft blue light.

"I should get going."

"Why?"

"Because it's dark and dangerous and there could be old men in white vans trying to offer me candy any minute now. And I can't say no to candy."

"I'd protect you. No I'd actually probably leg it but you know, it's the thought that counts."

"Not really." I snigger, pulling myself up before we make our way out of the private garden and down the street to my house.

"That's about as chivalrous as I get, so take it or leave it."

"Bye Harvey." I laugh.

"Night, kitten. Don't let the creepy men offer you candy unless I'm there, okay?"

"I'll try to keep that in mind."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

"Bye." I say finally, unlocking the door and walking inside. I haven't been this happy in a while; it's a nice change.

~~~
So yeah
That's like, another chapter and stuff
Can I just say that my legs hurt
Idk they just do

ANYWAY there was no point to this chapter but the hardcore and deep stuff is coming later so I just wanted to accumulate more readers so they can suffer with you *cue evil laugh* no I'm kidding but like yeah good luck I'm feeling really evil so this story is going to be an emotional roller coaster.

IF YOU VOTE AND COMMENT ILL GIVE YOU A FREE HARVEY
|deliveries will be made before the thirteenth of Never, terms and conditions apply|

Ily
Alice x