Carolina - H.S.

Cherry Lips (11)

Faster than a kid chasing an ice cream truck, I rush out of Jasmine's apartment.

After seeing Maddie's name on her phone I called Harry and whispered into the receiver that I needed him to come pick me up because something happened with Jaz and I was in desperate need of a ride back to his place. I ended the call by asking him to hurry.

I knew I couldn't handle staying in the same apartment with Jaz for long until I would either call her out or burst into tears, whichever was going to come first was not something that I wanted to figure out.

Thank god I was able to contain my emotions for long enough to pack up most of my stuff and give Cheeky a few minutes of petting before Harry texted Jaz's phone, informing me that he was outside.

Awkwardly, I'd said bye to Jaz and told her I would call her in a few days, once I had figured out what to do about Safiya. She went on to tell me that she was here for me and that if I needed anything I shouldn't hesitate to call and all that bullshit.

I mean, I wouldn't have thought it bullshit if she hadn't had proven that she was lying all along by simply having Maddie's number.

As I was trying to escape the apartment with my heart still intact, I'd nearly tripped on Cheeky's small frame blocking the way of the door. Her tiny head was looking up at me expectantly, puppy dog eyes on display, as she wondered where I was going and why I had to leave again.

Her tiny head was looking up at me expectantly, puppy dog eyes on display, as she wondered where I was going and why I had to leave again. "I'm sorry babe," I tell her, my bottom lip sticking out in a sad pout. "I'll miss you too, but I really gotta go."

Moving to step around her I reach out for the door handle, yanking it open and all but throwing myself out into the hallway, letting the door slam shut behind me.

God, that was awful.

I let out a quivering sigh, my head tilted down to the floor as I finally give the aching tears the ability to fall, no longer able to withhold them, due to the stinging in my eyes.

As they roll down my cheeks, I let my eyelids drift closed, taking deep breaths in an attempt to control my frantic exasperation, my duffle bag full of clothes, and some of my other belongings slipping lower on my arm in my distress.

When my eyes open back up, my head now turned up, I spot something that, for the second time in half an hour, makes my blood run cold.

Harry is perched in front of me, concern washed over his angelic features. "I - I'm sorry. I didn't mean to - to make you wait for me." I frantically wipe at my eyes and cheeks, struggling to rid my face of any remnants of tears as I speak almost incoherently.

Seconds subsequent to my jumbled sentences, Harry's hands come up to my forearms, gently bringing them down from my tear-stained cheeks, and sliding over the length of my arm to intertwine our fingers. Both of his hands are now locked with mine while my eyes stay fixed on his in shocked surprise.

Delicately, his thumbs caress the skin on the top of my hand as he speaks in a low caring pitch as if I am a feral cat he would want not to startle, "There's no need for you to be sorry, I was only out here a few minutes. It's no problem," The compassionate tone of his voice, mixed with the affectionate glint in his eyes has my knees becoming weak as I come to the conclusion that he truly is my knight in shining armor, chivalry, and all.

He drops one of my hands, only to wrap both of his around my one, pulling me close to him and grabbing my duffle bag from me in the process. "Let's get you to the car and then you can tell me all about it," He pauses briefly before continuing, "Or not. Whatever you feel comfortable with."