The Best Years Of Our Lives

~Part Eleven~

Francesca’s POV.

I was still sitting cross-legged on the carpet when the room was plunged into sudden darkness. Someone screamed behind me and I jumped up like a startled cat. I heard a murmur of voices come from the direction of the kitchen and figured the fuses must have blown. I blinked repeatedly, hoping to make out some shapes but since the curtains were drawn not even a sliver of light came in through the windows.

I stood up cautiously, putting my hands out in front of me in case I walked into anyone. I was usually a hazard to people while walking around in the day, not mentioning in the dark. I was about to try and make it out into the corridor without falling on my face when I heard someone call my name.

‘Harry?’ I swivelled in the direction his voice had come from. ‘Where are you?’

‘Right here.’ he laughed and I realised that he was much closer than I expected. ‘You okay?’

‘I’m fine.’ I was glad he couldn’t see my expression because my cheeks were hot. I felt his hand brush my arm and his fingers locked around mine. His touch sent a shiver up my spine, but I tried to appear indifferent.

‘Now I won’t lose you.’ he stated while searching for something in his pocket with his free hand. ‘Ah, here we are.’

A moment later, a minuscule, glimmering flame appeared only a few inches away from my face. His soft, dark brown curls and cheeky smile were lit up by the dim light as he held it up.

‘Why’ve you got a lighter?’ I asked, puzzled.

‘It’s Zayn’s.’ he smiled. ‘He made me keep it for him. At least it’s come in handy.’

I was trying not to look into his eyes because I knew all too well the effect he had on me; I turned into a complete idiot whenever I was around him. Instead, I focused on looking round the room to see who else was there, but it seemed as if we were now alone.

‘We should go outside.’ I suggested, feeling embarrassed at how close we were standing, but too overwhelmed to move away. Why did he make me feel like this?  

‘Good point.’ he agreed. ‘Hold my hand, yeah?’

I nodded and let him lead me to the door, the lighter flickering slightly. The following things happened so quickly I had no time to even think about them. One minute I was walking along, the next I was tripping on something slippery and cold; the bottle we’d been playing with. I lost my balance entirely, letting go of Harry’s hand. I realised what had happened when the pain of my knee smashing on the hard floor finally hit me. I cried out and Harry dropped the lighter as he leaned down to help me.

‘Oh God.’ he worried, putting my arms around his neck so he could pick me up.

‘No, no I’m fine.’ I was laughing now, even though my knee was throbbing painfully. I couldn’t see a thing and the whole situation was pretty comical thinking about it. If you ignored how mortified I was at making a fool of myself. Harry ignored me anyway and I felt myself being lifted. I tried to pull my long, wavy hair to the side as I silently admired his strength.

I never quite knew how he made it over to the sofa, but he did and he put me down on the cushions carefully. He then sat down beside me and suddenly I forgot all about the pain; his body was touching mine and that was enough to make me swoon.

‘Are you bleeding?’ he whispered through the darkness, nursing my aching leg.

‘I don’t think so.’ I managed to reply. His skin was so soft, his large hands gentle. We sat listening to the voices outside for a while. ’You know the lights have been off for an awfully long time.’

‘Not exactly a bad thing.’ he whispered so quietly I almost missed it.

‘What did you..’ I started, but I never got to finish my question because his lips touched mine and I was melting in his embrace. I felt his arms slide under my hips and was suddenly aware that he was practically on top of me. I didn’t care. He was the most amazing kisser and more; I couldn’t think straight if I’d wanted to. My mind was bursting with joy, my heart was beating far too quickly.

I could have shot whoever had decided to fix the lights then. We were both blinded by the brightness from the chandelier and broke the kiss. I noticed that the living room was a total mess, numerous bottles and food lying around. Harry’s shirt was undone at the top and I tugged at it, pulling him back down. He grinned at me smugly as our eyes adjusted to the light. A spark danced in those blue eyes of his.

‘Why haven’t we done this before Chess?’ he teased me, cocking his head to the side.

‘I don’t know, why?’ I smiled innocently, hardly remembering that I’d even fallen. He leaned down to kiss my neck and I trembled like a leaf.

‘Well, maybe..’ he begun as I tangled my fingers into his hair.

‘Shh, don’t stop.’ I insisted.

-end of pt.11-