Meet Me in the Hallway (HS AU)

thirty one.

"I just want to make sure we're all on the same page about what we're going to do today." Clem spoke towards a very confused looking Harry.

She had gone into his room this morning and woken him up to tell him the plan to retrieve my things from Will's. After his outburst yesterday morning, he disappeared into his room and this was the first time I had seen him since then.

"Same page? We're not even in the same library!" Harry's voice was loud as he pushed himself off the dining chair and began pacing around the kitchen, "I'd rather just buy her new things and start afresh than risk going to his house. For all we know, he might not even be at work!"

I remained silent in my seat, his words were directed at Clem and I could tell he was still angry with me from Friday night but I appreciated his concern nevertheless. His face was flushed and hair was still messy from his sleep.

While I agreed with him, part of me just wants to replace what I've lost so I never have to step foot back in that house again and the other didn't want him to have such a long lasting affect on my life.

"Harry, we're going to get her things regardless of what you would rather do. So you can either sit here and wait for us to get back, or drive us and be there the whole time." I looked over at Clem but her eyes were locked on Harry's, a stern look on her face.

Having her support was really a pleasant surprise. She had no reason to want to help me but she was anyway, it could have had something to do with the fact that she was once in the same position as me.

"Quite frankly Clementine, the fact you want me to go means you know it will be incredibly difficult without my help. You want me there for added protection and if I just refuse to go, what are you gonna do? Risk getting her hurt to prove a point."

"Respectfully, I survived Will for four years. And the last time he beat me, I made it out of the house alive on my own, without help from anyone." I whispered. He was still mad so I didn't want to aggravate him further but he had to understand that I was not some damsel in distress who needed him to come and rescue her.

"That's right, Harry. With no thanks to you!" Clem pointed her finger at him accusingly.

He turned on his heel and disappeared back into his bedroom, confirmed by the door slamming loudly. I sunk down in the dining chair and my head fell forward. Maybe just buying new things would appease Harry and make him less mad but then again, what the fuck did he have to be mad about?

Mad that I gave up my important sleeping hours to comfort him during another panic attack? Mad that his little sister is helping me voluntarily, instead of siding with him? Mad that instead of letting Will have unlimited access to everything I had ever owned in my life, I want to claim all my things back?
'Mad that this is the second time a man has hurt someone around him and he couldn't stop it?' My subconscious felt the need to add. Stupid, level-headed bitch.

A second door slam echoed down the hallway and Harry reappeared in the kitchen doorway. He had changed out of his pajamas and was now in a pair of dark jeans and a green hoodie.

"I'll be in the car. If you guys aren't out there in five minutes, I'll ram my car through his fucking front window." Without another word, he headed towards the front door and closed it much gentler than the two previously.

Clem and I exchanged a glance of disbelief before standing up and rushing to get out of our pajamas ourselves. We both slid into the car with time to spare, I volunteered to sit in the back to maintain some sort of distance from Harry. I told him the general direction of Will's house before sitting back against the seat. It would be a 25 to 30 minute drive from Harry's house depending on traffic so I opted to look out the window instead of participating in their discussion about dinner.

Sadly, the 25 minutes flew by and we were a few turns away from Will's house. My heart rate started to pick up and my whole body felt hot. My hands were beginning to shake and I screwed my eyes shut.
Breathe, Josephine.

We turned into his street.
Breathe, Josephine.
We're halfway up the street.
Breathe, Josephine.
I can see the mailbox just up the road.
Breathe, Josephine.

The driveway was empty. Thank you to any gods that listened to my silent prayers on the trip over, he wasn't home and he can't hurt me.
A hand reached back to rub my knee reassuringly, I glanced down at the hand and my heart dropped. Harry's eyes remained on the road, one hand held the steering wheel and the other was giving my knee a gentle squeeze. Clem looked over her shoulder at me and gave me a sympathetic smile.

The car came to a stop and I looked towards the place that was once filled with love, now all it's filled with is horrible memories and pain. My body made its way out of the back seat against my brain's will and I was soon standing in front of the front door. I fumbled with my keys, dropping them a few times in my flustered state.

The door swung smoothly on its hinges and the hallway was dark. A chill smacked me in the face and ran down my spine as I stepped through the threshold, though it had nothing to do with the temperature.

Clem slid passed me and made her way down the hallway, inspecting every open door as she went. One seemed to catch her attention because she stopped in her tracks and covered her mouth with her hand.

She was standing in front of the bathroom. The distance between us grew shorter as I approached the doorway.

Everything was still shattered and broken, just as it had been left on Tuesday night.

*****

This is a bit short and a bit shit but I've had a fair bit going on this week and forgot I had to update until yesterday 🙊