one minute || h.s

three.

ø ø ø ø ø

I rolled over, which in turn caused me to tumble off the couch. I fumbled for my phone, finally finding it buzzing on top of the coffee table. Three unread text messages.

HM: open up yaaaaa gate bubbb

HM: oiiii styles.

HM: ????

HS: hallie it’s bloody three am.

HS: where are u?

HM: oyutside ya gate mate xxxx

HS: what??

HM: caan i pleeease come in harrrry

I groaned and lifted myself up. I’d fallen asleep in my clothes and on the couch instead of my bed apparently. Boots and all. I walked to the entryway and pressed the gate button and I only hoped she was alone. Minutes later, the front door opened and I heard her footsteps coming closer. When I turned around and caught sight of the disheveled girl, I had to laugh. Her hair was a bloody mess. Her makeup was smudged and her sweater was falling halfway off her body, but she still looked pretty. Too pretty. 

“You…you’re going to be the death of me, you know that?” She laughed her drunk cackle and moved to the fridge. 

“I didn’t have sex tonight.”

“Wow. That’s a first then, yeah?”

“Don’t be mean.” She pulled a pitcher of juice out and poured herself a glass. “I felt bad.”

“About what?”

“Ditching you. You were right.”

“Hm, was I?”

“You were. Mar went home with this really hot guy. Proud of her.”

“But you didn’t.”

“I didn’t.”

“That makes me proud of you, y’know?”

“I hope so.” We stood there, the two of us, silence filled the room but we stood there. There was something about her in that moment. Something different. Something…strange. 

“What made you change your mind?” She sighed, green eyes continuing to bore into my own.

“The guy she was with, Mar…he was looking at her like…like she was everything. Like…he didn’t know how to smile until he saw her.”

“You’re quite drunk…”

“I am, yes.” She nodded and took a gulp of the orange liquid. “But…yeah. Yeah, you’re right. I need something more. I can’t keep doing this to myself.”

“But…for the record. Any man who isn’t going to look at you like you’re their entire world…they’re not going to be worth even a second of your time, okay? Don’t settle. Can’t have you settlin’ for a wanker who doesn’t deserve you.” She shook her head, though no words were spoken. Another silence settled and I took the opportunity to observe her. Take her in. Legs too skinny. Too tan. Face clear and pretty. Clothes askew. I’d always known she was fit. But in my dimly lit kitchen, I saw her. I really saw her. I saw the gleam in her eyes. The pink tint in her cheeks. I saw her fingers anxiously tapping against the glass. I watched as she crossed her legs, twisted them up in a way only we thought was normal. She was innocent and experienced and headstrong. She was beautiful. Far too beautiful, I reckon.

“I won’t settle.” She finally said before finishing off the juice. “I won’t settle, Harry.” I walked over and pulled her underneath my arm, leading us both out after turning off the lights.

“Good girl.”

“Can I stay over?”

“Nope. V’gotta go.”

“Darn.” She giggled and plopped down on the couch. “Did I wake you up?”

“Yeah, thanks for that.”

“Sorry.” 

“S’okay.” I sat down next to her. “You’re forgiven.”

“Good. Means a lot.” 

“M’sure it does.” I stood up again, pulling her with me. “Guest bedroom or my bedroom?”

“Aka the bedroom you bang Nadine in, thanks, but no thanks. I’ll take the guest bedroom.” I chuckled and ruffled her already messy hair. 

“I think that toothbrush you left here is underneath the sink.”

“Cool. Night idiot.”

“Night Hal. Sweet dreams.” I watched her practically nonexistent bum sway as she glided down the hall, then I mentally smacked myself because I actually just admired my best mate’s backside as she walked away from me. I was dating a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Not many men could say that honestly. Nadine was a good person too. Not necessarily the best, but she was good. Caring. Happy. Always happy. She didn’t come from a wild and ridiculously famous family. She was humble, her parents were hard workers…she was good. I was lucky. Completely content? Happy? Not entirely. But I wasn’t unhappy either, just sitting comfortably in-between.

ø ø ø ø ø