Sanctuary // H.S. AU

Heartbreaker

I sit up straight, groaning, trying to find my phone. I push my hair out of my face trying to see the time. Squinting my eyes it reads 8:36am. "Fuck." I moan, frantically searching for my clothes on the floor. I completely forget the beautiful man that I spent the night with. I hurry outside without being seen, ordering an uber.

My uber arrives, and I immediately jump in, trying to avoid any interaction with... Henry? I think that was his name. 

Vinnie, the uber driver, looks back at me and says, "Rough night?" I notice his slight smirk and smile, "Something like that."

Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar comes on the radio, and I can't help but sing along, faintly remembering the details of last night.  I don't allow myself too much time to reminisce, because I've spent enough time training myself to avoid repeat fucks. 

I'm just not built for commitment.

He parks in front of my house, and I step out, saying a quick thank you, but desperately needing a shower. I'm already late for work. I run inside, ignoring Kai on the couch, and wanting to reach the shower before Cove wakes up and starts questioning me.

Once in the bathroom, I quickly strip from last night's clothes and step into the scalding hot water. Once in, I allow myself to truly breathe for the first time this morning. The morning after is always the hardest, the hangover impairing my ability to ignore my mind.

When I was seventeen, I came home from a sleepover to find my dad dead on the living room floor. Often I get flashbacks to the pure panic I felt in that moment. I remember going to call 911, when I locked eyes with my brother. He smiled at me, and said "Hey sis, long time no see." and then dropped a match to the floor. I watched my childhood home burst into flames, giving me no time to process my dad's death nor my brothers return. 

You may think my first thought was to call 911 still, but instead I walked to Cove's house, two doors down, and sat in her shower for two hours. Cove sat next to me, not saying a word. She knew my house was burning, she didn't know my dad was in it, and she didn't know my brother was involved. Regardless she knew I was in no state to talk.

Showers became my therapy that day. The only place I allow myself to feel.

After fully washing myself from last night, I stare in the mirror noticing my green eyes glazed over and my tangled hair. Running down my body, bruises cover my wrist and neck from the night before. Hopefully no one notices ask me any questions. 

Dressing in leggings and a sweatshirt I go in the kitchen to grab breakfast. The first eyes I meet is Kai with a look of mystery in his eyes.

"So, where have you been huh?" he ask.

"As if it's any of your business" I scoff. 

"Well I don't see the issue about asking one of my best fucking friends where they were. You know what it does to me when I see with you another guy."

I roll my eyes and grab a pop tart out of the pantry. 

"We fuck like once a month, get over yourself." He doesn't take my comment too well and storms out of the kitchen and slams his bedroom door. 

Cove saunters into the kitchen looking like a truck hit her. 

"What the hell just happened?" she groans.

"Just the usual Kai." I smile sarcastically.

"How was mystery man last night?" She asks.

"I'm late for work." I say bluntly, and head out the door, hopping into my tan vintage Mercedes convertible.

I put in an old Fleetwood Mac tape, take the top off, and start my drive to downtown Seattle, where Honeybee Books is located. A bookstore left to me by my father, as well as a bookstore named after me by my father.

Talk about a fucked up reminder.

I parallel park in the front, and walk in.

Alice smiles at me as I pass the front desk, heading to the back office.

I was given the bookstore in the will, which seems like a sweet gesture, but now I'm in charge of keeping it running, and constantly checking the books, as well as inventory.

Placing books on their shelves, the first customer of the day walks in. 

A girl and boy walk in browsing around. The girl with long blonde hair and the boy with brown curly hair making my mind wander into the thoughts of last night. 

The tall man finally turns around and I'm met with light green eyes. 

Harry. That was his name, and that's who is standing in front of me now.

I quickly look back down to finish what I was working on.

I feel him getting closer and closer. Then finally with the blonde girl traveling behind him I feel his presence right behind me. I suck a deep breath in waiting for this awkward interaction.

He taps my shoulder and I turn around. "I'm ready to check out," he says with a bright smile. 

I walk over to the counter already pissed out of my mind. "Will this be all for today?" I ask, our hands touching for a split second, as I slide the copy of Norwegian Wood to my side of the counter.

"Yes." He says with that stupid smirk still plastered on his face.

"All set. Hope you and your girlfriend have a great day." I may be a lot of things, but a homewrecker is not one of them.

"She's not my girlfriend." He says looking at me so intently, I feel like he can see through me. The girl scoffs and walks out. 

"Looks like you'll be sleeping in the dog house tonight." I turn to walk away but he grabs my arm,  pulling me back.

"I need your number. Now."

"Won't your girlfriend get mad?"

"She's not my girlfriend." He says.

"Her scoff is telling me a different story."

"Give me your number and I'll never see her again."

I burst out laughing, like genuinely laugh in his face.

"We'll leave this up to fate. If we see each other again, I'll give it to you. If not, well, keep blondie on speed dial."

He rolls his eyes and lets out a breathy laugh, "Fine. But fate tends to be on my side." He turns and leaves the store as I mumble, "It's never been on mine."

Once the door shuts, I turn around to see Alice smiling at me.

"Now what the fuck was that?" 

"I don't pay you to eavesdrop. Get back to work." I say as I head to my office.

I sit down and put my head in my hands. Who the fuck is this guy?