Cover Your Tracks [HS][2014 VERSION]

21. Sting

"When we had our first kiss, it was your favorite thing. And you weren't lying when you said it would sting . . ."

I watch as Harry walks away and descends the stairs. His movements are nothing but haste as runs his fingers through his fringe and descends the stairs, leaving me alone in the hallway. I close my eyes and sink to the floor, pressing my back against the wall as I go down. When I reach the floor I loll my head back and stare at the ceiling.

My breathing is rugged as I replay what just happened in my head. I remember the way I had felt when I had opened the bathroom door and saw him standing behind a girl, buttoning his shirt. I remember the smug look on his face when his eyes had met mine, and how it made me feel even though I had been the one to tell him to fuck that girl. But I didn't mean it what I had said, it was a mistake. I had said it out of rage and now I regretted it more than ever.

I remember Harry slamming me up against the wall, pinning me down as I struggled against him. The thought of him touching me after having his hands on that slut disgusted me, but there wasn't much I could say. I had practically encouraged him to do what he did and now I was paying the consequences.

His touch lingering on my lips was one of them. The tingling nerves won't go away no matter how many times I rub and pinch my lips between my fingers. Part of me felt dirty for having him kiss me after he had sex with the girl from before. There was no telling where his lips had been, and that thought alone makes me feel sick.

The combination of my disgust and the alcohol I had consumed causes my stomach to stir. Quickly, I rise to my feet and rush into the bathroom. I don't bother to shut the door behind me as I fall to my knees and spill the contents of my stomach into the toilet.

I don't know how long I sit there, choking and gasping for breath before I feel a hand on my back. I start to turn my head to look behind me but stop as another wave hits me. The person pulls my hair back and pats me on the back.

I feel embarrassed to have been caught in such a state. When I finish, I turn my head to look at my helper. Naomi gives me a small smile that radiates pity and I sigh, gripping the toilet as I push myself up.

My body feels weak as I rise to my feet. I take a step forward and stumble before Naomi steadies me, making sure that I'm okay before letting me go to walk once again. Slowly, I make my way out of the bathroom and downstairs with Naomi following closely behind. She leads me into the kitchen and I lean against the counter as she makes me a glass of water.

"Thank you," I manage to croak as she extends the glass to me. I take it from her hands and tilt my head back, letting the liquid wash down my throat. It soothes my dry throat and eliminates most of the aftertaste in my mouth. I reach the bottom of the glass quickly and set it down once I'm done.

"What time is it?" I ask.

Naomi pulls her phone out of her bag. The light illuminates her face as she says, "Nearly midnight. Do you want to go home?"

"Yeah, but what about Harry?"

"I saw him storm out of the house earlier, haven't seen him since." She glances at me. "Do you know what that was about?"

I shake my head. She sighs before grabbing my wrist and tugging me through the crowd of people in search of the front door. We find it and step outside before heading over to her car. I climb in and buckle my seatbelt, and I can't help but look for Harry as I do. My eyes search the area around us but I don't see anything, just the shadows of trees dancing on grass.

Naomi slides into the driver's seat and insert her key into the ignition, twisting it until the engine of the car roars to life. Slowly, she pulls out of the line of cars and creeps along the road, watching for teenagers that may be stumbling drunk through the street.