quarantine // h.s.

part 9 // counting down til midnight

as my eyes open in the morning, the first feeling that arises instead of the usual existential dread is a sense of emptiness. my heart ached, my head pounded, my chest felt tight.

"you okay?" jess asked, turning over to me in bed. usually in the morning i wish her a good morning and stretch my entire body, but this morning i sighed and remained silent.

"harry and i fought again last night." i mutter.

"girl, just stop talking to him. he's such a dick. did he apologize at least?" she asks.

"he did, and the worst part is that he said he liked me. he said he was crazy about me." i reveal and jess audibly gasps.

"oh my god! what?" she screeches. "do you think he's just saying that so he can sleep with you again?"

"if i was smart i would think yes, but somehow deep down i think he's serious."

"well that's his problem. he said some horrific stuff to you and unless he buys you a billion roses i personally won't forgive him." she smiles and brings me into a hug. i nod and fight back tears. "cmon, i'll make you some breakfast."

we walk out of our room and into the kitchen. only claire, sam, alex, and sierra were sprawled across the couches in their living room on their phones. jess breaks a few eggs into a pan and begins cooking breakfast. michael enters the room and hugs me from behind.

"sup, girl?" he says and ruffles my hair aggressively.

"get off me, weirdo." i giggle and push him off. "why are you always so loud in the morning?" i poke fun at him and he sticks his tongue out at me.

jess finishes up breakfast and slides a plate over to me. i begin eating and almost immediately the food rejuvenates me. something about carbs in the morning just warms my soul.

a few moments later, harry walks into the kitchen and pours himself a cup of black coffee. shorts hang low on his hips and his chest was bare. i couldn't help but stop chewing mid bite and glance at him. after he finishes pouring himself a coffee, he drags his feet back to his room and neglects to look at or say hello to anyone.

"god. i wish you could make up with his body but not him." jess mutters and we giggle.

"whoa, whoa. is there something going on between you two?" michael gasps. it now occurred to me that michael knows quite literally nothing about me and harry. we make our way into me and jess' bedroom and plop down on the bed.

"so me and harry are sleeping together."

"you're joking." michael asks dumbfounded. i shake my head and bite my lip smiling. i choke back a laugh and he brings his hand to cover his mouth. "wren... he's such a douchebag." he gasps.

"yeah, but you're friends with him." i sass.

"which makes it fair game for me to say that he's a douchebag."

i roll my eyes and nod, letting out another little laugh. "sometimes he is, but i don't know. i just- there's just something about me and him."

"i wouldn't call fighting and sex something."

"god damn, you are ruthless." i gasp and jess dies from laughter. michael pats me on the back and smiles.

"he has said some things about you." michael reveals and my jaw falls agape. i motion for him to continue with my hands. "i mean we're not super close, but i've overheard some chats with him and kaleb in the guys room. he basically said that he really likes you and is really sorry for something. this entire time i thought you hated him but this makes a lot more sense."