Walk Away h.s punk/au

32

Curled up on my couch, my legs underneath me, I stared at Nina. It had been a while since I saw her or Leo. There was a undeniable tension that I tried not to cause but given how close she was to Harry now, it was hard not to feel on edge. She took a sip from her mug of tea and smiled. “So how’d you like your birthday present?”

I stared at her for a second, my birthday was in fact tomorrow, but I hadn’t received anything and didn’t really plan getting anything. My silent confusion was enough explanation to answer her question. “Leo hasn’t given it to you yet?” I shook my head staring down at the cup of steaming tea. “He probably will tomorrow then. I guess that’s why he went out with Nick today.”

Nick. I knew I needed to be careful about how I reacted to his name. I tried to control the smile that was eager to form on my lips as I thought about his gentle coffee colored eyes and the way they shined down on me. “Oh?” That was the safest response I could muster up.

“Yeah, Nick said something about getting you a present too.” Nina began to smirk and I knew that I was done.

“Really?” I shouldn’t have been as excited as I was for that.

She nodded smiling, placing the cup on the coffee table. She leaned back, resting her arm on the back of the couch. “Is there something going on between you two?”

Regardless of how hard I tried to control my emotions, my face flushed. “I don’t know.” That was a safe answer, and the truth, for the most part.

Nina reached a hand out to my knee, rubbing it soothingly. “I’d approve if there was. I think that’d be great, I just want to make sure that it wouldn’t be a rebound or to make Harry jealous.”

I shouldn’t have gotten offended, I knew Nina was merely sticking up for her brother, but I couldn’t help the surge of distrust that pulsed through me. I was more than capable of knowing when I was taking advantage of someone and I for sure as hell knew that whatever I felt for Nick wasn’t because of Harry. Harry pushed me toward him, but not in any way made me want Nick the way I wanted him. Doing my best to ignore the slight insult, I choked out a laugh and managed to say, “Have a little faith in me Nina. I’m not that bad.”

Nina seemed relieved and laughed as well. “Do you have plans for your birthday?”

“No, I was probably going to go over to Nick and Aaron’s, or have them come over here. Nothing to exciting, it’s not really my forte to party.”

Nina threw her head back in laughter, “I’ve heard you handle alcohol quite well. Is that true?”

I playfully punched her arm and we were back to normal. Things would be okay between us. I didn’t want her messing in whatever Nick and I had, but I knew it was inevitable. She was his sister after all, and would want what was best for him-which hopefully was me.

Nick's P.O.V.

The crisp early October air nipped at my skin as I hustled Leo and I into the animal shelter. Katherine still hadn’t gotten around to getting that cat so here I was getting her birthday present from Leo and I. It was odd getting to spend time with him after not having been able to for so long. I expected some hesitancy from him, some distance, but he warmed up to me quite nicely. Being thankful for Harry letting me spend time with him was an understatement. His small hand wrapped snuggly around my own allowing him to lean into me for warmth. His soft teal eyes darted around from place to place in awe at the various animals that called the shelter home. “Alright little lion, you pick out one you think Katherine will like.”