Ten

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"Where were you?" I froze in step, my body tensing as I heard the familiar voice question me, suspicion and the slightest hint of consternation laced in her tone

"I-I finished my work early yesterday so I walked home" I lied, straight through my teeth, not turning around and having the courage to look into her eyes. I knew, I knew I'd crack with one look of her hard gaze

"Alright" I frowned as I heard her heels click away on the tiled floor with every step she took, wondering why she wasn't bombarding me with questions of school and my studies as she usually did.
Hesitantly brushing it off, I walked to my bag that lay on the leather couch, picking it up before shuffling through it to find my phone. Getting ahold of it, there were four texts and two calls. All from Harry.

I bit my lip and contemplated on what to do. Guilt swarmed through my chest as I reminisced the events of yesterday. I let out a sigh and turned around, walking upstairs, and down the hall towards the study room which was mother's home office where she did all of her work

I knocked lightly on the door, hearing a muffled, "Come in", bracing myself for her answer, which I was almost positive I knew

"May I go to the library? It's not raining and it's only about fifteen minutes away. I'll be back in an hour or so" I pursed my lips, keeping my eyes trained on the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the room. I could feel her intense stare on me, before a light exhale echoed through the quite room

"Alright. Be back by one" My eyes widened, lips parting before I furiously nodded, a slight smile on my face before I walked away in confusion though exultant nonetheless, hurrying downstairs

I opened the front door, stepping out into the damp streets. The atmosphere seemed depressing and somber, the sky a light grey. I blew out a breath, walking quickly and realising the neighbourhood was starting to look familiar

I bit my lip and walked down the large houses as each stood tall like a mansion. I stopped dead in my tracks when Harry's house stood a few feet away from me. But that wasn't what surprised me, it was the expensive black Audi that stood in his driveway. As far as I knew, Harry might've been rich but he only had a range rover, and that car definitely wasn't it

Swallowing down the anxiety and lump in my throat, I shrugged it off, it could be his friend, anyone for that matter. I walked up the steps and lightly knocked on the door. I sighed when I heard nothing but silence. Knocking loudly again, this time there were quick yet loud footsteps behind it, the door swinging open seconds later

"Hello" I looked up at the woman in front of me. Her long black hair framed her face messily, complementing her stunning dark blue eyes, her skin flushed as she tugged at the over sized shirt that I realised was too big for her. I took a sharp intake of breath before stumbling back, blinking constantly

"Are you lost?" She tilted her head to the side as I shook my head furiously, "Oh, are you here for someone? Is it Harry? I'll go call him if you'd like-" She turned around, ready to head up before I stopped her

"No, no. I think I'm at the wrong house" I grimaced, letting a small imprecise smile on my lips as she furrowed her eyebrows

"I think you are at the wrong house, sweetheart. You look too young to be roaming around alone..." She trailed off making me grit my teeth, as I narrowed my eyes on her

"Sorry, for...the bother" She quickly nodded, before shutting the door. The tears welled up in my eyes as I sniffled lightly, kicking rocks as I walked down his pathway

Everything seemed to be going wrong.

I walked back home the way I came from, disgust and vexation, the only emotions coursing through me towards Harry. I wanted nothing but to get away from him. Thinking this, I quietly walked up to my room, falling face forward into the bed

"Delaney?" My door burst open, not even ten minutes of my nap before mother walked in. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up to look at her, her arms crossed across her chest and brows furrowed

"Oh good, you're back. You left some books at Harry's-"

"Daddy?" I frowned, clenching my jaw as I heard her gasp, my eyes suddenly widening in realisation. I shut mine and lowered my head, biting on the inside of my cheek, my throat running dry, as she raised her eyebrows

"What did you just say?" She breathed, her chest rising and falling quickly, taking dangerously slow steps towards me

"I miss daddy. As in dad. I miss dad, I had a dream about him...so I-" I panicked before she cut me off, holding up her hands as her blue eyes stared into mine

"Alright. Harry said you left some books at his place, he's here to return them. He also said how you didn't finish all of your work as you might've forgotten to do maths so he volunteered to help you for half an hour" Before I could even call out my percipience she turned on her heels, walking downstairs to most likely call him up

I ran a shaky hand through my hair before the familiar reverberation of his boots clacked against the tiles, every step he took made me more nervous and irritation course through my veins

As he stepped in, he locked the door behind him, placing some books on my table before darting his green eyes to me

"Delaney-" He started, before I rudely cut him off

"Leave" I whispered, avoiding eye contact with him as a sigh blew from his lips

"Baby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude" His presence neared my frame on the bed, before he kneeled down besides me, his thumb raising to raise my chin up to meet his green eyes

"Leave me alone, Harry" I snapped, scooting away from him as I wrapped my arms around my legs, pulling them towards my chest

"Delaney, don't be like this" He rolled his eyes, cursing lightly under his breath. Harry brought his hand up, about to place it on my thigh, me moving away just at the last minute, his hand falling on my bed sheets instead

"I-I don't want to be around you anymore" I looked away from him, glaring at anywhere but his striking green eyes

"Why? I said I'm sorry" He exhaled, the sound ringing silently through my tranquil room.

I didn't answer him, instead I ignored him. Ignored his presence as if he wasn't even there, and ignored the lies behind his words. He did know, I was sure of it.

"Fine" My head snapped to him, heartbeat slowly increasing as he stood up, and walked out without another word or glance back

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