Take My Breath (KShaw)

Chapter 7

The library, more than anything, is Harry's favourite place on campus. It might just be his favourite place in the whole world, actually. Maybe it's the books, which he's always been drawn to. Aisle after aisle, shelf after shelf of books. Or maybe it's because no one bothers him in the library.

Everyone's too busy doing their own thing to talk to anyone else. And it's also the only sure fire place that JJ never, ever goes. Which is why he nearly has a heart attack when he reaches up to grab a book, tugs it off the shelf, and turns to find JJ behind him. He looks so out of place. He's wearing his jersey today, unsurprisingly, and it's like seeing a lion in the middle of the ocean. It's like seeing a shark in the desert. It doesn't make sense.

"What are you doing here?" Harry demands. JJ looks uncomfortable, too. He shifts on his feet, crosses his arms over his chest, looks around. Maybe he's afraid of someone seeing him here or something. "I just-" He cuts off, running a hand through his hair. "You need to tell Simon you don't want to go to the party." Harry lets his arm drop to his side, book held precariously in his fingertips. "I wasn't planning on going to the stupid party anyway," he says. "Good," JJ snaps. "I don't know why he'd even invite you. You wouldn't belong there."

Harry raises his eyebrows, and that comment stings, just a little. But it comes from JJ so he doesn't let it bother him. "Did you really come all the way in here just to tell me that? How long did it take you to find the library, anyway?" JJ glares at him for that. "Just text Simon and tell him you don't want to go, but don't tell him I told you to." Harry leans against the shelf. "And what's in it for me?" "What's- You don't even want to go!" JJ shouts. In the distance, someone shushes him. "You don't even want to go," he repeats, quieter. "So just tell Simon that."

This isn't surprising. JJ goes from asshole to major asshole the closer he gets to a game. The fact that he went out of his way to come tell Harry not to go to the party probably has more to do with the fact that he needs an outlet for his nerves, and Harry always seems to be it. That doesn't mean that it pisses Harry off any less.

"Maybe I want to go, actually," Harry says. "You know, I think I will." He leans the book on the shelf and pulls out his phone, bringing up Simon's contact. "I'll ask Simon what time I need to be ready-" His phone is tugged out of his fingers without warning. Harry reaches for it, but JJ holds it behind his back, his stupid eyebrows furrowed together. "Why do you always have to be difficult?" he hisses. "Give me my phone back," Harry says carefully, going from irritated but amused to pissed in seconds. "How many times do I have to tell you not to touch my stuff?" JJ slowly backs away from him, a grin on his face. He quickly types things out on Harry's phone, while Harry gapes at him. "There," he says. "I told Simon for you. You're welcome." He tosses the phone and Harry scrambles to catch it, and he only just manages.

The thing is, JJ's an idiot. If he hadn't said anything, if he hadn't gone out of his way to make sure that Harry didn't go, then Harry wouldn't have. He had no intentions of going to that fucking party. He hadn't even told Ethan or Tobi about it because he knew they'd try to persuade him. But there's something about JJ telling him not to that makes him want to. Which is why he presses Simon's contact and hits talk.

"What are you doing?" JJ asks, as Harry brings the phone to his ear. "Hey, Simon," he says cheerfully. "I was just-" Fingers wrap around his wrist, slowly pulling his hand down. Harry doesn't even fight JJ on it, not when he's this close, his eyes clouding Harry's vision. He smells like heavy body spray, that same shit that he cakes on every morning that he actually decides to get out of bed, that gives Harry a headache, most of the time, but right now sort of smells... good. He can hear Simon's voice through the speaker, too quiet to pick up on the words when the phone is lowered to his side. JJ presses the button to end the call before he kisses Harry.