Pining [H.E.S.]

Chapter 2

I spent my morning and afternoon thinking about Grace and what was she doing with Ryan. I sat on the couch, impatiently waiting for her arrival. The telly was on, but I was only using it for white noise to be quiet honest. The flat without her was boring. Watching television wasn't interesting unless she was sitting next to me to snort at every somewhat humorous comment that was made. Food wasn't appetizing unless she was there to eat it with me. Sleeping wasn't desirable unless I knew Grace was in her bedroom next to mine.

I just sighed and rolled onto my back on the sofa. I put my hands over my face, trying to block the light of the setting sun that was shining through the window. It was already six o 'clock in the evening, and I had been waiting for Grace to return for what felt like an eternity. My hand went to the remote for the TV, and I turned it to mute. I sat in the silence with my arms covering my face for a while, until I started to fall into a light sleep.

When I woke up, I heard the front door unlock and shut. I heard what I assumed was Grace hanging up her keys and placing her bag onto the table that was near the door. She flicked on the light to the sitting room, causing me to groan. I adjusted my position on the couch and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I pushed some of my hair out of my face and sat up to see Grace.

"Grace," I greeted, opening my eyes but squinting in the bright light. Grace sniffled.

"Hey, Harry," she said, her voice shaky and broken. Oh, no. Grace looked up at me, her hair was sticking to her forehead and her face was blotched with red. Her eyes were puffy and pink. I knew Grace nearly never cried, so I could tell she was going through significant trauma.

I instantly stood up and jogged over to where she was standing. "What's wrong?" I inquired. She didn't answer. I gently wrapped my fingers around her chin and pulled her face up so she could look at me. Her hazel eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks were still wet with tears. As I was scanning her face, I noticed an unusual mark on the side of her face. It was a hand print, nice and bright and red. I suddenly felt a red hot rage boiling inside of me, rising as fast as the bile in my throat. Despite this new searing anger, I gently brought my free hand up to caress the mark, and she winced in pain. It actually hurt me to see her pain. "What the hell happened to you?" I asked, though anyone could easily guess what had been done to her, and by who.

With that question hanging in the air, Grace burst into tears, sobs raking her body. I instinctively wrapped my arms firmly around her shoulders, completely engulfing her in a strong hug. I didn't say anything, I figured it was better to let her be. Grace slung her arms around my back and I felt her clutch at the fabric of my white t-shirt. "Oh, Harry," was all she choked out while she cried into my chest. My stomach and heart felt like they were being twisted into knots. I wanted desperately to ask her again what had happened but I didn't want to make her feel any worse.

I pushed her back by her shoulders and she hung her head low, letting her hair fall over her features. I ducked my head so I could look into her face. "I'm gonna go get you some ice for that, yeah?" I said, referring to the mark on her face. Grace nodded weakly and wrapped her arms around herself. If I was selfish, I would say it hurt me more than it hurt Grace when I saw her this way.

I rushed into the kitchen and filled a plastic bag with ice cubes as quickly as I could. I wrapped the bag in a paper towel to dull the feeling of the ice, and hurried back over to Grace.

I lowered my head as I lifted Grace's face up. I gently pressed the ice pack I made against her cheek. She winced at first and I quickly pulled the ice away, but she guided the bag back to her cheek. As I held the pack to her face, her hands were gripping my biceps while she choked out a few more sobs.

"You wanna hold it now?" I suggested to her in a low and comforting voice, bringing my other hand up to touch her cheek. She nodded and hiccuped. I pulled her into a hug after she took hold of the ice pack. She had her face pressed into my chest and I swayed us from side to side as I held her in my arms. My chin was resting on her head. Although my body was sweltering with anger and rage, I could never even dream of being harsh with Grace, never at a time like this. I would always be there for her, I would always be soft and gentle with her, no matter how I felt on the inside.