Desolate - h.s. ✓

° twenty-four °

     We were parked by the lake, Harry helping me out of the car. He handed me the bag with dry clothes, the two of us heading over to a soft looking spot of grass. Harry laid the blanket out while I set the bag down, the curly-haired boy swiftly working to unbutton his shirt. My face flushed when his torso was revealed, his fingers reaching for my top. I was thankful that I wore solid color pair of underwear and a bra, knowing I would feel too exposed otherwise. Harry pulled my top off, allowing it to drop on top of his shirt. He undid my belt and jeans, green eyes meeting mine quickly.

"You're so pure," he stated.

"I've had sex, you bitch."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Ruin the moment."

Blushing, I glanced elsewhere, Harry simply tilting my chin up. He shook his head, touching my cheeks. My jeans were still on, and I found myself working on undoing his, Harry raising his eyebrows.

"You're a piece of work, I swear," he laughed, shaking his head.

Pushing his jeans off, I shrugged, Harry clearly amused. He was quick to push my jeans off, helping me step out of them. I watched as he glanced over me, my face flushed. Normally, I wouldn't be this open to someone, but it was clear that Harry appreciated me, a small smile growing on his face.

"You're really beautiful."

"Yeah, yeah."

"God dammit, Nicole, take a compliment."

"I can't," I told him truthfully. "It's just difficult for me to take one."

He sighed, cupping the backs of my thighs. I shrieked when he picked me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. My arms wrapped around him tightly as he started walking into the water, Harry laughing when I started shivering. However, the water appeared to not be as bad once I got used to it more.

"Why can't you take a compliment?" he asked suddenly.

"Um...." I glanced at him, Harry waiting for a response patiently. "I just haven't ... after all the shit Angelo and Trinity said to me, I've had a hard time believing that I'm actually cute."

Harry's eyebrows pulled in. "I wouldn't lie to you, Nicole. You have to know that."

"No offense to you, but for at least six years I thought you hated me."

"I did a little bit."

"Oh my God!" I laughed.

"What? You can't tell me you didn't hate me at least a little bit."

"I guess you're right," I grumbled.

He smirked, his fingers brushing some hair behind my ear. The two of us were quiet for a while, and I leaned into him, Harry rubbing soft circles into my legs under the water. It was clear he was overly caring toward me, and I had never really felt more appreciated. At least, I was pretty certain I hadn't.

"The stars are super bright," I commented.

"Yeah, they are," he agreed. "Do you want to look up at them?"

I nodded, Harry walking out of the water. My body was instantly cold, the boy setting me down on the grass. He got a towel out of the bag, wrapping it around me easily. After a couple of seconds, he was wrapping himself in a towel, the two of us lying on the blanket. Harry was close to me, his body radiating much needed heat. The two of us were silent, listening to everything in the night and watching the stars up above.

"Hey, Nicole?" Harry questioned, shifting so he was leaning beside me, resting most of his weight on his elbow.

"Hey, Harry?"