Limerence • h.s.

09

I could hear Megan and Frank downstairs, immediately looking around the house. Their voices carried so easily, and I could hear Frank going on and on to Harry about the collection of guitars scattered around the place. I couldn't hear any response from Harry, the man was surprisingly soft-spoken.

Before joining them, I slide the borrowed sweatpants over my legs. I mess around with the fabric, bunching it at the ankles so that I don't trip over it. Harry's long legs are my enemy right now. After securing the tie around my waist, I tidy things up and place the First Aid Kit back under his sink. With my clothes bunched in my hands, I make my way down the stairs.

To my surprise, Megan is nearly asleep on the couch. She lays flat with her arm situated over her eyes, mouth hanging open slightly. I chuckled at her before walking over to the bags they brought with them, tossing my pile of clothes in and then digging through to check for my glasses. Luckily, they were tucked away in a random pocket.

I quickly worked my old and dry contacts out of my eyes to toss, immediately relishing the feeling of them gone. My glasses were situated on my face when I turned back to search for Harry and Frank. A small cloud of light came from the hallway, leading to a room full of many different types of music equipment.

I peered through the door quietly, simply observing Harry show Frank his many different things. From a mixing area to his multiple journals of songs and other things, even some of his more prized instruments. I let my eyes wander across the room, admiring his platinum records and tour posters. I had yet to get to know his music like I should have, considering he's heard most of our stuff. He seemed to be quite the singer, incredibly successful. 

"I'll tell ya, man, I'm simply dreaming of the day," Frank says, his hands resting on his hips as he shakes his head in awe. Harry brings one hand to Frank's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "Soon. I'll have ya there before you know it, mate." They smile at each other before finally turning to see me. I give a weak smile.

"I think Megan's gone for the night," I say, laughing a bit. Harry gives me a smile, but Frank is quiet. I inhale a breath before crossing my arms over my chest. There's a touch of silence before I look to Frank, asking him how things went. His eyes flicker to Harry, who seems to take the hint when he announces that he needs to shower.

As he starts to exit the room, I freeze. My body tenses up and my lungs pause as his body brushes past mine. His one arm effortlessly glided against my skin. Even the smallest touch has me nervous, after whatever it was that happened in that bathroom.

"Goodnight, Cecily." He says, just barely above a whisper behind me, sending tingles dancing around my neck. "Goodnight, Harry," I say, nearly out of breath. With that, he's gone. All that's left of him is the sound of his feet walking up the stairs. With shivers bouncing down my back, I snap my eyes back to Frank. "Well, am I in the clear?" I ask.

Frank situates himself on a chair in the middle of the room, clasping his hands together. "It just doesn't make any sense, Cec. If he was able to find you earlier, you would think that meant he knew where you were staying." I furrow my brows. "So, there was no sign of him being there, then?" He just shakes his head.

"Why go through the trouble of following me here if he isn't interested in where I'm staying? And if he does know, why not at least go there?" I say, rubbing my hands together in thought. "Maybe he doesn't know the code, or maybe he really doesn't know the place. Either way, it's weird. I mean, if he does know where you are, don't you think someone would have had to tell him?"

I shake my head. "I don't know who would have told him. I only speak to the two of you." My mind is a mess as I try to make sense of everything. Frank just stares off, seemingly trying to think just as hard as me. "My bank account had a withdrawal, but there's no way he could have gotten here that quickly, right? Plus, the ATM Megan used wasn't at that gas station I don't think, so he would have just been wandering around. He either got lucky, or someone is watching me." I stare at Frank nervously, suddenly feeling incredibly vulnerable. He stands to walk over to me, rubbing his arms up and down my back to try and comfort me.