"Wasn't it enough when you made a fool out of yourself two years ago? Open your fucking eyes and just be for once aware of your surroundings."
He gets up with this sentence and leaves the table.
I stare at the chair he was sitting on.
Oh Lord how...
"Fine other explanation; I don't want to be near you." She says and gives me a fake smile
Wtf?
I thought we were starting to form a neutral bond.
She gets along with Theo so fucking well, which is why I decided to give her a chance.
I assumed that I treated her good enough that we can deal with each other normally.
"Why that?"
Theo is already distracted with something new and collects shells, so I don't have to worry he will hear what we're talking about.
"Yesterday was too much, Hensley." She says and now dives into the water herself.
Double wtf?
She thinks I did that to her?
When we met, I wasn't well-disposed and said things over the years, but I never done anything that could harm her physically.
"You do know that Aiden did that."
"Yeah, but who gave him the idea?"
"Not me. He made it up himself."
"Sure, sure. And even if, he does all this because you started this whole thing against me. And for the hundredth time, I don't even know why."
I remember that day.
Theo had been in the hospital for 3 days and still had many weeks left. I had packed my things and moved into my own home after a long discussion with my parents, which contained more yelling and cussing than everything else.
I couldn't sleep because I was so afraid T wouldn't make it.
The only thing I had of him was my gray hat which Theo always stole from me and wore himself, although it was way too big for his small head.
I was alone and didn't know what to do with my temper. I wasn't at home anymore and couldn't take it out on my parents.
I was alone, waiting to see T again.
I brought the hat with me wherever I went because I made up it would higher the chance of his survival.
But on the second day, Harriet poured some drink over it and I lost it. I made her my new victim of anger. I know it was unfair. I just didn't know how to help myself.
Now Theo is safe with me and even after everything Harriet treats him like my mother never did.
She is happy to spent time with him, cheers him up when he is sad and gives him the feeling, he can rely on her.
And only now do I realize that I'm a complete fucking asshole.
A literally dumb fuck.
"I'm sorry, Harriet. Really sorry for everything I have said to you. I never convinced Aiden to be on my side or told him to treat you bad. He made this decision for himself and I should have made him and myself stop a long time ago. I apologize for that. I didn't give Aiden the idea to do this to you and to make this clear I also didn't laugh like the others. My question yesterday was sincere. In how much pain are you?"
She stares at me. For so long. With big eyes and a sad expression. I think she didn't expect a guilt confession and I honestly didn't myself.
I don't know if it's because of the water or the situation but it seems like her eyes are filling with tears. She turns away.
"But why did you start?"
I really don't want to talk about it. I have great feelings of guilt that I didn't take Theo away from my parents earlier.
But since I'm finally his guardian, the rage and the negativity are on a low level.
"I didn't know how to deal with my anger and you stepped into my life the moment I was looking for someone to let it all out. I'm really sorry."
"But why change your mind now?"
I don't like talking about my parents and my childhood.
"My fury had disappeared since I finally got T."
She just nods and goes back to the shore.
I look at her retreating figure. And only now I see that her shirt clings to her like a second skin, emphasizing her curves.
I shake my head and splash some water into my face.
I also make my way back to the beach and walk to Theo, who is making a sandcastle.
"Finny do we have buckets?"
"Yes, wait a second I will get them."
I walk to our belongings but stop on the spot.
Harriet pulls her wet t-shirt over her head and I see her half-covered body.
But what catches my eye are the bruises.
She is right it's my fault that Aiden started being mean to her.
"You should go to a doctor." I say and she looks me in the face as soon as her shirt is off her head.
"I already was."
She says and turns her back to me. She bends down a little, to get a dry shirt out of her bag.
Unintentionally my eye wander to her butt and I turn around.
Today is not the day I look at Harriet Levine's body.
"You're good to go." She says and I turn back. I step up to her and look into her grey eyes.
"Please tell me how you're feeling."
"I feel better than yesterday." She returns while looking me into the eyes.
I never noticed before how unbelievable gorgeous she is.
Her nose is small and covered with freckles. Her eyes are grey with a green rim and her mouth has the shape of a heart. Her face is slim and defined.
She grabs a handful of shells and makes her way to Theo.
Her body is normally built. Her belly is not flat and has some stretch marks, but that only makes her more beautiful.
I frighten myself with these thoughts and quickly turn around to grab the bucket from my backpack.
Harriet is intelligent and so fucking friendly.
After my behavior I shouldn't be thinking thinks like that. I don't want to hurt her more than I already did.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
