Roses and Hooks /// Harry Hook

Chapter 12: Sword Fight

The next morning, I get ready before heading over to the shop. I had managed to find Mal's old hideout and have put up residence there. Not like there's anyone around to object, I think bitterly. I still can't believe they forgot about me. I mean, I'm me! I'm literally a walking bomb of chaos. How can anyone miss me? I make myself known to anyone around me, and last I checked, I've been told I'm pretty hard to forget.

Sighing, I shake my head to clear it. I won't think of them anymore. They didn't need me, so I don't need them. Plus, I'm having fun here and I got new friends. And whatever Harry is to me. I don't even know what to think when it comes to him. He acts like he wants to be with me, then he acts like my best friend, then he's angry with me when he's the one who kissed me, then we're maybe friends again.

Thinking about the kiss has my brain frying all over again. I really need to get whatever this is out of my system. Maybe if I just think about it instead of avoiding it, it'll go away. So, I think about him, the kiss, and what I feel when I'm around him. 

He makes my heart race, and I want to be around him. I like the way he looks at me with that look of madness and something else. I like the way he calls me Beasty, like it's meant for me and not because of my name. I like the way he seems to always have a sense of being unpredictable, like no matter what, nothing will ever be boring with him around.

Then there's the kiss. God, that kiss. I'll admit, I liked it when he kissed me even if it was a challenge. I want him to kiss me again, only without the challenge. I want him to actually want to kiss me, and not because I twisted him into doing it.

"Oh my God." I whisper. That's has to be why he's mad at me. I challenged him into kissing me when he must not have wanted to. The thought hurts more than I'd like, but if he doesn't want to be with me like that, I can't force him. I cover my mouth with my hand. I'm a terrible person. I should have never forced him to do that like I did.

"Oh, roses." I say as I realize another thing. I'm crushing hard on the boy who doesn't want me. What do I do about that? How do I fix this? Do I talk to him? Does he even want to talk to me? Groaning in frustration, I kick a box making it fly down the alley.

"Whatever the box did, I'm sure it's deserved." I yelp and turn around to find Harry standing behind me grinning. I open my mouth to say something, but my voice dies in my throat. My mouth opens and closes as I try to think of something to say. Sorry? Is that even strong enough? What is there to say? Harry raises an eyebrow at me. "You alright there, Beasty?"

Squeaking like a mouse, which causes my face to heat up in embarrassment, I nod my head and smile at him. God, I really do become a stupid idiot when he's around. He gives me a weird look before grinning at me again.

"Uma sent me to find you. She thought you might have been a bit lost." I nod my head not trusting my voice. Harry holds his hand out for me to take, and without even thinking, I put my hand in his. Mentally groaning and cursing myself, I let him lead me through the Isle. If he didn't want to be with me, then why is he holding my hand?

Getting to the shop, he pulls me through the doors and stops to shove his sword in the barrel again. It must be a rule or something. He pulls me over to the bar, several people watching us go by. One glare from Harry has them scrambling to look away. He has to be a top dog in some aspect if he can cause so much fear with a simple look.

"Rose." Uma calls out to me as she comes out of the back. Gil sits at the bar eating eggs, and I look at him confused. What's up with the dozens of eggs? Then it clicks in my head who his dad is, and I'm even more confused. The son of Gaston is super nice and nothing like his dad. Shrugging and shaking my head, I smile at Uma.

"Hey, Cap. I see you sent the mad man after me." Harry grins and leans over my shoulder behind me.

"Oh, lassie. You have no idea just how mad I can be." I roll my eyes at him and try to calm my heart down. Ever since I've become aware of my crush, it's like my emotions towards the boy has gone into overdrive.