Unsteady || H.S

Chapter 5

~September 11th, 2015~

Harry is silent on the drive from my dorm, his hand tight around my own as he drives quickly. I can feel the slight shaking of his hands, him being alone something he dreads. I'd rather not leave him on his own, us only having two classes together and the time after our first class before my mathematics. The fact that he called me Sky last night didn't go unnoticed, nor the fact that I enjoyed the name coming from his lips alone. If it happens again I won't say anything either, hoping he'll get the hint that it's okay.

My hand is taken in his once we're both out of the car, his fingers tightly laced with mine, holding fear that I'll let go and leave him. Reading Harry isn't hard, after abandoning him for two weeks it's obvious that he doesn't want it to happen again, his vulnerability alone high when I can't stand up for him. The pain in his words last night hasn't been forgotten, him more than likely being taken advantage of at a younger age. No part of me wants to question him about it at the moment but at some point down the road if I still allow myself to be next to him I'm sure I'll have the desire to know.

He tenses at the sight of the girl from the afternoon before, but I place my hand gently on his bicep and lead him away. "I'm right here and she'll be dead before touching you." Harry smiles widely down at me, his comfort rising as we get closer to the class talking about nonsense. "They did what?" Harry's laugh echoes through the large corridor, multiple sets of eyes looking out way. "When I was seven I told my family that I didn't want anything for Christmas. So I wake up Christmas morning and all of the decorations, the Christmas cookies, and even the lights outside were gone. It was just an average day but they were excited the next year when I told them that all I wanted was an MP3 player and the decorations in tact."

"They must've really wanted to make you happy, they obviously love you a lot." I sigh, entering the almost empty classroom. "You'd think that wouldn't you? All the neighbors thought so too. But I was the one who demanded decorations every year, they hated Christmas and were happy to remove all the decor and not have to deal with me the next day." Harry sits down directly next to me, leaving almost no elbow room as he sits directly by the wall so no one else can sit next to him. "Who the hell hates Christmas? You should see my house at Christmas time, even my grandparents overdecorate."

"You'd hate to meet my stepmother, the actual inspiration for the grinch movies. My dad loved it when I was little but since she can't tolerate it, he hardly would." Harry laughs at my small joke, me taking every chance I can to make him happy after last night. "Well they live what, a week's drive away? Stay and at least see my house around Christmas. I'll probably need some help putting it all together anyways." I nod, not wanting to verbally promise that I'll still be around him in a few months, these few days the longest I've ever been around someone.

The class drones on as Harry and I pay close attention to the lecture and each other. Every once in a while one of us will answer a question, the rest of the time spent trying to entertain each other while sitting in the front row. Tic-tac-to boards cover a sheet of my paper, Harry usually winning unless I pout. I casually lean over the paper each time our teacher walks by, not willing to let him see what's actually kept us awake.

"Miss Promenade," the teacher's voice is stern, shocking me from my latest win against Harry. "Yes?" He walks over to me slowly, Harry removing the paper before he arrived. "Did either you or Mr. Styles hear the question?" I shake my head, him saying that we each are to tell our life stories in as much detail as possible. My heart stops, wondering how I'll ever talk about my life, but at least it's with Harry. "Taller partners first, an oral presentation is due by the start of class tomorrow." He sits down at his desk in silence, typing on his computer without paying attention to us.

"Okay how about this, we don't talk about this here, why don't we go out to dinner tonight, talk about the good stuff you know? Then, maybe you can stay at mine and we'll help each other through the bad stuff? It can be our first date and an emotional roller coaster at the same time." I smile up at him, happy about his understanding of the situation. "I'd like that. Can we stop by my dorm? I'd like to pick up a few clothes so we don't have to to it in the morning," he agrees, saying he'll call somewhere for reservations while I'm in mathematics, him not having anymore classes for the next few day but psychology. I appreciate the slow pick up into the school, only having certain department classes for the first few days.