Silence & The Noise - Fallon's Story

The Second Aftermath

The next morning I woke up in a fog. I got up as I usually did and tried to move myself out of the feeling. This morning was a little different as Henry has his own routine but this time he forgoed and watched me instead. I couldn't make sense of it. My mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Why was Henry staring at me? Was it mere curiosity or something more? The subway memories resurfaced, intertwining with my desire to be close to him. I hoped desperately that our connection wouldn't crumble under the weight of my own fears.

I kept moving like I normally do but the staring grew to annoy me somewhat. I caught him with every single turn I made, his boiling intense stare at me like it was the subway all over again. I wanted to know why he was doing this and what he could even figure out. By late afternoon, I was fed up. I sat at the front desk with him in the stockroom down the hall. This was a usual spot for him but not usual for his stare to be burning a hole in the side of my head. I couldn't help but say something,

"Uh hello?" I snapped at him. He didn't respond and I turned to see him look surprised by my response.

"Do you need something? You've been staring at me all damn day"

I added and looked for his reaction. He still stood in the doorway of the stock room but didn't respond. I couldn't stand his silence at this moment as it made me nervous. I really hoped the kiss didn't change everything. Please don't turn into a bad guy Hen. Please. I arched my eyebrow waiting for him to say something.

"I- I don't. I don't know. Sorry" His jumbled words made me feel bad for being annoyed. Only a little bit though. He kept looking at me and I couldn't help but think he wanted something from me. I didn't like it. So I arched coldly to him,

"Our agreement still stands. Don't get any ideas" Henry seemed to snap back to normal after that. I hoped that was going to be it with the weirdness.

I couldn't fight my own feelings of wanting to be close with him again. I pushed them down all the way up until bedtime. I crawled next to him and it felt all familiar. I may have let go too much as I wrapped my leg around him and put my hand to his head and rubbed it. I felt terrible how I treated him earlier. I got so frightened about him wanting more from me. I obviously am not the most stable person. I decided to kiss him in an attempt to reconcile my behavior. I kissed his cheek and moved up to his mouth and he quickly responded, making me feel quite a bit better. Then, it took a turn. Henry pulled back and trailed kisses down my jaw and moved down my neck, which despite me liking it quite a bit, my panic took over. I couldn't breathe. This was Henry, what was he doing? Why was he doing this? I suddenly grew cold. I am so scared. Don't change Henry, don't ask me for more please. He must have noticed as he pulled back and let my head rest in his hand. It was warm and helped me stay in the moment.

"Hey, how old are you?" What the heck has gotten into him? He had never asked me something like that.

"If that was something you were concerned about then you picked an awfully long time to ask" he looked back at me tenderly,

"No I meant, I don't know basic information about you and I want to know" I hesitated. Okay well that's kind of valid.

"Oh" I state quietly. I had to think about it pretty hard to answer,

"I'm 23" I stumbled out. Henry smiled at me then stated happily,

"I'm 25" Interesting. Not too far off from me. I would have guessed older to be honest.

"Are you answering your own questions too?" I ask sarcastically, really interested in him choosing talking over kissing.

"Just that one. Where did you go to school?" So his questions aren't stopping. I answer him trying to read what he is wanting from me. I'm usually a skeptic when things change.