Faceless [H.S]

Permission. 36

Harry's hand was placed on the small of my back as we exited the roof; smirking to ourselves in silence. It was electrifying; feeling that alive. He pushed open the door of his apartment and we walked in cautiously. I hadn't realized we had been up there for such a long time until Vivian's head peeked up at me and she said, "what took you guys so long?"

"We were smoking," I answered quickly before Harry did. Something told me he would outwardly tell her we were having sex—which, we were, but she didn't really need to know my business.

"Fucking." Harry mumbled.

Never mind.

Vivian's eyebrows shot up and her body jolted off of the couch. "You're kidding me--Harry, I swear to God--"

I waved my hands in an instant defense, "Viv--"

"Do not ever feel pressure to do anything with him, Valerie, he's handsome but he's hell," Vivian said, softly, walking toward me. She ignored Harry's body brushing by her, and turned her focus on to me. "I just, I really need you to be safe, I already hate that this is all happening--"

"I am an adult. I know what I'm doing," I sighed, closing my eyes. "I'm already in it."

"Like I was in it too?" Harry said from behind us both, giving me a wink.

"Fucks sake--" Vivian hissed. "Keep it together, I don't need to hear shit about what you guys do. If you do it, just spare me the fucking details, I don't want to envision that."

I could hear Niall's laugh from around the corner. He placed a hand on Harry's back and patted. "Finally, maybe he can stop actin' like a proper douchebag, yeah?"

Harry chuckled to himself. I was surprised at how much less tense it seemed; maybe it was the marijuana. It had the tendency to make me anyone so much better. As they began to talk among themselves, I excused myself to the bathroom to clean up when I received a phone call.

I picked up cautiously, hearing a familiar voice. Garett.

"Hey, pretty girl." His deep voiced grumbled through the speaker. I could hear the familiar bustle of the city in the background, indicating he was outside. I clutched the sink for a moment, a bit surprised and taken aback.

"Hey," I managed. "How are you?"

"Good, good. Busy tonight? I've been thinking of you," he let out a small laugh. "It's been a while."

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and my hooded, red eyes looked back at me--matching my crimson cheeks. 

I had just gotten bent over a couple minutes before this phone call.

"I'm heading over to Cloud Nine, with Olivia. We wanted to see your beautiful face. We've got our own private section, it's beautiful out, doesn't even feel cold. What do you say?"

I pursed my lips. He had basically ghosted me, but I was so caught up in my life that I didn't even bother to notice. I was slightly offended, but I just let out a soft laugh. "It's okay. Things happen. Um..."

I knew he knew Olivia, but it did feel strange that they were hanging out without me. I wasn't upset, just curious. I took in a deep breath. Last time I had went out and partied with Olivia, it was the worst night. It wasn't her fault, however--I wondered if it would turn around this time, but a part of me didn't want to find out although I kind of missed Cloud Nine. I missed dancing.

"Yeah. I'll come along," I said, softly, agreeing.

He let out an excited yelp. "Yes! Great. I'll see you later."

I hung up the phone and when I went to open the door, Harry was standing in the door frame. His eyes were dark as he towered over me, with his head tilted. I flinched slightly at how menacing he looked. The scattered tattoos kissing his skin and the sharpness of his jaw--the height he had over me. His hands were huge, veins protruding slightly as he had them placed on the frame of the door, completely cornering me.

"Who were you talking to?" Harry asked, even though it felt as if he knew the answer.

"Garett," I replied, shockingly firm even though I was quite intimidated.

"Ah," he hummed, nodding. "Garett." He repeated the name through pursed lips and grit teeth, the 't' sounding sharp.

"He invited me to Cloud Nine," I began explaining. "With Olivia."

"That's so funny, calling when I had just mentioned 'im," he chuckled, dropping his arms. "You're gonna go?"

"Yes."

"Did you ask me to?" He cocked an eyebrow. "You need to ask for permission, sweetheart."

I scoffed. "Like I have to ask you for anything. I'm a grown woman--"

"--Who doesn't need to go over there. Not alone, at least," he retaliated. "You're here, with me. So I make the rules. You ask me for permission."

"You're just jealous," I shoved by him with a scoff. "Don't think because you fucked me you own me."

Harry's arm yanked me back to him and pulled me to his body. His chest pressed against me and he glared down at me. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words died as his green eyed stare held me captive in that moment. I drew in a breath.

"Never jealous," Harry growled. "I'm careful. Cloud Nine is where Julie is, so I'm going to speak to her."

I stopped in my tracks. "And why are you going to speak to Julie?"

"You didn't tell her, Viv?" Niall asked, hearing our small argument. I turned my attention to the blonde and shook my head.

"She's more than likely working with Liberated," Vivian said. "No, I didn't tell her."

"You tell me an innocent man died today and yet you don't bother to tell me my house mother who I've known for years now is working with the man who used to abuse me?" I snapped. "You can't hide everything. Just tell me it all, just help me. Help me help you guys."

Harry sighed. "I'm sorry. I was just going to handle it."

"Handle it by shooting it up?" I asked, placing my hand on my hip. "Again?"

"You aren't equipped enough to handle these missions we do so why would we tell you more?" Vivian tried to explain herself. "You're staying home, and we're going. You don't even know what Garett and Olivia are up to. I'm not taking any chances, Valerie."

"I get it. You want to protect me. But, I can't live my life in the unknown, wondering forever. I'm your older sister, I tried to protect you then, I-I didn't do good enough, I can try again now--"

Vivian folded her arms across her chest and stared at Harry. "Fuck."

"Let's just all go, why're we arguing? Strip clubs are the best," Niall said with a shrug, carelessly.

Harry rolled his eyes, "fuckin'ell."

"Val, if you go, we have to come. Scope the scene out, see what's going on. Act like we've no idea that we know she's actin' weird, right? Then go to James."

"And here I thought you just wanted to see her little boy toy," Niall snickered.

"Fuck off, I'm taking a nap." Harry headed toward his room. "I don't care of him." And with that, he slammed the door.

"Yeah, he's jealous," Niall said.