CONFINEMENT

CHAPTER NINE

   Harrison scooted his body a little closer to the wall as Castania laid down beside him. He excused his need for her company with exhaustion clouding his mind, but deep down he knew that he simply craved her and was too tired to fight it anymore. He snaked his arm around her waist and drew her in so she lay with her back against his front. He felt her body tense up from his touch but after a while she seemed to relax into his frame, and the feeling of her body against his groin sent blood rushing through his veins. Her hair had the faintest scent of vanilla, and he couldn't help but breathe in and feel the scent linger in his system. He squeezed her tighter and tighter, feeling like she couldn't get close enough and he pushed his arm underneath her neck and wrapped it around her front, then placed his hand on her shoulder, so they were all tangled up in each other. Her delicate hand found his and she twisted her fingers into his, her touch clouding his thoughts even more, and the sound of her breathing lulled him to sleep.

   When Harrison woke the next day, he knew he had done something stupid. His arms were still wrapped around Castania, but she had turned in her sleep and her face was now right against his chest. He could feel her delicate breaths against his skin. Her features were so relaxed and tempting. He so wanted to kiss her, but the shameful pit in his stomach was back again, and he felt a little nauseous. Both by the thought of what he had done, but also by the thought of having to leave her. He was so tempted to just say fuck the Academy, call in sick for the day and just stay in their shared warmth for the rest of the day, but he knew better.

   Slowly wriggling himself loose and climbing over her, he left the bed and went to the kitchen, where he grabbed himself a glass of water. He sat at the dining table, hiding his face in his hands and trembling over the events of last night, but soon it all got too much in his head and he let out a frustrated growl. Why did he do this to himself? And why did it have to be so confusing to be near her? His body wanted her so bad, and so did some of his mind, but he also just hated the idea of her. Everything was just so fucked up and all of his actions conflicted what he was telling himself. It was just so goddamn hard to keep away and act indifferent.

   Castania's heart sank when she went into the corridor and saw the look on Harrison's face. He didn't notice her, so she just stood and stared at him for a minute. He looked so disappointed in himself, and she could practically taste the regret in the air.

   I've done it again, she thought, fucked it all up. It wasn't unusual of him to turn on her like this, and she knew that! So why did she keep coming back to him and give him another chance? Sure, they could be civil, that wouldn't hurt anyone, but why did she feel the need to stay with him the whole night, wrapped up in his arms? That wasn't something civil people co-living together would do. That was something lovers did, and they weren't lovers, not by a long shot – she literally hated him at times. The rage she felt over both him and herself made her blood boil, and she decided to leave before she would say anything stupid.

   Harrison jumped at the sound of a door slamming. He looked over and saw that Castanias door was now closed, and let out a saddened sigh. So, she had seen him, and she was disappointed. What the fuck am I doing?

   A knock on the front door hurled him out of his self-pity. He cocked an eyebrow and went to see who it was. When he opened the door, Agnes was stood outside with a bright and sweet smile and a bag full of books on the floor beside her. He couldn't help but smile when he saw her face.

   "Sorry Hyde, did I wake you?" She questioned in her kind voice.

   Harrison scoffed in amusement. "No, I was awake, do you need anything?"

   She looked at him puzzled. "It's exam day. We always meet before on exam days," She said, then gave him a cocky smile. "You haven't forgotten, right?"