The Story of Us

Chapter 13

I felt his hand moving over my arm, it was rhythmic and gentle. I don't know why he woke me up in the dead of night, but I also didn't expect tears to be leaking down my face in buckets either.

"You were crying," Harry murmured when he heard me sniff, his voice was hoarse from being woken up.

I sat straight up in bed, putting my fingers inside my mask and wiping the tears away in confusion.

Had I been dreaming? I didn't remember dreaming or anything pertaining to vivid imagery when I closed my eyes last night. Not even a clue. Just the very deep voice of boy-wonder lying beside me going 'you're crying' and then proceeding to rub my arm comfortingly.

I didn't FEEL sad. It didn't make any sense.

"How would I have been crying? I was asleep." I continued rubbing the tears away, noticing it sounded like I had been for a while from the frog in my throat.

I hate being a girl sometimes; pesky emotions and whatnot.

"You screamed out a name, Bellerose. You then kicked the heel of your foot up into my arse and then let out a wail of agony that made me wonder if you were being possessed." Harry summed up, reaching his arm under me and cradling my upper half to him.

I turned so we were face to face. He was laying on his back, but turned his head so we could meet the other's gaze.

No, I didn't take my mask off and I wondered how it didn't freak Harry out. It never did or he just never said anything. I was thankful he never asked me to remove the delicate piece of art either. I couldn't. Getting a glimpse of myself in the pail that day, solidified my decision to never show this ugliness to another living soul.

I cleared my throat and then wiped my eyes again.

"Clearly my subconscious has issues. I don't, but it seems to," I chuckled, seeing the concern in Harry's face.

I sigh when he didn't return my response with a smile.

"Harry? I'm fine. Cross my heart and hope to fish." I promised, braving the unsettling emotion away.

He smiled then but it seemed to be purely for my benefit.

"Alright luv. Then, let's get back to sleep, yeah?" He let go, figuring my protests weren't worth arguing over. Harry wasn't much for arguing with me.

Drove me absolutely nuts too.

Like, he wouldn't argue at all after the early exchange of words we had regarding the guitar. It wasn't for my lack of trying I'll give you that. I would try to debate him and he would steer the conversation onto something more pleasant.

I don't know how he did it but, even my fiancé never succeeded in changing subjects the way Harry did.

My future husband could have benefited with a few lessons from the Harry Styles school of dodging conflicts. It would have saved him a few weeks on the couch.

"I'm not tired anymore, think I'll sit and do some reading." I sighed, sitting up to stand from bed, leaving the warmth of his strong arm.

I wondered what it would be like if he could have wrapped both arms around me. Laying on your back makes it difficult but his limb was long enough to drape over my waist so, there was the possibility.

I am almost certain two of them would have been much better than one.

"It's the dead of morning, Belle. Come to bed, you'll end up being exhausted later in the day if you get up now." He reasoned, patting the spot I had just left.

My mood had soured since jerking awake. I don't think I could put a reason to it, but I just couldn't quite shake it off either.

"Harry? Unless you're taking up an application to become my father which; I will NOT be calling you daddy just in case your perverted mind decides to go South. That being said, I suggest you take your own bloody advice and go to sleep."