PULSE [H.S]

051

"When things go wrong, don't go with them." — Elvis Presley

The inside of the banquet is beautiful.

It has high ceilings glistening with lights and expensive looking chandeliers. The large room is filled with people, all dressed in long gowns and tailored suits. Everyone looks like money. I was told that this is a gathering for an exclusive high society, but these people are elite.

Harry and I hover on the side of the room, holding drinks in our hands. Our only job at the moment is to blend in and not draw any attention to ourselves. The unfortunate part is that I really don't feel like talking to him right now.

As if he could read my thoughts, Harry says, "So, are we going to talk about this?"

"Talk about what?" I ask, my tone as indifferent as his was earlier. "I thought we finished talking."

He says, "I thought you were just PMSing."

My blood boils, and I struggle to keep my face calm. If we weren't at a fancy event, about to commit a crime, the drink in my hand would be splashed in his face. He might even have a red outline of my hand on his cheek.

"Are you serious?" I say, keeping my voice quiet so no one can hear. "I can't believe you just said that to me."

I. Hate. Men.

He shrugs and then presses, "What do we look like when we go back?"

I make eye contact with a passing couple and give them a polite smile, nodding my head slightly. They return the gesture, not knowing I'm a complete fraud.

"Roommates, coworkers, I don't know. I'll start looking for a new apartment, and then it'll be just like my relationship with the other guys. We meet for work or as a group of friends hanging out, but that's it."

"Kiz," he says my name quietly, looking down at me.

"What?" I say, my eyes stinging. I hate that I get emotional so easily. I never feel like I am in control of them. "Do you want me to start crying right now, Harry?"

His eyes flash with something I can't discern. He says, "I can't give you what you want, but—"

The comm in my ear buzzes. Clover says, 'I've got eyes on the target. Engaging.'

Louis says, 'I'm on standby.'

I point out, "This is a bad place to talk about this."

He rolls his eyes. "This was a bad day to bring it up."

It's brutal, knowing that I'm still going to have to see him all the time after this. Our lives are so entangled with each other, and it's going to be really difficult. I don't know how I'm going to manage seeing him but not being able to touch him anymore.

It's going to be like learning how to walk all over again. Navigating this dangerous world without him by my side sounds terrifying.

We wait a while before the comm goes off again. Louis says, 'Engaging.'

It's stressful not being able to see what's going on. Harry's eyes scan the room, and I wonder if he can see either of them from his spot.

A few moments later, Louis says, 'Walking. Be ready, H.'

Harry looks at me, saying, "Make it look like we are talking about something."

I say, "So, you mean start talking? Or should we just pretend to be talking by moving our lips?"

"Alright, moody," he says in a dismissive tone.

I say, "Apparently I'm PMSing."

He keeps his face neutral, but I can see the glare hiding just beneath the surface.