Sweetened || HS AU (COMPLETED)

• forty-four •

we are nearing the end of the sweetened series 🥹
there are a couple more chapters left so we have some time but not much :)
enjoy it while it lasts besties !!!

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| Jailen |

We stared silently at each other. I wasn't sure if it was because we didn't have anything to say or didn't want to.

Either way, my heart raced at the sight of him.

He came back...

I pursed my lips, holding onto the door handle to mask how shaky my hands were becoming. It had to have been just after 4 a.m. when he knocked on my door and I only knew it was him because of the calls that followed seconds after.

He was restless when I opened the door, pacing back and forth and the look on his face when he finally looked at me was almost enough to make me leap into his arms right then and there. Almost.

"Jailen-"

"What are you doing, Harry?" I whispered because not only were my daughter and my neighbors sleeping, I was having a hard time finding my voice.

He tossed his arms out on the sides of him, sighing exasperatedly, his bottom lip trembling as his eyes watered, "I need you, Jailen."

I stared at him for a few seconds before I cleared my throat and stepped to the side, opening the door a little wider for him to come in. He didn't hesitate, stepping inside and taking it upon himself to pry the door from my hand. He closed it behind him as I stood in place.

The foyer suddenly seemed tiny as he leaned against the door and it wasn't hard to realize that he was trying to keep a safe distance. He was walking on eggshells and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, which only made things more awkward. For me, at least.

So, I decided to do the only thing I knew would break the ice between us, "Are you hungry? I have leftovers-"

"Yes," He answered quickly and I couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips.

Without another glance in his direction, I turned and made my way to the kitchen. His shoes echoed behind me, sounding louder than usual and I figured it was just because the entire building was resting right now. Not because I was overthinking everything and terrified of where this was leading. Of course not.

Neither of us bothered turning on the main light in the kitchen. I was relying on the little light above the stove and the light from the refrigerator. I could hear him settle at the island behind me as I pulled the tupperware from the shelf and sat it on the counter.

I left the refrigerator door open and grabbed a plate from the cupboard. I could feel his eyes following me as I moved around the kitchen and goosebumps rose on my skin because it was too quiet. Which meant Harry was thinking and it usually never ends well when Harry is thinking.

When the food was done heating, I grabbed a fork and sat the plate in front of him before grabbing one of Hayden's juice boxes out of the fridge and sitting it next to the plate. The corners of his lips lifted and he raised an eyebrow.

I couldn't help but giggle as I shrugged, "I haven't been to the store yet."

"It's perfect," He licked his lips, his eyes never leaving my face as he grabbed the juice box and opened it, "Thank you."

I blinked slowly, "Yeah," Clearing my throat, I took a seat on the stool across from him.

"How's work?" Harry asked, his eyes now focusing on the food.