Manic [h.s]

#035

"Ricochet, misfired, but the bullet hit me anyway"

RICOCHET | Chase Atlantic

(Chase has been releasing so many good songs lately, so excited for the album)

February 14, 1999

IRIS XANDER

The stars are scattered across the sky like someone spilled a jar of glitter, their light winking down at me as I lie on the hood of the car. The ocean hums in the background, waves crashing softly against the shore. It's almost night, the day slipping away with the kind of ease I wish I could feel.

I stretch out on the metal of the car—whose, I haven't a clue. I just needed to get out, to breathe, and this seemed like as good a spot as any to rest. So here I am, sprawled out on some random vehicle parked outside the beach house.

The breeze is cool, brushing against my skin, but not cold enough to send me inside. The residual heat from the car's engine still seeps through the metal beneath me as I gaze up at the sky, letting my mind wander where it wants.

I've been out here for a while now, just trying to clear my head. Half of today was spent on planning how tomorrow's visit to the prison is going to go. Every detail has to be perfect if this is going to work. It's a good thing Zayn is a part of the law enforcement; getting the necessary documents was easier and quicker than I expected. We had to go through the prison's blueprint, mapping out exits, the number of guards on duty, and the rotation schedules, emergency protocols—everything.

And the other half of the day was spent on listening to Niall go on about how much of a terrible idea this is. He has always been protective of me, and I get it, I really do. There are always other ways to get the chip. But I need to do this. Maybe it's selfish, but I want to prove myself, to show I'm willing to go to any lengths for Charlie. Even if that means walking straight into the lion's den.

A few more moments pass by in silence, the stillness of the night wrapping around me. I barely notice the soft rustling nearby, too lost in my thoughts to pay much attention. But then a shadow crosses my vision, and before I can react, I hear a voice. "Enjoying the night?"

I yelp, startled, and nearly fall off the hood of the car. My heart is racing and my breathing is heavy as I sit up straight, trying to calm myself down. When I finally get my bearings, I see him—Harry, standing there with that familiar smug look.

"For fuck's sake, don't ever do that again!" I snap, still catching my breath.

He looks both confused and amused, cocking an eyebrow innocently. "Do what?"

"Scare the shit out of me," I shoot back the obvious.

He shrugs, hands tucked in his pockets, and I roll my eyes. Typical. After a moment, as if he's been mulling something over this whole time, he starts walking toward me. I scoot over on the hood, giving him space without a word. He doesn't bother asking whose car this is or why I'm sitting here in the middle of the night. He just sits beside me, quiet as ever, and I pull my knees up to my chest, letting the silence settle around us.

That's when I realize, I haven't really talked to him since yesterday morning. Not about anything that isn't work-related, anyway. He's been wrapped up in his own head, planning about tomorrow, and I've been just as preoccupied. And now, here we are.

A slight smile tugs at the corner of my lips at a sudden thought, and I nudge him with my elbow. "Are you always stalking me?" I joke, glancing at him from the side.