Baby Lips

Chapter 14

I paced around my flat as I listened to the monotone rings on the other side of the phone. I knew from various research that Harry lived with Louis and that if he wasn’t back with him, he might worry, so I decided to call him. But, I guess I didn’t really realize how late or early it was, so I waited for his phone to go to his answering machine. 

“Hi! This is Louis, sorry I couldn’t get to the phone. Just leave a message and I’ll ring ya back!” 

“Uh, hi Louis. It’s Scarlett McVay.” I began my voicemail and silently closed the door to the clothes dryer shut. “I just wanted to call and tell you that Harry- he’s staying here tonight. I saw him wandering around drunk and he fell asleep...” I cringed a bit when I saw lightening flash outside my window. “He said he was here for a girl... do you know what that is all about?” I chewed my bottom lip, as if I was waiting for someone to answer my question. “Wait, sorry, pretend I didn’t ask that.” I shook my head and giggled nervously in the phone. “But, anyway Harry’s here and he’s alive. Alright, sorry if this call woke you up in anyway... er, bye.”  

I ended the most awkward voicemail I had ever given and set my phone on the coffee table across from my couch. I stared at it for awhile until my cat’s chubby body came into view and he hopped up on my lap, nuzzling his fuzzy head into my hand, forcing me to pet him. I sighed and scratched his fur and listened to his gentle purr. The vibrations soothing my tensed body that had been worked up by tonight’s events and the thunderstorm brewing outside. I glanced over at my bed and Harry’s still body wrapped up in my warm covers. 

A loud sigh escaped my lips and I began to fuss over folding Harry’s thick black sweater and dark wash jeans. Once they were arranged in perfect squares I tip-toed toward my dresser near my bed, trying my best not to wake the sleeping Harry. I fished out a large hoodie and pulled it on over my plaid shirt. I could feel Newton’s, fuzzy body begin to dance between my ankles. This normally meant he was hungry or just wanted to be held.  

I reached down for his furry orange body and held him close to my chest as I made my way over toward the closet that held some extra blankets that I would be needing. I decided to give Harry my bed to himself, not wanting to have to deal with awkward feet brushes or even rolling over into his bare chest. So to avoid all interactions with him, I opted for the small couch in my living room.  

Newton quickly leapt out from my grasp and onto the bed as I crossed it. I stopped for a moment, watching his every move. He trotted toward the curve that was made by Harry’s stomach, he circled a few times before nuzzling into the crook and laying down. His white paws stretching out and green eyes closing slowly. I couldn’t help but smirk at the sight. A sleepy, drunk Harry Styles cuddling with a cat. I’m sure this picture would drive all the little One Direction fans wild, but... I decided to be selfish and keep it to myself. 

After brushing my teeth and washing my face and other various activities I seemed to do before bed, I slumped underneath the itchy blanket that wasn’t my comforter. I tossed and turned on the lumpy couch until I finally found a somewhat comfortable position to finally rest. My breathing began to slow, my eyelids began to droop, and my mind began wandering into the abyss of dreamland. 

CRACK! 

Thunder ripped through the sky and caused my whole body to tense and a gasp to come out of my dry lips. My erratic breaths got deeper as I clutched onto the scratchy blanket and listened to the heavy raindrops thud against the concrete below my apartment.  

“Relax, Scarlett.” I shook my head as fell back down on the couch. “It’s just a little storm.” I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to think of ways I could get through this night without having to stay up for the rest of it. I removed one of the pillows from behind my head and clutched onto it, since my own cat abandoned me for Harry, I’d have to snuggle with a pillow tonight.  

 I focused on on breathing for a while and actually began to relax.  

In through the nose, out through the mouth. Repeat. 

Once again, I could feel my heart beat slow and my yoga breaths became steady and at ease. My death grip on my pillow-friend loosened as my whole body began to relax for the second time tonight. 

BOOM! 

“Oh, fuck this.” I mumbled as I shot up out from the couch. I scurried over toward my bed and dove under the covers, my breathing was like I had just ran to London and back and my shoulders quivered in fear that the next clap of thunder was near. I heard Harry stir next to me. 

“Scarlett?” His voice was deep and gravely and oddly attractive. I swallowed hard before responding, trying to get the sound of my thumping heart out of my ears. 

“Sorry.” I whispered, hiding under the fluffy covers. A bit embarrassed that I was going mental over something as stupid as a storm. 

“What’s wrong?” Harry asked, peeling the thick blankets away from my face. His curls were thrown askew all over his head and his green eyes still shone in the complete darkness of my flat. I blinked a few times, trying not to get to lost in those orbs. 

“N-nothing.” I stuttered. “I just, I hate storms.” I finished as Harry chuckled. His dimples sinking in his cheeks as he smiled down at me. I couldn’t help but smirk back. There was something about that grin of his that was contagious. Like no matter what kind of mood you were in, when you saw those lips of his curve upwards you had no other choice but to smile back at him. 

I felt Harry’s bare arm inch across my waist and pull me closer to him. I resisted a bit at first, but when a flash of lightening illuminated the bedroom for a split second, I was practically clinging to his naked chest. Harry laughed again. The tips of his fingers scratching ever so lightly on my biceps. My ear pressed to his chest and hearing the slow, rhythmic beats of his heart. I could feel myself falling asleep to the slow thumping. 

“No need to be scared, baby lips.” Harry whispered just as I felt myself falling asleep in his grasp. “I’ve got you.”