My Brother's Best Friend's Friend (ON HOLD)

Chapter 9

I sit in the car, hands in my lap as I twiddle with the fingers. Although its been a few minutes since the incident, I am still a bit shaken up. Large hands reach over the arm rest between us and takes my small hand in his, thumb brushing side to side against it. I look at him, Harry's gaze glued to the road. A few seconds later, my hand is lifted up and warm, pink lips are pressed against it. Warmth shoots throughout my body just by his touch. I shiver when he intertwines our fingers like before as his lips linger on my soft skin.

"Why didn't you want me to drive you home?" Harry asks me.

"I..." My voice trails off, my throat suddenly dry. I don't want to tell him. I'm ashamed of the words my father said about him. All those things he said about Harry, that I thought about him, they were all wrong. He might not show it often, but Harry has this sweet, caring personality as well.

"My dad.. He said he didn't want you near me. He thinks that since you're older, you- you'd find an easy way to brainwash me into doing whatever you'd want me to do." I respond, thinking back to our conversation.

"Brainwash you? Alex, I would never -"

"I know," I interrupt him. I give his hand a quick squeeze and I see him smirk.

We finally arrive in front of my house and silence falls upon us. This feels exactly like the day he dropped me off from the party. Why is it that every time I am with him, everything feels perfect? Like I am meant to be here? Harry lifts his head then looks at me, green eyes blazing.

"Alex, I would never do what you have -"

"Get out!" I hear a shout. My head turns in the direction of the voice and I see my dad stomping his way towards Harry's car. I get out, obeying him, then Harry does the same, soon standing at my side.

"Dad, I'm sorry it's just -"

"Was I not clear the first time?!" My dad yells.

"Dad, just listen -"

"Get in the house, now!" He shouts again.

"No -"

"Now!" He screams as loud as he can. I look at Harry with fear in my eyes as I walk away but his face is expressionless. Why isn't he walking away?

"I don't want you near my daughter EVER again, do you hear me?" My dad exclaims, shoving his pointer finger into Harry's toned chest.

"I know what you think I'd to your daughter, but I'd never do that. I might be capable to do that, and in your eyes that's all you see, but Alex is so much more than that." Harry replies bravely. My dad clenches his jaw in anger, flames burning in his eyes. Unfoundedly, my dads fist rises into the air and makes contact with the side of Harry's face.

"Harry!" I shout. I run back to them. Harry is now laying on the floor as my father continues to throw punches.

"Dad, get off him!" I yell, pulling his arm but he doesn't budge. Soon Harry is now on top, punching my dad but then my dad regains his strength and punches him hard, getting back on him. "Stop!" He pushes me and I fall onto the ground hard.

"Dad, he saved me!" I yell and his actions soon stop.

"What?" My dad asks angrily.

"H-He saved me. I almost got ran over trying to come and explain to you but the car came by fast an-and he did it... Harry saved me." My hands tremble as he stares at me with disbelief. My dad wipes away the blood from his mouth with he back of his hand as Harry stumbles up, my hand gripping his arm as I help him regain his balance.

"You don't know how he is, Alex. He's not who you -"

"No!" I shout. "He's not who YOU think he is." His jaw clenches in anger again and soon his hand connects with the side of my face, making my head turn because of the force. Tears sting in my eyes as I touch the spot he hit me on. This was the first time he ever laid a hand on me.

"Alex, Alex I'm so sorry -"

"You tell all these people how wrong it is to lay a hand on their child but you do it to me, right? You're such a coward." I spit at him as I slap his hand away that wanted to comfort me. "Harry, get in the car."

Once Harry gets in the car I run up to my room and my father chases after me.

"What are you doing?" He asks when he enters my room.

"I'm leaving. I don't want to be around you, I don't want to see you." I say.

"Alex -"

"Don't 'Alex' me." I spit.

"Please I -"

"I didn't mean to!" I finish for him. "How many times have you told me that but never meant it?"

He doesn't reply and I finish packing my bags then walk past him, storming out the house. Throwing my bags into the trunk of Harry's car, I get into the drivers seat and start the engine. Harry lays hurt in the back, gripping onto his torso. I begin to cry, holding the hair from the top of my head as I let it all out. Once I control myself, I drive off to Harry's house.

~ * ~

"Sit," I tell Harry as I motion to the closed toilet. He sits, groaning out with pain and he grips onto his side.

"You're dad has a strong punch," Harry tries to joke.

"He's a cop," I remind him. He nods, wincing in pain as I press a cold, wet towel to his right temple. I clean his face, his eyes on me the entire time as I deftly move the towel.

"I'm sorry," I say low.

"Oww," Harry winces as I grab his arm to keep steady while I clean his cut lower lip. "For what?"

"This wouldn't have happened if I just got in your car the first time -"

"Hey, hey, hey." Harry says, grabbing my chin. The towel is no longer against his lips as I look up. "This is not your fault. If I kept my mouth shut, I could have prevented all this from happening." My hand slips from the counter top and hits his chest, making him groan out with pain.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" I gush.

"It's fine," he replies breathlessly.

"Can you take off your shirt?" I ask a bit embarrassed. He nods, trying to take it off alone but I have to help him since he cannot lift it up. His perfectly toned abs no longer look the way they looked this morning. After receiving several punches, they are now bruised. My finger tips gently touch his bruises and he clenches his jaw to not let out a whine. His left hand reaches up to my cheek as I frown. I was the one who caused this. I was the one who caused all theses damages to his body. That's when it hits me. What is the media going to say about this? I shut my eyes, praying that none of the paparazzi took pictures or seen the incident that just happened.

"What's the matter?" Harry asks me after I help him get in bed.

"Nothing, I just... Now you see why I didn't want you to go?" I ask and he begins to chuckle. "Harry, this isn't funny! What's the media going to say about this?"

"Don't worry about the media," he says. "I won't let them bother you." The both of us lay down on our sides, facing each other.

"I don't care of they bother me. I only care about what they are going to say about you." I says low. Harry just stares at me and I look down beginning to feel uncomfortable. He grabs my hand once again and I look back up.

"I won't let anyone hurt you," Harry says so only the two of us can here even though we are alone as he places his free hand on my cheek. "I want you to be safe."

"Not everything you do can keep me safe, Harry." I respond, move my thumb in circular motions against his skin.

"I can try to," Harry leans closer, lips inches away from mine. At this point, I feel all my worries disappear. I place a free hand on the back of his neck, pulling myself up so our lips lightly brush against each other. His hand that holds mine lets go then places it on my hip so he can pull me closer and our bodies touch.