Playing With Fire

four

When I woke up, it wasn't because it wanted to, let me tell you that much.

I woke up to a person nearly trampling me.

"Oi! Watch where you put your fucking feet, you dickbag!" I grumbled at the intruder, wiping the fresh layer of snow off of me.

I turned around, ready to sass the clumsy git more, but instead, saw someone I didn't think I ever wanted to see again.

Gasping, I quickly sprinted away, running through the winding paths of the park. He couldn't be here. They couldn't be here!

Looking back for a split second, I lost my footing and tumbled to the ground. Footsteps rushed towards me, and I tried to get up, but found that my foot just wasn't cooperating.

"Emily? Is- is it really you?" I looked up to see emerald green eyes staring back at me. I nodded slowly.

"Wow. I guess four months can do a lot to a person, eh?"

"Yeah, I guess it can," I muttered. Like having to watch your back, and learning not to trust anyone, and hardening your heart to everyone.

"I have to go," I spoke sharply, wriggling out of his grasp and headed towards the Starbucks where I knew James would be waiting.

"Wait! I'm coming with you!" he ran up to me and started walking with me again. Doesn't he get it? I'm bad news...

I just ignored him and continued walking until I reached my destination. Slipping inside, I dawned an apron and put my name tag on, trying to escape James this morning. Harry stool in the doorway with his sunglasses so no one would recognize him.

"MONTGOMERY!" a voice called out. Well, he found me... "You're late!"

"I know, and I'm truly very sorry, sir. It won't happen again." I quickly apologized, hoping he would think last night was punishment enough.

James looked around the shop, and noticed there were no customers. Harry must have slipped out. Winding back, he slapped my face with such force my entire face lurched.

"Don't. Be. Late." he seethed, walking off.

Once he had left, I clutched my cheek and winced. Running to the bathroom, I inspected my cheek to see a purple bruise starting to show. Good thing Harry left; he would have gotten suspicious.

But even as I told myself that, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness that he had abandoned me. But hey, he's an international pop star. No time to look after a homeless girl who ran out on them 4 months ago...

I sighed and left the bathroom only to see Harry sitting at a table. Angling my cheek away from him, I went back to work.

Every half hour or so, I'd look back at the table, and he'd be there. I didn't understand why he was wasting his time on me. Even my parents didn't give me the time of day; why should he?

Luckily, I made it through the rest of the day without having a run in with James. It was 11:30 by the time he let me out of work, and the shop had closed 3 and a half hours prior.

Harry tried to stay, but James shooed him out around 8:15. After everyone was gone, he made me dust and sweep every inch of the store and bake new cake pops, wash every piece of silverware by hand, and organize the displays as well as re-write and season specials and menus. I swear to god I was half dead by the end of the day.

And to top it all off, he didn't pay me. I ignored the growling in my stomach and grabbed my phone, planning to head back to my bench.

As I was exiting the store, I noticed a very expensive looking Volkswagen parked outside. It didn't fit into the rest of this rundown neighborhood, with the broken sidewalks and garbage littered streets.

Walking up to it, I tapped the window and impatiently waited as he rolled it down.

"Why are you following me?" I huffed.

"Where do you live? Em do you even have a house?"

"Don't call me Em. Only my friends can call me that," I shot back.

"You're avoiding my question, Emily," he noticed.

So maybe I didn't have a house. But I definitely didn't want him stalking me anymore; he ruined my life.

"Of course I have a house. What kind of a stupid question is that?!" He smirked a little. Oh what wouldn't I give to punch it right off of him...

"Really then? What's the address? I'll drive you home. It's really getting late, love," he offered, opening up the passenger door. I bit my lip, trying to think of a reasonable excuse as to not get into the car.

"I walked. It's really not that far. Only 2 minutes tops," I lied smoothly, starting to walk away.

"Really? Because when I came here, the nearest apartment I saw was at least 10 minutes away driving. So unless you sprint 10 times fast than a car, I suggest you stop lying to me, Emily," he stopped me in my tracks.

Knowing that he had won this battle, I did the only thing I could do. I sprinted away as fast as I could and didn't look back.

I could hear him cursing and slamming the car door. Shortly after came footsteps rushing towards me, but I still didn't stop. If I could make it to the park, I could climb a tree and just wait him out.

But before I could get much farther, strong arms grabbed me and pulled me into an alleyway.

"Hey sweet thang, you look a little sad. Lemme take your mind off of everything for a while," a sickly man cooed, ripping my shirt. Shit. That was my last good one.

"No, no, no stop. Please stop!" I was a virgin! I couldn't lose it like this!

"Pretty lady, I need a pretty lady. So so pretty..." he spoke to himself while continuing to undress me. I tried to run, but he pushed me into a wall and kept me there.

"I believe she told you to stop," a voice spoke up. Harry.

"Sorry. No can do." In the next second, a fist went flying, sending the man crashing to the ground, unconscious.

"Emily, are you okay? God I'm so sorry. I should have come sooner," Harry rushed to me and picked me up bridal style, careful not to look at my boobs.

"It's fine. Thank you. That could have been a lot worse if you weren't there." I tried to cover up my cleavage, but I mean... I'm a E, so... guess not.

Noticing my situation, Harry took off his sweatshirt and gave it to me. Mumbling a quick thanks, I slipped it on and followed him to his car.

"We'll talk about this more once we get you home. And by home I mean the boys and my apartment," he stated, leaving no room up for discussion as he started the engine and drove off into the night.