The Boy Next Door ✑(h.s.)

twenty six

Chapter 26

Our clothes were dampened to the core as we laughed endlessly at the misfortune. Our trek across the deserted interstate and to our vacant hotel was one trudged through the sky's flowing tears. The time only ticking away, eating at our journey but I had no reconciliation of time. There was only me, him, and the rain.

My arms spread wide and face up towards the falling rain, as I twirled like a child frolicking in the rain. This moment seemed too free to not utilize.

"Dance with me Harry!" I shouted over the rolling thunder. Lightning lit up the sky miles away, the soft water drenching every inch of me, but I seemed to not care at all.

"You're insane Poppy! We're drenched!" He laughed as he yelled back. I ran over to where he hid under the hotels awning, sheilding himself from the rain. My hands gripped onto his forearms and pulled him into the storm, causing his dampened curls to flatten once again, not that my hair was any different.

"Just like we did in the diner, one dance and we can go inside, I promise." I pleaded with wide eyes, and a genuine smile.

He shook his wet hair, and took hold of my hand as he held it up and spun me around in circles.

Everything seemed so perfect. Nothing planned, everything falling apart, and yet it was so perfect.

Our soon short lived rain parade ended soon after, causing the two of us to rush to our hotel room as the lighting started to creep closer to us.

Harry's soaked hands fumbling with the hotel room key, the metal slipping out of his grasp a fee times before he finally got the door unlocked and open.

The cool air circling the room caused goosbumps to arise as it made my damp self shiver. "You know what I just realized?" I asked Harry as he closes the door behind him, tossing the key to the table near the door.

"Hm?" He questions as his body begins to shiver slightly as well.

"We left all our extra clothes in the car."

It was silent for a while before we both started laughing loudly. It was almost as if we were delirious. This was no where near humorous and yet we were laughing as if it were the funniest thing we had ever encountered.

That's what we had come to though, finding the humor in the turmoil. That was the only way I would be able to escape for a second. To not think of what may happen tomorrow, or worry about anything else.

Just worry about the now, something I have never been able to do until now.

Amidst the ringing laughter I made my way to the adjoining bathroom, grabbing the piled towels off the steel shelf, and carried them back to the room. Offering one to Harry, he removed one from the pile and I placed the rest on the bed. I grabbed one, wrapping it around my body and rapidly moving my arms up and down, creating friction to provide the warmth that my pruning skin desperately needed.

Realizing this would do me no good in contrast to my wet clothing the only option would be to remove them and let them dry overnight. "This is kinda useless, we're gonna have to take off our clothes."

"Are you just trying to get me naked Poppy?"

I shake my head at him and punch his arm. "I'm taking the bathroom, you can change out here." I say turning away from him and back into the adjoint bathroom.

I slowly began to peel the clothes that were endlessly clinging to my frame off. Every article until I stood naked, the breeze making goose skin cover my body. I was quick to wrap the towel around myself, tucking it in the front.

My complexion in the mirror was almost unsightly, but I hadn't seemed to care. My hair flat yet frizzy all at once and I couldn't help but giggle at myself. I pulled the hairgie that adorned my wrist and wrapped the mess of curls into a poofy ponytail atop my head.

Once my skin had warmed now that the water had been dried from my skin I yelled out a warning to let Harry know I was coming out.

The lock on the door clicks as I turn the handle and stepping out of the bahroom. I find Harry in the corner of the room messing with the heater so we can warm just a tad before complaining about the summer heat tomorrow. His toned back shone from the small bedside lamps, the expanse of his tanned skin on display as I watched him fiddle with the heater. The towel lowly wrapped on his waist, causing his back dimples to appear just as prominently as the ones on his cheeks. I couldn't help but travel over to him and place my hands upon the soft, inviting skin. My cheek resting against it while I felt his muscles move from my touch.

A light laugh was heard from him as he straightened himself from his position. He took hold of one of my hands as he spun around, now holding both my hands in his own. He smiled as he looked down at me, his gaze never waviering from my own as we could easily get lost in one anothers eyes.

"I turned on the heater, hope it'll help warm up a little." He spoke tucking a frizzy strand of hair behind my ear.

I nodded my head as I removed myself from his grasp, and turning to sit myself on the edge of the bed. My hands holding up the towel at the top to make sure it maintains its placement and doesn't cause any mishaps.

Harry slowly but surely made his way next to me, the old bed creaking as he did so.

I let out a deep sigh before speaking. "Guess we should get some sleep. I don't even want to know what time it is, nor what time we need to leave tomorrow."

Harry raised an eyebrow in response. "Not sure how easy it'll be just sleeping in towels." He then leaned in, his mouth right next to my ear. "Especially when a very barely clothed girl is sleeping right next to me."

I wiggled my way out of his sexual joke, but not before he placed a kiss to my neck. I laughed at his crudeness, as did he. "I'm sure you'll survive Harold." I retort with a roll of the eyes.

"Speak for yourself."

A light laughter rippled through the room once again before going silent. Neither of us speaking as I kept my gaze on my fiddling fingers. The urge to get something off my chest but not being entirely sure what it was.

"But in all seriousness, I just want to say thank you. You know, for joining me. I have no clue what I'd do on my own– or hell if I'd even be here had it not been for you."

Harry's hand came up to cup my cheek as I spoke, our eyes meeting again, and I find myself completely entranced once more. The feeling seems to never leave; forever entranced by this beautiful boy I am so madly in love with. This ordinary boy next door that I have fallen endlessly for.

"Don't thank me, I'd do anything for you Poppy. And you're not giving yourself credit, this took a hell of a lot of courage from you. I am so proud of you babe. More than I could even begin to explain." His lips brought to the center of my forehead as he then rested his on my own.

Silence taking over for minutes as we sat there, our minds especially connected to one another –as cliche as it sounds. The weight on my chest heavier as I wanted to splurge the urgency out into the comfort we held within one another.

"Harry?" I broke the vast emptiness of sound.

"Yes?"

I pulled away and made sure I looked into the very eyes that I was about to tell just how much I really did adore them.

"I love you."

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rushed af sorry