In His Arms [h.s.]

chapter 10.

Harper's Pov

"But mom this is completely ridiculous!"

"No buts Harper, at least Mr. Miller's not pressing any charges. He said that I could decide my punishment for you, as long as you never come back." She spoke sternly. "So I'm grounding you for a month, you know better than that and this should teach you."

I rolled my eyes at her, because honestly I didn't care anymore.

"So no TV, and you'll be in charge of your brother whenever I need you to be." She instructed me.

"What's new?" I questioned her, knowing I should've kept my mouth shut.

"Alright then, give me your phone." My mom held her hand out in front of me.

I pulled my phone out of my purse and gave it to her. Honestly, I've never seen my mom this upset and so mad. I mean we've gotten in little tizzy's before but not to the point where I can't stand her.

"You can use the house phone if you really need to, other than that no phone." She raised her eyebrows, "Now go, I've got to get to work. Braydon's staying with his friend tonight."

After deciding on not speaking to my mom, I ran up to my room and put my black bathing suit on. It was warm enough to get a tan and since it was only the late afternoon, I had plenty of time. Not to mention the fact that I wanted to be alone and let my cares float away somewhere in the middle of the ocean.

I ran back downstairs and through the back door trying to avoid any confrontation between me and my mother. The smell of salt and fish filled the air while seagulls squalled in the background. I walked from the patio to the white, gritty sand and plopped down in it.

While tracing the shape of a heart in the sand, I couldn't help but think of Harry again. And he's right, no matter what happens...this is just the beginning. Even if it's the end of a particular hobby. It'll just be the beginning.

I looked out at the salty ocean, and as if on cue a dolphin jumped out from underneath the blanket of crystal clear water. It made a sound and plunged right back into the deep ocean.

"Hey crazy!" I heard a voice overtop of the seagulls and rolling waves.

I turned my neck around to see a curly headed doofus with a smile as big as the sun plastered across his face. "I don't think I'm the crazy one here." I teased. "What are you doing anyways?"

He smirked putting a baseball cap on his head backwards, "I wanted to go for a swim, and I guess you want to too."

"No," I stretched out the emphasis on the 'O', "I just wanted to lay out in the sand and get a tan."

"Don't tell me that you don't like the ocean." Harry spoke with hesitation clear in his voice.

I paused for a moment then lied down in the sand looking up at the sky. "I'm just not a big fan of it. I'd rather go swimming in a pool or something."

"But the ocean is so much fun!" He tried convincing me.

"But I like to know what I'm swimming with." I whined, only mocking him.

"You'll be swimming with me! I promise, I'll make for sure that no shark eats you." I watched as a dimple formed on one side of his cheek.

He stood up and grabbed my hand, "I don't know...I'll just watch you." I sat still on the ground, slipping my hand from his.

He pouted, "I'm not going then." 

"Alright. Fine with me." I pulled my legs close to my chest, while the sun beamed down on us.