DARK

Chapter 13

I propped myself up on my elbows, lying on my front as I aimlessly scrolled through Tumblr. I clicked reblog on a post I found particular amusing before continuing down the page. My mum had been away for a little while. She was visiting a relative I had never met before, who had been taken ill. I had called her in the morning, asking how everything was, but she sounded a little defeated. She still didn't have any idea on when she would be home, but I told her not to worry.

My head sharply turned when I heard my phone buzz. I let out a huff, not wanting to move from my comfortable position. I lazily rolled over, my fingers clasping hold of the device. Zoe's name flashed on the screen, I opened the text.

Zoe: "Hey :) Just wanted to let you know we're having a film night round mine tomorrow. BRING ICECREAM!! Xx"

I laughed before replying. Our film nights almost always ended up with us chatting over the forgotten movie left to play on the TV. I hadn't seen much of them recently, and I had a feeling they would be very interested in the Harry situation.

"Great!! Consider it done. Xx" I replied.

I dropped my phone to the duvet, looking back at my laptop screen. A small laugh was released from my lips as it buzzed again seconds later. My fingers routinely unlocked my phone, my attention still on Tumblr as I opened the message.

Harry: "What's your middle name? x"

I frowned in confusion until I scanned to the top of the screen. Harry. He'd never really asked about me before, I wasn't sure if I should divulge the information. My fingers fiddled with the case on my phone before I typed.

"Grace."

I bit my bottom lip, as my thumb hovered over the send button. I jumped as my grey tabby, Doug, climbed up onto the bed. His soft stripy fur brushed against my hand at an attempt to get my attention. I smiled, scratching him behind the ear before looking back at the phone screen. My fingers quickly added to the message.

"Grace. What's yours? x"

My phone continued to buzz throughout the night. We texted, asking about each other questions about our lives. But being Harry he slipped in a few very intimate questions which made my cheeks tingle with heat.

*Next night.*

"H-he saved you, Harry saved you?"

I nodded.

The girls looked astounded at what I had told them. We were all laid round Zoe's living room, pillows everywhere. As I predicted, the film on the TV was being ignored as we ate our ice-cream and talked.

"And you...you, well you know?" Charlotte stuttered.

I could feel the pink rise in my cheeks as I confirmed what had happened in Harry's bedroom. We shared pretty much everything with each other, something that made us close as friends. My attention was drawn to my phone which was balancing on the armrest. Harry's name flashed up before I opened the text.

Harry: "What colour underwear have you got on? x"

My cheeks continued to blush as I read over the bold words. His confidence astonished me. I set my phone down without answering.

"Maybe he's not as bad as we thought? Harry seems alright." Lucy suggested.

I knew I looked a little flustered, the girls smiling at me. Multiple pairs of eyes flicked from my face down to my phone.

"What is it?" Zoe asked grinning.

"Umm, I'm just going to the toilet." I gushed.

I scrabbled up and out of the room, quickly walking to the bathroom. Mentally cursing, I realised I had left my phone. When I returned a few minutes later, the girls were silent before giggling uncontrollably. Shoot, they'd seen the text.

The phone was hastily grasped in my hand as I looked over the screen. My eyes widened as I scanned my sent messages, to my horror they had texted Harry back.

"Black lace ;) x"

I raised my head.

"Oh my god, I can't believe you did that!" I urgently spoke.

Their laughing was interrupted when a vibration ran through my hand. My eyes darted down to my phone. My heart thumped against my chest as I opened the message.

Harry: "Holy shit. Send me a picture. x"

Their eyebrows rose as they waited for my reaction. Charlotte took the opportunity to snatch the phone from my hand as I stood with my mouth hanging open.

"Oh gosh!"

She passed the phone to the other two, who were sat on the opposite sofa. They smiled before looking over to me.

"He likes you." Zoe teased.

She got up and walked over to me, handing me the phone. I batted her hands away as she playfully tried to tickle me. I flopped down onto the seating, releasing a sigh. My head fell back as my eyes closed.

"Bloody hell." I mumbled.

***

I was embraced in a tight hug as we said our goodbyes.

"I can call you a taxi." Zoe suggested.

"No, it's fine." I smiled. "It's not that far home."

I stepped out of the front door then turned back to her.

"And you're sure you don't want to stay over?"

I caught hold of her forearm, squeezing it.

"Honestly, it's fine."

"Alright, well text me when you get in." Zoe paused. "That's if you're not too busy texting Harry."

I mumbled for her to shut up as she laughed. We said goodbye and I started my short walk home. My coat was pulled closer to my body as the wind whipped round. The moon shone brightly as I looked up. The street lights dimly illuminated the road as I quickly walked down. Cars lined the quiet residential street and I noticed a few lights turn out in the houses I passed. My feet turned the corner, my eyes being drawn to a pub a little further down. Loud jeering spilled out of the doors.

My pace quickened, wanting to get away from the alcohol driven atmosphere. But I had to take a second glance at the darkened alley down the side of the building. Even from across the road I recognised his tall frame and dark curls. My body stopped. I could tell the situation was tense, the stances of the men a little defensive. My vision stayed locked on the group as I witnessed Harry forcefully shove one of the guys away. I didn't know what to do. My mind was telling me to walk away, but I couldn't. The rate of my breathing increased as one of them held Harry to the wall. The other delivered a heavy punch to his stomach.

"HARRY!"