An Unexpected Guest

Chapter 7: A Lonely Heart

Harry POV 

What she just said; i know that she didnt mean her little "treat" for me was anything sexual, but the way she said it turned me on. Big time. I watched her walk away and damn, did she look good. i wanted to kiss her. i love kissing her. there was this feeling i got when i did. a feeling that i had never felt before. she was so small and felt so fragile in my hands, and despite what she has gone through, she is anything but fragile. Still, i had this strong urge to protect her and keep her safe for as long as she is mine; which i hope is forever. 

i caught up to her and intertwined our hands together. then i asked her the question i knew she was probably dreading, "Cassandra, how could you forget your own birthday?" she ignored my question and continued walking. "Cass," i stopped her and turned her to face me, but she just stared at the grass. i cupped her chin and tilted her head up to look at me. i stared into beautifully sparkling sapphire eyes. they showed pain and lonliness. she stared back into mine. "you can tell me, sweetheart." i saw her cheeks flush when i called her sweetheart. 

She took a breath and said, "i... I dont really know, to be honest. i guess i just dont want to celebrate it being my first birthday without my parents," tears began to trickle down her face, "if i were to celebrate it i would be doing it alone. youve seen my brother. he doesnt even acknowledge my existence unless theres a time i dont make food fro him. thats when he starts to yell at me and tell me that i am a useless and self-centered bitch who cant do anything right," the tears began to flow now and she choked on her sobs. i wrapped her in my arms, trying to calm her down. "I have no one besides Smokey," she continued, "and i love him, i really do, but he is nothing compared to the human contact i wish that i had for the past four months. I hate this life, Harry. i am so alone and i hate it." she spoke into my chest. i held her tightly and rocked her in my arms where we stood, half way between her house and the barn. 

"shhh. Baby its going to be okay," i told her, "youve got me and the boys now. even when we leave you can call us or text us and we will make the time to talk to." i felt her stiffen when i mentioned the boys and i leaving. "we have three weeks together. lets make the most of that time and when its time for us to leave, we will discuss you coming with us possibly." i felt her nod her head on my chest. we pulled apart and i wiped the tears off of her cheeks then kissed her, her lips were soft and warm and i never want our lips to part. but i knew every kiss had to come to an end. i wasnt upset about it though, because i knew that it was only one kiss of many more to come.  

when we parted from the kiss, she looked up at me, smiled, and said "thank you. it has been so long since i have had someone i can trust." 

"you are very welcome," i said, then kissed her forehead. 

"oh crap. i got your sweater wet with tears. im sorry," she said with sympathy.  

"dont worry about it, sweetheart." she blushed again and the word sweetheart. "thats the second time youve blushed when i called you sweetheart. do you like being called that?" i asked with a smirk. 

"maybe..." she answered smiling shyly. a cool breeze blew across our faces and Cass shivered. she was only wearing jeans and cropped blue T-shirt. i started to take off my black blazer to give to her when she stopped me, "no, Harry. Im fine. i dont want you to get sick. youre the popstar in a boyband. not me," she let out a small laugh. i didnt listen to her and gave her my blazer. she sighed at her defeat and smiled at me. we walked back to the house, hand in hand, to have breakfast with the boys.  

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We sat at the table eating pancakes with eggs and bacon. everyone was still on their first plate while niall went back for his third. Cass and i sat next to each other, Louis and Zayn across from us, and Niall on one end and Liam on the other. we were sitting down for maybe about thirty minutes and Cass had barely eaten two bites. i looked at her concerned and i think she could feel my stare because she quickly asked, "what time is it?"