Sleeping With Tattoos

It's Easier

NATALIE

__________

I am involuntarily woken up by a loud thump near my head. I jolt up and see a dark room that I'm unfamiliar with in front of me. Then a face. A mop of curls slicked back in my face. I nearly scream but as my eyes grow more used to their surroundings I see Harry. Am I dreaming? Am I at home? Have I slept with a random drunk and desperate and imagine myself to be with Harry where I felt warm? No. Harry's definitely here.

"Sorry." he whispers.

"What are you doing?" I ask just as quietly.

"I was trying not to wake you up and I didn't want to use the light. I slipt on the rug and fell on top of you..well nearly."

"Am I in your house?" realisation hits me and I become anxious.

"Yeah. But it's cool. It's eleven so now that your awake, I can give you some of Gemma's clothes to borrow for the night." He stands up straight and his tall figure is almost haunting.

"Harry.." I call as he begins to walk away.

"Mmm"

"You and me, we didn't...you know.." how embarrassing. But then again the amount of times I've had to sell myself and I don't remember if I actually have is too many times to count.

"No." He chuckles, clearly at my anxiety.

Five minutes later I'm changed into a pair of grey loose shorts and a white t-shirt. I've never kept my bra on in bed but I suppose tonight I'll have too.

When I enter back into Harry's room he's laying some blankets and sheets down on the floor.

"What's that?" I ask standing by the door.

"A blow up bed." He simply answers throwing a pillow he just grabbed from his bed onto the blow up one.

"I'll sleep there." I volunteer walking around to him. I feel bad that I'm staying here, I feel even worse now that he has to sleep on a crap bed.

"No, you use my bed, you look like you could use the sleep." As much as I'm offended by that, I know it's true I do need the sleep, in a nice warm room, in a warm house in a warm bed. I must look disgusting, a right mess.

But then again, what do you expect from a prostitute? He doesn't know that. I remind myself.

As he lays down on the bed it makes a dreadful noise and all I want to do is pick him up and put him in his bed, even if I have to force him.

"Why are you still standing?" he asks placing his hands behind his head like I found him earlier.

"Are you sure I can stay? I don't live far." I'm ready to leave if he says so.

"Stop being so stupid. It would do you some good to get rid of those bags under your eyes don't you think?" it's more of a statement than a question.

I lay back in the bed and wriggle over to the side closest to him, dragging the pillow across the sheets with me.

"When did you blow that up?" I ask.

"Before I fell and woke you up." He admits playing with his curls.

"Natalie why don't you talk?" the question blows me away, far away, knocking me back so my balance is destroyed and I crash down.

"It's easier." I finally say.

"You do have friends and family right?" he turns his head to face me, hands in their previous position.

"Yeah, of course I do." what is that now your tenth lie to him in one night? God damn it.

"Natalie-"

"Good night Harry." I cut him off before I can be broken again.

"Sweet dreams Natalie." He whispers.

I'll try Harry.