The Darcy Project

**Chapter Thirteen**

The time flew by so fast, I didn't realize it was sunset. Harry and I had spent the entire day talking and getting to know each other. He talked about his mum and his family. He told me things that even the tabloids would never guess. The thoughts that he trusted me that much really struck me. But..

Could I trust him as much?

I guess my heart thought so. I told him pretty much my life story. I told him about my horrible school years and all the drama I would go through. I told him how it sucked to be different, just because you didn't want to fit in.

"Different is good. I like you because you're different," he had said. "You stood out."

Standing out got me into a hate pool on Instagram and I couldn't swim out of it just yet. Harry didn't know I knew and I wanted to keep it that way, for now. He knew, I guessed, that the hate would spread so much that I would hear it. My mind sometimes wandered to how it would play out. I could be walking through the streets in town and see some girls whispering as I passed. Maybe someone would be brave enough to actually confront me, chances of that are slim. I know how people are.

But whatever it was, I had to be prepared- emotionally and physically.

"I don't want you to leave.." Harry murmured into my hair around six.

We were sitting back on the couch, some show we weren't watching playing on the telly. I was leaning into him and his arm was wrapped around me.

We must've looked like an intimate couple.

I sighed, "I don't want to go."

Harry pulled away, looking at me. "Then, stay the night."

I laughed, thinking he was joking. But his expression showed he was serious. "We only just met," I said, tilting my head.

"But I feel like I know you as well as I know myself. C'mon, Christy.."

I bit the inside of my cheek, thinking it through. "I guess.. I could call my mum and tell her I'll be spending the night with my friend."

He nodded and got up, "I'll leave you to it."

Harry left the room with a grin as big as the Chesire Cat.

I pulled my phone out and the lock screen was filling with Instagram mentions. I unlocked the phone, ignoring them all, and called my mum.

"Christy?! Where on Earth are you?" My mum's panicked voice rang through the phone.

"Mum, it's okay. I met up with Kim. I'm gonna spend the night at her flat."

"Kim? I thought you were meeting with a boy..?"

I laughed, "Really? Don't you know me well enough by now?"

I glanced at the kitchen doorway before smiling, he wasn't just a regular boy.

"Okay, whatever you say. What time will you be getting in tomorrow?"

"I'll probably be back before noon. Love you!"

"Bye, sweetie. Love you, too."

I hung up and got up, walking to the kitchen. Harry was standing in front of the fridge, scrolling through his phone. He looked up when I entered.

I nodded, "Where do I sleep?"