Run Away

5.

Caroline stared up at the ceiling of her apartment, feeling the pulsing vibrations from fun shop below seep through the cheap carpet. Her lips were wrapped tightly around a sucker, trying to kick the ever present smoking habit. Harry rested beside her, long fingers sprawling out through her hair twisting and braiding different sections. The silence was pleasant, yet awkward. "So are we going to talk about it?"  His concern forced a smile. 

"There's nothing to talk about." 

"You can't lie to me." Harry gave a challenging glance. 

"Oh I can and I will." Twirling the stick of the lollipop around with her fingers, she licked her lips to remove the sticky cherry substance that lingered. "But I hate when you look at me like that." 

Propping herself up on one elbow, she rolled over to face him. "Jared found out." 

Three little words brought about a whole lot of pressure. "Oh." Harry sulked back against the bottom of the couch, resting his back against it. "And?" 

Caroline sighed softly. "He told me I was in too deep." A pause, a cringe, a slow breath. The boy turned staring her down. "And I agree with him." 

With in a fraction of a second, Harry's demeanor shifted. He pulled the smaller girl up by her arms and had her pinned against the wall. "Too deep?! I'm in too bleeding deep. You? You're still treading water sweetheart. If you remember correctly I'm the one who introduced you to Jared and I can be the one to take him away, I know plenty of girls who want their chance." 

A sharp slap across his cheek pulled him from his state. Reeling back with the sting, he wrapped Caroline up in his arms. "I'm sorry. " 

She nodded slowly. "I know you are. I know how important Katherine is too you. That's why I told Jared to mind his own damn business." 

Harry's lips stretched out into a grateful grin. "I'm sure Jensen wouldn't mind going over and telling him everything, I'll make sure he knows you love him." 

Her lips made a crease of a smile as her fingers tucked his hair away. "There's something else." 

His eyebrow quirked up in the most handsome, domestic way. "What?" 

"I know how to get you in for New Years." 

---

There weren't many times in either of their lives that Caroline and Harry dressed up. A little help from Aaron and his off shore bank accounts assured them the finest. 

The ballroom of the hotel was crowded as the clocks read 10:30. Harry decided fashionably late or not at all. He caught the attention of every person there, his green eyes reflecting the metallic directions while the dark curls swallowed up the dim light of the dance floor. A yellow flower took the place of the bow tie he normally wore. 

Caroline sat at the bar, leaning forward flirting with the handsome bar tender. "Jared, you are a jack of all trades." She purred sipping on the champagne he poured her. 

He shrugged his broad shoulders tight in the Tom Ford suit. "I need to know how to drink my problems away." 

She nodded glancing over her shoulders. Jensen sent her a wink, walking the outer perimeter of the hall. Harry slipped in beside her, downing the shot placed before him. "Jared man, I'm sorry." 

"You're already drunk or are you nervous?" He chuckled flipping his hair out of his hazel eyes. 

"Nervous as hell." 

"Don't be. Just wait for that little shit Aaron to show up with Katherine and Nick. I'll cause the distraction and you can go." 

"That wasn't the plan earlier." Caroline panicked, Cherry red lips parted in shock. 

Jared shrugged. "I want my girl to myself thank you very much but I can't blow your cover." He looked down the bar. "Flying in." 

Harry turned his flute of alcohol dropping to his feet, shattering. Katherine entered the ballroom, flowing in through the crowd on the arm of Nick Sanchez. Aaron searched, locking eyes with Caroline. "Go." He mouthed.