If Only...

Chapter 9: Passion Bruises

It almost looked painful for Marcus to say the words but in a lowered voice he peered at me and said, "I don't like hurting you. But if only you were obedient and listened to me," he stroked the line of my jaw and tickled my chin.

Why was I still here? In his dorm? On his bed? Why am I putting up with this?

He had cared to the scratches on my back lathering up neosporin and laying bandages with a light kiss on each cut.

"What did Louis mean? What did you mean?"

He gave me a quizzical state and tilted his head, his eyes were softened now with no trace of what he had done at the park.

How do you just become two absolutely different people?

"He said I made a mistake. But he broke up with me. Did he not? And you said I don't want him and that it was obvious. What did you mean, Marcus?" M voice was getting louder and Marcus brought a finger to my lips and folded his hands into mine.

"I meant you're with me now," he rubbed his nose against mine playfully, "And that's why you don't need him."

That still didn't answer my question to Louis's statement. If Marcus didn't butt in. If we had talked just a little while longer...

It nearly sounded like Louis was going to give us another chance.

If only we had been alone for just a few more seconds, Louis would be holding my hands right now, not Marcus.

"It won't happen again, my darling. I am so sorry," his words made me feel like goo. His big, brown eyes blinking and begging me to stay.

And as idiotic as it seems, I did.

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Drew's P.O.V

I was beginning to worry when Lennox hadn't returned and the sun was already setting. I figured she was with Marcus.

I never told her what Marcus told me almost a year ago mostly because Marcus said it was better if she thought Louis was the one at fault, but it didn't hurt any less that she kept this from me.

I wanted to ask her so many questions but Marcus wouldn't allow it. And I knew better than to upset him.

I dog-eared the page where I stopped reading and decided to head down to the lounge. I had grabbed a 16 oz big gulp drink from the pop machine and was headed for the couch when a familiar patch of curly brown tousled hair sent me almost squealing.

The red fizzy drink slushed all about as I managed to save it from spilling onto the carpet. I guess he'd noticed the racket and as he turned to me, I could feel my face heat.

"Uhh howdy!" I blurted mentally slapping myself. I hated my accent as it is and to add on to the stereotype I say stupid things like this.

He chuckled, "Why don't you mosey on over here and have a seat then?"

He had turned back around to watch the program by scooted over some to make room for me. I frowned at his play of my country roots, but didn't let it bother me too much.

As I sat beside him, his bronze skin and slender nose did justice to his Spanish descent but when he spoke, it was entirely British.

"I'm Harry by the way," he said formally with a smile.

I almost blurted out I know but figuring that it'd scare him off I just returned the smile, "I'm Drew.

"That's interesting, I like that. Drew," he was still staring at me, our green eyes fighting each other to see who could look the longest. I lost.

We were watching Doctor Who, laughing and shaking our heads at the sci-fi flunk

During commercial breaks, I'd drink my big gulp unaware on how to bring about a conversation and he being just as reserved as I am, would just keep watching.

Occasionally he'd crack a joke of some sort and I'd giggle or he'd play with the two straws in the table pretending his fingers were warriors and the plastic sticks were their spears.

"I better get going," he sighed as the episode concluded, "I've got a BSL paper I still haven't done," he chuckled.

"Oh right, I forgot you and Lennox both take that class," I stumbled and he nodded.

"I'll see you around Drew," he smiled and gave my shoulder a light squeeze before he took off.

I sunk lower into the seat of the sofa and slapped my hands onto my cheeks.

"I'm such a dweeb," I mumbled.

"I'm afraid I don't believe you are, love," Harry whispered causing me to nearly jump off the leather seat entirely.

Words couldn't even escape my mouth as my cheeks and forehead grew so flushed I literally felt like the colour red.

"I forgot my coat," he chirped and smiled, "Bye now," he added with a little wave, his dimples still visible with his radiant smile.

Ohmygod.

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Lennox's P.O.V.

I waited for Marcus to drift to sleep then carefully slumped out of his protective grip around my waist and dashed out the door.

My feet did the thinking for me and suddenly I found myself raising a fist to knock on Louis's door.

I knocked.

I waited.

I should just leave. What do I think will happen? I'm such an idiot. Should I let Louis just run my life? Keep me hooked onto his heart and drag my feet in the dirt as he moves on?

I knocked again.