Trace

Chapter 61

"My refrigerator is sort of empty. . ."

The two of us laugh as we stare into Harry's bare refrigerator.

      "We can order pizza?" I offer, which is comes out more like a request.

 My stomach rumbles quietly, reminding myself of my unfinished dinner.

        "You and your pizza," he shakes his head, chuckling, as he picks up his cellphone.

I go around the counter to sit on the stool behind it and rest my chin in my palm. I really shouldn't be here; I know that. I shouldn't give in to Harry so easily especially after he hurt me by both his words and actions. It is most definitely a refreshing relief that he wasn't the one to delete my contact from my phone- he had said it was... Gretchynn?

"Why were you with Gretchynn?" I ask him as soon as he hangs up the phone from ordering our dinner.

He looks down at his feet and rubs the back of his neck uneasily.

"She, uh. Well, um. I dunno. She came to my room and wouldn't fucking go away unless I went to get a few drinks with her and I-"

"You did what?" my heart begins to pounds a panicky beat as I wait for some type of reasonable excuse.

"Nothing happened El, I swear. And then after that I guess we sort of we're friends-ish. But obviously we aren't anymore..."

"Obviously?"

"Yeah, I mean, it's clear I'm done with that bitch; she deleted your number from my phone in case you forgot."

"And you're sure she knows that you are completely done with her?"

Even though I know Harry wouldn't try anything with her, I can't seem to settle the rising jealousy within me. It seemed to me at his birthday party that he was utterly disgusted with the girl. And now he's saying they were sort of friends?

   Harry takes a step closer to me and leans down across from me in his standing postition on the opposite side of the counter. His green eyes bore into mine.

    "I am completely done with her," he says, his words coming out slower than usual, "I settled it before I went to find you- do you believe me?"

    Our gaze doesn't break as I slowly nod my head. 

"I believe you," I whisper. 

   He breathes slowly in through his wide nostrils and places his hands on top of mine. 

The silence becomes extremely thick and tense between us, although I am unsure why.

  "I-I have a doctor's appointment tomorow morning," I say suddenly. 

He takes a step back and runs both of his hands through his messy hair. 

  "It's because of me, isn't it," he grumbles deeply. 

I sigh and direct my eyes to the granite on the clean countertop. 

    "Are you okay?" Harry blurts, worry evident in his tone.

I look up at him. "What do you mean?"

 A hand goes through his hair. 

"I mean your head...are you gonna be alright?"

   I laugh softly and motion for him to come over to me. He's hesitant at first but then walks around the counter and into my open arms. I still stay seated on the stool and wrap my arms around Harry's torso. He bends his neck down to lay his head over my shoulder.