Trace

Chapter 62

HARRY'S POV

Her breath is slow and even, her eyes softly closed with her long eyelashes covering her lids. I can feel my heart warming and expanding at just the peaceful sight of the beautiful girl sleeping in front of me. A knot grows deep inside of me; I do not deserve her. It couldn't be clearer than a full moon in an unclouded night's sky. She can openly share memories from her past, giggling over the silly mistakes she made, and I can tell she wants to hear some from me in return. In return, I create lies of stories of my teenaged years, to make her laugh loudly, not daring to tell her what it was really like. 

  If she only knew what I tried to do at one point in my life, and if she only knew I still have no regrets or guilt towards it, the look of disappointed and disapproval from her would absolutely break me. 

El makes a small, quiet noise and my attention is immediately directed back towards her. I stand watching her with my half-eaten bagel in my hand, not wanting to wake her just yet. I feel as if I could spend an eternity right here, just watching her sleep tranquilly in my ruffled up sheets, with her long, dark hair spread messily across the white pillow.    

  I glance over to the digital clock on my nightstand and am surprised to see that I have been standing in this position watching over her for more than twenty minutes. Her doctor's appointment is in an hour in a half, and the clinic is a bit far away. 

  I unwillingly walk around to the side of the bed she is sleeping on and lean down to kiss her cheek. 

"Rise and shine, beautiful. It's time to get up," I whisper in her ear. 

  She covers her face with both of her hands and groans in protest. 

"I'm tired," she mumbles groggily into her palms. 

  I chuckle and take a bite from my bagel- one of the few food items I have here. I really should do some grocery shopping, even though I leave to go back to school tomorrow. A feeling close to grief pangs me in the chest. I will leave her tomorrow, and have absolutely no idea when I will see her again.

"We still have pizza from last night; you can have that for breakfast," I tell her, bending down to pick up her navy dress. 

   The fabric looks a lot smaller in my hands, and I try to stretch it out a little. 

"You fit into this?" I ask her, my mouth full with the rest of my bagel.

   "What's that supposed to mean?" accuses El in a whining tone.

I lay the dress down onto  the bed neatly and pick up her bra and panties from the carpeted floor. 

   "I mean that I don't think it's such a great idea to wear a dress that basically puts her boobs and ass in the spotlight."

  She sits up at once, covering her body with the white sheets. Her face is full of displeasure. 

"What are you even talking about? That dress comes just above my knee and most certainly does not show anything off!" 

   "You can't be serious, babe. Your boobs are practically screaming for attention in this thing. Can't say I don't like it, but there will be millions of creeps staring at you if you wear this today."

  She rubs her temple and sighs. 

"You cannot tell me what I can and cannot wear, Harry. I don't dress like a slut unlike...unlike..."

   I laugh at her sudden slowdown. 

"Go on, you can say it," I chide. 

   She makes a contorted face, "Gretchynn."