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⚡︎⟡₊ ⊹
"fuck, harry!" niall shouts, his fingers raking through his hair in frustration.
harry's visibly shaken by what he's just done, his grip on your limp body never faltering.
the partygoers scatter in all directions, probably fearing the police might get involved.
harry watches as zayn drags the ginger-haired kid toward the front door.
"if you ever come near any of us again, i swear..." he stops himself, fury blazing in his eyes as he gives the boy one last shove and slams the door shut.
all seven of them turn back to harry, fear etched on their faces as you stir weakly in his arms.
"god damn it, hazza," louis mutters, noticing the dark bruise forming around your eye.
"what the fuck are you all standing there for?" ashton suddenly exclaims, his voice cutting through the tension. it's the first time he's really spoken up, but there's no time for introductions now. "get up, let's take her to the emergency room."
harry nods, his expression unreadable as he carefully lifts you and carries you out to liam's car, placing you gently in the backseat.
you groan softly, and he shushes you, brushing a stray lock of hair from your face.
ashton quickly climbs in beside you, resting your head on his lap, while liam starts the car. serena jumps into the passenger seat, leaving harry behind with niall, louis, jaxon, and zayn.
harry meets ashton's eyes, searching for words.
"i didn't mean to," he mutters, but the aussie boy only shakes his head, the disapproval clear.
as liam pulls away, harry watches the car vanish into the distance, feeling that familiar sinking feeling. he's no good. he's always known it. his father used to tell him all the time.
everything he touches falls apart because of him.
he flinches when jaxon places a hand on his shoulder, offering a silent attempt at comfort.
harry forces a weak smile, nodding toward his own car for the rest of them to follow.
the drive to the hospital is suffocating in its silence, everyone left shattered by the events of the night.
✰
when your mother arrives, everyone except ashton and harry decides to call it a night, offering their best wishes for your recovery before heading out.
you're awake but concussed, with a nasty black eye that seems to darken by the minute.
harry had gone to fetch a nurse for more painkillers, per your request, but he stops short of your hospital room door when he hears your mom's hushed voice.
both she and ashton have their backs to the door, hovering over you as you lie in the hospital bed.
"i don't get it, pet," she murmurs, her thumb gently stroking your hand that she holds tightly. "why would you hang around someone like that? someone who would resort to violence so easily?"
harry doesn't wait to hear your answer.
his heart sinks as he quickly turns and rushes out of the building, head hung low, hands stuffed deep into his pockets.
once he's in his car, he lets out a frustrated shout, slamming his fists hard against the steering wheel.
the tires screech as he speeds out of the car park, pulling out his phone to dial a number he reserves for desperate times.
less than fifteen minutes later, he arrives at his destination, fumbling with his seatbelt as he rushes to get out.
a girl with olive skin and dark, wavy hair steps out of the house, letting him fall straight into her embrace. her long, perfectly manicured nails run soothingly through his curls.
harry doesn't want to think anymore.
so he doesn't—he crashes his lips against hers, desperate to escape the chaos in his mind.
✰
the soft hum of the air conditioner stirs harry from his sleep, warm air trickling into the room, making him sweat slightly.
a pale glow from the moon slips through the blinds, hinting that only a few hours had passed since he arrived.
as he shifts, the weight of his actions crashes down on him.
he glances over at drew, his ex-girlfriend, lying naked beside him, her legs tangled with his. she had once been his whole world.
back in their first year of high school, he'd acted indifferent, sneaking glances when she wasn't looking, then impulsively calling her late at night, whisking her away on secret little rendezvous.
just like he had with you.
your face flashes in his mind—your smile, your quirks.
thatblack eye.
your limp body in his arms.
he clenches his jaw. he didn't deserve to be around someone as fragile as you.
he'd broken things off with drew after six months, right after she'd witnessed him lay into a classmate who had made one offhand remark to her.
his thoughts are interrupted when she stirs, curling closer to him.
he grimaces.
his feelings for her had long evaporated, but he kept returning because she was always there when he needed an escape.
he believes he's a terrible person.
drew suddenly climbs onto him, straddling his body, pressing sloppy kisses down his chest and up his neck.
he keeps his eyes open when her lips find his.
as she moves lower, hovering just above his boxers, harry's mind drifts away entirely.
he dissociates, numbing himself as she pulls them down, her mouth wrapping around him.
