As I made my way outside, I noticed the rainfall had ceased, but the temperature had dropped. I zipped up the jacket I had received from Harry, the wool lining on the inside proving helpful to protect me from the cold. I felt like a string bean, the jacket much larger than expected. The pungent smell of cologne and Harry filled my nose. He must have worn it often.
My eyes scanned the parking lot for a Range Rover. I had texted Harry about twenty minutes before the lecture ended, hoping he could pick me up. He immediately replied barely a minutes afterwards, saying "I was hoping you'd ask. I want you back here." I grinned goofily at the text, until Jenny punched me on the arm harder than she she should've.
"Hey," a voice called. Speak of the devil. Liv and Jenny approached me, their expressions deeming a bit of anger.
"Where are you going?" Jenny interrogated.
I ignored their harsh glares, searching for the large black truck. "Why does it matter?" I bit. I don't see why they figured I had to explain myself; they don't control what I do and when I do it.
"Ella, we rarely see you anymore. We're just worried," Liv said, voice softer than Jenny's.
Jenny was more of an aggressive and straight forward person when it came to our group of friends; she was always the one to sort things out if there was any conflict, no matter what she had to do. Liv, on the other hand, was the type to smother someone with love to get answers. She was the oldest out of all of us, but her personality said otherwise. Lana was mostly clueless, sitting back and watching as things unraveled. She didn't care much for drama.
"Well, don't be," I said bitterly, meeting their eyes that were hard on me.
Dismay was apparent on their faces, and I knew I should've handled the conversation differently.
Jenny scoffed, walking backwards to the door behind her. "Fine," she shrugged. "Do what you want. But when he's gone, and you're left alone on your ass, don't come to me." She dissapeared, leaving me and Liv to ourselves, her face resembling a five year old's when not given what they wanted for Christmas.
"Liv, I'm sorry," I shook my head. "I didn't mean for it to come out like that."
"I know," she nodded. "Just remember who's permanent, and who's temporary." She turned, following Jenny as she re-entered the building.
I sighed, cold air escaping my lips as I breathed. My attention returned to the parking lot, a familiar lean figure coming into view. Harry braced himself against the car, fingers combing through his curls that were swept back and messy, obviously having repeating the action multiple times throughout the day. I then saw a green snapback be placed on his head, probably just something he had chosen to tame his unruly hair. A navy blue flannel draped his torso that was rolled at the sleeves and unbuttoned low enough to see a small portion of his swallow tattoos on his collarbones. A cross pendant lay in between them, wearing his signature black skinny jeans and brown boots that were clearly worn very often. Jade orbs locked on mine as he looked up, craters forming in his cheeks, lips raising into a smile. I returned the action, rushing towards him.
"Hi," he greeted me brightly as I came closer to him.
I gripped the collar of his shirt, drawing his body to mine, our lips instantly meshing into each other. My hands trailed up, cupping his cheeks as his roamed my back. He smiled into the kiss, which then transformed into a breathy laugh, before pulling away.
"What's so funny?" I chuckled.
"I was thinking, if you can't be away from me for more than three and a half hours, then we have a problem," he joked.
I punched him lightly in the chest, him feigning pain. I saw his playful features fade, his eyes fixed on something behind me.
"What?"
He took me by the forearm, dragging me to the other side. My back to the car, Harry's extensive frame loomed over me possessively while his hand pressed on the metal beside my head.
"What's wrong?"
"There's a pap behind the statue over there," he spoke.
I blinked, not seeing the purpose in concealing ourselves. "So why are we hiding?"
"William called me today." I knew flirtatious Harry was gone at the moment, his jaw clenching, repeatedly glancing over to where the man remained.
I assumed that's why he was dressed the way he was, although the green and yellow snapback didn't match the flannel and the jeans. Where the hell did he get his fashion sense from?
"And?" I questioned curiously. "What'd he say?"
"There's been rumor going 'round that I'm taking over the company," he replied, peering down at me. "They think that's why I was in the states, but they haven't come up with some shit story to explain why I was with you and your family. That's why I don't want him seeing you. I don't want you involved with the media. They always find a way to ruin things."
What he was telling me was crucial; it was evident in his tone.
"Although they might have already."
My hand went back to his cheek, shifting his regard to me as the pads of my fingers ran along his jawline.
"Nothing's gonna ruin you and me, Harry. Especially not them."
A small smile tugged on the ends of his lips.
"Can we go now?" I whined.
He grinned before kissing my forehead, hand on the door handle to open it for me. I sat in the leather seat as he closed the door, giving a rather vulgar gesture using a particular finger to the man watching us.
I laughed, shocked, shaking my head in mock disapproval. He winked at me, before jogging around to the driver's side.
___________________
