M E R C Y (+16)

S E V E N T E E N

"I never meant to hurt you, Harry." I explain as he looks at me in disbelief.

"So what you're saying is that- I'm actually in love with a stripper?"

"I- I didn't-"

"I can't believe this." He shakes his head, "You kept this from me for months and expect me to just forgive you now? You even told Ian about it."

"No, no! I didn't tell him he- he kinda found out on his own."

"I feel so stupid." He laughs, "I actually thought we had a relationship based on trust and loyalty."

"We do-"

"I'm- I'm done with this, I'm down with you." He walks away as I try to pull him by the hand.

"Harry! Harry please don't leave me! HARRY!"

Ian

"Selena! Selena!" I shout repeatedly trying to wake her up.

"H-Harry! Harry, please don't-"

"Selena!" I nudge her and her eyes flicker open.

"Harry." She breathes, "where is he?"

"He's not here, Sel, you were having a nightmare."

"Oh thank God." She breathes heavily, staring at the ground, "What time is it?"

"About eight." I tell her, standing up to clean the room, "Your phone kept on ringing so I turned it on silent mode."

"Harry?" She stares at me.

"Yeah." I breath, turning my attention to the Tv, "There's a storm outside so I don't think you'll be able to leave today either."

"What?" She shouts, moving to the window, "Fuck it's snowing."

"It's December, remember?" I laugh, "Oh that rhymed!" I smile widely.

She rolls her eyes at me, "What am I going to tell Harry now? He won't believe me."

I huff, "Maybe the truth?" I suggest.

"Oh yeah, hey Harry I work at a stripper club and my boss just kicked my ass. I called Ian and he took me to his place so I stayed over. That's sounds good, he'll definitely believe me."

"I'll call him and tell him to come over. You'll talk and explain everything from the beginning." I shrug, "Seems good to me."

"Are you even serious? I can't tell Harry the truth he'll leave me within a split second."

"Maybe that's how it should be!" I shout unintentionally, "You keep lying to him, Selena! When he finds out about your shit he'll hate you even more."

"You helped me, don't forget about that."

"I didn't- it's the worst thing I've ever done and I'll never forgive myself for doing it. It was a mistake, all of it! Meeting you was a mistake."

"Ian-"

"You said you'll protect me! You said everything will turn out fine as long as we have each other."

"I will protect you." I step towards her, "First, I will protect you from your own self then from Andrew."

She stares at me unable to say a word, "I love you so much I- I can't leave." I spill, cupping her cheeks.

"Then don't- Stay with me and help me get rid of Andrew and everyone who hates me."

I place my forhead on hers, breathing in her scent, "I'm trying- just don't expect me to lie again for you. I hate lying, Sel and I know Harry hates it too."