Mission Impossible

Chapter 44~ Riding Solo

CLARA'S POV

  Before I opened my eyes when I woke, I thought about how excited I was to wake up with Zayn next to me. I had missed the sight of his black hair disheveled about his forehead, his bare chest lighting up the room. When I finally did open my eyes, a childish grin on my face, I realized he was not beside me. I looked towards the end of the bed, where I spotted him sitting, his face in his hands. I slowly sat up and ran my hand across his bare back.

  "Hey, what's wrong?" I began to say before he quickly stood up, seemingly evading my contact.

  "Don't. Touch me," he spoke quickly as he stood, then all together as his back faced me.

  "Is this one of those days you hate me?" I asked, trying to keep my tone level. I was slightly upset but I had to look at this from his point of view; I tried to kill him.

  "This is one of those days were I have no clue how I feel about you because in your sleep you mumbled another man's name," he said, turning to face me. His features were clenched, a dark look in his eyes. He wasn't yelling, which was even worse. This meant he had already thought about it, and found out what he was going to do.

  "I'm sure you misheard-," I tried, starting to stand up so I wouldn't be as vulnerable to Zayn.

  "I didn't mishear anything. Just like I didn't fail to see a hint of sadness on your face as you said his name," he continued. I wrapped the sheets around me tighter, unsure of what was coming.

  "You're paranoid, Zayn. You're trying to find a reason to push me away," I told him, holding one hand out as if I was calming him down.

  "I'm not trying to find a reason to push you away, I'm trying to find a reason to hold onto you and never let go!" he finally yelled. "But you just keep giving me reasons why I can't be with you." I stood there, at a loss for words. It hurt hearing him say these things. It sounded like he was breaking up with me. But were we even together?

  We had just been staring at each other, until suddenly a sad grin crossed his face as he puffed a breath of air out of his nose.

  "And the fact that you still haven't asked me whose name you said, means you already know. Which is even worse," Zayn said, and I couldn't help but look down in shame. I licked my lips, unsure of what to do, or say. Is this when I put my clothes on and leave, or do I kiss him and tell him I'm sorry? My mouth did not move, and my gaze did not lift. Zayn blowing out a second puff of air broke the silence.

  "Get dressed," he said. I looked up to see him pulling a shirt over his bear chest. "We have stuff to do." He quickly left the room, and I was left there with silence and shame. I sat wondering why the hell I would ever mumble his name in my sleep, until a part of me started wondering why the hell I wouldn't. I shook off my doubts and started to jog towards the door. That part of my life was over. Zayn was here now. Zayn was my present. Harry was my past.

  I was reaching for the door handle when I heard voices outside in the hallway. I paused, my curiosity getting the best of me. One of the voices was Zayn's, although I could not make out the second one.

  "No, this doesn't change anything. We still need her. I need her," Zayn said. I sensed a but coming, so I listened more. "We're just going to have to insure she stays. You know what to do," he finished.

  "Now?," the other voice spoke.

  "No, we have to wait a little bit, or else she'll know. Now go, she'll be ready any minute now," Zayn spoke again. Hearing footsteps getting closer, I quickly broke away from the door and went into the bathroom, closing the door moments before I heard the bedroom door open.

  "Clara? Are you ready?," Zayn asked me, his tone now much calmer.

  "Just a second. I'll be down in a minute," I said, trying to make sure my voice didn't break. I heard him close the door again, and I peeked out to make sure he was gone before stepping outside and quickly dressing into my jeans and shirt. Once I was dressed I had a moment again to think, and I plopped down onto the bed. It was like the weight of what I had just heard was forcing me down.

  Zayn was up to something, and knowing him, it probably wasn't pleasant. He would never hurt me, at least I didn't think so, but I couldn't think of any other way he could black mail me, if that was what he was implying. I thought a minute longer until my head shot up, the answer finally coming to me. He had done it once, and I knew him well enough to know he would do it again.

  "Harry."

HARRY'S POV

  "You can't leave The School, Director, this place is your responsibility," I argued as she pulled out her to-go bag from underneath her desk. "You have a duty to these girls," I added. Rain turned to me, a combination of both sadness and anger in her eyes.

  "Clara, is my responsibility!" she exclaimed. "I have a duty to her," she said, her voice breaking. "I promised her parents that I would protect her. I promised them I would keep her safe. I've failed miserably," she trailed off. Unsure of what to do, I put my hand over hers, patting it lightly before giving it a squeeze. She looked up at me, and I could see tears forming in her eyes.

  "It's amazing that Clara has made it this long without being kidnapped before. She's an amazing spy but that mouth of hers gets her into more trouble than it gets her out of," I said and we both chuckled, Rain wiping the tears away from her eyes. "You've done a good job, Rain. Better than I have." Rain put her hand on my shoulder.

  "It's not your fault Harry. You need to know that," she said. I nodded, knowing deep down she was right. Rain's office phone rang, and I watched as she composed herself before answering the phone. "Director Rain," she answered, professional and neutral. "Good afternoon, General Carter," she said, making eye contact with me. "Yes, I'm with him now," she said, pausing. "I will." Another pause. "Thank you for coming. Goodbye,"

  "What did he say?" I asked her.

  "He wanted to make sure you were okay, and he also wanted me to tell you that you are allowed a few days off. To recuperate."

  "Guess I should get going then," I said. Rain jolted forward a bit before stopping. "I really think should you stay here. I need someone back here who I can trust," I told her. She seemed hesitant.

  "Fine. But you check in twice a day, once at 11 am and again and 11 pm. You have 3 hours after missing a check-in before I personally go to your last-known location. Got it?"

  "Yes ma'am." I made my way towards the door before Rain's voice stopped me.

  "And Harry," she called. I turned to face her. "Bring her home safe." I nodded and opened the door, making my way back to the last place I knew she was.