***
He skipped down the front steps and made his way to the car. His feet not too steady on the ground.
“Harry?” I called out to him. Slowly making my way down the steps. My head was much too dizzy. Alcohol mixed with all the shit Josh was talking in the washroom had me running on empty.
“Yes?” he stopped on the grass and turned around to me, carefully watching me as I made my way to him.
“You sure you can drive?” I asked.
“I’m’n excellent driver.” He defended himself. He took my upper arm and pulled me into him for the second time that night. I hid my face in his sweatshirt, drinking in his scent once more. The wind began to blow, the cool are engulfing my bare legs sending a chill up my spine. I shivered in his arms.
“Let’s get goin’ then.” He pressed. With his hand grasped to my arm he walked me across the grass to the car. “Watch your head, watch your fingers.” He cautioned as he helped me into the low sitting car and shut the door.
After he slumped into his seat and started the car, he closed his eyes and pressed his head against the headrest. “Shit, I’m drunk.” He breathed.
“Why don’t we just call a cab, Harry?” I suggested.
“No,” he replied simply. “I’m fine.”
I sighed and continued to watch him. Both of his hands pressed together between his thighs from the cold, as he exhaled I could see the clouds from his breath in the freezing air. The pink skin on his lips is so delicate and his eyelashes are long. His chest rose and fell steadily with the hum of his engine. He seemed so peaceful. Drunk and peaceful – us both – it seemed like a good enough time to clarify my thoughts.
“Harry?”
“Mm?”
“Who’s Rachael?”
His eyes twitched but remained shut. Several minutes passed and I swear I couldn’t tell if he was awake or not. With no response I didn’t want to press the matter and make him angry. Josh has successfully scared me and I know Harry could be the only one to clear my head.
“Who mentioned Rachael to you?”
Fuck, if I mention Josh he’ll wring my neck.
“It was Horan, wasn’t it?” his eyes glared into mine. His hands moved from his legs and placed either on the wheel and the gearshift. “Niall?” he clarified. “It was probably Niall.” He mumbled to himself. He pushed the car into reverse and sped down the long drive. His lips were curled in and his eyelids hung low.
I looked out the window trying to drop the conversation, sorry that I had even started it. But now that he’s gone and confirmed Rachael’s existence, I need to know more. I want to know everything. What the fuck was going on in his life?
“I can’t believe he’d bring her up.” He swore under his breath and hit the gas, speeding down road. I quietly thanked god for the lack of traffic. “Don’t ever bring her up!” he slammed his hand on the wheel causing my body to jump. “I don’t wanna hear her name come out of your mouth ever again!”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t know!” I looked at him. He swerved into the next lane, cutting off a car. “Slow down, Harry! Stop it!” His reckless driving began to worry me as the traffic became heavier nearing our exit.
“Shut up, Vaeda. Just shut the fuck up!” he yelled.
“No.” I said. “No, YOU shut the fuck up!” I spat. I don’t know what was coming over me, but I couldn’t control it. A wave of anger hit me like a truck and that was it, I was done being yelled at by him. His knuckles whitened and his teeth began to dig into the bottom lip. His breathing was quick and shallow.
