Idiosyncrasy (Harry Styles AU)

Five

Chapter 5

Harry

I stir, feeling every inch of my wretched body come to life again.

It's an exasperating feeling after I was just going to try to kill myself last night. Knowing I tried, and somehow failed.

The sun shines on my face, tickling my cheeks and awakening me.

Wait, I don't have a window in my bedroom.

I sit up straight, finding myself in a strange house.

"What the . . ."

I flinch as I find I have a roaring headache. It seems like I always have a hangover lately.

I throw my legs over the side of the couch I had been sleeping on, and trip ungracefully over my shoes as I start to wander around.

Where am I?

I walk down the hallway and open a squeaky door at the end of it.

Gasping, I find Bethany sound asleep in her bed.

Uhm . . . awkward . . .

I chew my lip. How did I end up here?

I don't want to wake her up; she's sleeping so peacefully, but I do have to get home.

I clear my throat gently, not daring to step into the room.

She stirs, then sits up slowly.

"You're awake already, Harry?" she asks with a yawn.

I nod expressionlessly. "Uhm . . . Where is the tube station from here? I won't ask you to get up and take me home . . . it's a Saturday."

I don't bother asking her anything about how I ended up here; I figure I will remember soon. I'm going to save the human contact.

She smiles sleepily. "Two blocks away south," she tells me.

I nod, wondering if I should thank her or not. I chew my lip again, deciding against it, then wave lightly. I walk back down the hall and put my shoes on, then open the front door quietly.

"Harry?"

I turn around and find Bethany standing behind the door in an oversized shirt and sweatpants.

I stop walking and look at her expectantly.

She hesitates. "Are you okay?" Her voice is as light as a feather.

I'm a bit taken aback by her question . . . Did I tell her something I shouldn't have last night?

I finally nod. "Fine."

She looks as though she wants to say something else, but doesn't. Instead she waves at me. "Bye, Harry."

I wave back and smile slightly, something that is completely against my nature, before she closes the door.

I know I should have at least said "thank you for putting me up for the night", but I couldn't make myself do it.

I shouldn't have helped her with that guy Red . . . Now she feels like she owes me. I hate it when people think they owe me something. It gives them a way into my life.

I shake my head, making my way down to the lobby.

I hope she doesn't think that we're friends now, because we're far from it. I can't be friends with anyone. I can't lose someone else close to me. It'll be too much.

Soon, I'm on my way back home, sitting in a corner all by myself. I don't want human contact.

__