Jump | H.S.

Chapter 10

I could tell Jumper was still a little distant, even after we apologized to each other. It hurt me to actually know that I made her uneasy around me when she should feel comfortable and safe.

As I wash the dishes and clean out the pasta and porcelain filled sink, I hear light footsteps behind me. I shut the water off and turn around, seeing her standing there. "You okay?" I ask as I dry my hands on the dish rag.

"Yeah," she whispers, her eyes never leaving mine. I lean my back into the counter, and clear my throat.

"You sure?" I whisper back.

"Um," she says as she plays with her fingers. "I'm kind of hungry," she says with a small smile. I can't help but grin back at her. Shaking my head, I pull out a bowl from the cabinet and open the fridge.

"Do you want spaghetti?" I ask as I take my glance from the fridge and focus it on her.

"Yes, please."

"You're going to eat it this time, right?" I ask with a smile as I pull out the container, still warm from just being put in there.

"Yes." I let out a deep breath, as she continues to just give me one worded answers. Sighing, I hand her the meal and walk into the living room. Not even a minute later, I feel the couch dip next to me. I don't look over, but instead I continue to watch some stupid sitcom I could care less about.

"Do you trust me?" I ask breaking the silence. She wraps her fork in the noodles and sets her bowl on the coffee table.

"Yes, ever since the bar incident, I knew I could trust you." Her blue eyes are burning a hole in my skull as I refuse to look over and meet them.

"Hasn't anyone ever stood up to Mike before?" I ask as I adjust my position.

"Yeah, but it always ended up with either them chickening out, or getting the shit beat out of them." I let out a dry laugh.

"I swear a five year old could beat that pussy." She lets out a chuckle, making me laugh along at just the sound.

"He's not a wimp, Harry."

"But he's not strong either. I beat him, and that one guy beat him in his own back yard."

"Have you ever just thought that maybe you're tougher than he is?" She asks and I roll my eyes before finally looking at her.

"Why are you defending his strength?" I ask in the nicest manner possible.

"Because he's really dangerous. No matter how tough you are, he has a whole gang that could take you down if you ever tried anything."

"Good thing I'm not trying anything then. As long as he leaves you alone, I'll be fine." I say as I give her a small smile, and turn back to the television.

Jumper's P.O.V.

"Good thing I'm not trying anything then. As long as he leaves you alone, I'll be fine." I can feel my cheeks flush and heart rate speed up as I hear Harry's protectiveness come out again. As he looks away, I can't help but hope he doesn't see the color my face obtained.

I like the feeling of knowing he'll always be there to protect me. It almost makes my chest ache if I actually think about it.

I pick up my bowl, and finish my food, as we watch some crappy sitcom I don't like, in silence.

~~~~~

"Jumper," Harry growls in his demanding voice. I let out a puff of breath and cross my arms over my chest.

"No," I say in the same demanding tone. We had been arguing over who's going to sleep where for about five minutes, and I refuse to sleep in his bed.

"You leave me no choice," he says as he cocks his head to the side and gives me the cheekiest grin I have ever seen him wear. Oh no, I think as I put my hands up to shield his body away. Run. My mind tells me, and I do just that.

I sprint down the hall, but regret it as I turn to run into the bathroom, and feel an arm snake around my waist. I let out a squeal as he pulls my into his chest and throws me over his shoulder.

"Put me down!" I yell while laughing as I hit his back. Not hard of course.

"Nope," the way he said it, I could tell he was smiling.

"Harryyy," I whine as he carries me in his room and switches on the light.

"Goodnight, Jumper," he says as he throws me on his mattress, my body bouncing on the warm duvet beneath me.

"But-" I say as I sit up, but he runs out of the room, closing the door behind him.

I lay back down and snuggle into the dark blue comforter, the smell of his cologne wafting into my nostrils. I let out a deep breath as I rest my head on his pillow.

I reach my hand across the empty space beside me, and wonder what it would be like to have Harry's warm body next to me. I try to rid those thoughts out of my head, as I pull my arm back into my body and close my eyes, falling asleep to that cheeky grin I've learned to love.