Perceiver

Chapter 2: Down By the RIver

After yet another boring, uneventful week at school I found myself at my river house. Like a beach house only minus the beach. With Styles, again. Our families had been doing this for years and I knew that when I got back this was the inevitable.

I had a feeling our parents were sending us a subtle message to spend more time together but we both knew that was never gonna happen. Until the first night…

I found myself sitting on the tin roof of our river shack, with the full moon glowing over head was my favourite place in the entire world. It beat the centre of Times Square and the channels of Venice any day. I hadn’t been here in three years and it managed to make me smile; being home, finally. Camping with my favourite red licorice and a text book above the noises of the families below brought a smile to my face and a fuzzy feeling inside.

Until the bastard emerged from no where and jolted me back to reality. Harry was sitting right next to me and he had managed to snag my book from me. Did I forget to mention he was shirtless.

Although the moonlight was dull and really unhelpful I could make out the shape of the curly mess of hair that strangely seemed attractive and his muscly arms that seemed unrealistic compared to the scrawny 13year old. Continuing to skim down his upper body I noticed the fit torso was scattered with a few tattoos (well it was only a matter of time...) and the distinct v line that topped his jeans.

I felt eyes burning through my head, I knew looking at him only fed his ego but I suppose I couldn't help myself. I quickly chose a marking to focus on so he wouldn't suspect me of anything. Through the corner of my eye I noticed his egotistical grin fading as he noted I wasn't admiring his abs merely 'observing his tattoos'.

Harry returned back to my book, at first glancing at it with confusion before sighing heavily and throwing off the roof. I choked as he laughed. I simply attempted a slap across the face before he intercepted my wrist. “Don’t even try.” He mocked, lowering my hand. “You can’t just toss my books around like that.” Styles raised an eyebrow at me before continuing to stretch out and make himself comfortable. “It’s a Physics text book, it’ll live.” I grinned sarcastically at him before rolling my eyes and getting up to leave. Harry’s attention suddenly snapped away from the river to my escape attempt. Grasping my hand “hey, hey okay look I’m sorry.” His grasp tightened; beckoning me to sit down again.

I hated when he went all prince charming on me, because no matter how much I told myself he was a douche bag, I’d always forgive him. I’m just too nicer person.

As he plonked myself down next to him again his concentration returned to the view. “Remember when we were eight years old and we would stay up hear for hours.” He narrated “Until that time you fell off the side, broke your arm and the parentals band us from coming up here anyway.” I finished. He cringed before cracking a smile that only made me laugh.

“See, there she is. The Clara I remember, always smiling and being completely high.” My cheeks flushed red. “No seriously,” Harry frowned at me, which always made me feel guilty. “Ever since you’ve come back all I see is your head glued into a book, permanently.” I grimaced “Well maybe you should have your head in books more often, Styles.” He chuckled “I think we both know that’s never gonna happen.” I sighed before looking back out at the landscape unfolding in front of us. “Anyway, I’m gonna hit the sack. Night squirrel.” He said before ruffling my hair and wondering off the roof.

That was when it hit me I hadn’t been called squirrel in years. I made my chest tighten from guilt: knowing that soon I’d have to tell my family that I’d be going back to Australia and the end of the year.

The familiar howl of the wind rung in my ears and blew the thought clean from my mind, leaving me alone to enjoy the moon’s light and the scenery. I had a whole six months before they would ‘have’ to know.