Pressure [hs au]

31 - Paranoia

Word count: 2859

I'm woken up by a quick shutter sound, causing me to sit up far too quickly. My hand rushes to my forehead, trying to stop the aching feeling I get from moving too fast.  Sighing, I carefully lay back onto my bed--I must just be paranoid or something. Maybe from a bad dream, I can't remember?

"What are you doing?" I nearly jump out of my skin, hearing a very muffled Harry speak right next to my ear.

I take a moment to calm myself down before responding, "I thought I heard something, I don't know." I roll over under my comforter, a little surprised to see Harry so close next to me. I just remember falling in and out of sleep while we were watching some spy movie--that must be why I feel paranoid all of a sudden--and then at some point I was moved, presumably by Harry, up to my bed.

"Just try and sleep a little longer." His arm slides around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I tuck my head in under his chin and closed my eyes, trying to relax again. A few moments pass again before I hear another shutter sound--almost like an older camera clicking-- and my eyes shoot open. 

"Shhhh. Sleep Abs," Without even opening his eyes Harry tries to soothe my nerves, lightly rubbing circles into the small of my back. It must just be me imagining things--it has to be.

-----

"Alright, I'll see you guys next Tuesday!" I thank my professor before quickly exiting, heading for the nearest exit. I weave my way through the crowded hall full of my classmates and other art classes that got out at the same time.

I had thankfully set an alarm for 8 in the morning, letting me know I had a 9 AM class to get to and apparently Harry had a 9:30 AM class today, so he had just laid across my bed, watching me get ready with the extra time he had.

I felt like after waking up next to him this morning, and just talking for another half hour before I left for my class put me in a really great mood. Recently I've just felt a lot more depressed than usual, which makes sense--Mark's birthday was coming up--but after this morning, it's like I know for sure that I'm going to be okay.

I squeeze past the last few people blocking me, letting out a breath I didn't realize I was holding in once I wasn't stuck in a crowd.  Walking down the familiar streets, I make my way to Xander's bakery. I would say Xander's and Abadah's, but she hadn't been feeling too well recently and let Xander finally hire someone else to help run the little bakery. I knew Valerie had been hanging out with him nearly every day after her classes, but I haven't so much. I hadn't really thought about it much, I'd either been busy with school or with Harry and every other time I had one of my many siblings or family members calling me and trying to make sure I was doing okay.

Which was nice--knowing they cared and all--but god, was it annoying.

When I entered the main doors to the bakery, there were only two other customers there. An older man reading a book while having his afternoon coffee and then a hipster looking teenage girl sitting at the bar while flirting shamelessly with Xander.

I hold back the much-needed eye roll and walk over, nearly letting out a loud laugh at how excited Xander got once he saw me.

"Abby! God, I missed you!" He rushed around the counter, leaving the girl by herself, whom I received dirty looks from for stealing Xander away. I focus my attention back on him and can't help the goofy smile that overtakes my features.

"I missed you too, sorry I haven't come down here as much as I used to."

"No, it's alright, Valerie has been keeping me updated." He raises a knowing brow at me and I can't help the blush on my cheeks--damn Valerie for telling him about Harry and I.