hooked // harry hook

chapter nine - realization

I sat in the library and flipped through my book. Carlos and I were studying intensely for our calculus class. "Carlos, you're factoring wrong. Look." I said, scribbling over the problem and passing him the paper. "Oh my god, you're not applying the product rule correctly. Also, it's one over sine of x, not cosine." he answered, putting his head in his hands and groaning. "This is literally impossible. How can Mr. Rio expect us to memorize like a hundred identities." I mumbled, shaking my head. "I keep having to look at my notes to do every single problem. It's like every time I think I've finally memorized them, I confuse them again." he sighed.

"And then he'll give us a problem where he expects us to realize that if we rearrange the formula we'll get a half angle and be able to condense it. Calculus is the worst." I groaned, putting my head down and mock crying. "It'll be okay, let's just do the problems again." he said, pulling out clean sheets of paper. "Again? Carlos, that'll be the third time. I think we need divine intervention at this point." I joked, making him laugh. "I believe in us. I think we can do it." he said, reaching out his fist. I frowned at him, but eventually relented and gave him a fist bump. "Calculus won't know what hit 'em." he said, scrolling through more problems on his laptop.

We sat and did them for a while before getting bored and contemplated on what to do for a small break. "We can go get a snack?" he suggested, to which I nodded. We packed up our things and walked over to the cafeteria. "How're things going with Harry?" he asked, scratching the back of his neck. "They're going really well." I admitted with a shy smile. "I've never seen you like this. It's nice." he smiled, patting my back. "I feel like we fit so well together. Like at first, I thought he just had me in the palm of his hand and everything he did rendered me defenseless. But I'm starting to realize that I do the same to him." I explained, diddling with my fingers.

We walked through the cafeteria doors and scoped out the different food options. I chose a cup of chocolate covered strawberries as my snack, while Carlos opted for some frozen yogurt. We took a seat at a booth and continued our conversation as we munched on our snacks. "I'm happy he found you and that he's adjusting so well. He was a completely different person on the Isle." he said, shaking his head. "He's definitely still a flirt, but I think he's become more open to better opportunities for himself. I think you guys have all struggled with confidence coming from the Isle, and so I think he's adjusting to gaining that confidence." I noted, taking a bite of my strawberry.

"Confidence was totally a big thing for all of us. Mal struggled between her insecurity with her mom and not really being evil, Evie never reached her full potential until she grew into this new person she's become, Jay was always super defensive, and I had no sense of self identity." said Carlos. I sighed, drumming my fingers on the table. "I just wish all VK's were given a chance." I mumbled. "Well, we're headed in the right direction." he noted, taking the last spoonful of his yogurt. "Back to work?" I asked with a groan. "Come on, we have to practice." he encouraged, gathering his things. Just then, Jay burst through the doors, running up to our table.

"Vee, you've gotta come with me. It's Harry." he said seriously. I threw my bag over my shoulder and immediately stood, keeping up with him as we ran across the lawn to the infirmary. All kinds of thoughts ran through my mind at lightning speed. Was he okay? How bad was the damage? Would he overcome this? "Jay, what happened?" I asked worriedly. He opened the doors and we ran inside. "One of the fencing swords had a broken tip and we didn't realize." he said, running his hand through his hair worriedly. "Can I see him? Where is he?" I asked. Jay led me down the hall and to Harry's room. I immediately gasped when I saw him.

There he lay on the hospital bed, pale as can be. His bloody uniform was on the chair next to his bed, and his chest was covered in a large bandage. "Baby, no." I whispered, walking up to him and taking his hand. He was asleep, but he seemed so weak. "How bad is it? Will he be okay?" I asked, looking up at Jay. "The doctors haven't said much. I have no idea." he admitted with a frown. I looked down at Harry and sighed, taking his face in my hand and rubbing my thumb over his cheek. This was killing me. He was hurt, and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I just needed him to pull through for me. He was a strong guy, and I knew he could overcome it, but my paranoia was getting the best of me at this point. I took a seat in the empty chair and just waited.

I didn't really know what I was waiting for. Maybe I needed to hear some reassurance from the doctors, some clarification or closure because my mind was reeling. I put my head in my hands and sighed. I waited for what felt like an eternity before a doctor came in to check on him. "What's going on? Will he be okay?" I asked worriedly, standing from the chair. "As long as the wound doesn't get infected, he should be fine. He's on pain meds right now so he's a little out of it. His bandages need to be changed a couple of times a day. He needs to stay the night, but he's free to leave tomorrow morning." she said promptly before walking out of the room. I turned back to Harry with a small sigh and shook my head, running my fingers through his hair.

Just as I was debating whether to stay or not, Harry began to stir. I immediately took his hand, which he squeezed as he opened his eyes. "Are you an angel?" he joked, making me laugh. "You scared me." I mumbled, rubbing the outside of his hand with my thumb. "I'm sorry, love. What'd the doctor say?" he asked, pulling my hand towards his and kissing the top of it. "You have to stay the night." I pouted. "It's lonely without you in the bed." he winked, making me blush. "Okay, so I know you're not feeling bad." I giggled, leaning down and pecking his lips lightly. "I hate seeing you like this." I continued with a frown.

"I'll be okay, trust me." he mumbled, looking up at me. I met his gaze and smiled unsurely. For my own sanity, he needed to pull through. "I love you and I'm absolutely terrified right now." I admitted, biting my lip. "You love me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and smiling. "Yes, Harry. I'm so fucking in love with you and seeing you like this is not fun." I mumbled, looking down. "Hey, sh. I'll be out of here in no time and back to being annoying, Vee." he joked, laughing up at me. I giggled, pulling up his hand and kissing his knuckles. "And for the record, I love you too." he said, biting his lip. I smiled and leaned over him carefully before pressing my lips against his.