hooked // harry hook

chapter nineteen - getting ready

"Stop fidgeting." said Evie, pinning the dress on my side. "I'm sorry. I'm kinda worried about having to see Jay again." I admitted, scratching the back of my neck. "It was bound to happen some time." she mumbled, a pin in between her lips. "Yeah, I guess you're right." I shrugged. She put in the final pin before sitting up and kissing her fingers. "Voila! It's an absolute masterpiece." she giggled. She helped me carefully change out of the dress so she could finish sewing it. I slipped on my silk tank and boyfriend jeans before taking a seat next to her on the bench. She had the TV on, and there was currently a segment about Mal and Ben. "How's Mal doing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You know, I think she's getting more used to the whole royal diplomat thing." she giggled, sewing away. "So, did you and Doug do the deed?" I asked, looking over at her. She blushed and laughed, raising the needle of the machine and looking at me. "We may have." she shrugged, cheeks rosy and smile wide. "How was it?" I squealed, crossing my legs up on the bench. "It was really great. I was kinda scared and so was he, but we worked through it together and it was really special." she smiled thoughtfully. "Aw, I'm so glad you had a good experience. How do you feel about him?" I asked, tucking my hair behind my ear. She bit her lip and looked at me eagerly. "I have no regrets. Vee, I know we're young and everything, but I think he could be the one. He understands me, supports me. Who needs a prince?" she noted, going back to sewing.

"Wow, the one. That's a pretty big deal." I said, raising an eyebrow and crossing my arms. "I know, I sound like a lunatic." she laughed, shaking her head. "It's just a lot to think about." I shrugged, putting my head in my hands. "You know, Doug and I have been together for over a year. Every day gets better than the last. I love him so much." she admitted, smiling to herself. "Well, love is love." I shrugged. "Obviously, I need to get my own studio once we leave this place. A workspace for all my orders." she said, lifting the needle and holding up the dress. I admired it as she gave its a once over to make sure it was finished. "All done." she laughed, putting it on a hanger and handing it to me. I paid her and said my goodbyes before walking back to my room. I honestly looked forward to my conversations with Evie. I always felt like I could be myself without feeling judged.

I walked up to my door and was surprised to find Harry inside. He was asleep on my bed, and he looked so cute. I hung up the dress Evie made me and crawled in bed next to him, causing him to stir. He moaned and wrapped his arms around me, kissing the side of my head. His warm body engulfed me, and I instantly felt safe. My back was pressed against his chest, and he hugged me tightly against his frame. I closed my eyes, feeling his chest rise and fall as he slept. I started thinking about what Evie had told me. She had so many things figured out. She knew where she wanted to go once we finished school next year. She knew she wanted Doug alongside her. She knew where her business would go. What did I know?

I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, or who I wanted to share it with. Yeah, Harry was absolutely incredible, but we had only been together half a year and already started to have problems. I didn't know what I wanted to do, where I wanted to work. Most kids just went back home to their court and engaged themselves in diplomatic relations to pass the time, but that wasn't something I wanted. I wanted to make a name for myself. I wanted to be in control of my own life and my own destiny. I wanted to be my own person, not a pawn. My parents had never really raised us in a strictly royal way. My dad was once a criminal, and my mom didn't even know she was royalty until her eighteenth birthday. She loved Dad unconditionally despite the person she was supposed to be, and I wanted the same thing.

I didn't want to look for a husband in the noble court. I didn't even know if I wanted to get married. I was lucky enough to be given the option, because stricter kingdoms wouldn't allow it. Was it bad that I couldn't think of anything to do with myself? Was I really this useless? I hated feeling like this, like I had no purpose. I tried thinking about things that I like at school. I was pretty good at statistical maths, as well as computer design and speech. I enjoyed communicating with others, and I liked not being tied down. I was more of a free spirit, not someone designed to sit behind a desk all day. Luna had found her husband at court, and she was completely okay with that. She was happy living a courtly lifestyle. I closed my eyes and tried to push away my thoughts as best I could, and dozed off in a few minutes.

-

I opened my eyes and yawned, sitting up and stretching out my arms. Harry turned over next to me and hid his face in the pillow with a groan. I checked my phone and gasped when I saw the time. The spring fling started in less than an hour and I was still in bed. I ran to my desk, lit up my mirror, and started on my makeup. I agressively rubbed primer all over my face before grabbing my sponge and blending in my foundation. Harry watched me from the bed, laughing as I dug through my bag and powedered my entire face. I finished up the contour and highlight before doing a simple yet dramatic eye look and ran over to the bathroom to try and do something with my hair. "I can't believe we slept this long." I said, curling the ends of my hair. "Babe, we can get there late. Also, I doubt anyone cares what your hair looks like." he said. I finished with the iron and unplugged it before leaving it on the counter to cool.

I checked my phone and sighed in relief. We still had twenty minutes to get ready. I slipped off my shirt and jeans and changed into the dress Evie made. Harry stood and helped me zip up the back, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my neck. I leaned my head against his shoulder, raising my chin as he trailed kisses down my neck. I moaned and pulled away, turning to face him. "We have to go. Go get changed." I said , my arms around him. He kissed the top of my head and walked out to his room. I sprayed some perfume on before slipping on my shoes, some earrrings, a bracelet, and the hook ring that Harry gave me. I looked at my reflection once more in the mirror before doing some finishing touches on my hair and exiting my dorm.

I walked down the hall, opening Harry's door. He stood at his mirror, struggling with his tie. I giggled and walked up to him, taking it from his hands and fixing the knot. He smiled appreciatively and pecked my lips lightly. "Ready to go?" I asked, wiping off a bit of my lipstick that had transferred. "If you are." he shrugged. I took his hand in mine and led him over to the gym. They had converted it for the dance. This event was a bit more casual than our previous ones. To be honest, I was a little worried. I hadn't spoken to Jay in a little over a week and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face him. I bit my lip as we walked through the gym doors.

The dance floor was crowded, and I struggled to see anyone I was friends with. "How has the amount of people attending Auradon Prep suddenly doubled?" asked Harry, scratching the back of his neck. Evie came up behind me, wrapping her arms around me and giggling. "The students were allowed to bring a date from home." she said with a smile. "Lucky I've got my date right here." said Doug, appearing with a wave. We all laughed and examined the floor. That's when I saw someone I never would have expected. I immediately went pale and felt all life draining from me. I clutched my stomach as my eyes went wide. "Love, what's wrong?" asked Harry, wrapping an arm around me protectively. Those eyes met mine from across the room, followed by a smirk. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I struggled to breathe. "J-Jake." I gasped, frozen in Harry's arms.

-

Don't hate me for the cliffhanger! What did you guys think? Let me know below. I move tomorrow and I'm so excited. Much more to come. The next one will be up in a few days. I'm gonna be on a long drive so I'm sure I'll have tons of time to write.