Between Us [Spaces Sequel]

s i x t e e n

When I woke up, I felt cold. My body was shivering, freezing. I couldn't move. None of my limbs seemed to work anymore. I tried hard to move them, but it seemed as though my brain had forgotten how moving worked. Panic started bottling up inside of me, why couldn't I move? I suddenly felt my heart rate going up, before I could open my eyes. The bright lights all around me were blinding, machines beeping besides me made my head hurt. I groaned in pain, as I tried to open my eyes once more. This time I kept them open. I felt a breathing mask on my face which I took off with all my powers. I could now slightly move my legs.
I turned my head to the side a little, seeing Harry holding my hand, with his head on the bed besides me. I squeezed his hand, making him jump and almost fall to the ground.
As he looked up at me, he eventually sighed. "Thank God! You're awake!"
"Shh, not so loud," I groaned. "My head is killing me."
"Sorry, love." This time he whispered it, making me smile at his cuteness.
"Don't worry about it," I replied. "Am I okay?"
Harry started smiling, the dimples on his cheeks undeniable. "The doctor said everything went well."
"Good," I whispered, closing my eyes. I felt too tired to have a conversation. All I wanted to do was sleep for hours.
"Are you tired?" Harry asked, stroking my hair gently.
"Mhh," I mumbled. "How long can you stay?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning," he said. "Do you want me to call anyone for you?"
"Can you text Kaya?"
"Sure, I will," he whispered and kissed my cheek. "You go have some rest."
"But I wanna spend time with you," I whined. I hated being in the hospital bed. Harry was here and I wanted to spend every single minute with him.
"Hey, you'll get to spend a lot of time with me, trust me," Harry promised, kissing my forehead.
I smiled and asked, "What time is it?"
"It's 8 pm," he said.
"Can you come and cuddle with me? You look like you could use some rest aswell," I said.
He smiled and crawled under the blanket with me. He put is arm around me carefully, trying not to hurt me. My entire body was still numb, but I definitely felt the pain coming back slowly.
"I was so worried."
"I know," I whispered. "Me too."
"Scar?"
"Yes?"
"If there's anything wrong in the future, talk to me, okay? You're not bothering me. I just want to know if you're doing good and I don't want you to lie."
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you," I said.  "I promise I'll talk to you from now on."
"You better," Harry answered.  "I can't look out for you unless you look out for yourself."
"This is just new to me, you know?" I explained. "I mean, before we started texting I never had anyone to trust, I couldn't talk to anyone about my problems. I just never thought anyone would care. But now I know that you care and my friends do, too."
"I will never stop caring for you, darling. No matter what happens," Harry mumbled, his voice already getting sleepy and raspy.
"No matter what happens?"
"I promise."

Safety. Something I had never known. Deep down inside me, I was always scared. Scared of my father coming back and harming me once again. Deep down inside me, I still was. He had almost killed me, not the first time. But something about what Harry said, something about sleeping next to him, made me feel better. When we texted, he was the only one I trusted and I was glad to still share that bond with him. I didn't want to bother him, but I now knew that it was better to talk to him about my problems, rather than eating my feelings in.
When I woke up, Harry was smiling at me. He didn't speak a word, he was simply looking at me, as if admiring me.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," I whispered, making him chuckle. He kissed my cheek and then looked down at his phone, sighing.
"Do you already have to leave?"
He nodded. "Sorry, love."
"It's fine. Don't worry about it. I'll be fine," I reassured him.
"I know you are. You always are," he said, smiling weakly.
"Hey," I said, cupping his face with my hands. "If anything is wrong, you'll be the first to know. I'm better now. I can go home soon and I'll be fine."
"Okay," he said, getting up. He pressed one last gentle kiss on my lips, before he put on his jacket.
"Text me once you get there," I said, grabbing his hand which was so much bigger than mine.
"I will," he mumbled before kissing my hand. He slowly let go of my hand. Before he could walk out, I stopped him.
"I love you, too."