Convict

26.

I wrapped my leg around his, holding him into my body as we laid there. My fingers pulled the collar of his top down, tracing the delicate line of the tattoo that went right up his neck "Tell me about them?"

"I wanted to fit in" He sighed "I had them all done from when I was sixteen, some really illegal drug den"

I laughed imagining him sat in someone's run down garage, surrounded by Cannabis plants and his friends packing all number of drugs into little packets "I can't imagine you being like them"

"I wasn't" He shrugged "I never was, I just acted like an ass to fit in with their lifestyle"

We didn't speak much more after that, we continued to lay with one another. Our bodies pressed against one another, feeling every twitch, movement and everything that reminded me that he was still alive. I could feel my sadness beginning to take over, I couldn't allow it. I had to be strong, happy and confident around Oliver. He needed me to be there for him.

I walked through my front door that evening and just fell face first onto the couch, I was exhausted. I had yet another meeting with Jeremy just before I was due to go home, he made me aware that he would require my report on him weekly during meetings. I understand that he's only doing his job, but I couldn't help but feel resentment towards him. He didn't seem to have any sign of struggle when he spoke about organising the execution of someone, He never seemed to find it hard hearing that a man's life was about to end; that he was in charge or arranging the murder of someone. 

I could feel my tired eyes falling heavy as I laid there, my face still buried in the fabric of my couch. I was expecting to hear the usual, hear my mom call my name, hear Ashton soothing me as I laid there. There was nothing, no voices, I didn't know if I felt relieved or sad that I couldn't hear her sweet voice.

My phone vibrated in my pocket as I laid there, I pulled it out and propped myself up to read it. It was from Henry, reminding me that I was meeting him for dinner.

"Shit!" I jumped off the couch and ran up the stairs, I had completely forgotten. Turning the shower on as I ran into the bedroom in a mad dash, picking through my wardrobe I pulled out a pair of faded light blue denim jeans and a black off the shoulder long sleeved top.

Once I finished scrubbing my body I threw my clothes on as quick as possible. Pulling my hair out of the bun I had crafted for the shower, I braided it over my shoulder and began working on my make-up. Simple eyeliner, mascara and foundation before grabbing a handbag from the wardrobe and running down the stairs. I could see headlights flashing outside my window; I knew this was Henry. I shoved on my pair of black ankle boots and ran out the door, grabbing my coat as I went. Waving to Henry as I locked the door behind me, all lights left on but I didn't have time to be worrying about electricity bill.

Henry laughed as I opened the passenger door beside him "Forget?"

"Something like that" I mumbled as I clicked my belt in. Henry laughed and began to drive away, he was wearing his smart jeans and a white sweatshirt, his hair was styled rather then left in its usual scruffy style. As I looked him up and down suspiciously I asked "We're meeting your date aren't we?"

As I asked this I saw him swallow hard, his eyes focused on the road as he answered me "I-" He cleared his throat "Yeah, I think you'll really like her! Please don't be mad at me?"

"Henry" I laughed at him "I'm happy for you, it's about time I met her"

We spent the rest of the drive making small talk, I could see Henry was trying his hardest to talk about anything other than work. I loved this about him, whilst he looked so much like dad his personality was just like mom. He always put other people's feelings before his own, he never wanted to cause confrontation but he was also firm and determined when he needed to be.