Rowena | H.S

5: Lets Have a Chat

The warm morning sun filters through Rowena's curtains, waking her from a happily dreamless sleep. Stretching out like a sated cat on her bed, Rowena pops the bones in her back. She savors the rest of the world believing she is sound asleep for a moment, resting with her eyes closed in the sunlight. After the moment is gone she checks her phone. It's eleven thirty am, and she probably should get out of bed and get herself together, but she likes the peacefulness. Also, the way she left things with Harry last night makes her uneasy. It felt too close to something. Something that could be dangerous if they explore too closely. A terrible, horrible, nasty part of her wants to see if he's still interested. Not only because Rowena still is, but because it'll finally give her something over Aurora. It's a thought she's toyed with ever since he got here, just a thought. Rowena's always been an adrenaline junkie. Getting herself into bad situations just because of the risk, and the high she would get out of sneaking behind her family's back would be exhilarating. She feels a sharp twinge of guilt, but then again, Rowena has never fooled herself into thinking she's a good person. However, these are just thoughts, daydreams even. Nobody in their right mind would pick Rowena over Aurora, especially someone as good as Harry. If she lays here and stews in her thoughts any longer, she'll probably start spiraling. So she swings her legs over the side of the bed and her body up and pushes to her feet.

In the bathroom, Rowena's hands work through her morning routine slowly and ineptly, still waking from her dreams. Curiously, the sounds of a usually busy morning were absent from the hallway. With all of her family home, plus one, mornings are certain to be quite a spectacle. Especially with on holidays where everyone's commitments seem to fade away. Possibly, shes too late of a riser. Rowena rubs the last bit of moisturizer into her cheek bones in hopes of it keeping her forever young. She gives herself a once over then steps out into the hall clad in rolled up shorts she's positive are from Ansel and a tee shirt that she's swimming in, so it must be a friend's. The house is chilled from the fall morning, and her feet schwick against the dark hardwood floor as she enters the kitchen. Unsurprising from the lack of noise, Harry is the only one who is inhabiting it currently. He's resting at the breakfast bar, reading something off his phone, and sipping from one of Aurora's motivational coffee cups. He looks far too attractive sitting in pajamas and doing such a mundane thing. Rowena bats down the blush that threatens to heat her cheeks, the wet dream hanging over her head like a personal storm cloud.

"Good morning." Rowena greets cordially.

Harry's head snaps up from his phone, obviously not expecting anyone, and meets her gaze.

He clears his throat. "Good morning."

It's still hoarse and Rowena let's herself get caught up in it for a moment only. The kitchen is quiet, save for the quiet clink of the coffee mug and the closing of cabinets. She's brewing tea when Harry speaks up behind her again.

"Sleep well?"

"Yes." She answers.

The air is awkward and stilted and is making Rowena's skin itch so she asks, "Where is everybody?"

She can hear his phone set down on the counter as he says, "To the store. Had to pick up a few last minute things. I didn't think Aurora did last minute."

It's a joke, she can hear it in his tone, so she laughs and it helps to diffuse the kitchen. Yet, once her tea is finished she retreats past the archway into the living room and away from Harry. She settles into the deep couch, and turns on the T.V. It doesn't really matter what's on, so long as it distracts Rowena for a little bit. She texts Alina and Adrian and Gray, talking about nothing in particular but it does some to make her feel better.

-

Rowena can't tell how much time has passed, but the T.V has circled through at least an episode of the show when Harry steps into the room. He crosses the threshold and sits on the couch adjacent from Rowena. She peers up at him over her phone. He knows her eyes are on him, but he doesn't say anything quite yet. The T.V has been a buzz within Rowena's ears, however it has grown much louder.