I'll Protect Her |H.S| *On Hold*

Chapter 7

I wake up, alone. A strange feeling develops in the pit of my heart. Is it? Yep, I think so. Disappointment.

I can't even explain why I'm disappointed. Maybe it's the feeling of being alone. I don't like it, never have. However this time it felt different. I was really, really alone. No *someone's watching me* feeling. Nothing.

I wasn't used to this, everything felt so calm. So different.

I hate to admit it but never before had I fallen asleep with such a strong sense of security. I felt so safe, cared for, protected, it was truly overwhelming. The worst part was I couldn't even explain it. I mean I'm starting to think I'm going insane feeling safe in the arms of my abductor. Wow.

The sun peeked through the curtains. I decided to make myself useful and actually get up. I padded down the stairs and recognised the route to the kitchen from last night.

My eyes were met with a bare back. Muscles flexing with every movement. I knew it was Harry straight away because let's face it, his mop of curls are a dead give away. Even from behind.

He was standing at the stove and turned around to face me, I noticed a spatula in his hand. I slightly leaned to my right and tilted my head to peer at the pancake that was in the pan behind him.

I freaking love pancakes.

My face lit up. Finally. Something worth smiling about.

I looked at Harry again who was smirking back at me with his arms crossed over his bare chest. Completely forgetting about the pancake which I'm pretty sure would be burnt now.

"Morning Jessabelle." He hummed, still smirking and remaining in his position by the stove.

A sharp pain suddenly slid straight across my forehead causing me to screw my eyes shut and raise my right hand to my forehead.

"Shit." I murmured.

Not this again. Please god no. I thought these stopped. I haven't had one in 2 years, why now? Why me? Why?

I dropped to the floor, the pain becoming too intense for me to stand. I heard someone immediately rushing to my left side, taking my hand in theirs.

Oh I knew what was happening alright. I was having a flashback.

*Flashback*
*11 years earlier*

I'm awaken by someone's touch. I felt someone stroking my hair. I gently opened my eyes and focused my sleepy gaze on her.

"Hi Mommy." I whispered, clearing my throat.

"Morning Jessabelle." She hummed.

I closed my eyes and smiled. I loved it when she called me that. She was the only one who called me by that name.

"I'm making your favourite. Piglet pancakes." She cooed. Slowly making her way back to the kitchen, allowing me to fully awake from my slumber and join her.

I wiped the sleep from my eyes and immediately shot my hand under my pillow. I moved it around, patting to the left, then a little to the right, then ... Bingo!

"Mommy she came! She really came!" I squealed running into the kitchen waving the coin around for her to see.

"I think this is one for the book sweetie!" She chimed, grabbing the Polaroid camera from her bedroom. She handed me the plate of pancakes cut into the shape of Piglet from Winnie the Pooh.

I followed her back into my room. She patted on the bed for me to sit down, I screwed my eyes shut and gave a toothy grin (showing the gap of my missing tooth) holding my pancakes in one hand and my coin in the other.

"Gotcha!" My Mom said and I heard a click.

She took the photo in her hand and shook it. She got my Winnie the Pooh photo album from under my bed and let me help her stick the photo in when it had developed.

*Jessica's first visit from the Tooth Fairy* She writes above the picture.

She slowly closes the book and turns to face me properly.

"Jessie I'm so sorry baby, I know I only just arrived home yesterday but I have to leave again. Actually I'm leaving tomorrow. But Cici will be here!" She attempts to cheer me up at the end.

My heart dropped, Mom was always away. I rarely got to see her. Cici was my 'babysitter'. Like I'd want her around, she was useless. I was six, I was a big girl now and old enough to look after myself.

*Present time*

I slowly opened my eyes, to be met with fierce green ones.

"You passed out, Jesus Christ Jess you fucking scared me!" Harry rambled on, a panicked look on his face.

"Calm down, I'm fine." I quietly whispered, not wanting to break out of this relaxing trance I was in.

I heard him let out a sigh. Probably relieved. I don't know what he was so concerned about? And I don't know whether it was the trance/state I was in or if it was just my mind playing tricks on me but I could've sworn I felt a soft kiss being placed on each of my knuckles on the hand Harry was holding.

Tingles flew up my arm and straight to my chest, making it hard for me to breathe. Butterflies flew around inside my stomach.

Ignore it Jessica. It's nothing. Just ignore it. You don't feel anything for him. You feel nothing.