Heartbreak Hotel {h.s.}

{t w o}

The sunlight peeked through the crack in the burgundy curtains, causing the pounding headache consuming Claire's thoughts to intensify. Trying to sit up, she pushes herself up against the headboard. The pain she felt, causing her to regret drinking so much tequila the night before.

"Morning sunshine" Harry's deep voice travels throughout the room, startling her.

"Oh no" Claire says aloud unintentionally as she held her head in her hands.

Catching onto why Claire sounds regretful, Harry's ego takes a hit. "That comment was a real confidence booster" he laughed, causing Claire's cheeks to turn red. "If you're that worried about it though, I promise we didn't do anything. Our make-out session moved up here to my room and lasted about ten minutes."

"What happened after that?" Claire asks, peeking through the cracks in her fingers.

"You got sick and then passed out in my bed. I don't think you handle alcohol very well."

"God, I'm so embarrassing," she moaned.

A deep quiet laugh escapes Harry's throat "You don't have to be embarrassed, it happens to the best of us. Maybe next time you decide to drink alcohol, just don't take so many shots."

He sends Claire a cheeky wink, and a small laugh escapes her lips. The laughter causing her head to feel as if it could explode.

"There's some aspirin and a bottle of water on the night stand if you need it. I also went and got some food and coffee if you're hungry."

"Thank you" she replies, grabbing the water off of the bedside table and taking a large gulp.

Claire closed her eyes once again, resting her head against the wooden headboard. Her stomach growls loudly and she opens her eyes, searching the room for the food Harry said he brought to the room for her.

"Where's that food you were talking about?"

A dimpled grin forms on his face "The food is out on the balcony if you'd care to join me" His response sounding more like a statement than a question.

"Wait you have a balcony? I didn't get a balcony!" Claire says loudly.

"I guess I got lucky" he laughs.

"I guess so," Claire replies while getting out of the very comfortable bed, wrapping the white sheet around her body as she did so. The dress she is still currently wearing not doing a great job of keeping her warm.

"You'll just have to spend some more time here if you want a balcony so bad," he smirks and Claire rolls her eyes.

Harry opens the sliding glass door, stepping out into the already warm Californian air. Claire follows, the smell of bacon and eggs filling her nostrils. The balcony overlooks a large lake. Tall trees circled the outer half, and bright coloured flowers scatter the ground around it. A wooden dock extends five feet into the water and a small row boat sways beside it. The view putting the pool view Claire had from her room, to shame. Although the scenery was beautiful, Harry thought Claire was much more interesting.

Her hair was tangled from sleep, and the makeup she was too drunk to remove the night before was smudged across her face. The way her doe eyes lit up when she laughed and how the white sheet fell off her shoulder exposing her porcelain skin and the red dress that hugged her body.

Claire smiles and takes a seat across from Harry. "Thanks for taking care of me last night. I'm sure you would've preferred doing other things" she laughs.

"Don't worry about it," he smiles. "It was your fourth night at the Heartbreak Hotel, it's okay that you got completely smashed. I'd be lying if I said I didn't spend my first week here drunk as fuck."

"Was that confession supposed to make me feel better?" Claire asks, her eyebrows raised.

A dimple sinking in his cheek, Harry smiles "Well, that depends. Did it make you feel better?"

"A little."

"Then yes, it was supposed to make you feel better."

Silence fell upon them, the only sound to be heard was the chirping birds in the trees. Claire picks at her food, taking small sips from the light blue mug filled with coffee, occasionally taking small glances at the handsome man in front of her.

His hair is slightly messier, and his lips look a deeper shade of pink. A loose black t-shirt hangs off his body, showcasing the tattoos on his arms that were covered the night before, and a pair of grey sweatpants sits low on his hips.

Claire can't help but take in every detail of him.

Setting his utensils down, Harry focuses his attention on Claire.
"So, Claire," The way her name rolled off his tongue causing shivers to run down her spine. "What's the full story behind you checking yourself into this place?"

"I'm sure this isn't the answer you're looking for, but it's a long story."

"The answer I was expecting," he laughs.

"Oh? Was it now?" she replied.

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting you to open up to me that quickly. No one ever does. However, if I get a few drinks in you I may get the whole story. You weren't holding back last night." Harry wears a smug expressions.

"Hey!"

"I'm just stating the truth," he laughs, crossing his arms over his chest. Claire reaches over and slaps his arm playfully, his laughter only growing louder.

"I'm serious though," he speaks as he tries to calm down his laughter. "What's your story?"

"You really want to know?" Claire asked.

"I do."

"I..." Claire stutters, the wound still too fresh. "I.. I caught my ex in bed with another woman."

There was a lot more to the story, but Claire was unsure wether or not trusting Harry with every detail of it was a good idea at the moment.

Harry's face is full of concern "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, he was a bit of an asshole anyway. It just hurts knowing that he never loved me like I loved him."

Furrowing his eyebrows, Harry's lips pull into a frown. The happy personality that was there in the midst of their joking banter, being washed away.

"I totally get you there," he replied vaguely.

Claire couldn't imagine why anyone would want to break his heart. Deciding not to yank the band-aid off his wound right away, Claire stayed silent. The pain in her chest slowly returning.

Sitting in silence for close to ten minutes, Claire decided it would be best to leave Harry alone for a while. She was also in desperate need of a shower.

She stands from her chair "I think I'm gonna head back to my room," she broke the silence "I really need a shower."

"Okay" Harry replies, putting on a fake smile. His thoughts consuming his body. Images of the woman he thought loved him, flash through his mind. Her ocean blue eyes and toothy smile causing a pang in his heart.

Claire turns back to look at Harry one last time as she walks through the sliding glass door.

"I'm in room 537. Feel free to stop by anytime." she smiles, leaving Harry alone with the growing pain in his chest.

A/N: I hope you're enjoying the story so far! I know it's a bit slow, but things are going to pick up very soon. Leaving a comment and voting for the story would be very much appreciated! I would love to hear what you guys think.

I'd also like to give a shoutout to StylisticMoods, she's been super helpful with making sure my story is the best it can be, and she gives really great writing advice and tips. She's also super lovely and an amazing writer and you should definitely check out her work if you haven't already. I'm sure most of you have lol but I thought I'd say it anyways.