Curly Cats

Brighter than the Sun

A/N: So originally I was going to make this chapter the 3rd to last chapter but due to some brainstorming and unconventional convincing… (@ACLeon ;D) There is more to come.

So sit back, relax, plug in some music (if read better that way.) and enjoy this new chapter of Curly Cats! ^-^ (geez I really like that name!)

Chapter 16: Brighter Than the Sun

The thunder rumbled as I woke up in a sweat. My heart was beating fast and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My ears were pounding as each rumble grew louder and closer. I tried to tuck myself into the couch and block at the sound but I couldn’t. The thunder shook me to the bones and scared the hell out of me. I have what doctors would call Astraphobia, fear of thunder and lightning, and although I’ve had it for most of my life it never became an obsession with me. I didn’t constantly check weather because every time I went out I was usually with a group of people which generally helped.

I ran to the window and closed the curtains but it didn’t help. As the thunder continued rolling I ran towards the bathroom where there were no windows. I hopped into the tub as the thunder rumbled. Oh god, I’m going to die! What if lightening hits me? I felt tears escape as I curled up with my back towards the door. I continued to curl in a ball as the storm raged outside. I thought I heard the door but I was too scared to even leave my position. I felt my body shudder around me as I succumbed to my childish fear. With a bang I heard really loud thunder clap just outside and I couldn’t help but let out a scream.

“Charlie!?” A voice called outside the bathroom. I wanted to answer it so bad but I couldn’t. My throat was closing and I was breathing heavily. “Charlie, where are you?” The voice came closer. I heard the bathroom door open and felt hands on my curled back. “What’s the matter?” I turned and saw Harry standing over me, his eyes filled with concern.

There was another bang and I saw the lightning flash in the now dark living room. I don’t know how it happened but I leaped up and quickly dug my face into his chest. I was still shaking and crying but he was there and it made me feel a bit better. I felt him wrap his arms around me and come into the tub as well. I let out a little yelp as the thunder came once more.

There we sat in the tub his arms around me, the sound of rain and thunder loud. He didn’t say anything to me, he just sat there comforting me as my shaking subsided and my crying stopped. I felt my heart slow to its normal pace and my breathing becoming normal. The rumbling of the storm soon became silent except for the pattering of the rain.

I pulled back from Harry and looked at him. He wasn’t weirded out by what just happened and he seemed to know what to do. He looked back at me and brought his palm to my face. He wiped away what seemed to be stray tears. Then he pulled me into a hug.

“Are you okay?” He asked me. I felt his chin hit the top of my head as he asked this. I nodded. He let me go and held my face and looked at it. “Are you sure?” He asked looking at me as if he could tell if I’m lying. I nodded once again. I was having a bit of a hard time finding my voice. He kissed the top of my forehead.

We climbed out of the bathtub and headed back to the living room. He sat me on the couch and tossed a blanket on top of me then headed the kitchen. I sat there for awhile and Mr. Sir joined me on my lap. Harry came back with two cups of tea and sat down next to me.

“Here, I think this might help.” He said handing me a warm mug. I nodded and took a sip. The warmth felt good and spread throughout my body.

“Thank you.” I croaked as he let a little laugh out. I smiled at him and drank some more tea.

“So what happened?” He asked looking at me curiously.

I didn’t know how to tell him or explain to him. Erin knew about my fear but because we were really close, Ashley didn’t even know. I wasn’t something I liked sharing because it was embarrassing. I shrugged trying to avoid answering the question and sipped more tea.