etc. // hs

nine*

*Norah's POV*

I sat in my room for about two hours, basically thinking about all the ways I could kill Harry without anyone finding out.

Gretchen's voice tore me away from my most recent idea: feeding him to sharks. "Norah, Harry's here to see you."

"Tell him I'm dead," I called back.

"She's dead," Gretchen yelled down the stairs. Immediately I heard large feet running up the stairs then my door flew open, wood chips flying everywhere as the lock shattered.

"Harry!" I yelled with a laugh. "You broke my door!"

"I thought you were dead," he grinned sheepishly. "I came to save you."

"Well I don't need to be saved," I huffed. "I'm still mad at you."

He sat down on my bed and ran his fingers through his hair, the long curls just flopping right back down where they were before.

"Are you still coming to dinner?" His face was hopeful and just so damn adorable I couldn't help but sigh.

"I don't know Harry, I haven't really thought about it."

"Please, Norah," he sighed, his fingers lacing with mine. "I really want you to come."

I pulled my hand out of his and his smile dropped, his eyes widening slightly when I climbed off the bed.

"You hurt my feelings, Harry," I said quietly. His tongue darted out to wet his lips and he swallowed, obvious signs that he was nervous.

"I-"

"And don't say you're sorry because I know you're not."

"But-"

"Just listen okay?"

He swallowed again. "Okay."

"I know we're just fùcking and I know that may not mean that much to you but it definitely does to me." My words came out rushed and his eyebrows furrowed as he listened, his fingers twirling his necklace just like every other time he was nervous. "I don't want a relationship, that's not what I expected from this but you treated me like an object today, Harry. You embarrassed me and made me feel like some sort of sex toy or something."

"I didn't-" he began to shake his head.

"I'm not done," I held up a finger and he crossed his arms. "All I'm trying to say is that you have to respect me. I really don't give two flying shits who you go out with or date but you have to promise me that you won't just throw me away when you find someone else to sleep with. Promise me that I won't be just another girl to you."

"Can I talk now?" I nodded and he grinned as he stood up from the bed. His full height never ceased to amaze me and I had to look up slightly when he pressed his chest to mine, his eyes boring into me as he chuckled.

"You will never, ever, ever be just another girl to me, Norah Rose. You are not a sex toy or an object and I'm really sorry if I made you feel like you were, even for a second, because you don't deserve that. You're a person, and I appreciate you telling me all this because I fúcked up really bad and it's kind of your job to put me back in my place."

I nodded and we both let out a deep breath as he wrapped his arms around me.

But before either of us could say anything the door swung open to reveal Gretchen, scowling like there was no tomorrow and her arms crossed in front of her.

"I heard all of that," she hissed. "And you both have some explaining to do."

"I..we didn't mean..." Harry stammered. "I was just saying..."