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

Chapter 28

Jessica's POV >>

The sound of the silence floating around my room, I oddly took comfort in it. Listening to the nothingness surrounding me. But if there was nothing there to hear, would you technically class that as listening?

I glanced at the Jayne Eyre book laying on top of my bedside drawer and I glanced at the first drawer that held the Stockholm book.

My eyes moved back and forth between the two and eventually I chose the one that I've been trying to avoid lately.

I opened the drawer and groped around until my hand met the hard exterior cover. I grabbed the book, quietly shut the drawer and began to read.

Within the first two minutes of reading, I began to realise how stupid this assumption was. I don't suffer from Stockholm syndrome because Harry wasn't really holding me captive, he was protecting me. It was completely different.

I don't think I've gone crazy when it comes to Harry, I mean I have self control and boundaries. I'm not addicted to him or anything. I don't need him. I just want him. And there is a big difference between a persons needs and wants.

I've learned that the hard way.

I didn't want to go to therapy, I needed to go to therapy.

I didn't want to live with Aunt Em, I needed to live with Aunt Em.

I didn't want to hear the voices in my head, I needed to hear them.

I started to laugh quietly to myself. Why am I making things hard for myself? Why am I complicating things?

I don't suffer from Stockholm syndrome.

I don't like Harry.

Simple. I just need to stay with him until the final stage is complete. Then I can receive my new identity and move on with my life. Harry and I will go our separate ways. It's inevitable. I may as well accept it now and stop fighting against fate.

"Jessica?" A smooth voice called from outside my room. Three soft knocks landing on my door.

I slammed the book shut and shoved it under my pillow.

"Uh, y-yes?" I stuttered.

Harry peeked his head around the door. He glanced at me sitting on the bed and then opened the door fully. He leaned against the door frame and folded his arms.

He was so effortless. If I tried to do that, I'd surely loose balance, slip and smack my head against the floor. But he always managed to look so cool and contained. Except when he was angry, that was a completely different side of Harry.

"So uh, we're going to Liam's house soon." He told me.

I totally forgot about Liam's invite. Shit, I have to talk to Savannah. I haven't even thought about what to say to her. It might be challenging to talk to her whilst Ashlyn is there too. Crap, I should've thought this through.

"Jessica? Hello?" Harry called waving his hand in front of my face.

I jumped slightly. Since when was Harry standing beside the bed? Wasn't he over by the door?

"You've been staring at the wall for like two minutes." Harry explained.

"Oh." I said, starring at his face.

Do it. Ask him. Ask him now. My subconscious hissed.

"When is....when is..." I starred at him, struggling to speak. Not allowing the words to escape my mouth.

"When is?" Harry questioned, waiting for me to finish my question.

Did I want to ask him? Did I want to know?

"When is.....my... my final stage?" I asked quietly. My heart pounding against my rib cage while I waited for his answer.

He starred at me, furrowing his eyebrows. He searched my entire face. As the seconds passed, his expression grew more...hurt. Yes, he looked hurt. But why? Surely he's aware that he can't protect me forever.

"I don't know Jessica. Don't ask again." He said, his jaw clenched.

"Get yourself ready for Liam's. I'll be downstairs waiting." He said sternly before quickly exiting the room and closing my door loudly.

I cursed quietly to myself. I always say the wrong thing around him. I never know what little thing might piss him off. It's like, when I'm with him, I'm constantly walking on egg shells.

Now I have a pissed off Harry waiting for me downstairs.

Waiting to take me to a hopeful Liam and a flirty Louis. Where I have to talk to an easily lead Savannah and a trashy Ashlyn. And I'll have to act normal in front of everyone with a fake smile plastered on my face, like everything's okay.

But it's not. Everything is not okay. It's far from okay.

Author's Note

I am so sorry, I know this chapter was very boring and that this story is moving really slow. I hope to update tomorrow.

The story will get interesting soon, don't worry.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you guys like it so far x

~ Cara