Redemption

7 - Diving Deeper

Chapter 7 - Diving Deeper

"Plus, we live at the same complex," Harry goes on, trying to make Niall feel better for not taking me back home. I want to speak up - to reassure Niall - but I don't trust myself enough to speak.

Niall sighs, running a hand over his face before he turns to me. "Text me when you get home, okay?" he tells with a slow voice almost as if he is talking to a baby. I nod my head, wobbling a little bit.

I feel a strong hand touch the small of my back, guiding me to the elevator that has now returned. Thankfully, there will be no one else joining us on the ride down.

The elevator doors start to close, leaving a concerned Niall. "I'll bring your credit card to class!"

My credit card?

"Your credit card?" Harry asks as the doors completely shut.

"I-I think," I stumble over my own words, making me clench my fists in attempts to regain focus. "I think I'm paying for everyone."

Harry's eyebrows raise. "It's Saturday tomorrow. You're going to need it."

I'm too caught in my head to register any sort of panic over my actions at the moment. My stomach tickles as we start going down, earning a giggle from me. I didn't even realize Harry was watching me, and all of sudden, I want to put as much space between us as I can.

I know Harry can sense my discomfort because we walk in silence to his car. He walks a couple paces in front of me, leaving me to walk like a pregnant penguin by myself. I decide to take off my heels, carrying them with the straps dangling on my fingertips.

The pavement is cool beneath by sore feet, acting like ice to aid my aching muscles. The city is quiet but the faint echoes of laughing come from the bars surrounding us. The lights of the skyscrapers take the job of the stars, twinkling underneath the dark night sky.

I see the lights of Harry's car light up in the night as he unlocks the car. He arrives at the car before I do, giving him the opportunity to open the door for me. "Thanks," I manage to get out to Harry, not only because of the presence of him but because of my drunken state.

The inside of Harry's car hits me, and I find a great comfort in sitting here. I feel safe, hidden from the dark night. Harry opens the driver's door, ducking down so we're face level. His features are highlighted by the streetlight as he looks at me.

"I'm going to grab your credit card - I can't believe you left it up there but I also have to return something." Harry blushes slightly as he finishes his sentence. I want to laugh at the rare sight. "And where's your phone and shit?" Harry asks, quickly changing the subject before I even get the chance to register what he has to return.

And why would  that be so embarrassing?

I shrug my shoulders, thinking for some reason I grabbed everything when I left with Niall. This is why you don't drink, kids.

Harry groans, slamming the door and opening the back one grabbing a piece of clothing off the seat then heading off into the dark. I sit there with a shocked look on my face, turning back around to face forward.

The car beeps, signaling that the car is now locked. I can't help but jump at the small noise then giggling after. I reach for my phone, realize it's not there, and end up staring at the cars driving by. What did he grab? If it was clothing then it had to have belonged to the girl he was talking  to earlier because he - oh. I feel awkward and gross now. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel when he comes back.

Harry isn't back after a couple of minutes so I decide to explore his car. Why not? I turn on the overhead light, looking down at the cupholders first. There's a one-hundred dollar bill with stray pieces of gum and a plain pen. The other cupholder is occupied by a Core water-bottle that  has a loose cap.