Unique

Twenty three - A new home

 "Shit!" I suddenly hear. I frown and carefully open my eyes to see Harry hunched over.

"What happened?" I ask groggily and sit up.

"Stubbed my toe, man that fucking hurts. Sorry I woke you up."

"It's okay, what happened yesterday?"

"Uhm, you got very drunk and knocked on my door. You were very attached to you bottle of bourbon and wouldn't tell me why you got completely shitfaced. Then you kinda fell asleep and I carried you to my bed. Don't worry, I slept on the couch."

"Oh," I respond.

"Do you remember anything from yesterday?" Harry then asks carefully.

"No, my head is all foggy," I sigh.

"Foggy?" he asks trying to suppress a smile. "How can your brain be foggy?"

"I'm still half drunk, shut up, " I mumble and get up.

"I should go home."

"No, you're still half drunk, go take a shower and then head home. I want you to be sober when you leave this place," Harry insists. I sigh and just roll my eyes.

"I'm being serious, Avery," Harry then says.

"Okay, okay, I'll go take a shower," I say and look at him.

"I'll get you some clean clothes," Harry says.

"Can you go to my apartment?" I ask.

"Uh yeah sure, can you give me the keys?" I widen my eyes and pat on my jeans to feel if my keys were in there.

"Shit, I locked myself out," I whisper.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I have a door that locks when you close it, oh crap!"

"I'll call the janitor as soon as you're dressed, you can wear some of my clothes."

"Thank you!" I say and then walk into the bathroom. After closing the door I close the lid on the toilet and sit on it trying to remember everything that happened yesterday. After a while I give up and stand up to start the shower. Just as I put my hand under the stream of water a flashback hits me. Flashes of images of my mother pop up in my head. I close my eyes in order to get a clear view of the images. And then I remember everything.

I open my eyes and try to get air in my lungs. Without realizing that the shower was running and that I still had my clothes on I lean forward to support myself on my hands. I step inside of the shower and turn around so my back is leaning against the wall. I start sobbing and lower myself on the ground and bring my knees to my chest to hug them.

The image of my mother on that chair keeps on playing in my head, over and over. I squeeze my eyes shut tight, but the sickening image keeps on lingering in my head.

"Avery?" I hear a soft voice. I don't answer but just lift my head.

"Avery, can I come in?" I hear Harry and see him open the door a bit. As soon as he sees me on the floor his eyes are filled with worry. He sets the clothes on the closed lid of the toilet and then rushes to me. Without minding that he was getting soaking wet he just sits in front of me on his knees.

"Avery?" he asks quietly. I just shake my head and let go of my knees so I can get a hold of his shirt and bury my head in his chest.

Harry responds by wrapping his arms around me and sitting on his bum so that I was now leaning on him with my upper body.

"It's okay," he says to sooth me and strokes my hair.

"It's okay," he whispers trying to sooth me and stroke my hair.