Feelings

Chapter 11 : Slap

Merediths POV

It takes what seems like forever to get to Chicago, and find the party. The girl was right, the place is huge.
"I'll be right back." I tell him, opening my door.
"Fuck no, you're staying here. I'll be right back." He shakes his head, getting out of the car.
I follow him. "No Harry. If you go in there, there will just be a big fight. I'm going to walk in, get Luke, and walk back out."
"What if they demand their money?" He raises his eyebrow.
I hold up my emergency wallet. "Then I'll give it to them, and Luke can pay me back."
"How much do you even have in there?"
"A lot." I assure. "I'll be right back, ok? If I'm not back in ten minutes you can come find me."
"Five minutes." He argues.
"Harry, I may not even have found him yet. Eight."
"Fine." He grumbles, leaning against the Range Rover.
I kiss his cheek, and then head into the house.

Harrys POV

"Fine." I give in, knowing I can't win without making a scene. She surprises me by kissing my cheek before she walks away. I laugh out loud as she sidesteps a couple on the porch making out, and turns to give me a disgusted look, and then I watch her disappear through the front door.
After two minutes I'm nervous. "There's no Jakes or Dave's here." I remind myself.
"Who are Jake and Dave?"
I turn my head to see a girl staring at me. She's probably Mere's age, but not as pretty. She's wearing too much makeup, but her clothes are surprisingly modest. "Nobody." I tell her.
"Well, then who are you?"
"Nobody." I repeat.
"Hi, nobody. I'm recently dumped. It's nice to meet you."
I cringe. "Recently dumped?"
"Yup."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Hmmm. I'm not sure yet. We've been together two years." She adds.
"Ouch. Why'd he dump, you?" I ask, trying to take my mind off the fact that I have to wait five minuets until I can go find Mere.
"She."
"What?" I frown.
"SHE dumped me because I found her cheating."
"Oh. So she cheated and dumped you? That's low."
"You're not shocked?" She walks a little closer so it's easier to talk.
"Please." I scoff. "I'm not shocked by most things."
"So why is a handsome guy like you standing OUTSIDE a party?"
"I'm waiting for my girlfriend." The word sounds foreign to me.
"Waiting?"
"Yeah, but if she doesn't come out in..." I check my phone, "four minutes, then I'm going in there to beat some guys up."
"Oh please, don't tell me you're one of those guys." She rolls her eyes.
"Depends on what you mean by 'those guys.'" I shrug.
"The kind who just assumes their girlfriend can't handle herself. Girls HATE that, don't do it."
"My girlfriend CANT handle herself." I say.
"I seriously doubt that."
"Look, I've watched her raped, and she's come close to it two other times. So if she doesn't come back, then yeah I'm going in there." I huff, surprised by my outbreak.
"Oh." She says. "Is there a reason she's such a target?"
"She's weak, and innocent, and nice, and naive and beautiful. And I'm a huge screw up of a douche bag." I add.
"Why is she with you then?"
"I'm not sure she is." I sigh.
"Ohhhh. So she's your girlfriend, but you aren't necessarily her boyfriend."
"Yeah." I nod. "She doesn't trust me."
"And should she?"
"Nope." I check my phone. It's been eight minutes, and Mere is still inside. "I've got to go."
"Don't kill anyone."
"I will if I have to." I say, and I walk into the house.
I push through a crowd of drunk and practically naked people. The further into the house I walk, the more smoke hangs in the air,many the less clothes people have on. I find an emptier room, and go in, figuring it might be somewhere Mere would go. I can hear shouting coming from a room connected to it, and recognize Luke's voice. I hurry past more people, and to the door. When I peek inside, I sigh in relief. Mere is standing untouched. She's facing three men, who are not big, nor muscular, but rather pathetic. Luke is standing next to her, looking furious, and drunk.
"Give us our money!" The man on the right shouts.
"You're not.... getting ANYthing!" Luke slurs, lunging forwards. Mere grabs his waist, holding him back.
"Luke, stop." She turns to the guys. "How much does he owe you?"
"Nine-hundred." The middle one sneers.
"I don't owe you... Anything!" Luke runs forward again, knocking one of the guys glasses off. Meredith tugs on his arms.
"STOP." She scolds.
"A little help here, Don?" The guy looks over his shoulder, annoyed.
I tense up, ready to intervene when I big burly guy walks forward from the corner I can't see.
He points at Luke and Mere. "Give them the money, or I'll knock you both out."
I ball my fists. If he touches her...
"You aren't TOUCHING me, or HER because I don't owe you any MONEY!" Luke goes back and forth between shouting and mumbling.
"I swear I'll bash your teeth out, and knock her head in if you don't hand over the money."
I move to step in, but stop when Mere surprises me.
"You're not going to TOUCH him OR me, and if you do you'll be a hell of a lot sorry!" She marches forward. "Here's you fucking money, I hope it satisfies you because no GIRL ever will!" Her face is red and her fists are shaking. I'm entirely impressed.
'Don' raises his hand, and I step into the room, but Mere is too quick. She reaches up and slaps him in the face, and shoves a wad of money into his chest. She huffs, and snatches Luke's arm. When she turns to face the door way, her eyes land on me, standing here. The look of surprise on my face must be evident, because she looks proud when she sees me. I have the strangest desire to run outside and tell 'recently dumped' that I was wrong about Mere. Instead, I bend down and kiss her. She kisses back for only a moment, before pulling away. I take her hand, and lead her back through the crowd, her yanking Luke along.
When we get back to the Range Rover, the girl is gone. Mere lets go of Luke's arm, but I don't drop her hand.
"Thank you for not intervening or hitting anyone." She whispers, standing on her toes to kiss me. I can't help but grin into the kiss, and she pulls away, looking at my face. "You're happy." She pokes my dimple.
I shake my head, and kiss her again.
"You guys are.... NASTY." Luke says. He's such an annoying and immature drunk.
Meredith kisses me passionately for about five seconds, before turning on Luke, and slapping him as well. "You are the biggest idiot and I thought you had more sense then to play a game you SUCK at WHILE DRUNK against nerds, and not even bring any money! If you think I'm going to come out here and save your ass again next time you're wrong. Do you have ANY IDEA WHAT I WENT THROUGH TO EVEN GET HERE!" She lunges at him, and I wrap my arms around her waist to stop her. She struggles against me, and Luke looks shocked.
"Mere, MERE!" I laugh. "It's ok, calm down." I turn her around so she's facing me, and her blue eyes are on fire.
"Stop laughing at me!" She glares.
I grin. "That was great. That was awesome, but let's not hurt the poor kid anymore ok?"
"You're such a hypocrite!"
"I know I am, I'm sorry." I can't stop laughing because she's so pissed and it's the best thing ever. I wish she was always like this.
"Let me go!" She stomps her foot.
"You won't hit him?"
"He deserves it!" She tries to pry my hands away.
"He does, but we're in public don't embarrass him."
Her jaw drops and before I can react she reaches up and slaps me. I let go of her and blink in shock, wincing at my stinging cheek.
"You're a DICK! And so are you!" She turns on Luke again. "You owe me! Not just the money."
"Ok. I'm sorry." He's sober enough to hold up his hands in surrender.
"Get in the back seat." She points at my car.
He nods, opening the door and climbing in. She slams the door behind him and turns to me.
"Oh my God, there a hand print on your face!" The anger disappears immediately. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you that hard."
I start laughing all over again, but try to stop when she looks hurt. "I'm sorry..." I breath. "That was just great."
She grins, and then she flys at me. At first I think she's going to hit me again, but instead she wraps her arms around me, hugging me.
"That was so fun!" She squeals.
I laugh loudly, hugging her back.
"I'm so tired." She says suddenly, laying her head on my shoulder.
"You can sleep on the way home." I tell her.
"No. Lets just stay in a hotel tonight." She yawns. "I hate sleeping in cars."
"Sure thing." I say, picking her up bridal style, and walking to the passenger door. She reaches out and tugs it open, and I set her down on the seat, closing the door.
"I see what you mean."
I turn to see 'recently dumped' standing in front of me.
"She's so weak, clearly "
"I was wrong." I shrug.
"Obviously. Also, from what I just saw I don't think you have to worry about whether or not she likes you. I'd say you're her boyfriend."
"Thanks...?"
"Parker." She hold out her hand.
"Harry." I shake it.
"I won't give you my number because I don't like guys. Which of corse, is a reason TO give you my number, as a friend. BUT your girlfriend is watching and she doesn't know the details. So maybe I'll see you around?"
"Not likely, but it was nice to meet you." I nod, dropping her hand, saluting, and walking around to get in the drivers seat.
"Who was that?" Mere asks, looking tired, but a twinkle of excitement still in her eyes.
"I don't really know." I start the car. "But she taught me something."
"What's that?"
I look over and meet her blue eyes. "Not to underestimate you."
She smiles, and leans over to kiss me once, before cuddling into the seat.