Don't Let Me Drown

Chapter II

Harry lay on his bed, his ears still ringing from his mother's rampage about being more careful, and not paying attention. It's not that she yelled at him or anything close to it, but the guilt of lying to her was eating him alive. He just couldn't let her know what had been happening to him. She'd pull him out of school without a doubt, and she'd be angry with herself for not realizing what Harry was going through. She had doctored him while lecturing him about being more careful so he wouldn't hurt himself so often. Three broken ribs, a twisted ankle, a couple Tylenol and an extremely bruised Harold later, he wasn't feeling half as bad as he had been the past few hours.

Harry could hear Gemma across the hall in her room on the phone, trying to persuade one of her friends into something. Gemma usually got everything she wanted, so whoever it was didn't stand a chance.

"-c'mon, just give your tutor a chance.... Yeah, I know your grades aren't that important for what you want to do after school but-" Gemma's voice cut off before retorting smartly, "No one wants a completely stupid model, regardless of how gorgeous you are. Fine! Be mad at me, but when you can't find another tutor to deal with you, don't come crying to me."

He really wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but he couldn't help overhearing when Gemma spoke so loudly. He folded his hands gently on his stomach to avoid his bruises, and let out a long sigh. He heard a loud slam, and figured that Gemma had most likely slammed her phone down on her nightstand. Harry figured he ought to go make sure she wasn't too heated, as a good brother would. He got up and made his way to her room, knocking softly on the door frame before letting himself in.

"You okay Gem?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Yeah, Haz. I'm fine. I just have some really stubborn friends is all," she replied. She sat on her bed with her legs crossed and lifted an arm out to him in invitation. Harry smiled softly and climbed onto the bed then curled himself up underneath her arm, leaning his head on her shoulder.
"What am I gonna do with you? You just can't seem to catch a break, can you? I'm sorry I haven't helped you more, Harry..." Gemma said softly.
" 'S not your fault, Gem. You've done your best, they just always find times when you aren't around I suppose," Harry mumbled softly.

Gemma merely hummed in response, and Harry wrapped his arm around her waist. The siblings were close, with their parents working a lot. They relied on each other for support more often than not, especially at home. The pair sat there in silence for a while, just enjoying the company and impromptu cuddle session. Gemma leaned down and pressed her face into Harry's unruly curls as she hugged him lightly. She didn't want to cause him anymore pain.

"Are you going to school tomorrow?" Gemma questioned.

"Well yeah, I haven't missed a day yet, and I don't plan on it anytime soon," Harry replied.

Gemma huffed a sigh in response to him, wishing he would just stay home and rest for a while. She continued to hold her larger, but shy and vulnerable little brother to her side, knowing he needed comfort. Harry yawned and tucked his head into her neck.

"Oh no you don't. You're not sleeping in here. Last time I let you fall asleep in my bed your long-limbed self took up the entire bed and I slept on the couch. Up you go, not so little Hazza. Off to bed," Gemma said softly to him.

Harry groaned in response and pulled himself up slowly, dragging his feet all the way back to his own room. He threw himself down on the bed, on top of the covers with his face shoved into his pillows. His curls splayed out all over them. Gemma yelled from across the hall, "Good night Harry! Love you!"

"Love you too!" Harry yelled back, face still smushed into his pillows.
At some point during the night, Harry folded himself under the covers and fell into a deep sleep, his dreams filled with ocean blue eyes that belonged to a face he couldn't quite place...