Red String [h.s] (Completed)

Chapter 22

"I see how your tension builds
It's like looking in a mirror
Your touch like a happy pill
But still all we do is fear
What could possibly happen next?
Can we focus on the love?
Paint my kiss across your chest
If you're the art, I'll be the brush"

Harry can't believe Amy shoved him in the water. He thought for sure she was leaning in to kiss him. He thinks it might excite him more that she pushed him in. He likes this part of Amy he is getting to know. The playful one.

He starts to swim back towards the float and Amy is trying to position herself in the middle so she is less vulnerable to his attack. That won't help her though because Harry is determined to pull Amy into the water with him. He climbs back onto the float and Amy attempts to push him back in by his shoulders but he grabs onto her waist and pulls her backwards into the water with him. Amy squeals loudly and it echoes around the lake as they splash in.

They come up to the surface for air, Amy laughing uncontrollably. She tries to swim away from Harry and he catches her foot which makes her squeal again. She swims towards him and pushes down on the top of his head, dunking him back into the water. He comes up again and she is having trouble swimming because she is laughing so hard.

"Oh, you're going to get it!" he says.

He takes off after her but she gets to the ladder quickly and climbs out, looking back at him, smiling widely. He can tell his face is a mirror of hers. Full of joy. Both of them giddy with excitement.

"You two look like you're having fun."

Amy looks over at the figure walking down the dock towards them. She immediately sinks into herself. Her face falls. She crosses her arms across her chest and the smile that was once spread so widely across her face is gone. Harry looks over and sees the person too and it takes everything in him not to roll his eyes impatiently for ruining this moment they were having.

Harry reaches the ladder and climbs out. He notices Amy's entire mood has changed. She is now withdrawn. He grabs her towel off the dock and hands it to her. She doesn't say anything but takes it, giving him a polite smile as she wraps it around her body.

"I'm going to go get changed," Amy says quietly.

Amy starts to walk away and Derek grabs her arm as she does. She looks at his hand and then up at his face. Harry can see the discomfort in her eyes. He wants to rip Derek's hand off of her. Tell him not to touch her. But he doesn't. Not yet anyways.

"Do you think we could talk?"

Amy looks down at his hand again, obviously urging him to let go of her. He recognizes this now and releases her arm.

"What about?"

"About us?"

"There is no more 'us'."

"Well, that's what I want to talk about." She looks at him skeptically. "Please Amy."

Amy nods and continues her walk up to the house. Derek watches her and when she is no longer within ear shot he turns around to look at Harry. The once pleasant, kind face he just wore for Amy is gone. It has been replaced by a devious smile.

"So, Harry? Mate!" the sarcasm thick in his voice. "How long have you been sleeping with Amy? Since that night after your concert?"

Harry is shocked at this accusation. Derek has seemed so mild mannered and non-confrontational but he is really laying all his cards on the table. Harry's not quite sure what the proper response to diffuse this situation is.