Anchored • Harry Hook ✔

t r e

"To those who lie awake burning"

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I walk down the lake located nearby the forbidden forest just behind the Auradon Prep grounds. I sniffled lightly, letting out a strangled sob as I stood there looking at my reflection in the water. Pathetic.

I didn't even know why I'm here. Or why I'm crying. Seeing Harry for the first time after the past few months took a huge toll on me, mentally and emotionally. Endless images flashed through my mind throughout the entire day, it was like I started from the very beginning where terrible nightmares terrorized my dreams and every feeling and memory sent a thousand shards in my heart.

Another strangled sob escaped my lips as I crouched down on the wet grass. My hand clutched my chest as a sharp pain tugged inside my heart, like a monster squeezing the organ with its bare claws. My tears fell down the water, destroying the calming flow of the stagnant lake. I didn't even notice the sound of footsteps closing in on me until a hand grabbed my shoulder. My eyes flashed gold as I grabbed the intruder's hand, locking it in my arms, while my other hand formed a fighting stance.

Seeing the person behind me, I staggered backwards, the water that formed behind me fell back down the lake when my hand fell down beside me. Haley Hook, brother of the person behind my tears, stood there, in front of me with a handkerchief in her hand. I look at her eyes then back to the hanky she's offering to me. Our hair, billowing with wind, crickets dancing on our feet.

"Thank you" I nodded in her direction, taking the handkerchief from her to wipe the tear stains on my face.

"No problem, Princess. Just returning the favour" her voice was sweet, gentle even for a VK yet it held a knowing tone in them. I tilted my head at her in confusion watching as a smirk grew on her face, a glint in her eyes shooting in my way- just like her brother.

Now that I've noticed, her eyes were more of a clear, sapphire water than Harry's. But her stance and the way she talked, everything about her reminds me of him. I looked away from her.

"What do you mean?" I drawled out, goosebumps appearing on my skin in the icy cold air. My fingers flowed through the current of the lake.

She laughed at me, amusement dancing in her eyes, I could see the youthful spirit inside of her, and the inner child that I wish I had. "It may have been six months but a Lost Girl wouldn't forget the face of a person who helped them in time of need, especially when you live on the Isle"

My eyebrows scrunched in confusion while I moved my gaze from the water toward her. Did she seriously think that I recognize her? I didn't even talk to anyone on the Isle except, of course, to her brother, Uma and Gil. but that's beside the point.

"You must have mistaken me for someone else, Haley" my voice hoarse when I spoke. "I don't remember ever meeting you. I'm sorry"

"You seriously don't remember me? The beaten girl in the alleyway?" She raised her eyebrows at me in the challenge just as a sudden flash of memory sparked inside my mind.

"I won't harm you, I promise," I said softly but the girl continued to huddle together in panic. Her bright blue eyes show innocence as they widen frantically looking for an exit. I crouched down in front of her, and my hand moved upward towards my hood making the girl flinch in despair as I revealed myself to her. The girl closed her eyes whimpering in fear as I surveyed her frail body with my heart constricting painfully in my chest. A lump formed in my throat as I eyed the large bruises in her upper limbs while small gashes were evident in her legs, blood oozing from her cuts.

A gasp left my lips as I stared at her wide-eyed. "I-I remember you. You're her."

"Yep" her mouth popped as she spoke before turning away from me. She began to step away when I shouted from behind her. My feet staggered towards her figure.

"Wait! I just- Thank you"

"As I said, I'm just paying back"

I scratched my head, confused at just what happened, as she walked away, leaving me alone in the shadows. She certainly didn't look that way back in the Isle, I gripped the handkerchief between my hands, shivering as the cold wind brushed against my skin. Sighing deeply, I began to trek back inside the Prep.

I quietly rounded the corner, wishing that Fairy Godmother or any knight guards saw me as I neared my room. I halted on my steps, my eyebrows furrowed when I see a shadow lurking outside of my door. Their head bowed as they slump outside of my room, snoring rather loudly. Cautiously, I walked towards the sleeping figure, my hand falling to my lips to stifle a laugh when I recognized the hair.

"Jaidin?" I poke his shoulders lightly. When he didn't move an inch, I blew air from my lips, thinking. An idea popped inside my head making me smirked evilly. Taking the vase from my room, I swiped my hand, willing the water to move over Jaidin's head. With a flick of my fingers, the water fell down on him.

A loud shriek echoed from the hallway while I stood over him, gasping for breath. My stomach heaved painfully remembering his ridiculous face. "Oh my Poseidon! That was epic!"

He glared at me, standing on his feet before saying, "Not funny"

"What are you doing out –hiccup- side of my room?" I questioned him, hiccupping. I stifled the giggles, clearing my throat when he shot me an annoyed glare.

"What are you doing outside of your room, in the middle of the night?" he retaliated, brushing his hand through his wet hair.

"I'm just walking around the halls, mingling in the shadows and scaring individuals to the bone. The usual" I shrugged my shoulders dismissively while giggling maniacally.

"I should have known how creepy you are before associating myself with you" gasping, I put my hand in front of my lips, faking hurt, which he just rolled his eyes in return. I punched his shoulder hard, rolling my eyes when he wince, very fake, if I may add.

"Seriously, what are doing creeping outside my room, hmm?"

I questioned him rather seriously. At that, he stands up straight, surprising me, his eyes mellowing while his lips formed a thin line. I stepped back when I saw him advance toward me until we were a few inches away from each other. I felt the wall behind me, our eyes meeting, mine widened and lips parted as I breathed deeply through my nose. "What are you doing, Jaidin?"

I asked, my heart beating loudly, I'm sure Jaidin can hear it from how close we were. He looked at me through his thick lashes, his breath mingling with mine.

"I want to make sure if you're alright, Erina" he finally spoke, tucking a loose strand behind my ear. Yet he still didn't move away.

"I'm fine, Addy. You don't have to worry about me" I say lowly, his eyes falling to my lips. Frantically, I watch him lean toward me. My eyes moving anywhere. Just as he was about to kiss me, I bumped his nose.  Yes, I did. Like a freaking child. Surprised by my action, he staggered back, giving me much-needed space to calm the erratic beating of my heart. "Now, I'm going inside my room to sleep. I think you should do it too, I feel sorry about your eyebags, it looks like they will pop out at any second"

I gave him a teasing grin before slamming the door in his face just as he opened his mouth to retaliate loudly in the hallway that Fairy Godmother will surely hear.

"You bitch!"

I didn't even notice his choice of words, I was too busy calming my heart down. Heart flattering, I slowly slide down until I was seating on the ground with my head leaning against the door. A faint smile painted on my lips.

What just happened?

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Edited [06/14/22]