How I Saved Harley Matthews

Chapter Twenty- Four: And I Fell

I paced the kitchen floor once more as I awaited my popcorn to finish popping. It was nearly eleven thirty, and I had still heard nothing from Frazer or Harley.

Ella was concerned about my wellbeing when Frazer and her had dropped me off. She even tried to stay, but I refused, knowing she's wanted to talk about what had happened between Harley and I. That was something I'd never be ready for.

As for now I was trying to pass the time and not completely freakout by watching a movie and eating loads of popcorn. This is bag three.

"Bye! I'm leaving for the night! Don't wait up!" Briann yelled as she marched through the living room and slammed the front door.

That quite funny considering my parents had done the same only hours ago. I was never invited to their shenanigans anymore. A hot sigh left my mouth, and I retrieved my bag of popcorn from the microwave.

I retreated to my previous pillow fortress on the sofa and continued the latest season of The Vampire Diaries.

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A loud crack shook the house, awaking me from my peaceful slumber.

"... Just in! This is the wildest thunderstorm Lockheart has seen in ages! I repeat, bring you pets in and close your shutters, it's going to be a long night folks." The tv rambled on and on.

I pressed the mute button and stood up from my horrible, cramped position. A series of pops trailed down my spine as I began to walk out my stiff joints.

Ding-Dong

My doorbell bellowed through the house. I checked the clock to find it was slightly after one in the morning.

Pretty sure this is how every horror story starts. Might as well make up a completely irrational excuse to answer the door.

Maybe Briann forgot her keys or something?

I jerked the wooden frame to reveal a tall hooded figure stood on the welcome mat rocking back and forth.

Yep, I'm gonna die.

"Audin, you're awake."

"Harley?" I said as I recognized the voice. "Why are you out in the rain?" I asked as I stepped aside for him to walk in.

He took my invite and walked inside the threshold. Another crack of thunder shook my house.

"I wanted to come talk to you, and I didn't know how late you'd be up, or if anyone else was home. I didn't want my truck to wake anyone, so I walked." He said as I closed the door.

He took off his soaked shoes and placed them on the inside rug. My eyes carefully traced his drenched figure as he rambled on and on like the tv. "Well," I said when he finally let me speak. "I should get you some dry clothes before you ruin my mother's hardwood floors."

And so with that I headed to my room, digging through every drawer in my dresser to find some clothes that might fit.

"Well what did you want to talk to me about?" I asked as I pulled another drawer open.

I wondered if he could sense the bitterness in my tone, or maybe he could see I was just being short.

He didn't respond right away, but took his time as if he was deciding on the best word choice to use. "Oh well, I just didn't like where we had to cut our conversation off at earlier." He paused briefly, letting the sound of rain fill our silence. "I think we should discuss it." He explained.