Creature - |H.S.|

Seventeen

Here's another update for you guys because I'm loving how the story is going :)

Nova

Silence.

A wave of quietness radiates throughout the small darkroom. The only sound comes from the vent at the top of the ceiling, pushing out layers of cool air.

Harry and I haven't spoken a word since being confidentially close only minutes ago. We've both stayed in an awkward state as he somewhat helps with the film development process. I don't even speak when I need a new chemical. I just point to the bottle I need and he hands it to me, unscrewing the lid before I pour it in.

There's a thick air of uncomfortableness and I can't keep my curious thoughts away. How can someone who says I'm pathetic one day lean in to try to kiss me the next? There was no warning, no motive, just him leaning closer and closer until we were interrupted by the sound of the alarm. My head hurts. Not only from the fumes but from the rollercoaster of thoughts in my head.

After I hang the film to dry on the line, I turn to see Harry with his back away from me, trying to find things to occupy himself with so he doesn't need to interact with me. He twists and secures the caps on all of the bottles before carrying them to the shelf, slowly placing them up one by one before straightening every bottle. He's trying to kill time, I know it.

I can't stop my curious thoughts though, I need him to answer some of my questions. It's not fair he gets to make me feel all these emotions and I never get any answers. I need something. I need some kind of explanation for all of this. Not just the intimate moment we both almost shared, but about everything I've questioned since I've met him. I know that this could probably end badly considering his past reactions, but I don't care. It has to be brought up at some point.

"What just happened-"

"Nothing. Nothing happened," Harry shakes his head and keeps his back faced towards me, studying each bottle of liquid on the shelf.

I bite my tongue and nod to myself, figuring this was probably an awkward way to start out.

"Can I ask you about something else then?" I avoid my last question with something new, something else I need to know.

Harry hesitates for a second but then nods slowly before turning to face me, his back against the counter.

"Your club...w-why?" I ask confused. Harry just stares at me in confusion, not being able to understand what I'm asking. "Why did you open it and why do you let bad things happen there?" I ask again, feeling nervous about how he may react.

To my surprise Harry sighs and grabs a folded chair over in the corner of the darkroom, and slides it over before unfolding it and sitting down. He rummages a hand through his hair before leaning his elbows on his knees, staring out in front of him.

"Well it wasn't my idea," he starts.

I take this as my cue to grab the other chair in the corner and sit down at a reasonable distance from him, not wanting to get too close again.

"My step dad wanted to give me something. Something to keep me occupied and away," he looks down at the ground now, fidgeting with his rings on his fingers. "Found this building for sale in the heart of Chicago and bought it to kick me out basically. Said it seemed like something to keep me entertained and something fun for someone my age," Harry rolls his eyes and shrugs, keeping his eyes focused on the ground.

"Do you like your step dad?" I ask, feeling like it's a reasonable question to ask.

Harry scoffs and shakes his head at the ground before smirking. He sits straight in the chair before crossing his leg over his other, letting his ankle rest on his opposite knee. The red light illuminates his features, making him look more ominous than usual.