Harry tugged his green beanie over his ears as we trudged down the pier. The only available bus in the direction we were planning to head didn't leave for another 45 minutes so Harry had suggested a stroll down the wooden boardwalk that led us around the coast.
Ellie was balanced on my hip, and although the weight of her was crushing my weak bones, I was reluctant to risk letting her run off again.
"Clary, you can't carry her forever. Here, let me," Harry offered as he noticed my fatigue.
I gratefully handed my daughter over to him, who happily climbed on his back, pulling off his beanie and setting it on her own head of amber curls.
I expected Harry to snatch it back, but he just chuckled, allowing her to intertwine her fingers in his hair for a grip.
"I still don't know where I can begin to thank you," I said to Harry as we stood at the edge of the pier, gazing out over the clear sea. I could see boats in the distance and hear the laughter of children frolicking on the beach, and surfers dipping in and out of the crashing waves.
"Please shut up Clary. It wasn't as if I was looking for her. I just found her," he joked, laughing as we watched a family playing football on the sand.
I stayed silent for a while, not wanting to disturb the peaceful atmosphere that had evolved.
"I really like it here," I said finally.
Harry nodded in agreement, but said nothing for a few moments, just allowing Ellie to rest her head on his.
"Do you ever wish you could just run away, to a place like this and never look back?" He asked me wistfully.
I shook my head, not being able to empathise with him. "I have everything I need back home," I told him truthfully, thinking of my wealthy, good looking fiancé and my nice home.
Harry looked away from me purposely and stared at the gushing water. He didn't reply to my answer, but took an intent interest to the scenery around us.
"Come on. We should get back in time for the bus," he said, smiling weakly before we began to walk back down the long pier.
----x----
The bus shook as we jostled over every bump in the road, and we were jolted out of our seats every time the vehicle went over a ramp. The interior was quite crowded, and the commotion of loud voices babbling and gossiping filled the air.
"Do you even know where we're going Harry?" I asked him, who was leaning against the window with Ellie resting on his knee. He nodded as he glanced at the sign the bus was driving past.
"But we can't go on a bus the whole way Harry! We don't have enough money," I informed him confusedly.
He just shrugged, his lack of response angering me.
"Harry seriously! What are we going to do?" I demanded, my temper acting up.
Harry looked at me tiredly. "Jesus Clary, can you not keep your mouth shut? I know what I'm doing ok?" He snapped, and I felt my face flush red with embarrassment, but I didn't mutter an apology.
The majority of the remaining part of the bus trip was spent in silence, apart from Ellie who talked away until she eventually fell asleep, her head resting against Harry's chest, rising and falling with each breath he took.
After a torturous silence, I felt his familiar large hand rest on my knee and I instinctively jerked away.
"Look Clary, sorry I was a dick earlier," he said clearly, looking me straight in the eyes.
I just shrugged and looked at him coldly. "It doesn't matter. I shouldn't have asked so many questions," I replied, folding my arms and resting them on my stomach.
"I shouldn't have snapped though," Harry persisted, not letting it go.
"Whatever Harry. Like I said it doesn't matter," I replied in a monotone.
And then the silence entered the space between us again and not another word was breathed until we got off the bus.
----x----
The sign said 'Welcome to Norman, Oklahoma."
We were in the midst of the busy city, and the hectic surroundings made me nauseas. "Harry, what do we do?" I asked him, tugging on his sleeve. Ellie had slept the entire journey and was now slung over Harry's shoulder, sucking her thumb again.
"Well, we need to get some lunch," he suggested, as he absorbed the city with his vision.
I playfully whacked him on the arm. "All you ever think of is food!" I scolded him.
"Sorry, sorry," he laughed in defence as he started to make way through the crowded streets of Norman.
I impulsively grabbed onto the back of Harry's shirt as he led the way through the hustles of people that seemed to be everywhere. I didn't want to lose them.
When we got to a busy crossroads, Harry stopped and looked around. He seemed to be searching for something or someone, but he wouldn't say what or who.
"Harry, are you sure you know where we're going?" I asked him unsurely as we walked past creepy alleyways and approached a dodgy end of the city.
"Not really, but I've got a fair idea," he replied honestly. I had gotten the heebie jeebies about this part of the town, as I cautiously followed Harry through the streets, which were quite desolate.
I heard a cat screech in the distance, followed by the crashing and clanging of metal dustbins and I heard angry voices yelling. "Harry," I said quietly, unable to disguise the quiver in my voice.
"Shh, look we're nearly there," Harry said, and pointed towards a cluster of tall apartments, which were close by, and looked far more well-to-do than this rough part of the city.
Less than half an hour later we were standing outside the polished apartments. Ellie was still sleeping, as she had obviously been tired out by that mornings drama.
"What are we doing here?" I asked unsurely, wondering why he had led me here.
"This is where my sister lives."
Harry's long finger lingered over a buzzer button outside the apartments and he grimaced as he pressed it.
"Hello?" A girl's voice answered unsurely.
"Gemma? It's me, Harry. Can we come up?"
***************
Wow ok. Harry stop being a dick pls and ty
HELLO I HAVE 700+ READS I WANT TO MARRY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU TYSM I LOVE YOU MY SWEET CHILDREN
DONT BE A GHOST READER!! K WANT TO SEE YOUR COMMENTS BC SOME OF THEM CRACK ME UP AND I SEE AND APPRECIATE EVERY ONE OF THEM
OK ILY SORRY FOR THE CAPS BYE xxx
YOU ARE READING
SOFT SPOT// h.s
Fanfiction"You taught me why hurricanes are named after people. And sometimes I find myself thinking how easy all of this could have been if you weren't so goddamn beautiful," he went on, murmuring against the delicate skin of my neck. ----- Harry Styles au...
