Secure

My eyes flutter open, slowly adjusting to the sunlight blaring through the seeps of my blinds. Groaning, I turn to look at the time on my alarm clock placed on the nightstand beside my bed, it was past noon. I somehow manage to get myself to sit up. It was then I realized I was still in my clothes from yesterday. My head was pounding and I'm pretty sure I resemble a raccoon at the moment.
Flashbacks of last nigh came into mind and I frowned.

"Would you like to come to dinner with me?" I asked. I don't know why I did that. I barley knew this man. Hell, I don't even know his first name. The only thing I am sure of is his high level of intelligence and the fact that he's homeless and hungry. But that was enough for me, I guess.

He stared at me with wide eyes. He was shocked, that didn't surprise me, though. I'd have the same reaction. I'd be all up for it, but he seemed hesitant. Why? I'm not so sure. I wouldn't hurt him, it wasn't my intention. I couldn't hurt him if I tried. I was only about 5'6. This man stood at about 6'0, so I see no reason for the hesitation.

"No thanks," he smiles. "I appreciate it though." I couldn't help my jaw from hanging. A homeless man, passing up the chance of dinner? I knew for a fact that he was over there starving. He was too skinny for his height. His eyes were dull and his lips were pale from dehydration. I was baffled.

"Wha- why?"

"If I'm gonna eat I want to have to earn it myself. I mean sure I'll scramble for a few dollars but ill like to earn and reward myself,"

"Fine I'll give you a few dollars then," I ramble through my pure searching for at least a 50 to give him. I can afford it, so why not?

"Stop," he says and I do. I look up at him and his gaze is intense, quite intimidating. "Thank you, but no." He says before walking off.

No he's not. He's not fine. Not at all.

"Can I at least get your name?"

The corners of his mouth twitch and its obvious he's fighting a smile. "Harry," he says before walking off, turning into an alley with his old book clutched to his chest.

"I'm Hazel," I breathe out.



I was still so confused yet amazed by Harry's denial. I got what he meant by wanting to earn his food. I guess it was a pride thing. But why risk your health over pride? It didn't make sense.

I take a quick shower, combing through the notes of my brown hair. Once done, I fling on a pair of black jeans, a black and white lace inset top and some flats. I don't bother to get any breakfast from the kitchen, I'd rather just grab a coffee from Starbucks. Thankfully, my parents aren't home to pester me about my eating habits. I bid farewell to Jimmy before taking off.

Five minutes later, I am in a taxi with my thoughts fixed on a particular green eyed boy. An idea soon popped into my head and I screamed at the driver, telling him to switch directions then apologizing seconds later for startling him.

-

Here I stand at the entrance of the same alleyway Harry disappeared to just yesterday. With my hands filled with bags, I take a step forward.

The alleyway was dark even though it was broad daylight. Rats and roaches were skimping around. The wall's white paint were chipped and stained with all sorts of shit. The further I went the stronger the grotesque smell became.

"Harry?" I call out. M voice echoed throughout and I can't help but get goosebumps. Is was such a stereotypical place to get murdered or jumped or something, which made me even less scared. I bit my lip and continued walking. A huge box spoon came into my sight and I called out for Harry again. Nothing.
I sigh before turning on my heels and making my way out of the alleyway.

"What are you doing here?" I basically jump out of my skin when the familiar raspy voice invaded my eardrums. I turn around and is faced with the man that has been consuming my mind for over eighteen hours.

Once my heart level went back to its normal pace, I spoke up "I- uh" Damn my stuttering. "I got you some stuff,"

"I told you I-"

"Bullshit," I cut him off. "Please just take what I have."

He sighs before gesturing me forward. I am reluctant, but I follow him. He lead me to the same box I had seen only minutes ago. I assumed this is where he sleeps. He sits down on the ground and tilts his head towards the box. I pick up what he was trying to say and sat down inside. The box held a ragged blanket, two pairs of sweats I assumed he used pillows and of course, his book.

It was silent and I took that as a sign to show him what the bags were hiding. I held out one for him to take it but he just stared at me. I rolled my eyes before pushing it into his chest. So damn stubborn.

He's hesitant to open the bag, but he does anyway and I smile.

"Clothes?" He asks and I simply nodded.

"Figured you'd wanna get out of those," I gestured to his dress pants and jumper. "There's some more in these two bags," I handed it to him. He stares at them, mouth agape. A smile was plastered on my face, I knew he'd appreciate it. In the bags were just some boxers, socks, shoes, shorts, jeans and T shirts. I didn't see the reason for getting him a jumper since it was the beginning of summer, but I did anyway.
He shakes his head before saying "I- I can't accept this." He tries to push them towards me but I shake my head. "It's too much," he says.

"I can afford don't worry," I could afford it. With my parents and grandparents funding money into my account every month and me selling pointless clothes they'd buy for my on eBay, I had more than enough money to buy someone in need a few things.

"I don't even know you"

"I'm Hazel," I smile. I grabbed another bag, pushing it in his direction. He didn't even have to open it to know what was inside it. Food.

"I didn't know if you were allergic to anything so I got you some options," it was from Applebee's. I had purchased a shrimp pasta, a bourbon street steak, a Caesar salad and a chicken sandwich. Along with that I bought five bottles of water and some orange juice, knowing how thirsty he must be.

"I-" he shakes his head.

"Don't you dare tell me you can't accept this," he looks up at me and I notice tears brimming in his eyes. I felt somewhat accomplished? I don't know, all I know is that I was happy I could help him out.

"But that's not the best part," I slip my hand into the pocket of my jeans. As soon as my finger tips brushed the item I was searching for, I held it in my grasp before retrieving my hand. In my palm held a key.

"You must think I'm crazy," I started. "But I want to. You have so much potential. You haven't said much to me but when you do you blow me away with your intellectual mind. Now I don't know how someone as brilliant as you ended up in a situation like this, but I know you can do great things. You just need a little guidance, I guess. And I'm more than happy to help you out," I threw the keys at him and it hit his chest. I smiled at how frozen he was.

"Don't worry, I didn't buy you a house," I laughed. "It's a key to a motel room which I will take you to." The motel was just a few blocks from here actually. It wasn't fancy or anything, but it sure as hell was better than this God damn box in this alleyway.

I haven't even known this man for 24 hours, yet here I am, buying him clothes, feeding him and providing him with shelter. Not many people would do that, but I am not 'many people'. I'm Hazel, and I believe in equality. I hate the fact that people in the Upper East Side have created this class system, ranking human beings. No matter the riches you have in life, you'll end up the same place as a man who has absolutely nothing. The ground. You'll be buried in the ground, not in some fancy burial space for the wealthy but the ground. So your riches do not matter. And even though my family does have money, I do not take it for granted. I use it wisely, and helping this man, helping Harry is just another way of using it efficiently. I can tell he'll do great things for this world. Whether it was music or literature, he will have a positive impact on this world.

He was still silent, I didn't blame him. Ten minutes must've passed until he spoke. "You're crazy," he breathes out. "I could be an axe killer"

I laugh and shake my head. "You're not going to kill me,"

"How are you so sure?" He raises a curious eyebrow.

I roll my eyes. "You would've done it already," he laughs. What an angelic sound it was.

"Now can I take you to your new home?" I stand up.
He stares up at me looking at the bags around him then up at me. He smiles, biting his lip before standing up.


-


The journey to the motel was hectic to say the least. Can drivers refusing to have someone as 'filthy' and 'useless' as Harry sitting in their vehicle. So we just walked. Harry didn't seem to be phased by the scowls and words being spat at him, it's lie be was used to it. And it broke my heart.

Now we stood at the door of his room. I urge him forward to use his key and he obliges. The door creaks open and he steps inside dropping his bags. Immediately I hear sniffles coming from him and I go up to pat his back. Trying my best to ignore the fowl smell radiating off of him.

"I can't even begin to express my gratitude," he sobs.

"How about we start with Thank You?" He laughs, wiping his eyes and turning to me.

"Thank you, Hazel"

I nod before showing him around the small room. After sending him to go to a nice long bath, I sort out his clothes and food I had bought for him. Putting the food in the small fridge and folding his clothes. I had left out the steak and two bottles of water on kitchen counter and left boxers, a white t shirt and pajama shorts for him on the bed.

I walked over to one last bag I had for him. Taking out the two books I had purchased, I placed them on top of the clothes I had laid out. The first one was a new copy of The Great Gatsby, the other a favorite of mine. 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. I took out a note I had written before and placed it on them.

It read:

I figured I'd get you a new copy of Gatsby and a favorite of my own.
Enjoy,
Hazel.

I smile before making my way out of the room and back home, a smile plastered on my face.

Notes

Okay so this is basically the beginning of their journey.

Harry does have this thing for his pride so he'll be quite difficult in this story and it will get frustrating.

Please do not call me stupid telling me I'm going too fast with this story, I am not. It's just Hazel's personality, okay?

enjoy the chapter! Please comment and vote!!!! And check out my other story Resolution!

lots of love. Xxx