The Night I Met Harry

Harry’s POV:

I’d gone out for a bit before she’d got up just to clear my head. I had to admit I wasn’t myself after Winter and I’s little conversation, and maybe I’d been reading too much into it. It wasn’t hard to wonder if I’d actually given her discomfort or she’d just told me otherwise to spare my feelings. My intentions were never to hurt her, and it hurt me with the thought or possibilities of me ever doing so. I’d reached the driveway, driving my truck over the snow that had continued to fall since I’d shoveled. I turned the key in the lock, opening the door and looking over toward the living room to see her and Danny. I pulled my coat off and closed the door in slight irritation as I took notice that neither of them had even looked up or acknowledged my presence. They were seated on each side of the glass table that sat in the middle of the living room. There were wine glasses filled with a dark purple substance that looked to be half empty and a chessboard between them. She stared intensely down at the layout while he stared over at her. She bit her nails idly, something I’d never saw her do, and reached over to make her move. It was like I hadn’t even been there. I cleared my throat as I looked down at them.

Winter POV:

I looked up to see him standing there with flakes of snow that had yet to melt. I lost myself in his eyes but quickly brought myself back when I realized he’d been looking for an explanation.

Winter:
“I got bored. We’re playing this one game and Danny has to go, right?”

I’d said looking over at him. This game had been going on for quite awhile already, and I’d only let him over because he’d insisted.

Danny:
“Yea, ten minutes.”

Harry nodded before heading over toward the kitchen. My eyes fell back on the board as he began conversation.

Danny:
“You want to tell me why it looks like you haven’t slept in days.”

I rubbed my eyes at the thought. I didn’t know what had been going on with me but it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep myself going without rest.

Winter:
“Thanks. Girls just love hearing that.”

I knew Harry had been listening from where he stood, just across from us so I kept everything brief.

Danny:
“You know I’m not saying it like that…Just don’t have any caffeine today, and see how it goes.”

I nodded to assure him I’d take that advice, though I was more than sure that caffeine wasn’t my problem. His attention was back to the board and I laughed as he made his next move, to my advantage.

Winter:
“Checkmate.”

He sighed in disapproval while I reached for my wine glass.

Danny:
“You always do that.”

Winter:
“What? Beat you? Am I not supposed to?”

He held back a smile as he glared momentarily into my eyes before looking over at Harry and away.

Danny:
“Don’t think this is over…”

I was finding extreme amusement in this, but chose not to express it at his expense. He gulped down the rest of his glass before getting up and withdrawing himself from the table.

Danny:
“Later.”

And I watched him leave the house. I sat the glass back down on the table when a vibration had come from my phone.

Mom:
Rain check, okay. I don’t want you two coming out in this weather.

We were supposed to go see her today, but Harry was barely even talking to me.

Harry:
“Come here.”

His voice had called invading my thoughts. I’d gotten up from the table slowly and made my way over to the counter to greet him. I hadn’t said anything in hopes he’d continue on his own.

Harry:
“You okay?”

Winter:
“Great.”

Harry:
“Why haven’t you been talking to me?”

He started the tea kettle, setting it on the stove before walking over to give me his attention.

Winter:
“Just tired.”

Harry:
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

It may or may not have been because of our previous conversation, but I’d chosen not to bring that up.

Winter:
“I don’t know, I just can’t.”

Harry:
“Then something’s bothering you... Let’s talk.”

He grabbed my hand and led us over, encouraging me to sit next to him on the couch.

Harry:
“I didn’t know you played chess, by the way.”

Winter:
“…Just a hobby.”

He stayed quiet for a moment before changing the subject.

Harry:
“Is this about earlier?”

I drew my attention away from him and back over to the chessboard.

Winter:
“I just don’t like when you’re upset with me.”

Harry:
“It wasn’t you I was upset with.”

Winter:
“Harry I told you I’m fine. I enjoy everything you do to me, so there’s no need to make it a bad thing.”

That’d been more than I’d intended to say but at least I’d gotten my point across. He looked at me in a way that told me he’d understood, and I felt a weight being lifted from my shoulders.

Winter:
“Okay?”

The eyelashes that framed his eyes were a beautiful contrast to his orbs themselves.

Harry:
“Okay.”

His hands always found me as if I’d disappear if I went too long without feeling them. Arguably, I would. I was pulled into his chest and I felt myself instantly slip into a semi-sleep.

Harry:
“Hey…”

I lifted my head reluctantly.

Harry:
“I have to go out for awhile, okay.”

I really didn’t want him on the roads with the weather but I didn’t dispute with him. I nodded my head slowly as I looked down at my fingers. He kissed my head before going over to the kitchen and bringing me back a tea.

Harry:
“I’ll be back soon. Try to rest.”
--
I pulled my top over my head as I experienced the effects of his absence. There was no way I’d convince myself to fall asleep without him here, which I had to admit was kind of ridiculous. I grabbed the keys from the nightstand as I headed out to the mall’s pharmacy to pick up my sleeping pills and new set of inhalers. It was dark now and the weather had only gotten worst but I needed to get some rest tonight. It wasn’t hard wondering where he was or who he’d been with. But I trusted him. Maybe that was the only thing that kept me sane in the lack of his presence. The bruises had long faded from my attention given to them with a number of chilled spoons. I never wanted him to feel like he’d ever done anything wrong with me by giving me intimacy. He hadn’t touched or kissed me seriously once since seeing them and it had been beginning to hurt my feelings, but we were okay now. His dimples were something that went missing with the rest of his affection but I was patient in giving him time.
--

I walked through the mall in the direction of the pharmacy on the far side. I felt weird anytime I’d come here without the company of my girls or Harry, but I needed to get there before they’d closed for the night. I’d all but begged my doctor to call it in, in a timely manner because I was beginning to notice circles under my eyes from exhaustion. I played with my roots idly while I mentally regretted parking all the way on the other side. I scanned a few guys that’d taken notice of me, looking away quickly to avoid interaction. I was almost there when I saw Leah. She’d been walking away from the food stand, two warm pretzels in her hands now covered with napkins. I’d begun to walk in her direction when I saw where’d she’d been headed. She sat down across the table from where Harry sat, placing one of the napkins on his side. He smiled across the table at her as she placed her hand over his that now lie against the table. They spoke but it was an empty conversation to my ears. I’d been too far away to hear, but whatever it was he’d been in a better mood from it. I forced myself to look away and continue the movement of my feet before I’d melted in a puddle along the floor, wondering briefly why he didn’t just tell me. I shook it off as I reached the drugstore, feeling relief that there hadn’t been a line for pickup. I looked up at the pharmacist who’d apparently been talking but I hadn’t taken in a word. I had a bad habit of easily tuning people out when I wanted to.

Winter:
“I’m sorry, what?”

He grinned at me patiently.

“First and last name hun.”

He seemed a little young to be a pharmacist, and I dismissed the comment mentally.

Winter:
“Uhh..Winter Rylie.”

It seemed rather bright in the store compared to my other visits here and though I was never able to fall asleep my eyes still felt heavy. He left the counter momentarily to disappear into the back. I stood grateful for the time to unthaw my mental state. I heard the line fill in behind me as I waited. My eyes were rubbed absently as fatigue continued to haunt me. I heard a voice speak to me from behind.

Leah:
“Hey Winter!”

I turned reluctantly to see her standing there with Harry beside her. I didn’t look up at him. She hugged me into her forcefully, before pulling away slowly.

Winter:
“Hi.”

I said weakly through my drowsiness.

Leah:
“What are you doing here this late? We were just about to grab an icee, you know in lieu of the weather. Want to come with?”

Her personality was a bit sunny for my current mood. I wondered briefly why he hadn’t just told me where he was going and I’d be lying if I said it didn't bother me.

Winter:
“No. Uh, I just stopped by for my sleeping pills…”

I heard the guy return back to the counter.

“Here you go.”

Winter:
“Thanks.”

I grabbed the bag from his hands before facing them again.
I looked into her eyes that contrasted perfectly with the vibrancy of her hair.

Winter:
“I’m just going to go.”

I felt Harry follow me as I walked away from them and out of the store.

Harry:
“Tell me you did not drive here by yourself.”

Winter:
“It’s tolerable...the way I took wasn’t that bad.”

I spoke quietly while looking down at my boots.

Harry:
“I’m driving you back.”

Winter:
“No it’s okay…If I leave now, it should be fine.”

He didn’t seem pleased at all that I’d been disobeying him.

Winter:
“I’ll text when I’m there, okay.”

I looked up at him briefly before walking away quickly to bury myself in the people who lingered about so that I wouldn’t be followed. I reached my car quickly springing it to life, after dusting my windshield of the snow that had accumulated in my short time in the mall, and pulling onto the road.

--
I’d opened the bag as soon as I felt the warmth of my house. Boxes now lined the hall from my excessive packing but I’d ignored them in fear of triggering stressful brain activity. I popped two of the pills in my mouth after reading the bottle’s instructions, grabbing a water from the frig and gulping quickly. My coat was removed and sat on one of the boxes while I made my way toward the living room sofa. I turned the TV on with the remote’s command and began watching the Potter series where I’d last left off.

The house was quiet with all assumptions of it, and I’d kicked my boots off and curled up into the couches warmth with the blanket I’d always shared with Harry.

Winter:
Here.

I texted him as promised, but I was pretty sure he’d assume I’d meant his place. I just wanted to be alone for awhile. His scent dominated from my point of view as I lay horizontally under it. Sleep found me before I’d noticed.

--

I felt comfort at his closeness. I hadn’t yet opened my eyes but I was experiencing everything that told me it was him. My head was buried into his neck, our bodies quite close as before but I hadn’t remembered his entrance. His curls brushed my face. I opened my eyes as I took a deep sigh, the morning’s light greeting me overwhelmingly. He rubbed my back with his palms when, what I assumed was my eyelashes dancing across his neck, told him I was awake. I’d moved away from him, sitting up and rubbing my head in relief that I’d finally gotten some sleep. His fingers found me again, rubbing quietly before speaking.

Harry:
“Good morning.”

I wondered what he’d even been doing here, when I’d avoided going back to his place. I looked over at the window where the blinds had been pulled to reveal more snow dominating the sky and the ground underneath. My hair felt heavy around my shoulders and I’d gotten up and grabbed my phone.

Winter:
“Morning…”

I’d walked away from him. Reaching the stairs and climbing slowly. I wasn’t sure what I’d been feeling emotionally but my actions were nonchalant. I turned on the water, checking the warmth before beginning to fill the tub. I added my scented body wash and therapies before removing my clothes and stepping in. The warm water leveled my collarbones as I lay my back against the tub’s border. I allowed my hair to grow damped with the rest of me because I hadn’t cared enough to pin it up. I only took baths when I needed to relax or keep myself from over-thinking. I stare down at the other end at the faucet slowly sending small drips into the water though I’d turned it off. He entered quietly, the sound of his bare feet against the tile holding my ear’s attention. He sat down in the large chair across from me while the drops of water continued to echo throughout the bathroom.

Harry:
“I’ll explain.”

I closed my eyes briefly to take in the deep smoothness of his voice before giving his physical my attention. I removed my hands from the water to wet my face in preparation for whatever he’d say next. He decoded for a moment before continuing.

Harry:
“I realized the other day that I’ve never bought you anything, which is absurd so…I got you something.”

He pulled a small box from behind him, getting up and removing his shirt slowly. He kneeled by the tub pulling my face in to kiss him before pulling away and opening it. My breath hitched slightly. My face lit with aw and surprise. It was beautiful. Really similar to the rings he’d always worn but with the diamonds bordering the rim, obviously more suited for a girl.

Harry:
“I needed help; I don’t really know what girls like so…I hope you like it.”

It was adorable to see how nervous he’d gotten, and I wondered then if he’d ever bought any of his past girlfriends gifts.

Winter:
“…I love it.”

My damp hands removed it from the box and placed it on my middle finger just as he had his. It fit perfectly and it became obvious why he needed a girl’s opinion.

Winter:
“Perfect.”

I’d pulled him in to kiss me, the bubbles from the bath wetting his chest.

Winter:
“Thank you.”

He smiled down at me in approval of my reaction. My hand was taken with his and intertwined as he studied it. He eyed me subtly as he took in my nudity before reluctantly looking away. He cleared his throat as he stood up.

Harry:
“I’ll go make you breakfast.”

Notes

My Winter break's almost here, so I'll post frequently. How'd you like? LOVE YOU FOR READING.