The Night I Met Harry

We waited beside each other for them to exit and join us for the day. The girl of the couple had somehow misplaced her phone in the area we'd been sat awhile ago. I stuck a little closer to Harry as he roamed his phone, knowing that I'd be encountering another experience I held dread for soon.

Harry:
"They're taking forever."

I was secretly thanking them for that.

Winter:
"Patience, Harry."

He was a little irritable since there request to accompany us. Not because he didn't love his friends but I imagined because he'd spent a lot of time planning things for just the two of us...and in his mind they were crashing it. It didn't bother me much, because we were always together. I just wished he'd see it that way.

I watched a group of girls approach from a distance before walking by us. There were three of them, quite pretty as their tanned skin was barely covered. They'd reminded me of my friends and though I'd loved my time with Harry I'd kind of missed them. I looked back to the place we'd been waiting for Louis and his girlfriend to appear before glancing over at Harry who's eyes had been stuck where mine were a few seconds prior. I looked to him and where his eyes had settled on the girls, growing slightly insecure in my skin. He peered at a constant rate directly in their direction, eyes following as they exited in the distance. I stared up at him in disbelief that he'd still been looking, having yet to realize my awareness.

I cleared my throat to draw his attention as I grew irritable.

Winter:
"Something over there?"

I felt the prospects of my day dampen in that moment. He shook his head drawing his eyes back to his phone.

Harry:
"No. I uhh... no."

My feelings told me they were hurt. I shifted slightly on my feet feeling the weight balance from one side to the other. I held my head down as the sun continued it's niche. I couldn't help but feel turned off completely by the situation. I knew guys did that...even the ones with girlfriends, but I'd never thought Harry would. Not to me.

I cleared my throat again, this time quietly to myself to rid it of any trace of my current emotion.

Winter:
"I think I'm just going to head back. I'm not feeling up to it."

He looked up revealing his feeling of opposition, putting his phone into his pocket.

Harry:
"We can just leave them, we don't have to wait. I understand."

Winter:
"No its not that."

Harry:
"Hey."

He turned me toward him, holding my hands in his as we stood a short distance apart.

Harry:
"If it's the water thing, I told you. You'll be fine. I'm with you, I won't leave your side."

Winter:
"I'm just not feeling well, okay. Go with your friends, I'll be fine."

Harry:
"Winter, no. I'll come with you. Or we can do something else if you want."

Winter:
"No I just want to lie down anyways. I'll be fine."

Harry's POV:

I'd just gone through a moment of seeing one of my ex's for the first time since meeting Winter. It was hardly a relationship to me now considering how amazing the one I had was. We were strictly sex being that emotions on my part were always limited with girls. I'd cheated on her with Jessie a few times, but she still had no idea of that. Before her there was another. And another before that who meant next to nothing. And that was life then...before I met a Winter.

It bothered me that our plans were being tarnished, and I wasn't sure but it was likely for a reason that hadn't matched hers.

I felt like I'd been being given the brush off as she became to walk away from me. I don't know what it was about her demeanor, but I felt something besides sickness was wrong.

Winter:
"They're you're friends, wait for them... Have fun."

They were my mates but respectfully...she was my best friend. I caught her arm attempting to read her eyes but she'd glanced downward at her shoes. He straightened hair blew with every move of the wind. She was gorgeous with her jean shorts ripped in places, leaving the skin of her legs beautifully presented to me.
I just didn't understand the change in vibe I was receiving that she'd thought I wouldn't notice.

Harry:
"What's wrong sweetheart?"

I tried. Lifting her jaw just so our eyes communicated. I tucked her hair behind her ear in encouragement, as I studied her appearance. It still hadn't gone unnoticed how long these assholes were taking.

Harry:
"We don't have to hang out with them today...I'll plan something for when we get back. They'll get it., there great."

Winter:
"I just don't feel good, okay. I'm going now."

Winter's POV


I felt cold in contrast to the weather. I'd have a nice walk back to clear my head. I never really thought much about the attraction that Harry as a guy could have for other girls. But of course he did...right? It just pained that I was correct in my theory that every girl believes there's is the one that's different. In reality that couldn't be further from the truth. If he'd done it while I was there he'd likely did so more than I'd thought when I wasn't. It was alright I guess. I didn't exactly know if I we're entitled to my feelings from merely his admiration toward other girls. He technically hadn't done anything, but I still held that darkness from it. I'm glad he hadn't pressed the issue and had gone because I needed the mental time. I didn't know if I was angry about it, but that's what the walk would help me to decipher.

--

Harry's POV:

I entered the house, wondering if she'd been okay. I talked with Louis and Eleanor briefly before following after her. Not being able to decide what caused the sudden change. The hormones were one thing but she still had yet to act completely out of character solely because of them. I searched around the house, worry invading slightly that I hadn't yet found her. It subsided when I saw her phone resting against the dresser of the bedroom. I kept searching with that fact, knowing for sure now that she'd come back.

The door was closed and I'd turned it to see if her presence was on the other side. She was sat on the floor, knees into her chest as she studied the canvas she'd just finished. That was quick. Charcoal and her other art supplies I recognized were scattered around her. The palm side of her hands were black from its contact with her skin and the smearing I'd always witness her do. She turned toward me when she'd heard the door but quickly back at her main focus.

Winter:
"There going to think I'm an asshole now, you should have gone."

I walked closer to see. She didn't hide it now as she often did. Her straight hair was restricted into a ponytail, showing her cartilage piercings I'd rarely saw. She was quiet after her statement. Quite ironic it was because I was more than certain that they adored her more so than me these days. I sat on the floor beside her, staring where she had it propped largely against the wall. It was of her. Walking alone in the rain, hair damped from the lack of an umbrella. The sky was dark and stripes of lightening could be seen as if it'd be an actual memory of hers. Vivid. I sat quietly in awe of her. Beautiful it was...but full of emotion. Her true feelings always showed through any work she'd done so I hadn't taken the subject matter lightly.

Harry:
"Where am I?"

I watched her closely as she placed the charcoal down on a sheet of white paper with specs of black shading against the floor.

She pointed to an area across the room where a thickly packed sketchbook had been. Obviously the one more given attention to from the rest.

I thought it unusual that she'd left on her clothes. Usually she'd change into one of my white shirts with legs bare when she came in here. It was always that way at home as well.

Harry:
"Yea but, I would've given you my jacket."

I motioned to get a smile. She'd done so quickly before allowing it to fade a little too suddenly for me. I pecked her shoulder where the shirt had fallen off. Soft skin under my lips and a scent that had now become apart of me from our life together. I hated when I didn't know how she'd been feeling, and I never wanted to neglect that.


I took her hands despite the mess and forced her to turn toward me.

Winter's POV:

Harry:
"This is me. You can talk to me, you know that right?"

A nod I felt was answer enough. He'd been getting himself dirty in here, but I didn't hate the attention. I was okay now. Sometimes I guess I just needed a minute to rid myself of the negatives associated with anything he'd done. Not everything is bad, I guess. And now that I had clarity, I realized that maybe I could've taken the situation a little better. He wasn't a cheater to my best knowledge so my initial feelings were unsupported. I interrupted his session of staring at me to stare back.

Winter:
"I'm fine."

I said to him. Pecking the area against his cheek, where his dimple lay hidden for the moment. The room was a comfortable temperature causing me to want more time in it. I hoped he wouldn't be dragging me off to eat again anytime soon.

Harry:
"Promise?"

He knew I wouldn't lie to him so I'd initially stuck to saying nothing at all.
I'd loved the fullness of his eyelashes around the green. Another reason I liked to create him so frequently against a fresh stripping of paper.

Winter:
"Well... I am out of chalk."

I said giving him a smile that I wasn't sure or not seemed genuine. He hadn't pressed it so neither would I...I guess as long as I was the one he loved, I wouldn't be a pest about it...I guess.

--


A few days had gone by and it was still quite warm when I'd headed toward my car from the pharmacy a few minutes from where Harry and I had been staying. The sound of groups of people expressing themselves were alive in the night air. Laughter and conversation settled behind me the closer I'd gotten away from the group. The parking area was dark around this time of night. Even with the light poles positioned around it. My phone buzzed in my hand and I'd pondered answering before sliding to unlock.

Harry:
"Where are you? It's getting late."

I smiled to myself with his worry. He was so protective, but apart of me enjoyed it at times.

Winter:
"I got there before it closed so I'm great. On the way back, okay."

The phone was pulled from my ear momentarily as I turned on the spot. Looking back and brushing my hair from the way when I heard the steps of someone who I assumed had broken away from the group back there. I hastened my walk with the thought feeling a little apprehensive that I've even been out this late. Harry had insisted on coming along but I'd assured him I'd be okay. I imagined the only reason he'd allowed me to escape him was because of the stress I was supposed to avoid. The phone was back to the right side of my face.

Harry:
"Winter?"

Winter:
"Huh? Yea I'm here."

I looked back again as I neared, not seeing the shadows indentation of them anymore. I fiddled around in my bag as I searched for my keys. Probably would have been a good idea to do that on the long walk over here.

Winter:
"I should be there in 5, alright. Relax."

"I thought that was you."

The phone dropped from my hand from the sudden scare. The voice was familiar behind me but I knew it wasn't Mason.

I pondered actively for a moment before I turned to see him. He wore a smile. A ring now circled under his eye like he'd been in a bad fight but now it was more of a scar. I felt extremely nervous under his stare from the flashes that crossed me in that moment with our last meet. I backed toward my car, though my legs burned with the pain of being paralyzed.

"Aww. I thought you'd be happier to see me."

The voice was one of terror. Hands were rested in his pocket before his lean against my car, trapped me between it. He'd reached to touch my face but I'd pushed the contact away as his dark eyes burned into me in disapproval.

"Where's your boyfriend?"

My eyes burned with the thought of repeating that night at the club, the dampness spilling over and becoming moist against my cheek. He'd pushed them back as if daring me to reject him again.

Winter:
"Please."

It was all I could think of...but I didn't remember it working the last time.

"Relax sweetie,"

He touched the skin that'd been exposed on my thigh. And I'd suddenly felt seas of regret for not changing my attire from my date with Harry earlier.

Winter:
"Don't"

I'd slapped him in reflex but it wasn't long before I'd felt the blow he'd returned the favor with. I held my face there to suppress the pain, feeling the tears continue because I knew what had been coming.


"You're little helper isn't here...So don't fight it okay."

His hands traveled further up and I'd resisted the urge to fight him off again. The intense smell of alcohol had begun to make me nauseous but I hid the discomfort. I convinced myself to remain calm, breathing steadily. I remembered the last time where I'd lost control from it... my inhaler was in my bag this time but it didn't reassure me. My arms held my body in the area of my stomach as I refused eye contact with his touch. I heard nothing from the surrounding area around me. He had me completely alone this time. His body was against me now and I'd closed my eyes to block him out. His cheek was against mine as he felt around under my dress with one hand, the other at the nape in my hair. He was crossing so many boundaries and I was afraid of how I'd tell Harry if he decided to let me go after. I removed myself of the thought, hearing the wind in my ears and wondering what he'd been doing now. I wanted to escape him...but my lungs wouldn't allow it. And even if they had, I couldn't this time...it was different. I forced my arms closer to shield my bump, hoping it wouldn't conjure a reaction from him.

He didn't seem at all phased that he'd just scarred my face. He peck the side of my cheek, testing to see if I'd repeat my actions. I held still at how intensely uncomfortable his skin felt against mine. His tongue sucked at my neck and I'd cringed under it with my eyes looking to the darkness of night. He was going to have his way this time, and the tears poured still at the fact that I wouldn't be getting out of it. If I upset him I knew he had no problem hitting me again. And I couldn't let him hurt her...me, I was different.

He felt all around the front of my underwear where Harry's touch still lingered. He didn't care that he was staining me emotionally.

"You know...you're actually really pretty."

He felt against a place that would have usually felt astonishing to me, but it'd now inflicted pain to my body. I wanted to push him away so badly, but I'd grown too afraid from his last blow. My breathe quickened but I'd squeeze my eyes tighter to take it. I knew I'd need the inhaler soon but I tried desperately to contain myself. My underwear were brushed aside with one and his other caressing the inside of my thigh.

"You should have just cooperated before, like this...and I wouldn't still have this burn for you."

He brushed my hair from my shoulders to peck there leaving traces of the pain for me to remember in the morning. My face was wet with tears but he seemed not to notice.
He pressed close against me and I'd felt the bulge. I didn't know people were still this creepy. I was here in the dark with him and there was nothing I could do. He told me in my ears the things he'd planned to do to me and I'd began to freak out with the mere thought.

Winter:
"Please just stop okay, that's enough."

He cackled with the plea of my broken voice. I wondered what could cause him to be so unmerciful. As if anything about this had been amusing.

I heard the harsh sound of tired rapidly meeting road in the near to approaching distance. It may not have been for me but it gave me hope.

He'd released my quickly when the car approached in a speed. A few moments of presence and I knew it was Harry...fear continued to aroused at the possibilities I still had yet to witness tonight. He'd gotten out the car in a rage, removing his outer shirt. It was scary how pissed he'd looked, I'd rarely saw that side of him. I began to cry hysterically when he'd began the blows. I watched my Harry get the advantage and pound into his face repeated. I closed my eyes as I refused to watch, the sound still echoing daring to scar me with nightmares. God, I hated this. I wiped my tears away slowly but others soon refilled in its place. I'd never been more relieved and terrified to see him. I tried speaking even with the weakness in my voice from the tears. It reminded of when I was a little girl, and dad had missed my birthday.

Winter:
"Harry."

I had to push myself against the situation, because I knew he hadn't been thinking straight. I waited...But Jesus he wouldn't stop. As if I hadn't said anything. My hands began to shake more than before at the sight of his knuckles bleeding from sensitivity... but he hadn't let up. It was a replay of that night, only I viewed them with coherence now. My stomach stirred from all the dark red. And I worried that he was going mad now.

Winter:
"Harry that's enough! I'm okay!"

I fixed my clothing before moving toward him frantically. I'd gotten goosebumps when he continued despite my voice. Oh god, I felt the panic.

I pulled at the fabric of his shirt but he'd only snatched away.

This guy deserved something...but this wasn't it. I couldn't help but feel sick from the gore. I felt I'd up-john any second now.

Winter:
"Harry, stop!"

I grabbed him desperately from behind trying to get through to him. He'd pushed at me so I'd take the hint but I'd lost my footing and fell backward toward the ground.

My head clouded with the familiar feeling of dizziness for a moment from where I'd connected hard with the pavement. I'd given myself a second before lifting and wiping the particles of the ground from my palms slowly as the waves cleared.

Messy curls filled my vision.

Harry:
"Aww, Winter. I'm so sorry babe. Shit, I shouldn't have done that."

I sat upright. Partly hurt he'd just done it and accomplished for getting him to stop. I'd only hit my head but it still made me worry about her. I often did with my unpredictably clumsy life. He was stooped in front of me in position to pick me up. Blood held his hands and it'll alarmed me deeply.

Harry:
"Let me help you."

Winter:
"I got it Harry."

I'd pushed them forcefully away, but I still felt the clouds. I held my head in reaction.

Harry:
"I won't hurt you. I'm so sorry, that was an accident I swear."

I prayed I wouldn't lose consciousness again. He sighed deeply before picking me up anyways and carrying me to his car where I was carefully sat in the passenger side. I could see but the outer lower of my vision was fogged and I'd tried my best to keep my eyes open and connected to this world.

If there was ever a time he scared the shit out if me, it was tonight. I felt hope when I saw the guys obscured movements before Harry had gotten into the drivers seat beside me and pulled off into the night.

Notes

You read again, that's awesome. Heavy chapter right? I know. Forgive if there's errors, these finals are killing me.

I really enjoyed writing the one after this one so stick around, K. I heart you for reading.

P.s. I like constructive criticism.

-Kristian