YOUTH (𝑯.𝑺)

𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥

"Jamie there's pizza in the fridge. As your mother said, we cannot afford takeaway right now. Remember?"

"But dad there's like 80 people here!" He exclaimed Harry's face remaining calm and unfazed "who invited them?" He spoke Jamie's brows arching "you cannot be serious! Oh my god!" The boy yelled before storming off not saying anything else.

I look back at Harry "sorry for his behaviour." He spoke as I remained shocked "it's okay... but... I didn't realise you were his dad..." I admit and he smiles slightly "he took his mothers last name. His mother and I are divorced, you see."

My lips part slightly as I realise what he's saying "oh... that makes sense... i- uhm... wow."

Harry nods "Jamie still holds a grudge against me. It's diff-" harry cuts himself off realising what he was saying to his sons friend before he sighed "I apologise... uh..." my eyes snap back up to his eyes from roaming across each of his tattoos "Amber. Amber Pearson." I speak with a small smile "I'm sorry Amber... you've come here to party and-" the way my name rolled off of his tongue so perfectly drove me insane. "No sir..." "Harry." He cuts me off making my cheeks flush red "sorry, no Harry. I came here not on my own accord..." I let out a nervous laugh. "My friend begged me to come. I didn't really want to be here anyway so... it's okay. You're far more interesting than this party anyways." I speak soon realising how weird that sounded my eyes widening, Harry quickly catching on as he let out a small chuckle that sounded like honey to my ears

"Don't worry. I know what you mean."

I smile feeling our conversation become dry and although I didn't want to leave I knew I should best go find Anna. "I'll see you around, Harry." I speak with a small smile and he nods his head at me "yes you will. I'll see you around, Amber." He tilted his head at me and I smiled before quickly leaving to go and find Anna.

✯

By the time I found Anna she was off her face. Drunk and completely out of it, she tried to kiss me multiple times whilst also kissing Jamie... it was something else. A few hours passed by and soon enough I was ready to go home... I was tired and just wanted to sleep...

I stayed with them to make sure they were both okay, but in the end Jamie assured me that he had it handled and that he could deal with her. I was uncertain but decided to trust him.

I walked downstairs quietly the living room now silent apart from the sound of quiet chatter back and forth that sounded like when someone was having an argument but trying to keep it concealed. I looked around seeing the entire room a mess but no one in it anymore apart from a boy and girl fast asleep on the sofa...

I shake my head before moving towards the kitchen only to walk in on the sound of a sudden and very loud slap my eyes catch onto what it was.... A tall slender woman with dark hair hand raised from where she had just hit Harry- both heads turning to me quickly and I glance down trying to act like I didn't just see that,

"Are you okay Amber?"

Harry spoke clearly breathing heavily attempting to remain calm his jaw clenched as he stared at me, I quickly look up at him seeing the redness swelling his cheek up "yes Harry. I uh.. I was just about to head out and wanted to say goodbye but you're clearly busy so.. sorry..." she spoke with a nervous smile

"You're going home? Great I'm going home too. Let me drive you home" he spoke grabbing his keys off of the countertop the woman looking infuriated yet she didn't say anything instead just watching as Harry walked towards me wrapping an arm around my shoulders and leading me out to his car. I almost struggled to keep up with his fast pace but eventually we had arrived at his car and I got into it pulling my seatbelt over myself my hands landing in my lap as I glance at him, his jaw clenched tightly his cold green eyes focusing straight ahead,

"Are you okay?"

My question falls upon deaf ears as he doesn't respond, he only pulls out of the driveway and begins driving his slender fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel my stomach churning nervously,

"Harry are you ok-"

"Do you ever stop asking questions, amber"

His tone changed to abrupt and rude my eyes widening slightly in shock, my stomach twisting uncomfortably as I instead fell silent, looking down at my hands fingers trembling slightly as I bit down on my lower lip feeling awful...

Something had changed within him and it scared me... no... it petrified me.