Breathing

Chapter 36

Chapter 36



I rolled over seeing a familiar mess of curls sprawled out on the pillow next to me. I forgot he snuck his way back in. I would never tell him but the few hours he wasn't here were the loneliest i'd felt in a long time. So coming out of the bathroom and seeing him in bed, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. His lips were slightly parted. Soft snores escaping them. I reached over poking the tip of his nose. He stirred and I closed my eyes. A moment later I felt a warm finger touch my nose. When I opened my eyes his were closed still. I fought the laugh trying to escape. Bringing my finger to his lips, running it over them before inserting it into his mouth. His eyes shot open smacking my hand away. Laughter erupted from me as I rolled on to my back.

"You're not funny" he ran his hands over his face while yawning.

"Well I try" I sarcastically replied.

He scooted closer and rested on his elbow. His head hung over my face.

"I'm still mad at you" I frowned.

"You will get over it" he leaned down connecting our lips. My mind tried taking me back to my nightmare but I fought it. He entwined his leg with mine. Pulling me closer. His fingers trailing down my hip. Soft lips moved over my jawline. We both knew it wouldn't go far. I would let it last as long as I could stand though.

"Harry.." I closed my eyes. The energy it took to focus on his touch and not Liam's was exhausting. "Harry please don't start something we can't finish. I'll feel terrible"

"Shhhh" he hushed me. Fine. It was his game. If he wanted to torture himself that was on him.

He dipped his head down into the curve of my neck. Truth was I missed this. Being able to wake up and make love to him with ease. I had craved his touch back then. Now his contact was tainted. Not by his own doing though. I gripped his curls as he trailed kisses down my neck and across my visible collarbone. The familiar deep moan it caused filled my ears.

"Harry I don't want to tease you so please-" he halted my statement pressing his lips to mine. With him practically on top of me now the kiss deepened. I rested my hand against his bare chest. The other still had a firm hold on his hair. Even through the thick fabric of my sweat pants I could feel his growing excitement against me. The panic in my chest surfaced and I broke the kiss slightly. Irregular breaths escaped our lips. He pushed his hips into mine. Making sure I felt just how eager he was. Tossing my head back a hiss escaped my lips at the contact. My heart was playing tug of war with my brain. On one end I wanted him to ignore my protest and take me on this bed like he use to. On the other I wanted to scream at him to stop. He ground his hips into mine. Bringing his lips to my neck once more. I moaned under his touch.

"Harry please.." I wasn't sure if I was begging him to stop or keep going. I don't think he knew either so after a few more seconds of his gentle but torturous grinding he placed a kiss on my forehead before getting up. I laid there not knowing how to feel.

"I'm going to take a shower.." He smirked.

"Um o-okay" I stuttered like an idiot. He looked away hiding a smile, before sauntering into the bathroom. I sighed rolling on to my stomach, my face smashed into a pillow.

After he had showered I fixed breakfast. He sat at the table playing on his phone while I scrambled eggs.

"So I might of found my Christmas gift yesterday.."

"Noooo!!!" I whined. I had wanted to add to it. He gave me such perfect gifts.

"I didn't open it" he laughed. "I just found it"

"Well what did you do with it?" I turned to him.

"It's in your backpack" he grinned.

"Oh ok" I turned back to the stove.

"That's it? I was good and didn't open it and now I still can't have it?" He sounded like a little kid disappointed that Santa had not followed through.

"I wanted to make it special. Your gifts were so sweet and-"

"Charlie it's not a competition" he teased.

"Fine..." I pouted.

"If you really don't want me to have it yet I can wait" he walked over resting his head on my shoulder.

"No you can open it but if you hate it I'm sorry"

"You could get me anything and I would love it" he kissed my cheek.

"Well I almost got you a Martha Stewart home guide to the perfect home decor" I smirked.

"Really? Volume one or two" he asked in a hurry.

"I was kidding!" I couldn't believe he had took me serious. Not only that, he knew there was more than one.

"Martha Stewart is nothing to joke about. That woman is a gift from god" he defended her.

"You need help" I laughed.

He shook his head walking out of the kitchen. He returned a moment later with my backpack. Unzipping it he pulled the wrapped gift from the bag.

"Better be something related to Mrs. Stewart or I'll kick you out" he smirked.

"I'll go pack " I laughed.

He ripped the paper off in the most annoying way possible. Little pieces of paper littered the table and floor. Once he was done he sat starring at the gift.

"Well..." I was nervous. He just starred at it. Not saying anything. "You hate it don't you? I knew I should of got something else I jus-"

"Charlie I love it. How did you know?" He inspected the small leather book in his hands.

"Well I was straightening your room a couple months ago and I found your journal. I didn't read anything I swear but I noticed you didn't have many pages left" I had got his name engraved on the binding. His current one had writing and drawings on the the outside. I wanted to personalize it but not take away from the personal touches he would add.

"I love it" he whispered.

I walked over standing next to the table.

"Really cause if you don't it's ok" he reached out pulling me down to his lap. He kissed me softly. Pecking my lips a few times as we pulled away.

"Thank you" he smiled.

"You're welcome" A grin spread on my lips.

"Guess you won't be on the couch tonight?" Lo walked in the kitchen and over to the stove.

"Those are for Harry" I got up slightly bumping her out of the way.

"Excuse you" she glared at me.

I pulled a plate down scooping the eggs on to it. The toast I had put in the toaster a minute before was also ready. I placed it on the plate as well, before walking back to the table.

"So what Harry is forgiven and I'm not?"

"I didn't say anything Lo" I rolled my eyes.

"That's the point Charlie. You didn't have to." She crossed her arms.

"What would you like me to say Lo? Good morning? What are your plans for the day? How was the rest of your night after you accused me of not caring if you get raped?!" I snapped.

"Charlie please don't -" Harry stood trying to mediate.

"Me? Tell her to go to hell!" I hissed.

"Whatever. If she wants to be a victim the rest of her life let her. I just wanted him to pay for what he did but she clearly doesn't care about that!" She rolled her eyes.

"Just because I don't want to testify doesn't mean I don't want him to pay!" I moved around Harry so I was in her face.

"No Charlie stop. Please baby" he gripped my waist pulling me away from her.

"Could of fooled me!" She glared.

"What is your problem?" I shoved Harry's hands down.

"Niall!!" Harry yelled. It was probably a good idea. I was one more rude comment away from making Harry's eggs a new hair accessory.

"My problem is that you're a coward! The Charlie I knew would have done everything in her power to make sure Liam had a nice view of the cell across from him, for at least 10 years! The Charlie I'm looking at is a victim and that's all she will ever be!"

Her head snapped back as my fist collided with her cheek.

"Shit!" Harry wrapped his arms around mine lifting me from the ground.

"You bitch!" She grabbed at my hair. Harry turned putting himself between us.

"Lo please she didn't mean it! Niall!!!!" He turned side to side trying to keep Lo from retaliating.

"Let me go! I'm gonna break her stupid nose!" I screamed.

"What the hell is happening?" Niall rushed in.

"Grab your girlfriend please!"

"Don't touch me!" She snapped. She managed a handful of my hair.

"Owww!!!" I wailed.

We must of looked like a bunch of heathens. Harry holding me to his chest, Lo gripping my hair, Niall pulling Lo by her jeans.

"Let her go Lo!" Niall gave a final tug sending them both to the floor. Harry and I lurched forward. I was bent over the table with him leaning on top of me.

"Get off me you idiot!" I yelled.

"Be nice!" Harry teased releasing me.

"I'm leaving" Lo announced getting off of the floor.

"Good!" I snapped.

She stormed out of the front door. Niall hot on her heels. Harry flipped down in his chair. Running his hands through his curls. He picked up the new journal flipping to the first page.

"Dear diary...I'm dating a power ranger" Harry laughed shaking his head.

"You're not funny" I rolled my eyes.