Keeper

Chapter 48

And everything in that moment was perfect.

With my head on his chest and his chin on my shoulder.

The way his body had the power to warm me up in a matter of seconds.

The way the dead silence around us was more comforting than any song you could ever play.

I wanted nothing more than for him to fall asleep by my side. For him to just be there.

But I knew I couldn't. And I knew the moment couldn't last forever, so I pulled away.

When my eyes met Harry's a small smile tied itself at the ends of his lips.

And then I took a breath, "Do you mind?" I asked, diverting my attention to the pendant around his neck.

He shook his head, "Go ahead."

So without much hesitation I picked it up between my fingers and spun it around and around- every detail was the same. I could see no faulty shapes, engravings -it was all the same. I double checked the engraving on the back much like I did with Sawyer's. But it was there. And I couldn't deny it's presence.

The following day moved along like any other day, slow but bearable all
the same. In the morning, like usual, Harry came to pick me up. Except this time he had an everything bagel with cream cheese waiting for me on the dashboard.

"You didn't have to buy me this," I sighed, picking it up in it's paper wrapper. I was tempted to just throw it back at him, but the smell of poppy seeds and fresh bread had me holding on.

"But I wanted to," he said. "They're amazing, just wait and see. And it didn't cost much. Just a buck or five."

I let my jaw drop, "Harry,"

"Five dollars isn't anything Harley." He cut in.

"It is when you don't have a job and you live by yourself, so yeah it's kind of a big deal. Especially now that I'm actually saying it out loud."

He only gave me a dirty look before driving away, but I could help but laugh.

As we pulled up to the school is when he finally spoke. "You don't to worry about me," he said. "The last thing you should ever have to do is worry about me."

He had this look of sympathy on his face but I brushed it off. I knew what he done was eating him alive. He had probably never even dreamed of doing something like he had done last night, and I knew he was sorry. But I just couldn't bring myself to talk to him. I could almost feel him looking at me but I refused to return the favor. Throughout the remainder of the viciously slow forty-five minute class he would cough here and there. I presumed it was get my attention. But it never happened.

Once I unlocked the front door and I was back inside I picked up my phone and quickly tapped on his name. As my one hand held it up to my ear, my other played with the ends of my hair, twirling it around my fingers purely out of nerves.

When the ringing stopped there was a small pause.

"Harley?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, it's me." I said.

"Kind of surprised to hear you calling. Considering you kind of completely ignored me during class today."

"Well, you're not alone on that." I said. "And I'm sorry. I was still a little pissed. But I'm over it."

"No, I was a ginormous dick. Ginormous. And I'm sorry about Sawyer. My actions hardly ever consult with my brain, it's a problem."

"It's alright," I said. "Happens to the best of us."