They walked out to Harry's car, the sky a dark blue, but starless. There wasn't wind or any form of something alive as if the world was sleeping. When they got in music immediately started to play and they were on their way to Lori's house. Neither of them talked that much, they wanted to save their stories for the date. Finally they pulled up in front of Lori's house and walked inside. It amazed Harry how quiet Lori's house was and he felt bad for her because he didn't want her to be or feel so alone, but she seemed fine with it. The truth is, Lori hadn't really described her parents to Harry, she didn't want him to know that they yell at her constantly and that they were drunk most of the time. Those were her problems not his and she didn't want him to worry. Both of them walked into Lori's room and they both sat down on the floor.
"What kind of food do you want to get?"
"You know, it's been forever since I've had Chinease food so let's go with that."
Lori pulled out her phone and ordered their food. While they waited for their meals Lori laid her head on Harry's hard stomach, both of them making a 'T' with their bodies on the floor. Harry played with her hair and talked about his visit home. He had spent a lot of time with his mum, his sister, his new stepdad, his real dad, and a few old friends. All the shops and places he described sounded incredible to Lori. One day he wanted to bring Lori there so she could meet his family and so he could show her Holmes Chapel. He knew Lori deserved the world and he wanted to be the one to give it to her. After about half an hour the doorbell rang and the two jumped up to go answer it. On the other side of the door was a delivery man with a big brown paper bag. They exchanged the bag for money, including a five dollar tip and the two raced back inside Lori's bedroom. As they ate they Harry showed Lori all the pictures he took on his phone. To him it wasn't anything spectacular, it was just home, but to Lori it was too perfect to be real. Finishing with fortune cookies, Lori cleaned up all the trash and Harry helped her.
"What's that?" Harry asked. He had seen something underneath all of Lori's bracelets, on her wrist while she was tossing garbage into the trashcan.
Lori looked down and instantly knew what he was talking about. “Nothing.”
Before she could adjust her bracelets to hide it Harry grabbed her wrist and moved all of the bracelts to the top of her wrist. Pink, faded scars covered Lori's forearm and wrist. It took a moment for Harry to realize what she had done and he stared at them until Lori ripped her wrist out of his hands and used her bracelets to cover them. Neither of them spoke for a bit and not knowing what to say, Lori rapidly walked to her room only to have Harry follow her. She tried to get a jacket off her coat rack, but Harry stopped her by grabbing her wrists again, but this time he was more gentle. Tears began to form in her eyes and she looked away.
“Harry, it's nothing,” Lori said desperately.
“That's not nothing.”
Once again Lori ripped her wrists out of Harry's hands and sat on the floor, her back against her bed, and holding her knees to her chest that was rising and falling quickly. The thing she tried to hide from Harry he had found. She didn't want Harry to think she was a freak or someone who needed help. Harry joined her and sat there quietly for a moment before speaking. He didn't know if she wanted him to touch her so he didn't.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Harry said slowly, "I just want to make sure you're okay. I won't judge you and you haven't scared me off if that's what you're thinking. If anything, you've given me another reason to stay; to make sure you don't do it anymore and to make sure you're happy. Whatever the reason was for you to do this, I just hope it's over because I don't want you hurting, I don't ever want you to hurt."
Lori stayed silent for a few more moments and soon enough courage built up inside Harry that he put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it softly.
“It's not important anymore,” Lori said quietly.
Lori leaned on Harry's shoulder and let a few tears roll off her cheeks. Harry took her hand and brought it to his lips. They lightly brushed her soft skin over and over again. They sat there for a long time without speaking, but soon Lori wiped away her tears and did her best to recompose herself. She stood up and Harry did the same and she gave him their hug. The hug where she would wrap her arms around his waist and burry her face in his shirt while he brought her closer to him by wrapping his arms around her and laying his lips on top of her head. This was their hug because when she was smothered in his shirt she could hear his heartbeat, the same heartbeat that kept her heart beating.
**********************************************
Harry walked back into Lori's room after using the bathroom and found her staring out the window, her body tense like she was waiting for someone to come, watching the night like it was dangerous. Concerned, he walked towards her, her back towards him. He lightly placed his hand on her shoulder and she immediately jumped at his touch.
“Don't!” she said as she quickly turned around. Harry took a step back and raised his hands up to show he wasn't going to hurt her. The fear in her eyes was obvious and something told Harry that that fear was there a lot. When Lori realized it was Harry her face softened and she felt the guilt start to fill inside her. “S-sorry,” Lori said while looking at the floor, “I didn't know it was you.”
“It's okay,” Harry said softly. They stood in silence for a moment. “You don't have to be afraid of me, Lori. I'm not going to hurt you.”
“I know,” she replied quietly, her eyes still glued to the floor.
“What are you doing next weekend?” Lori looked back up with a confused look on her face which confused Harry. “What?” Harry asked.
“Sorry, I uh, I'm just surprised.”
“What about?” Harry asked as he gradually moved closer to Lori.
“It's no-” The look on Harry's face made Lori end the sentence short. He looked almost hurt, knowing she was lying. “I'm just surprised you still want to hang out.”
Harry scoffed. “Why?”
“The, um, the scars are usually a deal breaker for some people,” Lori said as she suddenly found her carpet very interesting again. Harry lifted her chin up with his finger, forcing Lori to look into his kind, green eyes.
“I don't care about the scars. I mean, I care about your scars, I care about you. But it doesn't mean I don't want to spend time with you, it doesn't change the fact I think you're amazing. Nothing can change that.”
“Promise?” Lori asked innocently.
“Promise,” Harry said.
He leaned down and kissed her, wanting to make her fel protected. She accepted it and for once in her life, Lori was at total ease. Worries were blocked out and she wasn't scared. It was the first time since Harry had hugged her at the hotel so long ago that she felt completely safe. Harry wrapped his arms around her neck and Lori pulled him closer to her; she didn't want any space between them. The protective feeling he gave off soon went away as Lori heard her front door open. Her eyes went wide and she quickly broke away from Harry. She placed her finger to her lips to signal Harry to be quiet. Enraged shouts filled the house and Lori knew her demons had returned.
“You have to go,” Lori said urgently. She ran to the window and opened it, indicating for Harry to leave through it.
“Lori, what's going on?” Harry asked desperately, not moving from his planted feet.
“Harry, please, there's no time to explain, just leave.”
Harry saw how worried she was and the fear he had seen in her eyes earlier returned with the hateful screams coming from the livingroom. The yelling was getting closer, starting to make Harry worried as well.
“Come with me,” Harry said finally.
“What?!”
“I'm not leaving here without you. I can't let you stay here.”
“Harry, I can't.”
“Lori, please.”
Lori saw that Harry wasn't going to leave unless she said yes. Her parents' screams were getting closer. “Fine, go out first though so you can help me.”
Harry went out the window and when he turned around to help Lori out he saw Lori closing the window. Tears began to form in both of their eyes as Lori locked the window.
“Lori no!” Harry shouted as he started banging on the window with his clenched hands. Lori could barely hear his muffled pleas, but she saw the pain on his face. She mouthed “I'm sorry,” and as she was embracing herself for the screaming that was sure to come once her bedroom door was opened she heard her father fall to the floor. Swear words erupted from his mouth. There's time she thought to herself. Lori looked back at Harry and saw him mouth “Please.” Knowing this was her last chance, Lori fumbled with the lock, opened the window, and fell into Harry's arms. When she turned around and closed the window she froze with terror as her bedroom door began to open. Harry pulled her down and they sat directly under the window, not making a sound, not moving a muscle. Frustrated shouts could be heard from through the wall and as Harry held Lori close he could feel her shaking. Taking a huge amount of courage, Lori slowly got up, and peeked inside her window. Her father's back was towards her so she took her chance and grabbed Harry's hand.
“Run.”
They ran to Harry's car and quickly drove away, not even bothering with the seatbelts. Even though Lori knew they were far from her parents, she still didn't feel any relief until they were in Harry's hotel. The shouts of fans made Lori uneasy as they walked through the giant crowd. Neither of them talked until they were up in Harry's room. As soon as Harry closed the door Lori began to pace and ran her hand through her hair. She turned and faced Harry.
“I'm so sorry about that. I'm really really sorry, I thought they wouldn't be home so early.”
“It's alright, it's not your fault. Does that happen every night?” Lori shoved her hands in her pockets and looked at the floor. Her silence confirmed Harry's question. “No one should have to go through that,” Harry said as he moved a little closer to Lori.
“They're not always like that,” Lori said quietly, still looking at the fancy carpet, “they're usually not that intense. Besides, I'm used to it. It's not a new thing.”
“Are they the reason for the um,” Harry pointed at Lori's wrist. She quickly hid it behind her back and nodded. “You can't go back there, not tonight.”
“I can go walk to a friend's house or something,” Lori shrugged.
“No, it's too dark out and it's really late.”
“Where am I supposed to go?”
“Here, with me.”
“What? No, no I can't. I didn't mean to get you involved with this.”
“Stay with me, Lori.”
Lori bit her lip and looked up at Harry's magnificent green eyes. He seemed sincere about it and he was right, Lori didn't have anywhere else to go. Suspence built up in Harry as he waited for Lori to reply, he wanted her to stay, he wanted to help her and keep her safe. Seeing how her parents were, Harry finally understood why Lori was so hesitant about feelings and trust.
“Okay,” Lori said quietly, “okay, I'll stay.”
Harry let a small smile appear on his face. “I'll take the couch.”
“No,” Lori said sternly, “I'll take the couch, you go sleep on your bed. You're not giving your bed up for me.”
“Lori it's not-” Harry started, but the pain look on Lori's face told him just to drop it. “Alright, fine,” Harry said defeatedly. He went over to his luggage and took out a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. “Here,” he said to Lori as he handed her the clothes.
“I-it's ok,” Lori stammered. “I can just sleep in my clothes.”
“Lori, if you're not going to sleep on something comfortable at least where something comfortable.”
Lori glanced one more time at the clothes and took them from Harry. “Thanks,” she said quietly. She walked into the bathroom to change and Harry did the same in the bedroom. Harry walked out of the bedroom to see Lori already asleep on the couch. He couldn't blame her, she had had an eventful day. Harry returned to the bedroom, took off one of the blankets, and then put it on Lori. As he was turning around to leave Lori said his name.
“Harry,” Lori said quietly, her eyes still closed.
“Yeah?” Harry replied as her turned around to face her.
Lori opened her eyes and looked up at the beautiful boy. “I don't do it anymore. I don't cut anymore, those scars are from a long time ago.”
A smiled appeared on his face and he bent down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I'm glad. Goodnight Lori.”
“Goodnight Harry.”