Between the Lines

Harry’s POV

Mr. Campbell hates my guts and his wife wants to kill me. Usually, parents love me, but their hatred is something different. They believe I'm taking their little girl away when in reality, they lost her a long time ago. I want them to repair their family, but if they're scaring her, I have to get rid of them.

Though, I still wonder how they actually got here. My address isn't just something you come by, neither is the fact that Dakota lives with me. They either know a really good detective (or a really dedicated fan) or someone sent them here.

Dakota is up in her room, which is now more of her office since she sleeps with me, working on her book which is halfway done. Her parents are bickering in the guest room while I am by myself enjoying the few days before we have to film the Midnight Memories music video. After we film it, we’ll have a long break which was way overdue.

I click through the channels not exactly sure what I should do. I don’t want to bother Dakota, but I just don’t really know how to spend free time. I want to go with my family, but I can’t exactly get there that fast. That and I don’t trust her family. I have no idea how two horrible people gave life to a wonderful girl.

Giving up to boredom, I lay down on the couch and take a long nap.

*~*~*~*

I wake up with the sound of weeping and tears on my chest. I feel the warmth of a body and automatically pull it towards me. “Nngh,” I groaned and opened my eyes slowly. Dakota was curled up against me weeping with blood coming from cuts. “Dakota?! Baby, what happened?”

She nuzzled her head into my neck. “Mother and father, beat me.”

“What!” I yelled and pulled her away so I could inspect her wounds. It was minor bleeding, but blood nonetheless. “What happened?”

“They came into my room and tried to talking to me. Their talking turned to yelling and yelling into an argument. Soon they were fighting and taking it out on me. I didn’t do anything wrong this time, Harry. I don’t know why they hurt me,” She weeps and cuddles into me.

I rub her back and hold her close, “God, I invite them into our home and let them stay. I thought they’d try to make it up to you. I just... I trusted them and they hurt you.”

“Can we go to bed? My tears used up my energy,” she mumbled.

“Let’s go,” My still sleepy body picks her up with what strength I have and carry her up to our bed. I lay her under the covers and check the time. Seven-twenty. Still early, but if it means I get to cuddle with her and sleep, that’s okay with me. “I’m gonna go change into pajamas and I’ll join you.”

She nods and cuddles into the blankets. I kiss her temple softly and head to my dressers. I get into my sweatpants and go shirtless. I like sleeping with boxers, but it freaks Dakota out. I’m moving slowly with the PJ thing. I finally got to lose the shirt two weeks ago.

I crawl under the covers and spoon her. “Harry?”

“Hmm?” I answer feeling her turn to me.

“Do you think my parents love each other?” She asks. “They say people get married and have a child out of love, but it seems like I fucked it up for them.”

I sigh, “In a way, they do. All relationships have their problems. Theirs is arguing.”

She asks, “What’s ours?”

“As of now, lack of sleep,” I joke.

She yawns, “Seriously, Harry.”

“Our problem is different and hard to define. Ours is obviously distance, but something else. It’s me being constantly worried about you and you getting scared easily over a lot of things. I can’t always be there to guard you and it’s hard. So to sum it up, distance and worrying.”

“Oh,” She inhales. “Good night, Harry. I love you.”

“I love you too, Dakota,” I say and hold her like a child holds their stuffed animal.

Notes