Breaking The China Doll

6:30PM

Long calloused fingertips slid up her bent knee and descended where no other hand had lingered before. Nell shifted as she laid with her mouth growing dry. The shadow of Harry’s curls, followed by the touch of his nose gliding down her thigh, sent her nerves in a spiral. Before she knew it, his frame towered over her along with a pressure that was unknown to her.

“Nell, sweetie,” she startled awake. “You have to get ready for the party soon and dinner is almost done.”

“Okay,” she yawned.

Nell rolled to her side and paused for a moment. In that stillness her chest managed to shake her subtly due to an aggressive heartbeat. She touched her forehead amused to find it slightly dampened but what stunned her even more were the sensations left just below her belly. This was the first dream of that kind and although she would be mortified to admit it, she secretly hoped it wasn’t the last.

Harry tugged desperately down the buttons of his shirt and threw it across the floor, marching back to his closet for another. No selection satisfied the look he was going for. In fact, he wasn’t certain just what look that was. Kurt had grown impatient waiting for him and left to help setup the music equipment at their friend’s house.

Settling on a white shirt and black leather jacket, Harry shook his hands recklessly through his hair and grinned cockily at his reflection. Satisfied with his torn jeans and kicks, he knew Nell wouldn’t be able to keep her hands away. That's if she came.


7:46PM

“Niri, your dinner’s cold-“ Sara froze at the silhouette of her daughter, not a little girl anymore.

She had loan her a rose-gold sleeveless blouse made of satin with a heart-shaped collar. Clearly she wouldn’t be able to fit in it again, but had she known how much older her daughter would’ve looked, she might have reconsidered. Completing the outfit with a new pair of dark jeans, she then noticed Nell was barefoot.

“Where are your shoes?”

“I do not have any.”

“Hun, I said you could wear any of mine when I gave you the blouse.”

“Heels?”

“Yeah, we both know how much practice you’ve had around the house.”

Nell smiled at the memories of her and her mother walking around in their tippy toes pretending to wear heels back at their old house. Grandmother caught her once but didn’t say anything, her glare said it all.

Returning to the kitchen with her mother’s nude heels, she ate her cold meal even though she had no appetite. Harry consumed her mind and she couldn’t wait to see him.


8:29PM

“She’s not coming!”

“Dude, it’s way too early! Besides there’s gonna be a hundred girls here, college girls, and you’re still hung up on this one?” Kurt rolled his eyes.

Harry brought another drink to the DJ while he finished his third. He paced and scanned the room every five minutes, ignoring the flirtatious winks and birthday wishes thrown in his direction. He grew hot and stormed into the garage where it was cooler, just in time as he was invited to a beer pong match. Throwing his jacket aside, he undid a few buttons and rolled up his sleeves.


8:40PM

“I’m sorry about the flat tire sweetie. If only we could know these things ahead of time,” Sara apologized as she pulled up to the noisy house. “I want you to have fun but please be careful. Call me, for anything.”

Nell sensed her mother’s nervousness but hers was greater. She nodded and kissed her cheek goodbye before opening the door. Her hair covered her shoulders but Nell couldn’t help feel over exposed.

Gripping the strap of her small purse she walked towards the entrance of the house. Surprisingly keeping great balance in her mother’s shoes. Looking back she waved timidly to her waiting mother and watched her drive off.

A knot remained in her throat, worsening with every step. She knew no one, not one familiar face. The music was overbearingly loud, too much to even think clearly, reminding her of the chaotic scenes in those recent teen movies. She had to find Harry, but where to look first.

Harry raised his hands and high-fived his partner after winning the game. His mood had changed until her image popped in his head. It was time to do another round. Out of curiosity he checked his phone and saw texts from his friends but not from her. Why would she? He didn’t have her number.

“Oh my gosh, Nell! You look gorgeous, I almost didn’t recognize you. It’s Bree, I’m on the track team."

Nell, smiled in relief to find someone that even knew who she was.

“I’m surprised to see you here. Are you drinking anything?”

“No. I do not drink.”

“Smart girl. So how do you like our school…”


Harry kept getting interrupted by his classmates nudging and hugging him, girls kissing his cheeks. What guy doesn’t love this attention, he thought. Then his eyes fell on the back view of a particular brunette, thinking to have recognized her hair. Once he saw who she was talking to, he tilted his head and narrowed his eyes as he got closer. Hopeful.

The moment he stood beside the two girls his chest fired up as though he had taken a shot of tequila.Trying his best to keep calm, he utilized those first few seconds to scan her entirely. From her silky top to her height, but more importantly, her blushing cheeks at the first sight of him.

“You made it,” he showered his full attention on her, ignoring their teammate.

“Yes, I am sorry for being late. We had some trouble on the way over.”

“No no, that’s okay. What matters is that you came.”

“Happy Birthday, Harry,” Bree interrupted.

“Thanks,” he smiled quickly before landing his green eyes back on his prize.

Harry had a high tolerance for alcohol, but just staring at this doe-eyed beauty, not only clouded his judgment but gave him an extra surge of adrenaline and sexual desire he knew would be too dangerous to tame. Drunk by the perfume off her skin, he licked his lips and tried to shake his mind out of this trance.

The palms of her hands began to shake and sweat a tad, remembering her dream and how Harry stared at her the same way he was doing now, she felt naked as though her thoughts were on display for all to see. Bree walked away and neither of them flinched or took notice.

“Would you like a drink?” Harry spoke up.

Nell nodded. That’s the only response she knew to give. Harry placed his hand on her lower back to guide her into the kitchen. His fingertips throbbed and his nostrils flared at the full whiff of her fragrance. The softness of her blouse almost matched the texture of her hair, and that drove him wild. Meanwhile Nell couldn’t see where she was going, all her attention flew to the small area of her back.

Harry handed her a red cup and held it not knowing if to take a sip or not. She didn’t want to disappoint him so she proceeded. Scowling once it had touched her tongue, she swallowed the little bit and set the cup down.

“Have you ever tried beer before?”

She shook her head. He smiled.

“Probably not the best taste. I can make you a shot instead.”

In a few minutes, Harry whipped a quick mix and served it to her in a shot glass.

“You have to chug this one fast, like this,” he motioned.

Again, wanting to impress him, she did what she was told and dropped her jaw afterwards at the burning sensation down her throat. It had a sweet after-taste at least, but she would have appreciated the warning. Harry couldn’t help feel as though he were taking advantage of her but she could easily say no.

“Want another?”

“No, thank you… Water, please?”

Emptying her red cup, he filled it with water from the sink and she drank immediately.


10:15PM

A large group gathered around the living room area. Harry sat on the armrest of the couch and watched his buddy Kurt take a shot and lick the salt off a girl’s shoulder. Then he glanced at Nell who was sitting with Bree on a bench. He studied her closely, the way her mouth curved every time she gave a shy smile and how she tucked her hair behind her ear when it fell over her face. He got a rise every time their eyes met causing her to straighten up and appear uneasy.

Nell enjoyed her conversations with Bree, happy to make another friend that showed genuine interest in her. Maybe it was a good idea to come to the party after all, she wondered. She was gaining people’s respect and acceptance, slowly but surely. And not to mention someone’s full admiration.

“He really likes you, you know. Harry,” Bree insisted.

“What?” Nell whispered.

“Harry, he’s interested in you. I can tell by the way he can’t keep his eyes off you. Honestly, it would creep me out, if a guy undressed me with his eyes like that.”

“What do you mean by undressed?” Nell asked curious.

“Look at him, it’s like he’s picturing you naked or something!”

Nell stole a glimpse of him, confronted by those hungry eyes her friend had just described. Creepy yes, but that didn’t frighten her.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re joining the team…”

Gaze broken, Nell focused back on her friend but not a minute had passed before she felt a tap on her knee. Green eyes pierced hers and her heart stopped.

“Come take a walk with me.”

Nell half-smiled and looked at Bree, hoping she wouldn’t find it rude for leaving, especially after what she had said. Harry grabbed his jacket and they walked towards the back of the house and out to the patio. This house overlooked a small lake that connected to a pier, the pier that held his docked sailboat.

Walking quietly away from the noise and into the night. Harry spotted a bench on the wooden pathway and pointed towards it. Nell sat with her hands on her lap and looked at the dark water and sky.

“Gawd, you’re hott!” he huffed.

Nell’s brows shot up and a smile crept.

“Why are you so timid to smile around me?”

“I get nervous… I was not around boys or men back home, other than my Father. Much less talked with them.”

“I get it. Well, thank you… for talking to me.”

“You forced me… There was no other way to get rid of you,” her smile grew.

“Oh, you do have a sense of humor. And that hurt by the way,” Harry smirked pressing his hand over his heart.

“Do not think, I am oblivious to your type. You are what is known as the heartbreaker, no?”

“You think I take pleasure in breaking hearts? I don’t know if that’s flattering or insulting…I’m gonna go with insulting. Besides, I didn’t picture you as a person who puts labels.”

“Are you denying that you are NOT popular with the female students?”

“No. But, I have an understanding with them. You see, I don’t go breaking hearts if they know what they’re getting into from the beginning.”

Nell nodded slowly as she processed his words, wondering why they were talking about this in the first place. Harry on the other hand grew insecure about her thoughts towards him. Normally he would brag about how great he was at sex or giving oral but those weren’t the necessary choice words to win her over. He was even afraid to touch her, let alone the small detail of her age.

Recalling her dream of earlier, a shiver caused her whole upper body to tremble. Thinking that was a sign that she was cold, Harry opened his jacket to swing it behind her back.

“Here.”

He tugged slightly on the front to cover her as much as he could, not wanting to let go since this was the closest he had gotten to her all night. She was too afraid to make eye contact but he kept his eyes fixed on hers waiting. Both chests breathing deeper. Harry swallowed hard and finally let go, sitting with his back against the bench and looking up at the stars. How could she make him this nervous, he didn’t understand it.

“Thank you.”

Harry nodded and looked in the opposite direction, struggling with thoughts whether he should quit or continue. Reminding himself that he could have any girl and not this prude. But he wanted the prude.

“I dreamed about you.”

His head whipped around at the realization of her words, holding the key to his lustful imagination. Swallowing hard, he wanted to ask her more.

“I could never tell you so please do not ask me what it was about.”

A sly smile spread over his full lips. Whatever hint or sign this was, he was taking it. She carefully took off his jacket and handed it back to him, resuming her stiffened position. Harry instead turned to face her, observing her delicate collarbone and shoulders.

“Did I do something…in your dream?”

Nell’s eyes were glued to the ground as she faced straight ahead. She quickly tucked her hair behind her ear again, not responding.

“Something bad?” he persisted.

He observed her silence, but also saw her squeeze her thighs unfathomably close. Harry caught on right away and as much as he wanted to make a move on her he had to be cautious. His eyes fell on her shoulder and he leaned closer, with his elbow on the back rest. Very slowly he touched the tip of her shoulder and kept his fingers there to see her reaction. Her eyes peered from the corner and then back towards the floor, perfectly poised.

Gently, soon his whole hand covered the space. He nervously licked his lips and took a deep breath, then slid his hand down to the back of her arm. Peeking at her once more, he exhaled when she closed her eyes peacefully, just like last time. Harry could hear the echo of his heart pounding as he took another breath in. This time his hand brushed to the front of her arm, steadily gliding down as she loosened the grip of her clasped hands.

Taking his time he drew subtle swirls over the inside of her forearm. Nell’s eyes still closed, she felt a bit dizzy but enticed by his touch. Her breathing was steady, his was not. She seemed so angelic to him, so sheltered. Yet she didn’t pull away and this pleased him much, though he couldn’t speak, afraid he would wake her up from this.

One hand focused on her arm, Harry brought his other back to her shoulder and slid it behind her neck to be blanketed by her hair. Gently playing with her strands between his fingers, he’d tickle the nape of her neck, awakening all the little hairs on her body.

“Is this the closest a guy’s ever gotten to you?” Harry asked soothingly.

Nell barely nodded.

Harry removed both hands and watched her next reaction. Instantly, she felt cold, opening her eyes aware of the absence. Her bottom lip began to quiver but not because of the coolness. She held on to the bench beside her knees and leaned forward, further examining the ground. Not knowing what he was waiting for exactly, all he could see was that splendid glow over her shoulder once again and he decided to make his move.

He slowly lowered to press his lips and kiss her there. Feeling her body tense up, Harry returned his hand over her forearm and planted another. Each kiss traced a dotted line closer to her neck, yet not close enough. Brushing her hair aside, he was about to kiss her neck when a ring disturbed the silence. Nell shot up realizing it was her phone in her back pocket. Harry backed away and tried to catch his breath as she answered the phone.

“Hi, mom. . . I will be right out. I just have to find my purse. . . Thank you.”

Nell dropped her hand in her lap and boldly looked at Harry, not wanting to leave.

“Do you really have to go?”

She nodded and stood up.

“I’m sorry…if I-I made you feel uncomfortable,” he said scratching the back of his neck, standing as well.

Nell reached out for Harry’s hand without thinking and kissed the top before walking away. That’s something she did to her father, to demonstrate her fondness and respect. Harry bowed his head as he analyzed what just happened. Bringing his hand up to view, he smiled to have felt her lips. Finally.

“I’m screwed,” he chuckled and threw himself back on the bench.

Notes

This is a little different than my other stories... not that it won't be heated but like I mentioned before, there's an eerie pace. Bear with me amigas. Much love and Happy Weekend. Feel free to voice your opinions.