Monday

"There's gotta be a way to spend more time with her somehow," Harry sighed to his friend after shutting his locker.

"Still hung up on China doll, huh? I'm telling you but you don't listen, ask her out already!" Kurt groaned.

"And you don't listen! I told you, she's different. The best thing I can do is go at this pace or I run the risk of scaring her off, Kurt."

"Yeh, yeah."

Walking down the hall, Harry spotted Nell at the water fountain. She wore a different mid-length skirt and buttoned blouse. Her face sheered of innocence, but more than anything, Harry wanted her to open up to him. When she straightened up, Nell wiped her mouth discreetly and made eye contact with her crush. Hypnotized by his lips, she forgot to move and was pushed by some passing students in her midst.

Embarrassed, Nell went in search of her locker and ignored Harry. Almost there, her hand was captured…in his. Raising it to his mouth, Harry kissed her hand like she had done to him before, and smiled charmingly.

“You look gorgeous today. As always,” he announced as he took a few steps back and left for his next class.


Tuesday


Back in Mrs. Beachler's class, she had just announced a partner-up for a research assignment. Harry looked straight at Nell who sat two seats over and towards the front, her regular corner. Blocking his friend’s nudges, he wished she would look back. And when she did, he winked at her, making her giggle quietly. Partnered.

The bell rang and Harry sprang from his seat to the front. Nell slid her books in her bag and was surprised by Harry’s fingers brushing down her arm. She gasped and stared into his eyes. Quiet and still.


Wednesday

"Okay Nell, one more time but drive that explosion," Harry instructed.

"I am not...a sprinter," she said trying to catch her breath, hands resting on her hips.

"You can do this! That's why we're training. I will make a sprinter out of you. Trust me."

Nell took deep breaths and walked about. Her cheeks were flushed, her legs tired and her throat felt sandy, but she trusted Harry’s coaching.

"Hey, when am I coming over to start our research report? You didn't answer me yesterday."

"Tomorrow, after school?"

"I can give you a ride...Now go, it's your turn again!"


Thursday

“Where did you say your mum was?” Harry asked, shutting his car door.

“She is at our neighbor’s house.”

Nell unlocked the door to her home and let Harry in. He scanned around picturing her sitting on the sofa, laying on the floor and walking around in her underwear. Setting their bags on the kitchen table, his gaze followed her every move from then on.

Sitting at the table, Nell focused on her paper while Harry still focused on her.

"You know, you should be looking at your text book, not at me," she rebuked him with a grin.

"How would you know? Unless… you were looking at me too," Harry smiled. “Do you have a radio? It’s too quiet.”

“There is a small one on the kitchen counter.”

Harry stood and fiddled with the dial, searching for a station. He found a soft tune and smiled at the opportunity. Spinning on his heels, he extended his hand out to the pretty brunette who seemed more perplexed than anything.

“Have you ever slow danced before?”

Nell shook her head and took his hand.

“It’s simple really, you just take my hand and I’ll put my arm around your waist like so,” Harry held her close and laced his fingers with hers. “And when you’re completely comfortable, you can rest your head on my chest.”

Nell took his suggestion and closed her eyes. His hand rubbed up and down her back. Short nails tickling over her spine. She breathed him in, pressing the pads of her fingers deeper into the back of his neck. The smell of her hair sparked that insatiable hunger he got whenever he was around her. Harry was desperate to glide his hands all the way down her backside, but it was still too soon.

Harry stepped back and lifted her chin with the knuckles of his hand. Moistening his lips, he wanted so desperately to kiss her.

“I wish you would talk to me. You’re always so quiet. I feel as though I’m forcing you to touch me,” Harry expressed as he continued to caress her jawline.

“I am afraid. I have never done this… if my grandmother ever found-“

“Whoa whoa! Why do you speak of her like you’re scared of her?”

Nell’s face fell. “She raised me. There were many things I was told not to do.”

“Let me guess, no boys?” he frowned with her. Holding her hand, he walked her over to the living room and sat on the couch.

“Your grandmother isn’t here, Nell…but I am. That is, if you want me to be.”

“I have been quiet all my life. All my feelings had no voice. I still tell my mom very little, afraid that my grandmother will find out. But I guess you are right. I don’t need to be.”

Harry squeezed her hand as their knees touched. “I like you. I really like you, Nell. So I guess what I’m asking is-“

“Like you,” she mumbled.

“What…what did ya say?”

“I…I like you.”

The door swung open and that was the moment Sara witnessed her daughter’s affections towards someone new.


Friday

In a daze, Nell floated in and out of every class room. She thought about Harry every minute since the moment he left her house last night, after staying for dinner. He made her smile bright, brighter than anyone ever could. Her focus during class was on point but whenever she could, her thoughts would race away with him. She couldn’t wait till Mrs. Beachler’s class.

Harry had no intention of hiding his grin, it beamed throughout the morning. Kurt even wondered if he had been withheld from some important news, yet he couldn’t get a confession out of Harry. The truth was, not only was he happy about Nell’s true feelings but he was also excited to show her his boat after school.

Last night’s dinner at her house had gone so well, Harry didn’t want to pass the opportunity to ask Nell’s mother. Seeing her in class was the best part of his day, so far. Her hair was neatly tucked in a french braid and her body adorned in a patterned casual dress. Nell watched Harry from the corner of her eye. She knew he was doing the same.

After the last bell rang, Harry rushed to Nell’s locker to wait for her. What he was about to do, no one, not even Kurt, had seen before. Harry did have many hook ups, whether at parties or on study dates, but no girl was ever given the privilege to hold his hand at school. Until Nell.

Her heart raced once she saw him, both smiling. He waited for her to shut her locker to slide his hand in hers. Though they were in their own little tunnel, every student surrounding them caught sight right away. Many eyes grew twice their size while some jaws dropped. A few pointed in disbelief, yet there were girls that stared with jealousy and skepticism.

“I’m excited for you to see her. We named her Anne after my mum,” Harry said holding her hand again once they arrived at the pier.

He helped her climb over and led her below the deck into the cabin. Nell had never been on a sailboat. It rocked a bit, challenging her balance but it was something pleasantly new. He sat down on the twin bed and patted the spot beside him. Holding her dress at her sides, she carefully sat down.

"Would you be terrified if I kissed you right now?"

She sat paralyzed. What else could she do?

“I’ll be gentle.”

Harry pinched her chin between his fingers to pull her towards him. But he bowed to kiss her neck instead. He had been waiting so long to finish the task. He’d kiss and nibble lightly, listening to her tiny gasps. Holding on to her waist he laid her down as he laid on his side. His hand remained on her stomach. Nell’s eyes were closed, as he expected them to be. Her lips were parted, feeding off the sensation that was very much like her dream, yet her submissive self couldn’t say no.

“I want this to be OUR space. No friends, no parents or grand-mums, just us.”

Notes

Now things are about to start