Hand In Hand

We'd finally arrived at Gemma's dorm in college. It was quite large actually. It had a bathroom, two beds, a small kitchen, a living room and terrace. I'd stood beside Harry as Gemma put our bags away.
"Hannah is on vacation right now so I'll sleep in her bed. One can sleep in mine and the other in the hammock. Help yourself to anything but the alcohol and condoms." She said breathlessly. Harry blushed at the word condoms and smile tugged at my lips.
"There's $20 in the Altoids tin under the sink. Just ask if you need anything. Questions?"
"No.... Thanks Gem. For doing this.." Harry said quietly. I looked over at Gemma and wrapped my arms around her. She returned the favor and soon enough, Harry joined in too. We all finally pulled away and Gemma looked down at us.
"I gotta go guys. There is a summer party out on the lawn. If you need anything, call me."
"Thanks, Gem. I love you." I smiled hugging her once more.
"I love you." Harry repeated.
"I love you guys too." I hated the way she said it. It didn't sound right. And I chose to ignore it. But without another word, she walked out the door. I looked over at Harry who was playing with his phone.
"A few friends are coming over." Harry says casually.
"You do happen to realize that this isn't our house?"
"Yeah. But do you happen to realize that this is probably the only chance we'll have to invite friends over?" He smirks nudging me.
"Who's coming?"
"Georgia, Ada, Liam and Niall." My cheeks turn a crimson when he mentions Liam's name. I've had the hugest crush on my brother's best friend ever since I'd met him. I adored him. He knew and it was embarrassing. Not only was he my brother's best friend, he also liked someone else..
"Luna..." He smirked teasingly giving me the eyebrows.
"Stop it, Harry. It's embarrassing enough." I reply falling back onto Gemma's bed looking at the ceiling. Just then someone began knocking at the door. Harry stalked over to it and opened the door swiftly.
"Hey guys." You could hear the happiness in his voice. Georgia and Ada pushed passed him tackling me in a hug. I gritted my teeth from the pain and hugged back.
"Lunaaaa!!" Georgia beamed along with Ada. I sat up. Maybe a little too fast. I grew lightheaded and fell backwards.
"Heyyyyy." I replied laughing.
"What's up?" Ada asked quietly.
"Not much." Everything. I looked over at Liam who was staring straight at me. I smiled and my cheeks burned as he smiled back. My stare held Harry's own as he gave me the cute idiotic grin. But, this time, I couldn't help but grin back. So I did. And after that, it was a staring contest. Not the kind where you try not to blink, but, the kind where you see who looks away first. It went on for about 5 minutes until Niall noticed. And when he did, he'd nudged Harry's shoulder with a little bit of awkwardness and jealousy in his eyes. He decided to look away. But, Niall had nothing to be jealous of. I beckoned everyone to the floor and was quick on turning the tv on. When I turned around, Georgia was in Liam's arms and Ada was in Harry's leaving me to spend quality hugging time with Niall. Niall Horan. He was such a sweet guy. Loved girls. Especially spoiling them. I finally made my way over to him and sat beside him. I rested against the bed with my hands by my side. American Horror Story began playing. This was Harry's favorite show. I hated it. It scared the shit outta me.
Season One Episode One.
1978---
"Hey, Troy.." Adelaide said
"Yeah? You're a dork."
"Hey, shut up."
"Hey, freak."
"Excuse me,"
"You are going to die in there."
"Shut your mouth, or we're gonna kick your ass! We got bats."
"I hate trees! You're gonna regret it."
"You're gonna regret it."
"You're gonna regret it."
-----
I turned my head away and buried it in the crook of Niall's neck. He smelled so good. Like teakwood. I wrapped my arms around his torso as if I were a little kid who was going to preschool for the first time. I didn't want to let go. His arm was draped around me protectively and soon enough, I'd fallen asleep. It felt like it had been an hour when it reality it was only 20 minutes that I was asleep. A large hand was shaking my lightly. After a times of someone cooing my name in my ear, I had gotten the courage to open my eyes. We were sitting in a circle. And a bottle sat in the middle. Everyone was smirking except for me.
"Oh no. Uh uh. No. No. No. Sorry wrong number.." I said crossing my arms.
"Please?" Everyone began pleading as I shook my head and closed my eyes smiling.
"Nope." Niall's hand brushed mine.
"Just a few rounds." Niall grinned. I knew I would regret it.
"Ah what the hell." I smiled. They cheered and the Liam spun the bottle it landed on Ada and she blushed. He smiled politely and crawled over to be leaving a light kiss on her lips for her to savior for the next couple seconds. She finally spun the bottle and it landed between Harry and Niall. I widened my eyes covering my o shaped mouth.
"Kiss them both!" Georgia smirked. She stalled. Trying to figure out what to do. Finally she did. She kissed Harry on the corner of his mouth and Niall on the corner of his mouth.
"Go Niall." Ada said lightly. He spun the bottle and it landed on the girl next to him. Well, me. He turned to look at me. I blushed and he put his hand on my cheek and leaned in before kissing me square on the lips. The kiss tingled. It was amazing. I felt like fireworks were flying through my nerves. He pulled away blushing. Harry and Liam engaged in their own conversation. I spun the bottle and I mentally threw up while shooting myself. I never EVER EVER thought that I'd see the day when I had to kiss my own brother. I've had one dream. ONE DREAM! Where I'd kissed my brother. I never wished for it to come true. I closed my eyes and Georgia grinned mouthing the words, "do it." I whimpered shaking my head. She nodded and so did Ada. I cringed before crawling over to him. And he never even noticed that I was there until when I was kissing him on the cheek. But before that, when I was going in, he turned his head to face me and my lips were on his. It had only lasted for 5 seconds. And I won't lie. I kind of enjoyed it. But I promised myself it would be the last time. I pulled away and he stared at me. Not one part of me could tell what he was feeling. I crawled back to my spot and couldn't stop blushing. I covered my face in embarrassment. My eyes were either glued to the ground or my phone for the rest of the game. It wasn't too long before Niall had left a lingering kiss on my cheek and everyone was gone. Once he'd closed the door, he stared at me. It was a blank stare. He wasn't happy but, he also wasn't angry.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled.
"Don't apologize." He said pulling me in for a hug. I hugged back, relief rushing through me. We'd let go of each other and if felt though as if nothing had ever happened. But something did. And I wasn't sure if it would change our relationship for the better. I looked up at him smiling. The boy standing in front of me with a head of curly chestnut hair, perfect teeth, a beautiful smile, green orbs and pink lips was my guardian. My soldier. My best friend. My brother. My real family. It wasn't until after we had climbed into the hammock and began chatting that we had heard gun shots. Six of them to be exact. And in that moment was when someone was banging on the door screaming our names. The door was thrown open. Our mother.
"Get up! Get up," she was in tears.
"We're leaving. Right now! Get your bags!" We stood there dumbfounded.
"Now!" That's when we began rushing. We pulled our bags up and followed our mother down the hallway. I ran in front of both of them and opened the door feeling the cold air hit my face. Police cars were everywhere. People crying. Harry tugged me the other way and we got in the car. And as we were driving away. I saw a pink haired girl slouched up against a pole. Blood staining her shirt. As we got closer, her face grew more familiar. I began banging on the door screaming my sister's name. A little bit to the left was a man being arrested who had looked like my father.
"Let me out! It's Gemma." I screamed continuing to bang on the door. Harry pulled my arm away and wrapped his own around me. I shook my head shaking listening to his quiet sobs. My head turned to look back at the lights disappearing.

Notes