THE DEATH OF YOU

I wake up to sun shining in my eyes.
I don't know where I am. Not recognising the room I'm in. I'm confused and disoriented. My head hurts and my body is aching. Before panic is able to set in my heart I notice him. He is stood with his back to me shirtless. As he pulls his shirt over his head, his muscles flex and suddenly I am having trouble breathing. A memory of Harry pops into my head. Him lifting me of a dirty bathroom floor. He turns to face me then, our eyes lock.
"You're up," He finally states. He strides over, sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. He reaches out and brushes away a strand of hair from my face. His hand lingers on my cheek, and I'm too scared to move, not trusting myself to move away but closer. Harry pulls away then as if reading my thoughts, a shadow runs over his eyes and is gone before I can understand what it means.
He picks up a glass of water from the bed side and holds it up for me.
"Do you remember what happened?" He questions as I sip the water.
I shake my head, not wanting to remember. Tears press my closed eyelids and seep out, dripping down my cheeks.
"Cassie.. You're fine.. We got to you before anything bad could have happened," Harry hurries to assure me. He takes the glass from my hands and sets it aside. He then pulls me over to him, pressing his lips to my forehead as I cry in his arms.
"He leaned over me.. He touched my face.. He took my pendent.. And there was nothing I could do.. I couldn't think.. I couldn't move.. I couldn't even see who it was," I hiccup.
Harry pulls away, holding his hand open for me. The gold pendent safe and sound in his palm.
"How?" I'm in a loss of words.
"When Perrie came to get us.. We hunted Nick and his friend down.. We made sure to get it back," a proud smirk is painted now on Harry's lips as he swipes my hair away from my face gently.
He then holds the pendent over my head, helping me secure it around my neck.
"Thank you for wearing it," he whispers to me softly. Chills run down my arms as his breath hits my cheek.
"Sarah! Sam!" It suddenly hits me and the panic resurfaces.
"We took care of it.. Sarah is here.. She told Sam you girls are crashing by El," He calms me.
I nod and reach out for my phone to check the time. It is late. Half past twelve. I was planning on heading back to campus today.
I push myself out of bed, but feeling unsteady on my feet, I catch at the bed, waiting for the room to stop spinning.
"Let me help you," Harry catches me. His arm wraps around my waist as he pulls me to him and helps me stand up straighter. My palm falls against his chest. I glance up at his face and our eyes catch in a lock. His eyes are deep green full of passion and I know what he wants from me, even though he isn't asking for it with words. I can feel his heart beat and I need to give my head a slight shake to keep my cloudy mind from getting even cloudier.
A soft sigh leaves Harry as he starts moving us towards the door and to the bathroom.
He helps me make my way to the sink and sits on the edge of the bath as I wash my face. He then hands me a new toothbrush, ripping it out of the wrapper.
When I am done I feel so much better I am able to make it to the kitchen on my own, Harry following closely.
"You're alive," Ed jokes as he pulls out a chair for me. He places a hand on my shoulder and places a mug in front of me.
"Drink up doll, you need your fluids."
"Thanks Ed," I reply graciously.
"Cassie? Why haven't you told me she is up?" Sarah storms into the room, Guy on her heel, his hair sticking up as if he just woke.
"Hey you," I smile at her.
"You my dear, look like shit," she claims, while wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
"I try my best," I laugh lightly at her.
"You scared me cousin.. Don't ever do that again.." She says seriously.
"Don't worry! She definitely won't," Harry's words are a promise, as if he himself will see to that.
"I need to get back home.. I need to get moving if I want to get back to campus today," I change the subject.
"You must be joking if you think you're going to drive all the way on your own," Sarah states.
"I'll drive her," Harry decides.
"And how would you get back?" Ed frowns at him.
"We'll take my car," He explains, making sense only to himself.
"Absolutely not! I need my car.." I narrow my eyes at him.
"Fine.. We'll take your car and I'll get a train back," He gives in.
"Dude, that is mental," Guy notes, sounding his voice for the first time today.
"Are you telling me that after last night you are fit to drive? You could barely stand up on your own this morning," Harry accuses me. I feel my cheeks warm as the memory of him bossing me around hits in full force. How is it so easy for him to fall in pace with his old self and then turn around and throw a cruel comment my way.
"I'll be fine," I glance down at my tea so I don't need to meet any of their eyes.
"I'm coming with you and that's that," Harry orders in his most final tone.
"Truth is.. Zayn is heading up that way tomorrow for parts.. He can pick you up on his way back," Ed suddenly remembers.
"Great, I guess that sets it then," Harry grins in victory.
"Bloody well! Let's get a move on it then," I snip crossly, annoyance clouding my mood as they gang up against me.

I made Harry stay at home and wait for me to pick him up once I'm ready.
He was reluctant at first but after making me swear I'll show he finally let me go.
"Sometimes it's hard to remember you have Austin," Sarah notes as she helps me pack. I send her a dirty glance, hating that she voiced my fears. Austin. I decided to call him from the way, and that way reminding Harry that I already have a boyfriend. I must say I am slightly surprised I haven't heard from him yet, though he must still be asleep. I text him quickly letting him know I'll call from the road.
I say my goodbyes to Sam and Sarah, sad it will be a few months until the next time I get to see them. I promise myself to come visit in a few weeks as I start the car and wave goodbye.
Harry is already waiting outside for me. When I stop, he opens my door waiting for me to get out and change places. I frown up at him before getting out. I turn to walk around the car. A hand closes over my wrist making me stop and turn. Harry is staring down at me and my breath catches. He notices, I can tell by the smirk that is making its way to his face. I shake away his hold, and he lets me go.
I get into the passenger seat, and Harry throws the driver's seat all the way back, making room for his long legs.
As we head out of Watford I dial Austin. It takes a while for him to answer and I almost hang up.
"Austin? Did I wake you?" I question, my head turned to the window to create an illusion of privacy.
"No..." He replies quietly.
"How are you babe? How was the party?" I whisper sweetly.
"Fine.. Yours?" He is distant and weird and my heart skips a beat, telling me something is wrong.
"It was terrible.. I wish you were there.. I'm on my way to campus now.. Are you going to be there when I get in?" My words are fast, trying to break him from this awkward conversation.
"I guess.." He mumbles.
"Aus.. What's wrong?" I furrow my brows in anticipation for a sensible reply that would put my mind at ease.
"I called you last night.. Apparently you were sleeping," he states. Suddenly I feel hot, as if I'm burning up.
"Umm yeah.. Why? Did you talk to Sarah?"
"Harry," his tone is clipped.
"Harry?" I repeat and glance sideways at him.
"He answered your phone.. Which frankly made me wonder why is he with you while you're asleep," now Austin's voice sounds hurt and angry.
I stare at Harry. His knuckles are white against the steering wheel, as if embracing himself for my fury.
"Did you answer my phone last night?!" I demand to know.
"Is he with you right now? The hell Cassie! I trusted you!" Austin accuses in a hurtful tone.
"Austin I can explain! Please! It's not what you think!" I beg for reason and understanding.
"Sure it's not.." He mumbles. The call cuts off and it dawns on me he hung up on me.
I turn my anger to Harry.
"I can explain too," he hurries to say. His eyes never leaving the road and I know it's more his fear from me right now then driving.
"What have you done?" I exclaim.
"The call woke me and I wasn't thinking correctly when I answered.. And then he asked for you and I said you were sleeping.. And only then I realized what it may have sounded like," Harry explains, making total sense to himself.
"You should have told me this first thing this morning!" I yell. He cringes under my screeching.
"That was the last thing on my mind," He hisses.
I open my mouth to answer, my finger held up in the air, but then I shut it and fold my arms staring out the window.
I cannot believe he acted so selfish. I felt the rage build and I try to breathe evenly to calm my fried nerves. We don't speak again the rest of the ride.

At campus I tell Harry where to turn so we get to my flat. I am reluctant to have him come up, but I needed his help with my suitcase since it was too heavy for me to get up.
I open the apartment door, and hold it open for him. He steps in, his eyes sweeping the premises.
"Where's your room?" He inquires.
"Thanks but I can take it from Here," I reply.
"Fine.. I'll find it myself," he rolls his eyes and paces towards the door to my room. There is nothing in my room to show for our once relationship or anything from our past. I made sure to have a fresh start and wondered if he'll notice.
"Cass? You're back?" Julie calls out. I squeeze my eyes closed for just a fraction of a moment before composing myself. I don't want her to meet Harry. I don't want to explain him.
"Hi Julie," I turn as she appears behind me.
"Hey Julie," Harry waves at her. A boyish grin to his face, turning on his charm.
"Oh.. I didn't realize you had company," he eyes flicker from me to Harry.
"Don't mind me.. I'm just the help," he waves her off with humour.
"This is Harry.. He's a.. Friend from home," I try to sound as smooth and nonchalant, though it wasn't working too well for me. A knock at the door stops me. I step over and open it.
"Cassie, we need to talk," Austin steps around me. His eyes fall then on Harry.
"Why is he here?!"

Notes