THE DEATH OF YOU

Harry is quiet on the drive back to uni which is driving me mad. I am going over my work, speaking out loud just like I did on the drive down to Watford but this time he doesn't participate which is making it hard for me to concentrate.
"Harry?" I ask the third time. I tap his shoulder to get his attention.
"Sorry! Yeah I'm listening.. What was that?"
"That was you not listening.. I can study quietly.. It’s no problem," I offer.
"No! I like listening to you speak," he flashes me a smile.
"But you're not listening.. You’re caught in your own thoughts," I note.
"No no I'm listening I swear!"
I let him know he is caught with his lie and he lets out a sigh. He pulls the car to the curb and puts it in park.
"What is it? What's wrong?" I know that look of his.
"I promised you no more lies.. I'm going to try and keep that promise Ok?" He says softly, turning his body to face me.
I nod and meet his gaze.
"I've been getting these calls from this person in the US.. At least I thought he is in the US until he mentioned you," Harry stops shaking his head.
"What kind of calls? Is he the reason you got so upset the other day? The reason you smashed your phone?"
He nods.
"What did he say that got you so upset?"
"He wants me to race again.. He had a lot of money betting on me and then I quit.."
"Well.. Too bad for him.. It’s not your fault," I frown.
"It's really not!" He agrees.
"So I don't see what the problem is.. He is all the way in America and you're here.. Shouldn’t bother you," I smile.
"It didn't until he started threatening with you," he whispers.
"What do you mean?" I furrow my brows in confusion.
"He is threatening to hurt you if I don't race again," he explains, anger ringing in his voice, in his expression.
"So let's go to the police," I offer.
"And say what? And then it will be all over the papers and- no I'll take care of it my way," he decides.
"No you won't! Harry please.. For once let's do this by the book.. Put in a complaint, don't play with this.. Especially if he is harassing you on the phone," I try to reason.
Harry glares at me for a long moment before finally agreeing.
"I will go as soon as I let you off at your flat," he promises.
"Good.. Do you feel any better?"
"Actually yes.. Slightly," he confesses. I reach out and take his hand in mine.
"Good."
He leans down and kisses my lips. Then he starts the car again and continues the driving.
"Promise me," Harry turns to face me right after he shuts off the engine outside my flat.
"Promise you what?"
"Promise me you don't do anything stupid or reckless or go off with people you don't know and such.. keep safe and if anything happens you call Liam first so he can get to you and then me so I'll know," he demands.
"If you promise to go straight to the police", I challenge.
His smile appears on his lips.
"I already promised you that."
"Just making sure you remember," I taunt.
We step out of the car, and Harry carries my bag up the steps.
I let us into the dorm room, flicking on the main light.
"Cassie?" Julie calls from her room.
"Yes! It's just Harry and me," I call back letting her know we have company.
A moment later, Julie joins us a smile on her face.
"Hi Harry.. heard a rumour you two are back and strong," she winks.
"Is that so.." I say dryly.
"Don't sound too devastated," Harry chuckles, kissing the side of my head.
"How's collage life treating you Julie?" He asks her sitting down.
"Not complaining.. What about yourself?"
"Didn't really start yet.. So I'll get back to you on that one."
"Are you staying?" She questions, Heading to the counter and opening the fridge.
"No.. I'm leaving," he gets up and pulls me to him, kissing my lips and then my forehead.
"You just got here," she frowns.
"I have important things I need to take care of," he replies. He doesn't look at her, but stares down at me.
"Remember our deal," he reminds me.
"You be safe," I whisper.
He kisses my forehead once more and then smirks before turning to leave, waving goodbye to Julie.
Harry closes the door after him, and suddenly I feel panicky. I glance at Julie who is watching me, realizing something is wrong. I hold up a finger and run after Harry.
I race down the stairs and out of the building. I make it to the car park just as he unlocks his car.
"Harry!" I call. He turns, and when sees me, he holds his arms open for me.
I smile and run into him.
He catches me and leans back on the car as he holds me close to his chest.
"Miss me already?" He questions.
"Always," I sigh into him, not willing to let him go yet.
He pushes me back softly so he can lean down and kiss me.
"I love you.. you know that right?" He murmurs.
"I love you," I answer.
"Say it again!" He demands. His eyes sparkle, needing to hear these words one more time.
"I love you! I love you! Only you!" I promise him.
He crashes our lips together, holding my cheeks in his hands.
Before I break for air, Harry pulls back just enough to rest his forehead on mine. He takes a deep breath and smiles.
"I'll call you when I'm at the police station.. Yeah?"
"Yes.. Drive safely," I agree
"Always," he kisses me one more time before pushing off of the car. His hands fall from my waist as he moves to open the door.
"Cassie, I need you to go back in before I leave.. So I know you're safe," he claims. This is the Harry I remember.. Just slightly less demanding. I wink and head back towards the building. I give him one last wave before I turn and am out of his eye site.
I hurry back into the flat to find Julie waiting for me.
"He is something.. I mean.. you already know that," her face turns read.
"He's alright," I joke, making her laugh.
"Are people driving you crazy now that they know about you and him?"
"More their whispering and pointing than anything else," I join her on the little sofa.
"It's quite weird though since I'd never thought racer's were so famous.. I didn't even know who he was when I first met him," I share.
"Really?! Everyone knows who Harry is.. because he is such a big shot.. so I thought everyone in Watford knew who he was because of him being kind of local," Julie states.
"I guess I've been living under a rock or something," I shrug.


My ringing phone breaks my concentration. I glance to see who it is and smile when I note its Harry.
"What are you doing?" He questions when I answer.
"Studying.. you?"
"Just finished up at the police station," he sighs.
"What did they have to say?"
"Not much.. they took my statement and asked that when he calls again to tape the call and come in again," he replies.
"Is that why you're annoyed?" I crinkle my forehead.
"No.. I'm pissed because I wanted them to put protection on you since he threatened you and they refused!" He raises his voice, anger seeping in to it.
"Oh Harry... that is uncalled for really.. I'm safe on campus.. no reason to get cross over that," I try to calm him.
"What if something happens? I need to know your safe!" He exclaims.
"Nothing will happen Harry... please calm down.. I'm fine.. I'm safe! U promise.. I have Liam and Justin and you here," I sigh.
"You stick with Liam and the roommate when I'm not there you hear me?!"
"Yes sir!" I answer his command, slightly making fun of him.
"You're real cute you know that?" I can hear the roll of his eyes as he says it.
"Sure thing sugar," I try a Southern accent, though it sounds kind of bad.
However, it makes Harry laugh.
"I'll call you tomorrow Shorty.. goodnight," he chuckles.
I place my phone down on my desk and try to go back to studying.
Harry's call had put some doubt about my safety in my mind and now I'm kind of restless. There is no point to fear this though right? I mean.. he is in America that is where the call came from and I am all the way here. I won't get hurt.. Harry won't allow it. My phone beeps which makes me jump and I let out a curse which I am happy no one is around to hear.
I unlock it and the screen shines up with a message from Harry.
'Don't over think what I said. You're safe. I love you.'
I smile and put my phone down once again.
He always used to know what I am thinking and it seems like he is going back to that. We are falling back in place which is making my heart warm and happy.
I am not tired and am not able to go back to studying so I decide to see what Liam is up to.
A half an hour later, him and Justin are at my flat with a box of pizza. Julie joins us as we sit around eating.
"Is he over bearing with all of this?" Liam asks before taking another bite. I have filled them all in on what has been going on.
"Believe it or not he's not. He is handling it way better- him going to the police and not leaving it up to his squad to handle is already a big improvement," I state.
"That is true," Liam agrees.
"What does that mean?" Julie questions, Justin seeming just as eager to understand.
"Just that he used to take care of things himself.. not trusting anyone," I explain.
"How so? How can one take care of things like this without involving the police?" Justin questions.
"By collecting your friends and using you fists instead of your words," Liam smirks.
Julie looks mortified by this information, however Justin seems thoughtful which I find more interesting, that kind of reaction.
"You agree with that method," I state.
"Sometimes the police can't help.. so you need to take matters to your own hands to feel safe.. I understand and respect that," he shrugs.
I nod though I find it still surprising he agrees with this kind of method when most people react just like Austin did.
"You think Harry will move here now that he studies here and you are back together?" Julie questions, changing the subject.
"I don't think so.. he only studies twice a week," I point out.
"He would totally move here," Liam contradicts me with an eye roll and a wave. I narrow my eyes at him.
"Cassie, sooner or later he will because like it or not, Harry is Harry and he will never let you out of his sight especially with these phone calls," He explains himself.
"He changed! He's not as controlling anymore," I scold him.
"It has nothing to do with control! It has to do with his love for you and wanting to make sure for himself that you are safe because he thinks he is the only one capable doing that job. He will want to know that if something ever happens- good or bad he will be close by and not a 3 hour drive away," He finishes.
"Why are we talking about me?! Everyone is always talking about us.. let's not be like everyone.. let's talk about something else- Justin! How is your love life?" I push the conversation on to Justin. As they turn to pest him I can't help but roll over the thought of Harry coming here, and if it is something I want.

Notes

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