2nd chapter of the double update:) make sure to read chapter 15 first.
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I want your belly
And that summer feelin'
Getting washed away in you

Madeleine had boarded the bus with nothing to lose and it seemed like she had nothing to gain either. Everyone threw nasty glares at the scrawny girl walking to the backseat. They'd scoot closer to the windows when she touched their chairs for balance. She was at rock bottom, the lowest depth in her life without an ounce of care.

Window seats were one of her favorites though she wasn't surprised that the last window seat was already taken by a guy with too much hair on his head. Leaving the only available seat next to him. He didn't notice the girl beside him at first, his head was too fuzzy yet he continued to write away on the pages.

Seeing the pages reminded her of the fellow with a neck tattoo. The address he had given her was supposed to be tucked inside the pocket of her hoodie.

"Great," Madeleine whispered to herself.

But now, it was gone.

And she wasn't disappointed.

She was numb.

His head turned to look at her, his irises widening at the shock that someone sat beside him after all. "Hi, I'm Harry," he shuts the book and held his dirty hand out for her to shake. "Okay," she whispers and kept her eyes on the seat in front of her. Harry pouted, not liking the way he was treated. So he thought of something else.

"That's a pretty green sweater, matches your eyes," he grins widely and tugs the baggy sleeve for attention. However, she looks at her sweater and back at the cheery boy. Madeleine wore a thin blue sweater, not green. "It's blue," she whispers in her confused state. Harry's mouth rounded in realization and he rolled his eyes at his reoccurring mistake. "Sorry, I mix up colors," he reveals.

"Colorblind?" Madeleine blurted out her assumption. Rude of her, right? Well, she didn't have enough care to show. Harry shrugs his shoulders and settles his eyes on the beaten notebook in his hands. "Only when I drink and smoke, which is regularly so maybe I should consider myself to be," Harry laughs.

"Oh."

She didn't have much knowledge on alcohol substances or their effects so it wasn't obvious. Now that he mentioned it, the whites of his eyes were blended with red, he was smiling too much for a random man on a bus and maybe the chemical scent of his faint breath was his drink.

"Where you heading, pretty eyes?" Harry turns to her. Did he realize the beauty of his eyes, she wondered. She wanted her happily ever after, far, far away. What the last few weeks have thought her was when you find perfection in your eyes, don't get attached. Everything is too good to be true, always.

"Anywhere."

"From the bar, I recall correctly?" Harry adds, head tilting in question. Mitch's eyes widen, he gulps hard and nods his head. "Yeah," he agrees.

What?

"Uh, what?" I said impatiently. "Yes, we met at a bar two weeks ago. He went home with your best friend, last time I checked," Mitch eyes Harry, probably assuming I didn't know. I cannot believe that was two weeks ago. Feels as if Harry has been here for months. "Yeah...we actually broke into Madeleine's house," Harry smiles proudly at the memory.

Daphne's drunk decision is what led all of this to happen. I don't know if I should thank her or hit her with a frying pan.

"What?" Mitch asks confusedly. Shit. "Nothing! Not important. Mitch, come help me fix the table," I ordered, immediately changing the topic. "I have one hand, Madie," Mitch groans yet he follows me," you're lucky I'm starving."

"Well, I cooked to please so you're in luck, Mike," Harry plastered a fake smile on his face. He acts as if Mike is truly his name even though he knows it's isn't. "It's Mitch," Mitch spat.

Harry wanders off into the kitchen, completely unbothered, I assume to bring the food on the table. After moving my books away, I walked into the kitchen. "It would've been necessary to tell me you've met Mitch before," I told Harry who was easily getting the plates and my eyes rolled. I usually have to tiptoe.

"Yeah, I guess so," he shrugs his shoulders and walks out with plates and food. I grabbed the last dish and followed him out. "So, what's for lunch?" Mitch asks.

"Uhm, I made chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella, wrapped in parma ham, homemade mash potatoes, and gravy," Harry reveals. Though I was confused because I spent a very long time slicing cucumbers and it wasn't mentioned in it. "What about my cucumber?" I asked. "Oh, that was my cooking snack. Sorry, love," Harry smiles.

Love.

I hate it.

Absolutely loathe it.

"Henry-"

"Calm down, Cousin. You have guests over," Harry cuts me off. Mitch hands me the mashed potatoes and the and frustration disappears. He's lucky I love mash potatoes. "So, why did it take so long for Mads to have family over?" Mitch breaks the silence after a couple of minutes of eating. He looks like he's on a mission and I have no idea what it is.

Maybe I'm thinking too much into it...

"Well, we ran into each other at the red circles place and she's too kind to turn me down. We haven't seen each other in a while but we chat nonstop," Harry answers for me. So he's a good liar. "Red circles?" Mitch questions with furrowed brows. I had gotten used to his names that I didn't realize it was odd for other people. "Target," I answered.

"Oh...wait! Is this the cousin you told about the clinic?" Mitch recalls. Color drains from my face at the reminder of that lie I told nearly a month ago. Mitch was questioning my closeness with my family and I may have slipped in some- a lot- of lies so he would drop the topic. "What clinic?" Harry snaps his head in my direction, abandoning his food to worry about my health," Madeleine, are you okay?"

"No, Mitch. That's another cousin," I dismissed and chose to ignore Harry for I don't want him to find out about the clinic. "What clinic?" Harry attempts again, his voice more demanding. "It's nothing, Harry. I am fine," I insisted though he doesn't believe me.

He looks at Mitch and already, my heart is racing with fear because I'm aware of how compelling Harry can be. "You spill or I spill," Harry states intimidatingly. Eyebrows forced together, jaw clenched. "Harry, I said I'm fine. Now eat before it gets cold," I repeated, raising my voice slightly.

You spill or I spill.

Wait...what?

Mitch searches Harry's face before surrendering the answer. "She helps out at my clinic sometimes...it's nothing," Mitch whispers, his eyes glued to his plate while moving around his food to avoid Harry's intimidating eyes. Already, this lunch was heading into a whirling storm, heavy downpour threatening for pure destruction. "Your clinic? What? She's a hairdresser, not a nurse," Harry objects.

"Harry!" I shout and grabbed his hand for his attention. His head snapped in my direction, they lingered on my hands before dragging to my eyes. "We talked about this yesterday, remember? I know you're worried but I'll share on my own terms," I reminded him softly. Harry slowly nods his head, steering his mind away from the clinic.

"Speaking of, Lou came in the salon looking for you. I thought you were done with him?" Mitch recalls. My heart sinks at the choice of his words.

Done with him.

As if Louis was a toy and I was done playing with him. "We broke up but I am not done with him. I still love and care for him, we can still be friends," I answered a bit more harshly than intended.

My knuckles were turning white as I clenched the spoon in my hand without even knowing it. Mitch's eyes widened slightly, shocked just as I. Suddenly, my hand that was resting on my thigh pulls away. I dropped my eyes to see Harry's larger hand holding mine. I feel his eyes on me as he interlocks our fingers. I hadn't realized my fingernails were digging into my flesh but he did.

"Yeah, you know I didn't mean it like that," Mitch assures me, bringing me away from Harry. Tightly, I smiled with hopes that he'd buy it.

"Let's eat."

Harry kept our hands on his lap. Occasionally, he'd run his fingers up my hand to form circles on my inner wrist. But never for too long because I could tell he preferred holding my hand. Conversations shift around, Harry and I lie when we're supposed to and Mitch looks satisfied with his answers.

Halfway there, I was confident that this would turn out okay. Mitch and Harry definitely weren't going to be best friends, but they're not planning to kill each other.

Everything was going perfect.

I tamed the blush on my face.

My fake smile was good enough for Mitch to buy.

The food was delicious.

Everything was going perfect.

Until...

"Madeleine, What's the greatest gift someone has ever given you?" Mitch questions. I wasn't surprised, he'd been asking random questions the whole time. Mitch is anything but boring. Though, unwantedly, my smile falls.

"It can't fit," I told my father, voice small just as he made me feel. I wanted to go outside in the snow, not stand in my room while my father watched me change my clothes. "It has to fit, silly child," He orders.

"Dad, it's not fitting. I rather donate it than force it on me and tear it," I sighed, hoping he would give in. "You told me you were a small, so I bought you a size small dress that cost me more than you are worth!" He shouts, his neck already turning red.

Yeah, I was a small two years ago.

"The money won't go to waste, dad. Another girl who is a size small will wear it," I reminded him. Will he ever just agree one day? His mind is already made up, I am the wrong one in every single situation. His hands rolled into tight fists. I knew exactly how those felt against my skin. "This is the greatest gift I have ever bought you. And look at you, ungrateful! Absolutely, ungrateful!" He screams at me.

Maybe it was his words or harsh tone that made my eyes burn, tears were already threatening to escape. "Put on the clothes. And get your ass downstairs," he demands before turning around. His figure disappears behind the door and it bangs shut like always.

Finally, he was gone, and I was alone. I threw myself on the bed, my face sinking into the pillow to muffle my cries.

"Sunshine," Harry whispers, that one word dissolved the bad memories of my past. I looked at Harry, blinking away the tears. Harry made the monsters go away. "It's okay," he whispers, his fingers brushing mine. Only then I'd realized I had been squeezing his hand tightly.

Quickly, I loosened my grip and pulled my hand away. "Uhm," I started after remembering I needed to reply. "Haven't received a great gift before, Madeleine?" Harry teased playfully.

Harry.

"I once told someone that I loved their mind and on the last day we saw each other, he gave me his journal filled with things he was too scared to say out loud," I revealed. Memories, painful memories, flashes through my mind. My chest suddenly feels tight and I'm struggling to keep the tears from touching my cheeks.

"W-"

I pushed the chair back and quickly rose to my feet. "Excuse me for a moment. I need to use the bathroom," I blurted out before running to my bathroom. Everyone leaves, why did I think that Harry wasn't going to leave? That was so foolishly childish of me. Now, Harry is back and he holds my heart in my hands. Will he leave and shatter my heart in the process?

I don't want him to leave. Not again, and if he stays longer it's guaranteed sure his hold on my heart would be stronger. Everyone leaves. My fingers slipped into my hair, and seconds away from tugging at the roots, a soft knock on the door tears my hands away. My hand wraps around the cold knob, I twisted and pulled it open.

"Harry," my voice exposed how I was feeling inside too much. Harry rushes to touch me, practically I could see the concern mixing with the green of his irises. "Hey...what's wrong, Madeleine?" Harry's hands cupped my cheeks so he could softly drag his thumbs across my cheeks so the tears couldn't fall further. "Why did you leave?" I whispered, searching for the answers in his beautiful eyes, my voice was barely audible. "Leave you?" Harry catches the words, confusion mixes with the worry printed on his face.

"I- Sorry, I meant sorry that I left...you know, Mitch outside," I lied, avoiding his eyes. "Mitch is still eating, he's fine. I'm sorry I came into your room without permission. I was worried," Harry apologized.

"It's okay, Harry," I assured him. "No, you're crying..." he points out the obvious with a frown. "I'm fine," I breathed and cupped my hands under the running tap. After wetting my face, I thought Harry was handing me the towel but instead he stands in front of me and gently dried my face.

"Such a pretty girl," he whispers, his eyes accepting the flaws and perfections. How could he call me pretty when I'm a crying mess? Yet those simple words were powerful enough to awaken the butterflies. "You know, I used to write in a journal too. Now I wish I hadn't lost it so I could give it to you," Harry reveals with a smile on his face.

Oh, but you did Harry.

And you've probably seen the diary in this apartment without even noticing it.

More tears chased after the others down my cheeks. "Where did you lose it?" I tested, sniffling right after. Harry shrugs his shoulders and dropped the towel beside the sink. "Don't remember..." he trails his sentence off. His attention was still on my tears. "Baby, please stop crying. I don't like to see you cry," he whispers, gently wiping more escaping tears. So easily, so casually, he said that word. It sounded so perfect coming from his lips. To be honest, it fucks with my heart and I can't let these feelings get deeper than they already are.

The only form of comfort I needed right now was Harry.

"Sunshine," I whispered, tilting my head up slightly. Harry's eyes landed on my lips, his finger automatically tracing the curve of my bottom lip. "Sunshine," Harry murmured. Fuck, I just wanted to kiss him.

So bad.

"Please," I pleaded, assuming and hoping that we were thinking the same thing. Harry nods slowly, his eyes flicking to mine for a split second. "I really want to," Harry's head tilting so our lips grazed before he pulls back.

"Do it, Harry. Please," I permitted. Eyes begging and pleading for him, for what I truly needed. Without reconsidering, without a moment of hesitation, without another word uttered, Harry gave me what I needed.

Soft, cherry lips touched mine. The heaviness previously weighing down my chest was suddenly lifted. Without hesitation, my lips molded with Harry's. Lips slow and drenched with care and passion. As if this was Harry's way of taking care of me and assuring me that everything was going to be alright. This was so different from our kiss that night. He wasn't rough with me, he was slow and gentle. Yet I still felt the explosions going off in my head, electricity skating through my veins.

Already, I can tell that Harry could be rough and he could be gentle when you needed him to. My fingers found their home between his curls, his planted on my neck as his thumb traces my jawline. I was starving for his lips, for his touch and I was ignoring it all this time. Kissing Harry at this moment, feeling his tongue discovering my mouth, there wasn't something I could've been more sure of. Who was I to ignore the feelings?

My lips felt bruised, my jaw was close to hurting but I couldn't stop kissing Harry as if he was providing me with oxygen. Harry proved that it wasn't the alcohol that night.

It was him.

He was the fireworks that made me feel as if I was sitting with the clouds.

Simultaneously, Harry and I stopped though we made no move to pull away completely. I could feel his eyelashes brushing mine as we opened our lust filled eyes. "Mitch is alone, outside. He might steal something," Harry murmurs, his eyes glued to my lips and I had an urge to run my tongue along them. "Don't be silly," I say reluctantly pulled away. Nevertheless, he was somewhat right because I know Mitch gets curious quickly. "We need to talk about this..." Harry points out, referring to us.

"I know. But later, come on," I agreed and grabbed his hand. Harry shuts the door with his foot and we returned outside. "Hey, sorry about that. I just needed to use the bathroom," I half lied. Mitch looks up from his phone, his eyes automatically study my face. "Are your lips usually that swollen after using the bathroom, Madie?" Mitch rose his eyebrows, staring at me suggestively. My eyes rolled, part of me pretending that didn't mean anything.

"Fuck off, Mitch. It isn't what you're thinking," I spat and sat down on my chair. Harry follows behind me, obviously hearing everything. "Or is it?" He whispers below his breath as he sat down also. I glared at him, knowing very well that Mitch heard him. Not an ounce of care could've been found on Harry.

"Are you done?" I asked Harry, referring to his plate and he nods his head. So I stood and stacked the plates. "I'll put these in the sink. Boys, behave," I ordered. "Well, I am not planning on behaving, it's too much work. Let me help you," Harry states rather than ask and follows me into the kitchen.

I managed to place them in the sink. I turn on the tap, ready to wash the places when I felt his chest touch my back. "Sunshine," Harry whispers, that word already stirring the butterfly pit.  Harry's hands slipped under my hoodie. His warm hands touched my stomach, running up to my bra before slowly meeting the waistband of my pants. "Harry," I protested, having struggled to concentrate on the dishes while he's touching my body. "Hm?" Harry hums before pressing his gentle lips on the side of my neck where my shoulder joins my neck. "Harry," I repeated, this time it sounded like a soft moan of approval.

Even my body wants him as I lean into him until my head was on his shoulder and his head was buried into the side of my neck. His wet lips felt so good on my skin. So good that I had forgotten Mitch could see us from the dining table.

And of course, we weren't lucky.

"What's going on here?" Mitch's loud voice tears our bodies apart. Quickly, I turn off the tap and faced Mitch with red cheeks. Not sure if it was from blushing embarrassment. He lifts an eyebrow, awaiting a response. I swallowed thickly, glancing at Harry while searching through my fuzzy brain for an excuse. "I was just talking to Madeleine about how she should change her locks often and install security cameras. The neighborhood cannot stay safe forever," Harry lied. Mitch's face pales and his hands drop at his sides.

Yeah, totally talking.

However, as I was confused as to why Harry said that out of all things. Also, it was very clear for Mitch to see what was happening. Secondly, I was confused by Mitch's reaction. He looked terrified. "The neighborhood is fine. She's safe," Mitch attempts to play it cool but fails miserably.

"Harry, What's going on?" I asked. "Nothing, Madeleine. I just think you should protect yourself more, you know?" He shares even though I know there's more to this. "If someone does try to come in here, I have a camera in the living room," I revealed and turned around to do the dishes. Though it seems like I can't do them in peace. "What?" Mitch blurts out. Horror and shock morph into his face. Harry leaned against the countertops, a smile on his face and arms folded across his chest.

"Where is the camera, Madie?" Mitch questions, pulling my attention away from Harry. "In the living room, I just said that. What's the problem?" I answered, very confused as to why Mitch was reacting this way. "There isn't any problem!" He was quick to defend. He's lying.

"But um...can I see the camera tapes? I'm interested," Mitch struggles to ask. "For the clinic," he adds but I don't fall for any of it. My eyes glanced at Harry, searching for some answers. He looked very smug and proud of what was happening in front of him.

"No," I denied.

I have to delete the tapes because Harry and I's...drinking adventures were caught on tapes. Thankfully, I only have access to them and the backed up files. I'd delete them right away when I can. "What? Why the fuck not? Show me the fucking tapes, Madie. It isn't that hard," Mitch demanded and storms closer with balled fists and his body radiating anger.

"What's your problem? I said no," I denied once again. However, Mitch is clearly not placed. With every added word of denial, he gets angrier. "I said give me the God damn tapes!" Mitch shouts. The volume of his voice makes me speechless. I've never heard Mitch shout so loudly. Harry appears behind Mitch, he places his hand on his injured shoulder. "Hey mate," Harry whispers, his grip on Mitch's shoulder tightening.

"Raise your voice at her one more time or if you even touch her, I won't miss this time," Harry warns. Nothing but coldness stormed in Harry's face. "Okay," Mitch agrees, blinking away from whatever trance he was stuck in. Harry drags Mitch back a bit to create distance between us.

I won't miss this time.

This time.

He missed before?

"What do you mean?" I questioned, looking at Mitch for answers but it doesn't deliver. "Harry, what's going on?" I continued, green eyes never looking away from mine. "Why doesn't he want me to look at the tapes?" I added. Questions upon questions stir in my head accompanied by scenarios. "Mitch, do you want to tell her?" Harry removes his eyes from mine.

Guilt and regret mixed together on his face. He shifts weight from one foot to the other while avoiding looking at me. "I'll get you back your money, alright. I just...I'm sorry, Madie," Mitch nervously apologized with a shameful expressions.

Money?

"Harry...what is he talking about?"

"Dad found out about the stealing, Mads. I needed to get money quickly or our asses would be in jail by now. Promise, I'll get you back your money soon, I will. Just give me some time...I'm sorry Mads...but I-I," Mitch rambles off, fear shoving the words off his tongue. He attempts to get closer again but Harry kept him distanced.

Holy shit.

No fucking way.

Mitch would never.

No, that can't be true.

"Lame excuse for thieving from your best friend, Mike," Harry inputs before I can reply. Harry saying the words made reality stung even harder. "And it was my money on the coffee table. Not hers," He adds. My head snapped to the living room. I didn't even notice the briefcase with Harry's two million dollars was gone. It was there before I left yesterday...I think.

"You fucking stole from me?"

"Mads-"

"No. Get the fuck out of my apartment," I ordered without hesitation. I didn't want to see his face. It almost made me want to throw up. Mitch. My best friend, Mitch.

"Wait-"

"Did you not hear me? And I'll be dropping by for two million dollars tomorrow. And Rowland, you better have it. May I remind you that you have no idea who I was before you helped me become this?" I say, the words flowing off my mouth without permission but I couldn't find it in me to regret it. "Mad-" once again, I interrupted him. Each time my anger would rise higher and higher. "Are you fucking deaf? Get out!" I screamed.

Harry's hand falls on my shoulder. Automatically, my body relaxes under his soothing and comforting touch. Mitch's eyes landed on Harry's hand. "Oh, you want me to leave so you can talk trash about me while fucking your cousin?" Mitch is quick to assume. He's lucky I gave him time to say that.

"He's not my cousin. And we aren't any of your business. Get out, now Mitch. You're only making this worst for yourself," I defended. Mitch glances at Harry before giving up. With a huff, he walks out of the kitchen and straight out the front door. Once I heard the door slam shut, I turned to Harry knowing well that he knew about this and didn't say anything to me. "I'm sorry for not telling you! I had a plan and it worked out," Harry apologized. "When did this happen, Harry?" I questioned.

Harry looks away for a split second and I already realize he's about to lie. "If you lie to me I will blend your ears," I warned. His eyes widened and he immediately opened his mouth and spilled. "Yesterday. I thought it was you, but it wasn't. I thought I could take him but the fucker doesn't have useless legs. When he saw me he bolted to the door and I shot his shoulder," Harry rambles off though I heard every word perfectly because he still takes his time and says his words. Well shit, everything makes more sense.

The meeting each other again.

Harry's instant irritation towards Mitch.

You spill or I spill.

He might steal something.

My head was starting to hurt from all this new information I was forced to accept in such a rather short time. I leaned against the countertop and stared at Harry. "I'll get you back your money, I promise," I say seriously. Maybe I was a bit too harsh with Mitch but I'll figure it out tomorrow. "Okay...I only care because I can't buy from the red circles place anymore," Harry shrugs his shoulders, obviously unbothered. What if I'm standing in front of a millionaire?

"Target, Harry. It's called Target," I usually corrected.

"That's what I said."

"You never do," I mumbled because that's his response every time. Still couldn't believe that Mitch would steal from me. Also, I have no idea how to feel about this whole lunch because I bet Mitch only insisted on coming so he could find out who is Harry. Maybe Harry's agenda was to expose Mitch...I am not sure. "So..." harry clears his throat, bringing me out of my thoughts. "Spit it out, Harry," I ordered, knowing he wanted to ask something.

"Cuddles?"

Bet you weren't expecting that huh? I'm talking about the food but yeah the other stuff is cool too...

My darling angels, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for two thousand reads. You've made me so utterly happy by reading my story. And I know it's not perfect but I seriously cannot thank you enough♡

Hope you enjoy these chapters:) sorry it took so long to write lol.

Credits: @onedirection.memes1

Until next time,
Stay safe
Be kind to yourself
Be kind to others
Remember I love you, okay?
Bye bye♡