It's been a week and a half since I got fed up and had my outburst. We still barely talk. Henry's gone to parties every night since then and I don't mind since it makes it less uncomfortable to sleep at night . But I do mind when he's all tired and hung over the next day, I also mind when he leaves halfway through the day and I have to deal with 4 grumpy, hungry kids and clean up at night. The kids are all in bed, sleeping and Henry is about to leave.

"Henry." I say softly and he stops getting ready. He looks up at me quizzically.

"What?" He asks in a monotonous voice. I sigh.

"Henry, I just want you to help me with the kids more. I know you adore them, the way you look at them just screams that. Please don't be that kind of father to them." I ask pleadingly allowing my tiredness to seep through and allowing myself to appear vulnerable before him. Henry sneers at me and slams his fist into the dresser. He turns around and glares at me. 

"Don't compare me to my father." He growls out. How dare he ? I actually let a tear slip out of frustration. I wipe my eye and I jump out of bed.

"I was talking about my father you idiot !" I yell at him and run into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. I hate this kid, everything is all about him, he's not the only one with problems in life and you'd think the asshole would stop and see that but nope. I hear a knock on the door, a soft one.

"Dork, come back out." He says but once again it's not with his usual malicious tone. It's more gentle and a little remorseful. I sigh and just sit on the floor, hugging myself.

"If you don't come out, I'm coming in." He threatens lightly. I lock the door and stare at the tiles. These are some nice tiles.

"You know what, fine. I guess you won't be getting that help around the house you dumb bitch." He spits through the door. I laugh but not out of humor, out of disbelief. I can't believe this is my partner and I can't believe this Henry was my Henry. The kind-hearted, stupidly cute, goofy, funny, lovable, patient, humble and mild-tempered Henry that I grew up with is gone. I don't even want him back anymore. 

I pick myself up and I splash my face then dry it off with a paper towel. I unlock the door and walk out. I get right in bed, under the cover which makes it easier for me to remove the bra I was wearing. 

"Bye." He says to me which is odd. I just wave to him since that's the current free hand.

"Can you turn off the light?" I say softly. He nods, flicks the switch and leaves closing the door behind himself. I get the tv remote and put on Arrow. I pause it when I realize while I managed to catch up on Arrow I'm still way behind on Flash. Olly hun, I'll see you tomorrow night. I watch 3 episodes before I feel myself start to nod off. I turn the tv off and check the clock on Henry's nightstand. It is 12:01 am, no wonder I'm tired. I sit in bed awake for a little bit just imagining the days when I won't get roped up into doing projects with people I can't stand. Then I imagine me in college and going out, I even conjure up this image of the guy I'd like to date. 

I jolt awake and look around fervently for my phone. I finally come across it and I look to see I've got a text from the devil. I check the time to see it's 1:15 am. What in the hell does he want? I open his text message. 

Lucifer : Can you come pick me up please ?

I do not have time for this, I am dead tired. 

Me : Henry, if this is your idea of a joke, I 'm going back to sleep now.

Lucifer : No joke, I got into a fight and I'm ready to go. Long story short, Bianca doesn't want to leave since she's single now. 

Oh shit, what in tarnation happened at this part. Hold on, he's being a little too open he could be drunk.

Me : Did you drink ? What's the address ? 

I sit up in bed and rub some sleep out my eyes. 

Lucifer : 6734 Middleton Street, it should be 20 minutes away. 

He didn't answer my question maybe he did drink. Well whatever  if he did, I prefer him like this. 

Me : On my way. 

I get up and head into the bathroom to relieve myself, fix my bonnet and use some mouthwash. I walk out and put on a pair of sweats over my shorts and I throw on a hoodie over the wife beater I have on. I throw on some socks and I find a pair of Henry's slides on his side of the bed. I put them on and walk downstairs with my phone. I don't really feel too good leaving the kids alone in the house. Shit, I can't ask Zellers to watch them. I'll drag Jasper's ass over here. Sounds about good.

1 sleepy ass Jasper later, I'm in the car and my kids have someone with them. I pull out the parking lot, turn on the radio and set my gps. I speed a little since it's late and I don't see any cops. It takes me 15 minutes to get to the party site. I pull up but I refuse to get out since I look crusty as hell. I just grab my phone to text Henry but I hear someone knock on the passenger window. I look up to see Henry, I unlock the door and he gets in. Once he's buckled in he turns to face me and I gasp. He's got cracked skin on his forehead, a busted lip and his knuckles are bloody and raw. I just stare at his hands.

"It's not my blood, wipes still in here?" He says, pointing to the glove compartment. I just nod and silently watch as he cleans his knuckles.

"Thank you for coming." He says. I just nod and pull off. 

"Are you hungry?" I ask him. He nods. 

"Can you go to Taco Bell?" He asks.

"When we get there you're gonna tell me what happened to you." I say and he sighs.

"After I eat." He mutters. I reach Taco Bell and I order 6 crunchy tacos 2 medium lemonades and 1 soft taco. After ordering and paying, I park. Henry scoffs down 5 crunchy tacos and his lemonade easily. It takes me nearly triple the time it took him to finish my 2 tacos and half of my lemonade. 

"Alright, inform me." I say to him and he lets out a little sigh.

"Soon as we got there Bianca wanted to drink. We drink all the time but it's usually light stuff this time she walks out with a full bottle of Bacardi 151. I said no and she kept trying to coax me into it. Eventually she gave up and downed half a bottle and kissed Derek. She proceeded to dance with him and when she came back, she tried apologizing but I broke up with her. She got mad, blabbed some shit so here comes this drunk dickhead Derek trying to swing at me. I dodge it easy and he falls. His dumb friends thought I'd knocked him out so they high five each other and I go outside to clear my head." He says and then stops.

"Go on." I say and he stays silent.

"I heard something I ain't like from some hoes so I pushed one of them in the pool. Her friends got mad and no doubt here comes Derek's friends again. Two of them break off and just start coming at me. One I fought off and knocked out easily. The other tackled me and hit me twice in the face. He said something to me and I just lost it. I don't remember it all but I know when I came to grips I was pounding this guy's face in. I didn't stop til I felt satisfied. When I got up everyone was looking at me in shock or maybe it was fear. Bianca tried coming to yell at me but I flicked her off and walked out." Henry finishes.

"Okay well what'd those people say that got you to react ?" I ask softly and he smiles at me then stops himself. He frowns and his eyebrows furrow. Finally his whole face relaxes before he clenches his jaw. This may just be the sleep talking but that damn jawline gone have me weak.He turns to face me and I turn to face him, curious as to what's up with him.

"Charlotte, don't lie to me. After the homecoming game freshman year, did Derek and his friends try to rape you?" Henry asks and I sigh. Aw, damn. 

"Okay, yeah. Keyword tried, I fought off Derek but his friends were a different story. Luckily or maybe unluckily my dad was home and he'd been doing drugs so he went crazy on them then turned around and tried to do the same thing. That's when you came over and told me our friendship was done. I had enough time to grab my bat and knock him out once you left." I admit truthfully. I've only ever told the events of that night to Jasper.

"Why'd you ask?" I inquire. 

"You're gonna think I'm lying but they were talking about you Charlotte. Yeah I bash you all the time but hearing them talk about you like you were easy, vulnerable and helpless ; hearing them taunt me about how I had no idea my best friend was raped and screaming for me to help her just to find out I thought she was a whore and left her. It made me go ballistic. You're my fucking girl and I won't have anyone talking about you like that whether it was true or false." Henry rages and I'm positive he's drunk. I'm shocked but I know my limits.

"Are you drunk and when did I become your girl because last I checked you couldn't stand me." I throw in slyly. 

"Nah and I've never hated you, not even a little. I know I'm fucked up and yeah I'm difficult but I want to try to be better for you because I like you and you deserve someone better. I also don't want you with anyone but me." Henry admits and I just freeze. I think he's being honest, he's being the Henry I've so desperately missed.

"Shit, I'm gonna regret this. You're lucky I'm tired." I say and Henry looks at me confused. I lean over and kiss his cheek. When I pull back I grab his hand and interlace our fingers. 

"Thank you." I mutter sheepishly, looking right into his eyes. I break our hold to start up the car and drive. I let my right hand drop from the steering wheel and tap the gear shift. A hand slithers against mine and fingers interlock with mine. I try not to smile but I can't help the tug I feel at the corners of my mouth.