“Do you really believe that?” I ask.
Harry lets out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe, deep down, she does care. But I could see it in her eyes. She was livid at him for what he had done. And I could see she wanted to make him pay for it. I guess, regardless of her reasons, it’s something.”
“You deserve better than that,” I say, not holding back. “And you deserve to feel safe.”
“Mum’s already been on the phone with her lawyers. I’m staying at Mohammad’s tonight.”
“That probably has you feeling a little off.” Because I understand that not being in your own space can make you feel even more out of your element.
“I would rather be with you,” Harry says, causing my insides to instantly warm.
“I would too,” I admit. “Harry, everything is going to be okay.”
“It’s sweet of you to say that,” he replies. “But I can already tell, Mum’s going to drag me into this. And I’m going to be stuck, standing between them while they yell at each other.”
“Don’t think like that,” I say, wanting to comfort him.
“Let’s not talk about it,” he replies, sounding frustrated—or maybe just hurt.
“Harry,” I start but stop myself.
“I just … she’s already always gone. And if my parents split up, then what am I supposed to do? Switch between two empty houses instead of one? And what, now I’m going to get dragged into their divorce? I didn’t want this, Mallory.”
“I’m sorry you’re going through this.” It’s the only thing I can say because I can’t make it better. All I can do is support him.
“It will be fine. I’ll just keep on like I always do. Besides, it’s not good to dwell,” he says, perking up.
And I’m not sure if I’m worried or relieved by his sudden change of attitude.
“Hopefully, staying over at Mohammad’s is fun,” I say, trying to add to his light mood.
“Oh, definitely. His aunt happens to be a bomb cook. She’s already made us a ton of food. I’m practically living like a king over here. Hell, I might never return home,” he says, sounding happier.
“Uh-oh. I’d better not have any competition,” I tease. “Am I going to have to start cooking to win you over?”
“I can see the benefits,” he says, his voice dropping lower. “Maybe, instead, you should bring the ingredients up to my room, and we can have a little fun with them there.”
“Harry,” I gasp, sucking in a breath as he laughs into the phone.
“I thought you wanted to cheer me up.”
I roll my eyes. “And what exactly would cheer you up?”
“Hmm. You feeding me strawberries in bed. Me licking whipped cream off of your fingers. Maybe a little chocolate sauce dripping down your stomach.”
I instantly flush, feeling my body heat up at his words.
“I think I get the idea,” I say, breathless.
“Always something to look forward to,” he says, more serious this time.
“Always,” I repeat, not finding the words.
“You should think about me tonight in bed, Mallory,” he practically whispers. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
Harry hangs up, but I keep the phone up to my ear, my eyes wide.
My heart is pounding.
And I think, tonight, I won’t have a choice.
I’ll definitely be thinking about him.
And only him.
Monday, September 30th
More than I expected.
6:45am
“Morning.”
I bat open my eyes, finding Noah seated on the corner of my bed.
I instantly groan.
“That’s not the greeting I was hoping for,” Noah says, smiling.
“Why are you so happy?” I mutter, trying to pull the sheets back over my face.
“Well, I’m going to take a new approach to mornings with you,” he says.
I look at him with one eye open, my other refusing to work yet. Noah seems way more fresh and awake than usual. “What?” I ask, confused.
“Since it’s Monday morning and I want to start this week right, I thought that I would bring you coffee in bed.”
“Oh,” I say, my other eye finally opening. Because, now, he has my attention. “That’s … really nice.”
Noah nods, looking relaxed. “It is, isn’t it? But it’s best for the household really because I thought if I heard you try to murder your alarm clock one more time, I might lose it. So, instead, I’ve decided to switch my approach. I’ve brought you incentive, and I turned off your alarm.”
I narrow my eyes in on him, looking at his bright eyes and perky smile. “So, more self-serving than kind,” I mutter.
“If you want the coffee, you’ll have to get up,” Noah says, rising from my bed with the steaming cup in his hand. He tilts it back and forth, taunting me.
“No,” I whine, not ready to get up yet. “Just give it to me.”
Noah raises his eyebrows at me. “You know, I think, in another life, you might have been a princess.”
“Well, maybe you should treat me like a princess now,” I comment, sitting up further, outstretching my hand to him.
Noah rolls his eyes but holds out the cup. When I go to grab it, he pulls it away.
“Give it to me.” I pout.
He hands me the cup, surprising me when he so easily gives in, and I bring it to my lips, taking in the warm liquid.
“Mmm,” I moan, closing my eyes.
“Enjoying yourself?” Noah says lightly.
I flick my gaze up to him and take in his already washed and dressed body.
“Why are you ready so early?” I ask, checking the clock.
Usually, he’s just now getting into the shower, hogging up the bathroom for the next half hour.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he says, shrugging.
“Excitement? Nerves?” I ask, peering up at him, taking another sip.
“I’m not sure,” he replies, his eyes still bright. “I’m just in a good mood.” He shrugs, his lips pulling at the corner.
“I can tell.”
“Anyway”—he starts moving to my door—“I’ll see you downstairs.”
Noah leaves my room, and I take another sip of coffee before setting it on the bedside table.
I’m surprised by his mood today. He seems almost antsy, like he can’t wait for something.
But as far as I know, nothing is going on today.
Just regular old school.
I push the covers off, deciding that if Noah’s good mood means I get extra time in the shower, I shouldn’t question it.
When I get downstairs for breakfast, I find Noah in the kitchen, packing his lunch.
“Want me to make yours?” he asks over his shoulder.
He opens up the fridge, his fingers sorting through the leftover containers and jars until he finds what he’s looking for. He pulls out a container of leftover stew from yesterday. I watch Noah spread butter across his bread, adding on the meat and potatoes before topping it with another piece of bread. His sandwich is huge, but it actually looks good.