The Only Exception | W2S

FORTY FOUR.

For context later in the chapter - HAG (+HJ) is the group chat Holly, Arthur, George, Hattie and Jess share. I like to think that Arthur came up with it purely because it is so lame (and hilariously unfunny). Anyway!!!

When I woke up, I panicked. This wasn't my bedroom. It wasn't even my living room.

"Morning, sleepy," an amused voice from my side speaks gently.

I dart up. "You — you let me fall asleep here?!"

Still looking amused, he rolled over to face me properly.

"I offered to drive you home last night and you said, and I quote, 'if you make me leave, I will break your arm'."

"Bullshit."

"Yeah, I know. You definitely could not break my arm," he smirks, wrapping an arm around me. I allow it. 

"No - I definitely could. But anyway - back to what I was saying. You let me stay the night?"

He nods his head. "It's a good thing I had my bed moved here in time, hmm? Otherwise it would've been the couch, and don't get me wrong, it's a comfortable couch, but I don't know if it would've fit us -"

"Harry," I interrupt, although not rudely. Just gently, with a touch to his arm. "Where is my phone?"

"Ah! It's charging...in the living room. I know you like to have your phone charged overnight, and I - uh, well, I haven't got a socket in this room yet. I will! Soon, just - well, it's been a bit crazy," he rambles, scratching his head. 

"Alright, I'll go -" I start, but he's already shaking his head. 

"No, no. I'll get it. I'll make you some tea, too," he smiles, kissing the top of my head. 

"You don't even drink tea," I state, looking at him curiously. 

He'd moved in here just after the whole Matthew drama. After we'd argued. 

There was no reason for him to have tea here. We'd only reconciled...yesterday. That left him no time to get tea. 

"Well...yeah. I got it for you. Just in case," he says, leaving his sentence hanging, and just looking at me. 

"Just in case," I repeat, feeling the overwhelming urge to cry, just because of how earnest he looked, and sounded. 

"Five minutes," he promises, and this time when he leaves, I find myself excited to see him again. 

I have to remind myself several times that he and I are okay now. We still have our issues, and they'll be resolved in time, but - I have him back. He understands. He finally understands, and whilst it's late - it's better than never.

He's back in no time. In one hand is my tea, the other, coffee for him, and underneath his armpit is my phone. 

"Oh, Jesus Christ, Harry. That better not stink," I say warningly, as he sets the tea down next to me. 

"You should know I'm a very hygienic man by now," he replies grumpily, settling back into his bed, next to me. 

"Maybe too hygienic," I grin, unlocking my phone. 

"Fucking hell," I whisper, looking at the screen. 

13 missed calls from George. 

9 missed calls from Jess.

4 missed calls from Hattie.