WEAK // (Harry Styles)

7

CHAPTER 7

*current time*

CLAIRE

His lips rest against the side of my neck as we stand on the edge of the patio, overlooking the crystal sea. It's so still and silent, I've forgotten what wind feels like. The moon sparkles in the reflection, and I close my eyes, savoring the feeling. His hands are around my waist, tightly holding me in place in front of him.

I didn't really know what to expect when he asked me to go away with him, but this is beyond what I could ever imagine.

"Really, you didn't have to get a mega-yacht. A common boat with a bed would suffice," I say quietly, and he chuckles softly against my ear.

"Go big or go home, I say."

Harry is calm. His heart rate decreased as we got further from the shore, and now I can barely see land. But I don't really care where we are. We took a plane to Mexico, and this monster of a boat was waiting for us at the dock. The only people here are Harry, the captain and myself. The captain is called Fred, and he is a sunburnt, older man with a white beard. Just like what I pictured in my head of what a captain looks like. He even has this cute little hat.

"Are you feeling ok?" I ask him, wanting to reassure my thoughts. He's good at acting like he's okay, only to break down a day later. I turn around, putting my hands around his neck. His eyes are at a soft squint, and he looks sleepy.

"I am," he smiles, and that in turns makes me smile. I pull him close, hugging him. It stings in my gut when I think of how much I'm giving up to be here.

My case has been open for nearly ten months, and it'll probably be open for several more. Yang didn't seem to hopeful or accomplished when she showed me the stack of folders that concerned my case, and judging from it's height, this case is bigger and more complicated than either of us could have ever imagined. I can only guess that we'll be on this boat for months. I can forget about retaking my test, or even passing my courses. I also won't be seeing my friends from school for a while.

"Of course," I say, with my fiercest attempt to make it seem genuine. I mean, seeing how calm he is now makes me satisfied with my choice, but still... it is a lot to give up.

I haven't told him yet that my case is still open; that there is for sure someone out there other than Niall who conspired with Zayn. He still believes it was Niall who put the note in my coat, and I'm okay with that. That way there is only one person he worries about, not two. Although, out here in the middle of the ocean, I don't think we need to worry about anyone.

"Are you feeling ok?" he asks, noticing my unsure stare. He leans back to get a better look at me, and I try to smile.

"I feel safe. I didn't let you protect me the last time I was in danger, and that nearly tore us apart. I won't be making the same mistake again," I say, feeling my gut wrench. I hate being reminded of that time.

"Good. Until you I know you're completely safe, we'll stay here."

There are about a million stars emitting a blue glow onto the easy sea, and we stand there watching them for a few more minutes before sneaking into the bedroom. We've been here for a couple of days, and I'm trying to get used to sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, but I woke up last night with the sorest neck ever. It reminds me of when I had to sleep on the floor in Zayn's basement.

Harry puts his hands on my loose white top, pulling me towards him. Our faces are close enough to kiss, but we don't. He just looks at me instead.

"I really love you a lot," he says with a half-giggle. His hands travel down to my behind, pressing my hips against his.