Dinner was quiet. Since Harry and I had danced we barely went near each other for the rest of the evening. Mum and dad chatted happily about things at work, and employee gossip, unaware of the silent tension between Harry and me. Even Meg didn't notice, and Meg picks up on everything. I hated keeping secrets from my sister, but I didn't know where I stood with Harry just yet. Were we a couple? We weren't even friends to begin with, so I can't say. I will tell Meg though, as soon as I am certain that I can trust Harry.

As soon as dinner was finished I made my way to my bedroom, telling everyone that I have homework. I was lying though. If my friends knew me well enough, they knew that I had always done my homework during study period. I only retreated because I didn't want to be trapped in the living room with Harry; being stuck in an awkward silence or having him grope me under the table didn't appeal to me. And besides, I'd rather stay up here reading.

As I worked through yet another chapter of 'Jane Eare' I heard my bedroom door swing open. Harry stood in my doorway; I hated to admit it but he did look quite hot in that black shirt and matching chords.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

"Sure, come in"

He closed the door behind him, sitting on the edge of my bed. He ran his fingers through the thick, brown curls of his hair, sighing in frustration.

"Where do we stand?" I asked him.

"Well...I don't know" he said "I want to think of you as my friend, for now. But the problem is that I can't"

"Why not?" I asked him "Harry I'm not even used to the fact that you want me; I've only just started to like you, why can't we come to a compromise? I want to be your friend but if you can't think of me as one then I won't even bother"

"I can't think of you as one because you mean more to me!" he exclaimed "I can't explain it; it's like when the first time I saw you, I knew I had to have you. I tried to get you out of my mind but I can't, it's fucking frustrating!" he growled.

"But why? There is nothing special about me; I'm just some plain-looking, virgin nerd. Why would you want somebody like me?"

"Because you're not like the other girls" he said "You're different; you don't try to fit in, you try to blend in. And you say that you're plain but you're not; to me you're beautiful, and whoever says otherwise is blind"

"But what are people going to think if this? Your little girlfriend has already threatened to beat the shit out of me if I went near you, whose to say that I won't get the same message from all the other girls who are desperate for you?"

"They need to learn to back off" he said "And so does Taylor; she doesn't own me, all she meant to me was a quick shag. But you would be the real deal. I've thought about it you know, what it would feel like"

"Do you mean...sleeping with me?" I stammered.

"You catch on fast" he said "So you're a virgin, I have to admit that quality is attractive"

He shifts closer to me, until he's kneeling in front of me. He cradles my face in his hands, lifting my head so our noses are brushing together. His lips crush mine tightly; his fingers tangled into my hair as his mouth moved strongly over mine, deepening the kiss. The kiss felt amazing. Tingles travelled up and down my spine, making my lips quiver underneath his. His hands grip my face tightly as his slid his tongue over my lips, asking for entrance. I let him into my mouth, his tongue gently massaged my own as he explored me.

He pushed me backwards so I am lying down; he quickly climbs on top of me, and surprisingly, never breaks the kiss. I kiss him back; my fingers threaded tightly into his silky curls, pulling him closer to me. This actually felt right, although it isn't. I've never actually kissed a boy  before, until now. I wonder if Harry had guessed that? Would he be putting in all this effort if he did?

Harry finally stopped; smiling at me as his nose brushed against mine. I feel his abs brushing over my stomach; his abs which were toned, and rather attractive.

"So what are we now?" I whispered.

"I want you to be mine" he said "Nobody else's, just mine. I have feelings for you, and I know you feel the same. Please give me a chance? I won't break your heart if you don't break mine"

"If I gave you a chance" I began "We have to be a secret; it's too dangerous for the both of us if anybody knew. My sister hates you, my dad doesn't trust you, and your ex wants to kill me. Nobody can know about us"

"You're right" he said "If my mum knew she'd never approve; I've broken enough hearts already, and she won't let me break yours too. My mum likes you, and I'm pretty certain you're her favourite dancer. It would be bad if she knew"

"It would be bad" I said "One day we'll tell them, but not now. For now we'll just have to sneak around"

"Sounds fun" he said, grinning.

He climbs off me, but not before giving my lips one final peck. As he left my bedroom I fell back onto my mattress again. What have I gotten myself into?

                                                                           ***

I could barely sleep. My body tossed restlessly across the mattress, the nightgown twisted around my thighs. It wasn't my body though, it was Harry. I couldn't stop thinking about him. He just confused me; one minute he would be his arrogant, sleazy self, the next he would turn all sweet and caring. I know that he likes me, and that he thinks I'm different. But how can I be sure his feelings are genuine? Everybody at school told me that Harry was a bad-boy, a player. I had experienced his controlling behaviour myself, and I didn't like it one bit. How am I supposed to form a relationship with him?

Suddenly I hear my door creek open, then shut again. I suspected that it was Harry, but fortunately it wasn't. Meg walked over to my bed, climbing under the covers and sliding her arms around me.

"I miss Nate" she whispered into my shoulder.

"When was the last time you guys talked?" I asked her.

"Last week" she said miserably "I didn't think I'd miss him so soon, but I do. Do you remember when you caught us making out in dad's Bentley? I loved every second of that. He was such a good kisser, and really good and touching too"

"Meg, that's gross!" I giggled.

"It wasn't for me, for me it felt like magic. I don't know if I can wait for the next time I get to see him; he promised that he'd take me out to the pier, it's going to be so romantic!"

"I don't think I've ever seen you so excited about a guy before" I said.

"I know it's early days but...I think I might love him"

"Meggy that's great!" I said "When are you going to tell him?"

"The next time we see each other, or maybe he will say it first" she squealed "I can hardly wait Bethy"

She huddled closer to me, her beautiful hair shimmered as it came in contact with my carrot coloured braid. We did this a lot when we were younger, but it stopped because Meg thought it was too babyish. I remember her saying that she'd rather cuddle with Nate then with her sister, she said the sister thing was just weird. I think it was partially because Harry was here, she wanted to keep an eye on me to make sure I was safe from him. If only she knew.

Harry

I crept down the hallway, towards Bethany's bedroom. I don't know what I was hoping to achieve by doing this, what would I do, sneak into her bed? Take advantage of her while she's sleeping? No, I couldn't do that to her. I just wanted to see her; to see her beautiful face peeping out of the duvet.

When I came to her door it was already open a little. I peeked in to see that Bethany's bed was already occupied by her stupid sister. Megan. Megan was holding Bethany close to her, something about her embrace seemed protective somehow.

I couldn't help wishing that was me. I wanted it to be me in bed with Bethany, holding her body to mine, falling asleep to the scent of her guava shampoo. I already know how gentle she felt; I felt the majority of her softness earlier today, when we made out of her bed. I knew that we would sleep together some day, but for now I just wanted to hold her. To hold her and kiss her. 

So here is chapter nine for you all (or few) readers! Sorry that it took more time than usual, but I had an exam yesterday, history UGHHHH!!!!!! So do yall like it? If you do then please keep reading, and I shall keep writing. That's it for now! Julz xox