"This is how I show my love, I made it in my mind because I blame it on my ADD, baby."

Song: Sail

Artist: Awolnation 

It was Saturday morning, and Harry and I had been standing in his entryway attempting to say goodbye for nearly twenty minutes now. My arms were linked lazily around his neck while his forearms rested on my lower back. I had to tilt my head back to look up at him, my back arching over his grip as I blissfully took in the sleepy look of his face.

"I don't see why you have to go," he grumbled. His hair was extremely wild from last night, and he stood in just a pair of athletic shorts while I was wearing a pair of leggings I'd found under his bed and one of his sweatshirts; the clothes I'd worn last night were currently in the laundry with his where I'd stuffed them this morning in an attempt to clean the blood from the fabrics.

"I have a lot to do today," I told him with a smile. I had neglected my classes all week and subsequently had a lot of catching up to do.

"You can do it tomorrow," he countered, pulling his lips into a wide, cheesy grin. He looked so young when he did that; his face lit up as his eyebrows shot up his forehead, the sleepiness of his current state only adding to the youthful expression.

"No, because you'll pull this again," I laughed. "If I do it today, I can hang out with you tomorrow all day."

"Well will I see you tonight?" he asked hopefully.

"Most likely," I said with a smile, knowing I would have zero motivation to do anything productive on a Saturday night.

"Okay, good," he said, tightening his grip around me and hugging me even tighter against him. My neck strained now as I tried to hold our eye contact, but his height made it difficult. I gave up and tightened my arms around his neck, hugging him in an attempt to finally make my way out the door despite wanting to do nothing but stay with him all day.

"I have to go," I mumbled into his neck. He grumbled something unintelligible and didn't loosen his grip.

"Harry," I laughed. He loosened his arms enough to let me pull back to look at him.

"Oh, hey, I was gonna ask you... since we only really went on the one date before we fell back into whatever, can I take you on another one? Somewhere actually nice this time," he said. He pulled his lips into his mouth after speaking as if the subject made him nervous. I couldn't imagine why he'd be nervous around me at all, especially considering these last few days.

"I would love that," I said gently, my grin widening even more. It was almost too much to handle- Harry hardly dressed while looking adorably bedraggled, asking to take me on a proper date.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," I repeated, a giddy tone seeping into my voice. "When?"

"Ahh, I'll have to get back to you on that but I'll let you know," he said evasively. I blinked in amusement.

"Okay, deal." I lifted myself to my toes to press my lips into his. I held the pressure for a few seconds, the kiss lingering enough to make me feel the spark I always did but short enough to stop it from completely taking over.

"Bye, Harry," I sighed, closing my eyes momentarily and letting my lips mumble against his.

"Bye Hal," he returned, leaning forward once more to press our lips together for just a second before he reluctantly let me go. "I'll see you later once you're finished being responsible."

"Give it a try sometime," I teased, winking at him as I pulled the door open.

"Nahh," he said casually, shrugging and returning my wink. His wide grin was the last thing I saw before I slipped outside. My smile was wide as ever as I made my way to my car, and I was relieved to see that nothing had been written on it this time.

My drive home today was much more relaxed than the time I'd drove home with the ugly word painted across the window. I entertained myself trying to figure out what Harry would do for our newly planned date. It intrigued me to discover what he considered 'somewhere nice' and what he would do for the night. I was just parking outside of my apartment when I realized that I had basically nothing to wear for whatever he seemed to be planning; if it was enough to make him nervous, I should probably dress up a bit.

I made my way into my apartment and was surprised to find it empty- apparently Maggie had found somewhere else to stay last night. My mind briefly flashed to Jay, wondering if she'd managed to succeed in her plan before I remembered Jay had left with Harry and I. She was probably just at Annie's and still asleep. It was fairly early, after all.

My thoughts of needing something to wear were confirmed as I sifted through my closet. Most of my clothes consisted of jeans, leggings, and a variety of shirts. I had a few skirts but rarely wore them, especially around Harry. I had the distinct impression he would have a little bit too much fun with the easy access.

On second thought, maybe I should start wearing them around him.

I sighed as I found absolutely nothing suitable to wear, and had the sudden urge to go shopping even though I had no idea when this date would take place. I'd probably have a lot of time to find something, but suddenly I couldn't even consider doing my homework that was begging for my attention without settling this first. Even when I wasn't with him, Harry had taken over my every move.

I thought about calling Maggie to go with me to the mall, but decided against it. As much help as she would be, I wasn't sure it was worth dealing with the thousand questions she would surely ask about what happened last night. Besides, I liked the thought of finding something to wear for Harry on my own.

After taking a quick shower, making myself decent for the day, and eating a quick lunch, I was ready to go. I scribbled a quick note to Maggie explaining where I was if she were to come home anytime soon and headed out the door. The drive to the mall was only a short distance, like everything in this town, and I was there within a few minutes.

'Mall' didn't seem to be the best description of the building I was walking into now because it really only had fifteen stores, but it was a big building and the closest thing we had to a mall so it would have to do. I was surprised by the amount of people in the building before I remembered it was a Saturday afternoon and there wasn't much else to do on a weekend during the day.

Most of the stores in the mall were aimed at the college population- there were a few clothing stores, some shoe stores, and a small jewelry store amongst the other venues that weren't aimed at my age group. Crowds of people of all ages milled around as I made my way into the first store. I already knew I wanted to find a dress, but didn't know what specifically. My hands parted the racks, searching for something I thought Harry would like.

I passed on several frilly, girly dress and several skintight polyester dresses that were so short I'd be terrified to wear them without fully exposing myself. I was just about to give up and move to a different store when one caught my eye; it was black and relatively simple, but I knew Harry would love it. I found my size and pulled it off the rack to try it on.

Several minutes later, I was in a dressing room and doing the zip up the back the best I could before I turned to look in the mirror. I instantly knew it was perfect. The wide tank top straps and high neck made it modest, but the tight, black fabric that covered my chest and torso made it sexy. The skirt came away from my body off my hips, and the fabric was a soft, almost velvety material. I grinned at myself in the mirror, loving the way the dress hugged my body but wasn't too ridiculously over the top.

As I made my way up to the counter to pay, I couldn't believe my good fortune at finding a dress, such a perfect one at that, in the first store I had gone to. I tried to picture Harry's face when he saw me in it and the way his hands would surely try to snake up my leg like they often did. I blushed at the thought, shaking my head to clear it as if the cashier would be able to see it on my face. I thanked her as she handed me the bag, a smile on my face at the great way the day was starting off as I made my way back into the main part of the mall.

I paused, looking both ways down the hall with thoughts of maybe finding some shoes when something caught my eye. I sucked in a breath when my gaze was met by another, the eyes a dark brown and a heavy smirk set on his face- Miles. He wasn't alone, either: several pairs of eyes were focused on me, none of them familiar but the one despite being all equally unnerving.

I watched in apprehension as he said something to the group, who were looking scarier and scarier by the second. Several of them had the skinny, strung out look of drug addicts while several others looked like they'd never missed a day in the gym in their life. It was an odd combination of people, about six or seven of them total, but I couldn't help but notice their apparent cohesiveness. They way they all stood together watching me sent a chill down my spine.

I was about to turn and walk the other way when I saw Miles starting toward me. Part of me thought I should still turn and leave, but the part of me that wanted to be strong held me in my place. I held my ground as he approached, his dark, seemingly constantly amused eyes focused on me the entire time. I didn't like the way he always looked like he knew something I didn't- something he found quite amusing in a dark, unsettling way.

"Well look who it is," he snickered as he approached. He stopped in front of me, standing far too close for my comfort at only two feet away, but I resisted the urge to take a step back. I tried to keep my gaze cool and neutral.

"Miles," I said in greeting.

"What are you doing out all by yourself?" he asked condescendingly.

"Shopping," I said flatly. I didn't like how he'd pointed out that I was alone.

"Hmm, I see that. Buying something nice for your boyfriend, eh?" he sneered, nodding at the dress bag in my hand. I blinked, choosing not to reply to his comment.

"I'm surprised he let you out of his sight after last night," he said, taking a small step closer to me. I was too, honestly.

"I can take care of myself," I argued.

"Oh that's not what I heard," he said haughtily, looking down at me.

"That whole fight thing?" He tutted, making a derisive clicking sound with his tongue against his teeth while he shook his head slowly. "Very unwise on his part."

"He wouldn't have had to if your friend wasn't such an asshole," I said, defending Harry. "Do you even know what he tried to do?"

My mouth was speaking faster than my brain could process if it was smart to be talking about any of this with Miles. Surely he already knew, and surely he didn't care. He had made it blatantly clear before that he held some weird hatred for Harry that stemmed from his 'getting everything he wants handed to him.' To me, it just sounded like extreme jealousy, but I knew how much jealousy could poison a person's mind and create such a volatile person like the one that stood in front of me.

"I'm not so much interested in what happened, if I'm really being honest," he said, shrugging casually. "All I know is Ben wants you back, sweetie, and he'll do pretty much anything to make it happen."

I cringed at his use of the word 'sweetie' just as I had with every other mock pet name he'd called me. I knew he did it just because it made me uncomfortable, but I couldn't hide my obvious distaste as a frown settled onto my face.

"I'm never going to get back together with Ben," I said firmly. I glared at Miles, irritated by his constant condescending attitude. He was the worst kind of arrogant.

"Well you see, honey, I don't think he was really pleased about your dear boyfriend's interruption. He really shouldn't have done that..." he trailed off. His tone was so light and airy that it almost sounded pleasant due to his patronizing tone, but it was impossible to miss the implied threat that was layered beneath his words.

"What exactly does that mean?" I demanded, fighting the fear that was rising in my stomach.

"Ahh, just that he better be careful who he fucks with, is all," he replied, examining me with his dark eyes.

"Like them?" I asked bravely, nodding over his shoulder at the threatening group still watching us closely. My eyes locked with one of the burlier ones, and his sneer sent a shiver down my spine before I returned my gaze to Miles. In comparison, he looked a lot less threatening even though I knew that wasn't the case. Beneath his extremely handsome face was a rotten brain, laden with jealousy and bitter hatred that crippled his judgment and sense.

"Do they look like the type of people you mess with, Halle?" he asked smoothly.

I resisted the urge to look at them again, not wanting to feel the creepy chill whenever one of the stared at me.

"Who are they?" I asked, dodging his question.

"Old friends. The type of loyal friends who don't get everything handed to them on a silver fucking spoon," he said. For the first time, the cool, lazy tone to his voice cracked, showing signs of the anger that was bubbling beneath the surface.

I didn't like the idea of Miles and Ben being linked to such 'loyal' friends who looked like they ate children for breakfast. It was a dangerous alliance, and it became more and more clear every time I interacted with either of them.

"Why do you care so much? You and Ben?" I asked in exasperation. I understood that Miles was apparently fed up with Harry getting whatever he wanted and that a deep-seated jealousy and resentment existed there, and I understood that Ben was apparently quickly loosing it because he wanted me back so badly, but it was still hard for me to wrap my mind around how the two of them had somehow formed this threatening alliance.

"We have the same goal, darling," Miles said quietly, stepping even closer. "He wants you, I want Harry to lose you. Simple as that."

"Why can't you two just let it go?" I asked, the beg clear in my tone. I wanted so badly for them to just leave us alone and give up on their threatening vendetta.

"Because," he hissed, darting forward so he was inches from my face. I flinched at his proximity and the feel of his breath on my skin. It felt strange, foreign, and unwelcome. "The world is a fucking sick place with sick people in it. This is what we do to those who deserve it."

I shrunk backward, leaning away from him and his harsh words. Surely I did not deserve this like he so claimed. What could I have possibly done to deserve it? Leave my boyfriend who cheated on me and had a terrible temper? Surely no one could blame me for doing such a thing, much less go so far as to say I deserved what they were doing to me. Even Harry, who had no doubt gotten whatever girl he had pleased and seemed to be relatively lucky in life, did absolutely not deserve this.

No one deserved to have their happiness tampered with in such hostility, no matter what they had done. The more I thought about it, the more it dawned on me: these two were dangerously deranged.

"Please," I said weakly, my voice losing any of the strength I'd managed to hold on to until now. "Please just let it go."

I watched in horror as a terrify sneer spread across his face, his expression more condescending than ever as he let out a deep, unnerving chuckle. There was something off about him that set a chill to my skin.

"Oh, Halle, sweetheart, we can't do that," he said slowly, his voice so sweet I could practically feel it dripping through the air. He leaned even closer to me. My body was frozen in place, my arms locked firmly as they crossed over my stomach in an effort to shield myself from him. I didn't like the way he was leaning closer and closer to me, the slightly unhinged look in his eye turning my blood to ice.

"If you know what's good for you and your boyfriend, you'll leave him and go back where you belong," he said coldly, his voice dropping the sickeningly sweet tone.

My breath came in slightly uneven, shaky breaths now as I listened to him speak. There it was again- another blatant threat to Harry, and now, myself, despite everything that had happened last night. My mouth was dry as I tried to swallow, and my mind felt too fuzzy to come up with anything to say. He had effectively made me speechless in fear.

"Oh, and one more thing..." he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. I held my breath in my lungs as his face ducked by the side of my head, a cold chill running down my spine as his lips tickled against ear. "If you don't want him hurt again, I wouldn't say anything about our little conversation."

I could feel my eyes widening, my nostrils flaring as I tried to breath despite my jaw being clenched shut. Fear flooded through me, terrified of the numerous threats Miles had just made and his warning not to tell Harry. I couldn't move a muscle, not even to open my mouth to take a full breath. Just when I thought I couldn't feel more afraid and uncomfortable, I felt his lips press into the skin of my neck just below my ear, his mouth lingering for a few seconds before he pulled back.

I watched in sickening horror as he pulled back, his eyelid dropping in a wink before he turned from me and sauntered back to his eagerly waiting group. He was almost all the way back to his group before I sucked in a gasping breath, my lungs filling with the air I had deprived them of for so long because of my frozen terror. My chest heaved as I took another rattling breath and focused on not bursting into tears in the middle of the mall.

To the many passersby, our interaction probably looked like two casual acquaintances chatting about anything in the world. Maybe they assumed he had a thing for me from the way he leaned down to my ear and kissed my skin. People probably figured our conversation had consisted of plans for the night, homework, anything. There was no way anyone walking by could have felt the cold undertone to the conversation, heard the numerous threats uttered by this otherwise very attractive man, or felt the chills running down my spine when he so much as looked at me. There was no way anyone looking on could tell that he was actively trying to ruin my life, but that's exactly what had happened.

My legs finally regained their feeling as I took a few shaky steps in the opposite direction of Miles. My movement was jerky, unnatural, but it was all I could manage with the fear running through me. I had to get out of this mall and as far away from Miles and his terrifying gang of 'friends' as soon as possible.

I managed to make it all the way to my car, which I had been fully expecting to be vandalized but was somehow untouched, before I broke down and let out a gasping sob. Fear, anger, frustration, confusion, but most prevalently, terror all flashed through me at once.

Why couldn't they just get over their issues and let us be? Why did they have to be so bent on destroying the best thing to ever happen to me? It wasn't fair, it wasn't right, and it made me physically sick to my stomach. There was no way I could ever leave Harry the way Miles had suggested, because I actually started to shake at the mere thought of it. I loved Harry beyond what I even thought was possible, and their constant threats to his safety made me feel so weak and helpless.

Tears flooded down my cheeks as I sat pathetically behind the wheel of my car. I had to get out of here before they came outside and saw me. Wiping vigorously at my eyes, I managed to clear away the wetness before I took a shuddering breath to try and reign in my sobs. I blew a heavy breath out of my lips before starting my car and whipping out of the parking spot.

I had to get home, but more importantly, I had to get away from Miles and all of his sick, sadistic words.

"Maybe I should cry for help... so blame it on my ADD, baby."