Eh, sorry this chapter is short c; Enjoy<3

*VOTE. COMMENT. SHARE.* ;)

---------------------------------------------- 

Chapter 9 – Chloe’s P.O.V.

            My eyes raced over the machine as it spit out papers continuously. I had watched closely as Harry lifted the lid and placed a sheet of paper upside down on the scale, then he closed it. After pushing a few buttons, more papers started flying out the other end. My eyes were having trouble keeping up with them.

            “Have you ever seen a copy machine before, Chloe?” Harry asked, but I could hear the hint of amusement in his voice. I don’t blame him; this is embarrassing.

            “N-No,” I sputtered. “They d-don’t have these a-at the c-center.”

            Harry nodded understandingly as he leaned against it. “Tell you what. I’ve got a whole lot more of papers to finish, so how about I show you how to do this and you can help me out like I promised?”

            My head snapped in Harry’s direction, my face brightening at the thought of someone actually wanting my help. I’ve never had it that way before; people always help me. I’m never one looked upon when someone is in need. This is new for me, so all I could manage was a small head nod.

            Harry smiled. “All right. It’s simple, really. You place the paper upside down, then you press the number of copies you want, and then you press this green button. Easy-peasy, right?” Harry beamed as he pointed to everything.

            I nodded.

            “Great. When these are down, you can bring them back to me and then I’ll give you some more, yeah? And if this gets boring, just tell me and you can play on my computer or something,” Harry smirked.

            I nodded for the third time.

            Harry gave me one last genuine smile before exiting the copy room. Staring down at the papers as they filed out, my mind started comparing them with events in life. Sometimes they happen so fast you can hardly see them spew out, but other times they get jammed and feel like they last forever. You don’t always want those events to stay stuck with you, but sometimes they just need a little help from your brain saying you can help it go away. The papers need a boost once in a while, just like every human being on this earth.

            “Stop trying to fight us, Chloe.”

            My heart picked up pace as I spun around and placed my back against the wall. They were here. They had followed me and waited until Harry left to speak. I don’t know why they always wait until he’s gone; but now he’s gone and I’m all alone. I’m alone with the things I fear most. The things that made me who I am today.

            “I-I’m n-not,” I stammered as I clawed both hands through my hair, debating on whether I should scream or not. As much as I wanted too, since this is a professional building I chose against it.

            “He can’t help you.”

            “I-I k-know.”

            “Then why do you love his presence?”

            Sucking in a sharp breath through my nose, I squeezed my eyes and shook my head. I couldn’t tell them I loved Harry’s presence simply because of his genuine smiles and care towards me. I couldn’t tell them I loved Harry’s presence because he made them—the demons I’m encountering now—go away. I couldn’t tell them anything I should tell them, so it was better to keep my big mouth shout; just like I’ve always been told to do.

            “Answer us,” they taunted as their dark shadows circled my head, their voice coming through my ears like a fainted whisper.

            Squeezing my eyes closed tighter in hopes they’d leave me alone, my hands clenched into petrified fists down at my side, my nails digging nervously into my palms. I was shaking now, but that’s become normal for me when they come around.

            “Answer!” they furiously screamed.

            I jumped nearly ten feet in the air, about to scream myself when the copy room door opened. “Chloe?”

            My chest rose and fell rapidly as my eyes flew open, the voices fading away as I took in my surroundings. I was no longer backed against the wall, but now I was holding a pair of scissors in my hands; spread open. One of my hands were gripping one blade as the other was prepared to slice my skin.

            Completely petrified and confused, the scissors dropped from my shaking hands and fell to the floor. I could barely breathe out my mouth as I took in trembling breaths and struggled to let them out. Zayn was standing, utterly confused, at the entrance of the copy room as he stared at me. My mind was whirling and I know they were the ones who put the scissors in my hands. They have a way of bringing out an inner demon inside me I had no clue existed. I don’t even realize what they do to me until the damage is done.

            “A-Are you okay?” Zayn stuttered as he stared at me with his chocolate brown eyes.

            I raked a nervous hand through my hair, still trembling as I glanced at the scissors now on the tile floor. Trying to forget everything that just happened, I pursed my lips and furiously nodded my head. Seeing as the papers were done copying, I gathered them in a pile into my arms and scurried past him out the door. I wanted to be back at Harry’s side now, considering they leave me alone when he’s near. I wanted him to tell me everything was going to be okay; that I wasn’t crazy. He’s told me I’m simply different, which is a far better title than insane.

            My eyes flickered frantically around the crowded office room until they landed on the mop of curls. Harry was writing something, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his brow knitted in concentration. It was mesmerizing how he tucked his lower lip between his teeth in full focus.

            Pushing aside my thoughts, I wasted no time in scurrying over to him. I glimpsed back at the copy room I just exited, seeing Zayn was still watching me in utter confusion. Biting my bottom lip nervously, I set Harry’s papers beside him on his desk. His bright emerald eyes moved up to me, a small smile curving his lips. I was still nervously looking around, my fingers twiddling together as I managed to sputter out a single sentence, “I-Is there m-more?”

            Harry stared at me a long time, his smile fading as he realized I was overly distressed. I was terrified for my life, considering those scissors were ready to do much harm to my arms. I’m just now healing up from the last time they came around; I don’t want them back.

            “Are you all right, Chloe?” Harry asked quietly as he turned in his chair to look at me.

            I managed a quick nod.

            “Chloe,” Harry said firmly, raising an eyebrow. “Is there something wrong?”

            Pursing my lips tightly, that weird feeling of security and trust washed over me as I stared into Harry’s bright eyes. This boy has been with me ever since I got back three days ago. He stopped me from permanently ending my life. He’s made me laugh and smile and he’s even cuddled with me to calm me down. I’m completely confused with all of this and him, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it.

            Slowly, I nodded my head.

            Harry raked his fingers through his hair as he gestured me to sit. I did so as he leaned closer to whisper, “Do you want to talk about it?”

            I shook my head immediately.

            Harry sighed, nodding slowly as he bit his lip. “All right, love. I don’t want you scaring yourself, so you can sit here with me the rest of the day.”

            A small smile graced my lips at the thought of being able to watch Harry in full concentration for four more hours. Even though I don’t know much about looks or whatever, I know Harry must be one of those people who gather much attention. His gorgeous, really. His curly hair and bright eyes. His dimpled smile and contagious laugh. He’s someone I really want around in my demented life.

           I like him.