Thunder woke Brooklyn and she shot up in bed, her eyes wide.
She grabbed her phone and checked the time. 6:30. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. Another crash of thunder made her jump and she closed her eyes. When she had been taken by the man who abused and raped her, it had thundered the majority of the time.
She couldn't hear thunder without being reminded of that torturous week.
Brooklyn turned on some music and blasted it loudly, trying to drown out the storm. She was home alone, which made her more nervous. Her aunt and uncle had already left for work and Brandon had left the night before to stay round a friend's house.
Brooklyn hummed to the music and got in the shower. She showered quickly and dressed in ripped skinny jeans and an oversized purple jumper. Her hair was in curls all over the place and she didn't even try to contain them as she knew the rain would only make them worse.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph," she gasped when a loud crash made the floor shake slightly. Brooklyn took a deep breath and pulled on her black flats. She then grabbed her school bag and made her way downstairs.
Brooklyn searched the house for ten minutes for an umbrella and she came to the conclusion that it was lost. She then hunted around for her coat, grinning when she saw it. She picked up the floral coat and then walked out of the house, stopping immediately when there was a flash of light and a loud bang.
She stumbled back and sat down on the porch, pulling her knees up to her chest and resting her head on her knees.
"You're safe," Brooklyn whispered to herself. "It's just the weather, it can't hurt you." A frightened squeak escaped her lips when there was another crash and she took a shaky breath. "It doesn't remind you of what happened. It's not thunder, it's just... It's not thunder, it's something else, it's a... A loud dog. Come on, grow some balls and walk to school-" Brooklyn covered her ears when there was another crack of thunder and she squeezed her eyes shut.
Her mind was going back to the room where she was chained up and left in the dark. She could hear his footsteps walking down the stairs. She could always hear when he was coming for her. They were getting closer and Brooklyn started to panic. Her breathing became rapid and her hands got clammy.
Brooklyn gasped when someone grabbed her wrists and her eyes flew open when she felt the sparks. "It's me," Harry said. "Relax."
"I... I... Thunder it... I-"
"Shh," Harry said, "you don't need to explain yourself."
Brooklyn jumped again when she heard another crash of thunder. "It just needs to shut up!"' She snapped. She looked at Harry with wide eyes and she willed herself not to cry. "When I was... taken... it thundered a lot and it just reminds me of what happened-" Brooklyn squeezed her eyes shut when there was lightening and she braced herself for the loud noise.
It never came.
Harry's large hands covered her ears and Brooklyn didn't hear the thunder. He then gently pulled Brooklyn up and guided her towards his car. The heater was on and the radio was playing softly. Brooklyn eyed Harry cautiously when he got in the car and shut the door. The car blocked the outside out rather well.
"You okay?" Harry asked after a silence.
Brooklyn nodded. "I will be." She flinched when she heard a quiet rumble of thunder.
"Don't cry," Harry said and Brooklyn moved back when he reached out for her.
"Don't," she said, not wanting to feel the sparks.
Harry ignored her and cupped her cheek, wiping her tears away with his thumb.
"It's not going to hurt you," he said, referring to the weather.
"A lot of things won't hurt me, doesn't mean I'm not scared of them," Brooklyn muttered.
"Like your feelings," Harry said, but Brooklyn ignored him.
He was right.
Brooklyn pushed Harry's hand away from her and rubbed her eyes. "Just drive," she said and looked ahead. Rain slammed down on the window screen and the road ahead was dark.
"No," Harry said. "Let's talk."
"No, it will only end up in us arguing," Brooklyn said.
"What if there was an explanation as to why you felt like this towards me," Harry said. "How would you feel then?"
"What do you mean explanation?" Brooklyn questioned.
"An explanation for this." Harry grabbed Brooklyn's hand and sparks flew up her arm. "An explanation as to why you're not scared of my touch."
"There isn't an explanation, Harry," Brooklyn sighed. "I'm attracted to you even when I don't want to be."
Harry ran his fingers through his hair and gritted his teeth. He seemed to be debating something in his head.
"You called me a bitch," Brooklyn remembered.
"You were being difficult."
"That's no excuse."
"You called me an ass," Harry pointed out.
"You are one."
"That's no excuse."
Brooklyn huffed and jumped when there was a rumble of thunder.
"Hey," Harry said and Brooklyn closed her eyes when there was a flash. Harry's hands covered her ears again and he waited until he heard the rumble before he removed them. "I'm not taking you to school like this."
"What-"
"When the thunder stops we'll go to school. You look like you're about to cry any moment, babe," Harry said and Brooklyn quickly rubbed her damp eyes.
"I'm fine," Brooklyn said.
"How's your bruise?"
Brooklyn shrugged her shoulders. "Okay."
Another flash of lightening and crack of thunder took Brooklyn back to the dark room and she blinked a few times, pushing the memory out of her head.
"I told Sasha, Violet and Alice that we had sex," she said suddenly, needing something to distract her. "I also told them I was r..." Brooklyn couldn't finish the word.
"That's good," Harry said. "It's good you can trust them with that."
Brooklyn nodded and she reached into her pocket and pulled out the newspaper clipping.
"Babe, why the hell have you got that?" Harry sighed and Brooklyn folded it in half and held it out to Harry.
"I don't want it," she said. "But I can't get rid of it. Please, just take it. Sometimes I sit up all night and just stare at it. It's like having a darkness in my room."
"Just throw it away."
"No! No, I can't. I just, I can't keep it," she said and Harry slowly took the clipping from Brooklyn, making sure their hands grazed together.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Positive," Brooklyn muttered and looked away.
Harry slid it into his jeans and reached forward, cupping Brooklyn's chin and turning her head to face him. "C'mere," he said and softly kissed Brooklyn.
Brooklyn was taken aback. She was used to rough, forceful, dominant, but this kiss was gentle. Thunder clapped loudly outside, but Brooklyn didn't notice. She placed one hand on Harry's neck and the other on his shoulder, pulling her closer to him. Harry's fingers tangled in Brooklyn's curls and he slowly deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and meeting Brooklyn's tongue with his.
All the bad thoughts vanished from Brooklyn's head. Harry made her forget about the fear and focus on him. He took the fear away and made her feel nothing but pleasure.
"Stop," she whispered. "Don't do this again."
"What?"
"Kiss me and make me forget everything but you," she grumbled and tried to move back but Harry held her still.
"Why not?"
"Because... Because." Brooklyn muttered and jumped when there was more thunder.
"I distracted you from the thunder," Harry said lowly and cupped Brooklyn's cheek. "I help you."
Brooklyn closed her eyes and sighed softly. "Take me to school, Harry."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because you're scared!" Harry snapped. "I'm not taking you to school if all you're going to do is freak out when you hear thunder. If it stops we'll go."
"Harry, I've already missed days of school, I can't miss anymore! We're not all brainiacs like you!" Brooklyn snapped.
Harry raised his eyebrows when Brooklyn jumped, hearing another rumble of thunder. "Do you think you're going to get much work done, Brooklyn?"
Brooklyn narrowed her eyes at Harry. "So what the hell am I meant to do then?"
"Trust me," was all Harry said before starting the car and driving off.
*
"Harry, I don't see how-"
Harry ignored Brooklyn and climbed out of his car. He walked round to Brooklyn's side and opened her car door. "Come on," he said and held his hand out. His hair was getting damp and his tshirt was sticking to his abs.
Brooklyn stared at Harry's hand and she squeaked in fright when there was a loud crack of thunder. She grabbed Harry's hand quickly, scrambling out of the car and into the pouring rain. Harry wrapped his arm round Brooklyn's shoulder and guided her towards his house.
Harry took Brooklyn downstairs, into the basement that had been turned into a gym.
"Soundproof," Harry said and sat down on the soft matted floor.
Brooklyn eyed him and slowly sat down next to him. "Thank you."
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I want to tell you something, Brooklyn."
Brooklyn crossed her legs and raised her eyebrows. "What?"
"I want to explain everything."
"What do you mean?"
"Us. I want to explain us."
"What do you mean us?" Brooklyn asked.
Harry gave Brooklyn a stern look. "You know very well what I mean, babe."
"You can't explain it," Brooklyn frowned.
"But I can. And you need to promise me that you won't freak out."