Her Possession

Harry's pov.

It's Tuesday, and I'm already tired. The weather outside is windy and rainy-perfect for two, as some would say.

I toss my covers aside, a sharp breeze cutting through the slightly open window and sending shivers down my spine. No matter how cold it gets, I'll always keep that window open.

Good thing I don't have a roommate, because Jesus, the amount of complaining that would come out of their mouth every morning would drive me insane.

I'm in my second year, but I'm still stuck repeating first-year ecology. Didn't manage to hit that 60% in the June exam, so here I am-retaking it while continuing with my other modules.

Technically, I've moved on, but that one subject's got me anchored. Still, I like to think I'm lucky in my own way.

Before I could drag myself out of bed, my phone rang. Mammy flashed on the screen. I picked up.

"Cian, conas atá tú?" "Cian, how are you?"

"Táim go maith, a Mham, conas atá tú agus an tAthair ag coinneáil ansin?" "I'm good, Mam, how are you and Dad holding up there?"

"Ó, tá gach rud go maith, tá turas gnó ag an tAthair agus mise go dtí an Ghearmáin." "Oh everything's great, your dad and I got a business trip to Germany."

"Ó, cé a mbeidh Orla ina diaidh?" "Oh, who is Orla going to be with?"

"Beidh sí ag Fiona, agus tá súil agam go bhfuil tú ag déanamh do dhícheall chun críoch a chur leis an ollscoil. Táimid ag iarraidh ár bhithéolaí fiadhúlra a fheiceáil." "She will be at Fiona's, and I hope you're trying your hardest to finish varsity. We want to see our future wildlife biologist."

"Táim ag déanamh gach rud, Mammy, chun tú agus Daide a dhéanamh sona." "Yes, Mammy, I'm doing everything to make you and Dad happy."

"Tá sé go maith éisteacht, táim ag dul, gráim thú, a stóirín." "Well that's good to hear. I've got to go. Love you, baby."

"Love you, Mam." I ended the call.

Mammy always calls me by my second name, Cian. She never speaks English-refuses to. Says she's not an Englishwoman and that she hates the language.

She'd rather go silent than speak it. I get that it's not her native tongue, but still...come on, Mam.

I checked the time: 6:20 a.m. Still got time.

I stood up, fixed my bed, and jumped into the shower. After I was done, I applied my Gucci Pour Homme II lotion, pulled on black khakis and a white compression shirt, threw on my red and black flannel, then sprayed myself with the matching Gucci Pour Homme II deodorant.

If Kieran were here, he'd be like, "You're dressing like you've got a date with an international model."

I packed my laptop and a few books into my bag, grabbed my house and car keys, and headed out.

---

When I arrived at campus, the usual crowd was already moving around-some students hurrying into the building, others lounging around, and the occasional group lighting up weed near the far corners like they owned the place.

I got out of the car, locked it, and tossed my keys to Daniel, the bell boy. Then I headed inside.

It didn't take long for the stares to start. Girls. Whispering. Giggling. Blushing. It's like they've never seen a man before.

I rolled my eyes. Honestly, I want nothing to do with any of these girls. Not an opinion-a fact. A cold, unshakable fact.

I strolled through the hallways, sighing when I finally lost the stares.

"My first lecture must be ecology." I passed a few classrooms and finally reached the lecture room.

"Let's start with the question, what is Ecology?" Professor Thompson's voice echoed in the room as I stepped in.

He turned toward me.

"Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. It examines the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment," I said confidently, hoping the correct answer would soften the fact I was late.

"Correct, Mr. Rutherford."

Of course it's correct-I've done this module before.

"Why are you late?" he asked, voice calm.

"I'm only one minute late, but it won't happen again."

He hummed in response and continued the lecture. I headed to my usual spot, but my eyes immediately landed on Daisy. Her yellow-brown eyes warmed my chest.

"I didn't know you do ecology." I sat next to her.

"I also didn't know you were doing ecology. And aren't you supposed to be doing second-year ecology?"

I paused. "Long story short, I'm re-writing."

I avoided her gaze, but she gently caressed my hand and turned her attention back to the professor.

I pressed my lips together and ran my tongue across my teeth, trying to suppress the smile curling at the corners.

She gave me butterflies.

Wait, no.

A girl just gave me butterflies!

Is this how it feels? Butterflies fluttering in your stomach? I never understood Sandy when she said Emma gave her butterflies. Dang.

I'm not falling in love though. Not now. Not ever. I've got to focus on myself and on academics.

But what if I am? Ugh, I hate this feeling. Will it just end already?

But... at the same time, I want more of it.

Fuck.

What do I actually want?

Wait. Did I just curse in my own head?

Why am I even overthinking this?

"Harry, are you okay?" Daisy touched my shoulder gently, her warm palm instantly making my own hands sweat.

Oh no. She might have noticed.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Nothing to worry about." I fake-smiled. She nodded and focused back on the lecture.

I pulled out my phone and texted Kieran and Sandy:

< Me: Meet me at the cafeteria when it's lunch time.

< Sandy: What's it about?

< Kieran: Probably shited himself.

< Sandy: Kieran, shut up please. Harry, what's up?

< Me: Just meet me at the cafeteria. It's urgent.

I switched off my phone and tried my hardest to concentrate. Forty minutes to go.

Great.