"Harlow?" I peaked my head in her room, searching for her.

I walked around the house some more.

"Harlow?" I called out a little louder.

My stomach started to turn. What if her father got out of prison somehow and took her? My hands fished my phone out of my pocket before going to the tracking app.

If I thought I was nervous before, I'm a wreak now. Harlow is at her house.

What is she doing at her house? She wouldn't go there willingly. I know that she wouldn't. Too many bad memories. If she went there voluntarily. She went there to do something she doesn't want me to know about. She wouldn't go back to get anything since she can just buy another.

My hands shook as I picked up my keys off the counter and headed out the door.

I dialed Harlow's number as I pulled out of the driveway in a hurry.

"Your call has been forwarded to an automated voicemail." Fucking hell Harlow.

I know she never checks her voicemail box, so it's not worth it.

My hands are fucking shaking from the amount of rage pulsing through each vein in my fucking body. Oh, I'm gonna kill someone.

"Harlow?" I called out to her as soon as I swung the front door to her house open. It was left cracked which worries me even more.

"In heeeere!" A long slurred out voice yelled from across the house.

She's okay, but she's being stupid. Deep breaths Demi. Deep breaths. "Where is 'in here' Harlow?" I growled lowly.

"Downs the steps!" A giggle and a hiccup soon followed.

I swear to fucking christ if she is drunk or under the influence of anything I'm going to kick her ass. She isn't even of age.

"Demi!" Harlow slurred out my name when my footsteps made the steps creak.

"Don't 'Demi' me. What the fuck are you doing?" I snapped at the sight of Harlow sprawled out across the bar island.

"Drinking my worries away!" Harlow giggled as she rolled off of the counter, but started to whine when she hit the floor. "Fuuuuck."

I sighed. She's too drunk to understand or remember anything I'd say, so it's useless at the moment. "We're going home. Get up."

"No alch at home. Alch here. Me stay here." Harlow patted the floor before rolling around in the empty beer bottles that are scattered across the floor.

"Harlow, if you don't get up right now I'm going to drag you out of this house."

"Harlow, if you don't get up imma drag you outta this house." Harlow mocked me as she slowly and unsteadily got to her feet. "You can't make me do shit." Harlow snapped as she looked me in the eyes.

"That's what they all say till their nose and a few other bones are broken." I smirked in attempt to get her to stand down. It usually works.

"Try me!" Harlow put her hands up in a defensive stance as she unsteadily wobbled back and forth and I rolled my eyes.

"Enough Harlow, you're drunk." I sighed as I shook my head.

"I'm not drunk! I'm just drinking! A lot of drinking!" She laughed before falling over from laughing too hard.

"Dumbass," I muttered under my breath. "We're going home, and if you throw up in the car you're going to be scrubbing it tomorrow."

Harlow simply laughed as I dragged her up the steps and out the front door.

Drunk Harlow is a moody Harlow. Drunk Harlow is a Harlow that is gonna get her ass beat when she sobers up.

"Please turn the lights off." Harlow mumbled as I looked down at her in my bed. I didn't even want to try to get her into her alcove bed. It was hard enough to get her through the fucking front door.

"No, we've gotta talk." I snapped.

She rubbed her eyes and slowly rolled over to face me. "You have my full attention." Her morning voice was prominent as she opened her tired eyes.

"What were you thinking?" I spoke in a completely calm voice. One that scares her more than my angered one.

"I wanted to drink stress away, and I didn't think you'd get mad because you usually go straight to bed after you shower." Harlow looked at the wall.

I grabbed her chin and made her face me. "I go straight to bed with you. Did you honestly think I wouldn't be mad that my girlfriend, who is also my submissive, fucking drank her ass off when she is under age and when her girlfriend is a recovering alcoholic?" My voice was calm. The calm before the storm.

Harlow took a deep breath before speaking. "I had thoughts that you would, but after everything that's gone on I wanted stress relief and cutting isn't an option when I tend to walk around shirtless." Harlow closed her eyes so she didn't have to look into mine.

But my heart sank at her words. "What is going on in that beautiful mind?" I softly sang to her.

"Hell. Hell is going on in this damn mind." Harlow mumbled and tried to roll out of my grip, but I put my free hand on her shoulder.

"Why didn't you just talk to me about it baby?" My voice was no longer calm. It was pained. I'm sure the expression on my face shows how much it fucking hurts me that she felt like she couldn't talk to me.

"I don't know. I just didn't want you to worry." Harlow looked me in the eyes and I instantly started to tear up.

"I worry more when you aren't safe with me." I gave her a sad smile as I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about it. I now realize how stupid I was. I was just in the state of mind where I look for something that will bring quick gratification." She shrugged as I turned the lights off before crawling into bed beside her.

"It's okay baby. Just please don't do it again." I kissed the top of her head as my arms held her securely; as if they were afraid to let go.

"I won't." Harlow whispered before wrapping her arms around mine. "Please don't go."

"I'm not Harlow. You will never have to worry about that. Even if you do something overly ridiculous." I internally sighed, knowing it's true. That I'll never be able to leave her. I've had that mindset since I first saw her in the hallway.

"I'm sorry you girlfriend is so messed up." Harlow shook in my arms as she cried.

"My girlfriend's imperfections make her more perfect for me. I promise baby girl. Just go back to sleep. Hangovers are brutal to be awake for." I kissed the top of her head as I rubbed her arm with my thumb.

She didn't say another word. She just got more comfortable in my arms before closing her eyes and listening to my order.

Bloody hell. I'm falling for a minor who is my girlfriend. Breaking so many laws in more ways than one. It would be lawfully okay if I wasn't her teacher, but since I am it's a problem; both morally and lawfully. But fuck it. I care about her more than I will ever be able to explain and express, and I like her more than I've ever liked anyone.

Damnit all the hell I'm falling for her. Who am I kidding? I've been falling for her since I made eye contact with her.

My phone buzzed and my back pocket and Harlow groaned before turning in my arms and pulling me along with her by one arm so I was spooning her.

"You're so needy." I teased before kissing right behind her ear and pulling my phone out of my back pocket.

She groaned in response before relaxing and letting herself fall asleep.

Dad: When do we get to meet her?

Dad: We know you two are living together, so it would be nice to know who my daughter is sharing a roof with.

Me: She's not ready for new people at the moment. You've seen the news so you know what she's gone through cut her a break.

I rolled my eyes and he responded quicker than I could take a breath.

Dad: I'll cut her a break once I trust her with you. Plus your mom wants to meet her, and Dallas, and Madison.

Me: I will introduce you to her wen she is ready for twenty questions and pressure. I intimidate her enough as it is. Let's not bring my dad in to intimidate her too. She needs to gain her footing first.

Dad: I'm going to meet her Friday at dinner. Ready or not. I know that you care about her, but I need to make sure she will be taking care of you correctly.

Me: No offense, but you're being a little ridiculous. I'm twenty-six years old now. Not fourteen. I've got to go now.

I shut my phone off completely before wrapping my arms back around Harlow's waist tightly.

I will not let him pressure her into meeting them till she is ready.

He may be my dad, but he is a total ass at times.