Ok it's back! A big multi chapter. So I know I posted the first 6 chapters recently but then I deleted it as I needed to work on it and edit the chapters that were not posted...anyway It's back and the first few chapters might seem the same (only minor tweaks).

I am going to warn everyone from chapter one this story will turn dark; I've never written anything like this before which is why I wanted to take it down and work on it. I am about 10 chapters ahead of you so hopefully that means you can have frequent updates.

Hold My Girl

Chapter 1 – Henry McCord

Elizabeth was walking the empty corridors of UVA. It was the Christmas break but she had decided not to head back to her aunties this winter. She remained at UVA alone. She carried her books and pushed the library door open with her hip before walking towards the table in the corner; her spot. She set up her studies and settled down, remaining in the spot for a few hours.

Elizabeth closed her book and took her glasses off her face, rubbing her eyes as she did. She decided to get up and stretch her legs. As she roamed the library she spotted a book on the floor, she wondered over to it and picked it up, she flipped through the pages and realised the book was someone's personal copy. Flipping to the front page she spotted the handwriting which read 'Property of Henry McCord'. Elizabeth was confused, they were a few days into the Christmas break and she hadn't seen anyone else on campus; yet for the last few days she always got up to stretch and hadn't spotted the book before.

She headed back to her table, book still in hand and placed it next to her things, she assumed it might have fallen off the shelf, or someone was here and she just simply hadn't crossed paths with them. A few more hours passed by and the loneliness crept in. Elizabeth sighed and looked around the empty room, almost like it was a metaphor for her life. She didn't really have friends at UVA despite being here for nearly a whole year. Her flat mate was a bully to others and Elizabeth hate bullies, consequently they didn't get along. She hated her accommodation, she hated sharing a room with her flatmate and hated the fact she had money to do something about it but wasn't able to access it as she was only 20 years old, another 6 months and the trust fund her parent left her would be transferred into her name.

Elizabeth decided she couldn't sit in the library any longer and put all her books into her bag. She glanced down at the book that belonged to the mystery man Henry McCord. She decided to hold onto it and return it to him personally or at least hand it in to the librarians after the Christmas break. She placed it her bag and walked out of the library, headed back to her accommodation, once again alone.

The next day came around and Elizabeth completed her same routine. She got up, showered, had breakfast, got dressed and headed down the empty corridors towards the library. Elizabeth was going over the papers she had due in a few weeks in her head, trying to plan what to prioritise first so each paper had equal attention. She pushed the door open with her hip once again and headed to her table. She placed her books down and set up exactly how she had done for the last 5 days, and how she would do for the next 2 weeks of the break. She was about to sit down when she heard a noise come from behind her; as she span around she was startled and let out a small scream as a young man stood before her.

'Oh my god I am so sorry I didn't mean to startle you' He apologised immediately noting the panic across Elizabeth's face.

'It's ok' she gasped as she placed a hand to her chest in an attempt to calm herself down

'I didn't realise anyone was in here, its ok' she reassured him as she fully composed herself.

'I only came back from break two days ago, I urm, wow you're beautiful' Henry stumbled on his words as his gaze absorbed Elizabeth's beauty. She was wearing black skinny jeans; warm winter boots and an oversized grey polo neck pull over. Her blonde curls were flowing naturally down her back.

'Oh...urm...' she shifted her gaze awkwardly

'Sorry, I...I...I am just going to sit over here' Henry fumbled around grabbing his books and took a seat at a table away from Elizabeth, but not so far away that she wasn't in eye sight.

Elizabeth sat down and opened her books, sticking to the routine that she had she began to revise and scribble down notes. Henry kept glancing over at the young women sat across from him. He had never seen her before, he was sure of that because he would remember someone as beautiful as that the thought to himself. He watched as she wrote down what he assumed were notes and turn her attention back to reading a few lines, then write, then read and so forth. He was mesmerised by this person.

Elizabeth could feel Henry's eyes burning holes into her, so she decided to take a break a little earlier than normal and stand up for a stretch. She walked around the library and found herself feeling rather awkward when she walked by his table. He glanced at her and smiled. A smile she could melt herself in. She stopped in front of him smiled back

'Thanks...for the compliment earlier' she fiddled with her fingers and after having no response from Henry she turned to head back to her desk. Henry sensed the awkardness between then and knew that him not replying only added fuel to that. He was infatuated by this girl. I've got to get to know her he thought to himself and stood up. His brain was telling him to head towards her desk but his feel carried him in the opposite direction and out the door. Henry what are you doing, go and talk to her he cursed himself. Henry realised he was now outside the library and his things inside, he needed a plausible excuse as to why he left, he didn't want her thinking he was stupid.

Elizabeth watched from the corner of her eye as Henry headed out of the library. When he was out of line sight she looked over at his table, noting all the scattered books and his belongings everywhere. Wonder where he went she asked herself but shook the thought away and returned to her studies. She was so wrapped up in her note taking that she didn't notice Henry stood above her until he cleared his throat. She jolted from what she was doing and turned to face him. A tall, dark, handsome man stood before her holding two cups of coffee.

'You have been in here for a few hours and I noticed you haven't had a drink' he explained and offered a cup to her

'Thanks' she smiled accepting the coffee and opening the lid

'I didn't know if you took milk or sugar so I brought it all with me just in case' and he emptied out the contents of his pockets, numerous amounts of sugar and milk sashes falling onto the table.

'Black, no sugar is perfect thank you very much' she smiled and gestured for him to sit down at the table with her.

'Hi I'm Henry McCord' he laughed as he sat next to her at the table

'Henry McCord?' she repeated as she remember his book

'Yes?'

'I found this yesterday... Here you go' she rummaged through her bag and brought his book up to him

'Thank you! I was looking for this, I knew I left it in here' he took the booked from her and flicked through the pages, confirming it was his.

'I was going to hand it into the Librarian when break was over, I didn't realise anyone else remained on campus'

'I didn't, I came back late in the night two days ago, I did go home but that didn't go well so I decided to come back, I came here after my long drive to try and study and must of left this here'

'Oh I see'

'Wait did you not go home, like at all?' he asked, noting her choice of words from earlier.

'No, I have 3 papers due so' she shrugged the comment away like it was nothing, but Henry knew there was more to it than that.

'Well I have 1 paper due and I am stressing, so god knows how you feel' he chuckled

'Yeah but you've got to be in a year or two above me, so your paper is probably more complicated' she laughed

'Ok let's not point score' he loved her laugh, it was intoxicating

'So we've established that I am Henry McCord...and you are?'

'Oh Shit, sorry, I am Elizabeth Adams' she giggled at her ignorance earlier. Henry made her stomach flip, in a good way.

'Well Elizabeth Adams, I need to write my paper, maybe I can come and chat to you again when I need a break?' He bit his lip nervously awaiting her answer

'Only if you agree to bring a muffin next time' she teased. There was something about Henry that made her ooze confidence.

'Deal' he winked