You Know What They Do To Girls Like Us

44 minutes according to Harry. 44 minutes we have been standing primly greeting the socialites that pass by in their flamboyant masks and gowns and God-knows-what those men are passing off as tuxedos.

Everything seems to be going well, but I can’t shake the feeling of uneasiness in the pit of my stomach. The fact that I can’t recognize anyone because of their masks makes me feel vulnerable.

“Mr. Styles,” a man with a pronounced mustache and Italian accent shakes hands with Harry. His mask is black with gold stitches. “Lovely party you’re having. Allow me to introduce myself as Signor Ugolotti.”

“Thank you, sir,” Harry replies as smooth as always. “I’m glad you are enjoying it. Have you met my girlfriend, Robin?”

I tense a bit at the word girlfriend, but smile and greet the Signor Ugolotti with no sign of hesitation. This is an act. I have to play my part perfectly.

Feeling a tap at my shoulder, I grip tighter at Harry’s elbow.

“You alright, love?” Harry notices and looks down at me.

“Mr. Styles,” a male voice interrupts me before I can answer. I look up to see a light blue mask. “I was wondering if I may take this lady to dance.”

I glance at the large dance floor where everyone seems to be doing some form of ball room dancing, something that Paula definitely did not prepare me for. Everyone seems to be moving so gracefully as if they dance like this every night, which they probably do.

“Would you like to, Robin?” Harry’s deep voice snaps me out of my trance.

“Oh - um,” I stutter. “Sure.”

It takes me a second before I release Harry’s arm. My sense of security leaves as I place my hand in the hand of the young man who has asked me to dance. As he leads me to the floor, I notice Harry’s eyes don’t leave me until Signor taps him on the lapel.

With a tug on my arm, the stranger brings me close to him abruptly. A little bit too close. So close that he easily leans over to whisper into my ear.

“Guess who?”

“Who?” I reply tentatively.

“Your favourite thing,” he replies.

“Louis?” I draw back to look at the bright blue eyes glowing through the eyeholes of the mask.

“Well I guess more your favourite person than a thing,” he thinks aloud.

“This is way too risky. What if Harry finds out?” I bite my lip as he guides me along the dance floor. “Do you know how much trouble the both of us would be in if he found out?”

“Don’t worry,” his smile wavers. “I switched masks, can’t you tell? He’ll never suspect a thing.”

I can’t conceal the worry circling around in my head with a simple smile. If Harry found out, I know I would be punished severely. With my eyes constantly flitting back to Harry, it’s hard to enjoy dancing with Louis even if my feet are all over the place. Louis must notice my nervous glancing.

“Just look at me,” Louis lifts my chin so that I’m staring right into his eyes. “Keep your eyes on me.”

I nod slightly, but can’t get comfortable in his hold. The next few minutes of the dance are spent in silence with the exception of the buzz of surrounding people and the quartet playing. Looking up at Louis, I notice that he’s concentrating on something in the crowd. Almost as if he’s looking for someone.

“Louis?” his head snaps to look back down at me when I speak.

“Hmm?” he smiles. I notice that his smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Louis, what’s wrong?” I frown.

“Nothing, love,” he replies quickly.

“You never call me love,” suddenly I don’t want to touch him, but he keeps my hands securely fastened in his. “Only Harry calls me love.”

“Can you stop talking about Harry for once?” he snaps.

“I’m not always talking about him,” I mumble. “I mean, he’s my master.”

“He doesn’t own you, okay?” his jaw clenches and I notice his grip on me is tighter. For the first time, I don’t feel safe in Louis’ arms.

“He kinda does actually,” I want to break away from his hold, but I know it would cause too much of a scene. “

“You’re mine,” Louis’ voice has an edge like the thunder you hear right before lightning strikes.

“Excuse me,” a low voice speaks from beside us. Harry.

I start panicking when Louis turns to him. His eyes dilate for a split second. Freezing up, I wait for Harry to rip off Louis’ mask in discovery.

“May I have my girlfriend?” Harry simply asks.

“Of course,” Louis lets go of me and steps back with a firm nod.

Harry takes my arm and leads me further into the waltzing crowd before I can reply.

“What a stiff,” Harry says as he places my hand on his shoulder. “Barely had any coordination in his body.”

“I think that was partly due to my lack of dancing skills,” I slowly relax in Harry’s hold. “Did I really look that clumsy?”

“Not clumsy,” he hesitates with a smile playing at his lips. “Just a little off balance.”

“Well I’m sorry that I wasn’t raised with the elite,” I roll my eyes. “What, I bet you had some sort of daily etiquette shit or something.”

“I actually wasn’t raised with the elite either,” he says. “I started out living in the Outer Limits.” I’ve learned that The Outer Limits is what these people call the poor people outside of Annapola.

“You lived in The Outer Limits?” I’m shocked. “But you’re…”

“I’m what?” he raises his eyebrows. “I didn’t start out like this. I auditioned for this competition when I was a teenager and then joined the band.”

I am quiet for a bit because I don’t know how to go about this new information.

“How was your life before…” looking around the room, I try to find the right words, “all of this?”

“Probably a lot like what yours used to be like,” he shrugs.

“What was your family like?” I want to know more about Outer-Limits-Harry.

“I think it’s better that we talk about this outside,” he starts pulling me towards some ornate glass doors that lead out to a balcony. “It’s too loud in here.”

Smiling to myself, I follow Harry outside onto the white marble balcony. A beautiful garden is spread out before us with all kinds of exotic flowers that I didn’t even know existed.

“So tell me,” I lean on the marble railing and look out at the vast expanse of greenery under the starry sky. “Your family…”

“My mother worked at a bakery,” Harry sighs. He leans his back against the railing and brings his elbows up to support himself. “She would provide the food for our community. My sister would help her out. She’s a few years older than me.”

“What’s her name?” I ask softly.

“Gemma,” the pain in his voice makes me want to hug him.

“Where is she now?” not wanting to scare him away from his gentle state, I keep my voice quiet and calm.

“Somewhere partying in the Annapola probably,” he looks down at his shoes. “She went to live with my mother when we were separated. Moved as far away as they could from wherever I was.”

“Why were you separated?” As soon as I ask, I know I’ve pushed too far.

“Forget it,” his facial expression is as stiff as the stone statues in the garden.

The air is warm. I can hear music of the quartet barely filtering through the glass doors.

“Do you want to go back inside?” I ask after a few minutes.

“Not really,” Harry sighs again. “The lights and people are too overwhelming in there.”

“Good - I wouldn’t go back in if my life depended on it,” I shudder at the irony.

“What about you?” he nudges my arm with his elbow.

“What about me?” I turn to lean on my side against the railing. Harry does the same to face me.

“Just you,” he says with a slight smile. “Your favourite time of day, your favourite books, your bad habits…”

So for the next two hours I told him. And he listened, nodded, laughed, and commented every now and then. And it felt right.

Notes

CAN I GET A HELL YEAH FOR UPDATING
So sorry this update took a while once again. It was really difficult for me to write because at this point everything that happens between Harry, Robin, and Louis is extremely crucial. Anyway, hope you liked this chapter! Make sure to comment your thoughts and subscribe if you want to read more. The story is slowly coming to and end in a few chapters ooooohh. Thank you for reading! :)
~christi ellie