The Girl with the Purpled Streaked Hair

The sounds of beeping machines and orders from doctors filled the silent room. Martha laid in her bed, pale and motionless. Harry and Lori stood by her side just silently watching the fragile old lady sleep. Lori hated hospitals. Ever since she was young she knew hospitals were the place people went to die and looking at a defenseless Martha she could barely hold back her tears. She remembered the first time she went to a hospital was with Martha because Bill had to get knee surgery.
*Flashback*
Rain hit the window of Bill's hospital room, making pitter patter sounds. Lori was sat on Martha's lap and she tried not to let her tear slip out of her eyes. She always knew not to cry, even at a young age she knew to never let anyone see her cry. Martha was silent which confused Lori since she thought Martha would be sobbing, staring at her still husband. She tilted her head upwards to look at Martha's face and saw there were no tears to be found.
"Why aren't you crying?" Lori asked.
"Why would I be crying, pumpkin?"
"Aren't you scared Bill is gonna die?"
"Of course not!" Martha laughed. "Why would you think Bill was going to die?"
"Because people die in hospitals."
"Well that may be true," Martha said slowly. "but people also get better in hospitals. Bill is just resting and once he gets all his strength back he'll be back home. The doctors make all the sick people healthy again and fix broken bones. They're kind of like superheroes."
"Why can't they fix everybody?"
"Because some people need to go to heaven. Here come with me."
Martha got up from the chair making Lori slide to her feet. She held Lori's small hand and they headed toward the door.
"What about Bill?" Lori asked, looking back at his sleeping figure.
"Don't worry we'll only be gone for a few minutes."
They left the room and headed down the hallway. Lori wondered how Martha knew which turns to make in such a huge place. She didn't like the doctors, they looked too official and strict. She imagined their white coats were replaced with red capes like Superman. Martha led them to a window and Lori could just see inside the large room. Newborn infants were resting there and Lori smiled at how adorable they looked.
"They're so cute and tiny," Lori said.
"Hospitals aren't just where people go to die, hospitals are also where people come into the world. Any one of these babies could be the president, find the cure for cancer, or be the first person on Mars. People are extraordinary creatures, Lori."
"Even me?" Lori asked, a glint of hope in her big brown eyes.
"Especially you," Martha answered with a smile. "Every person is special and you're the most special person I know."
*End of Flashback*
"How long as she been in here?"
Harry's voice brought Lori out of her trance and she snapped her head toward him. She could see how upset he was and it broke her heart knowing how much he cared for Martha even though they had only met once.
"Just a few days. I've been visiting her every day since she came in. Bill and I have been taking turns with shifts at the store."
"She's going to be okay, isn't she?"
"Yeah, the stroke wasn't serious," Lori reassured him. "The doctor said she's really lucky she won't be effected. The doctor said she'd be able to go home soon once she rests for a few days."
Harry pulled Lori into a comforting embrace, engulfing her in his arms. She hugged his torso and buried her face into his chest. Having Harry close made everything better, he felt warm in the cold, boring room. Lori felt him kiss the top of her head before resting his chin on it. He knew Martha was like a mother to Lori and he wanted to make sure that she'd be okay. Her body felt so delicate in his arms.
"Well don't you two look cozy," came a faint voice.
Lori immediately untangled herself from Harry's arms and went over to a smiling Martha.
"How are you feeling?" Lori asked worriedly.
"The answer will be the same every time you ask me, I'm fine. Hello Harry, it's nice to see you again."
"Good to see you too," Harry smiled.
"It's such a beautiful day out," Martha stated emotionlessly, staring off through the window.
She was in a trance for a little bit, remembering a distant memory of who knows what. Her head slowly turned back towards the young couple and she smiled at them. They reminded her of herself and Bill; young and in love. She noticed Harry's eyes hardly left Lori's face and Martha wished Lori would let her walls down for Harry. There was something about him that told Martha he wouldn't hurt her, that Harry cared for Lori too much to ever do that to her.
"You two shouldn't waste such a nice day in a hospital room. Go out and have some fun."
"Are you sure?" Lori asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Martha urged. "Seeing you so much can get old you know. I love you Lori dear, but I need my space."
Lori smiled and shook her head. "I'm rubbing off on you too much. I'll see you tomorrow Martha."
Harry wrapped his arm around Lori's shoulders and they walked out of the room together. As Lori slipped her arm around Harry's waist he called his driver to tell him to bring the car around. The sound of reporters and fans became louder as they neared the back door that was supposed to be their secret getaway. People always found them despite their attempts at not being seen; everyone was always watching. Harry's grip around Lori tightened as they went out the door. Reporters and fans and photographers consumed them, making it nearly impossible to get to the car that was a mere seven feet away. Slowly they got to the car and practically collapsed inside before driving away. Lori snuggled against Harry, pulling her knees to her chest and leaning her body into his. He held her closely and admired how perfectly they fit together. He started to think of all the other little things he loved about Lori. The way her hair fell on her shoulders, the way she threw he head back when she laughed, but then she'd end up covering her laughing face with her hands, how she wouldn't let less than two cheerios on her spoon because each oat needed at least one friend, how she'd make funny faces when they'd video chat. Everything about her made Harry smile and he wondered how he got so lucky.
"Where to now, Mr. Styles?" the driver asked.
Harry looked down at Lori. "You're going to kill me," he said to her.
"Why?"
"I need to get Niall a birthday present, we're throwing him a party this weekend."
"His birthday was last week though. I remember, I called him to wish him a happy birthday."
"Yeah, but we were working all that week so we decided to throw him a party this weekend since we had a few days off. I was actually going to ask you if you wanted to fly out to Ireland with me for the party."
"Harry, I can't," Lori answered the disappointment obvious in her voice. "I have to help Bill with the store. I want to, I really really want to, but I can't."
"I understand," Harry nodded.
"I'll help you pick out a gift for him though."
Harry smiled and kissed her lips gently. He understood Lori had to help out Bill and Martha, it was just he sometimes wished they could spend every second of every day together which he knew sounded crazy, but hearing her, seeing her, feeling her, being with her; those things kept him awake late at night.
***
Lori and Harry quickly went inside Lori's house and locked the door before sitting on her sofa. Harry leaned his back against the arm and placed his legs on the rest of the couch. He made a little gab between his legs for Lori to slide her petite body into. She rested her back on his chest and felt his arms snake around her.
Loads of people had been at the shops they had gone to. They only went to two, but everything was still hectic. Their first stop was a music store where Harry got Niall a new guitar and Lori got him some cool guitar picks. Then they went to a clothes store where Lori got Niall a snapback and Harry got him a jacket along with a few shirts. Fans and paparazzi were constantly following them and they even had to change cars on their way back to Lori's house to lose all the people. Lori didn't mind the fans and always stopping so Harry could take picture with them (some had even asked Lori for a picture) she knew he loved them. The only thing that got to her were the crowds, but Harry always helped her through the worst of it.They were exhausted from the hysteria and just wanted to relax with each other.
"Hey Harry, do you ever read fanfiction?"
"Yeah, when me and the lads are bored we read some. They can be really graphic. Why are you asking?"
"The other day Christine showed me this funny video of this Youtuber we like reacting to...intimate scenes from a fanfiction about you. All my laughing got in the way of my breathing."
"Do you ever read fanfiction."
"Sometimes," Lori smiled to herself, remembering a memory of a few years ago that had floated to the front of her mind because they had mentioned fanfiction.
"What?" Harry asked. "What's that smile for?"
"I was just remembering something that involved fanfiction. Don't worry about it."
"Tell me," Harry urged. "Please."
"Fine," Lori sighed. "It was back when I was in high school and well I was still my quiet self. I didn't really have a lot of friends so I kept to myself. Anyway, I was coming back from lunch and as I was sitting in my desk I heard these three girls talking about all of these fanfictions about you. One of the girls was legitimately perfect. She was pretty and popular and smart and friendly and she was the only freshman to make it on the varsity soccer team so yeah you could say I would rather be her than me, but she was so nice to me. We had talked a few times since we had a lot of classes together and she was just the sweetest person I knew. Sorry, I'm getting off topic. Anyway, so they were talking about it and fangirling about all the famous fanfictions and I kept looking over at her and smiling; I just couldn't stop myself. She caught my eye a few times and finally joked to her friend, saying "Oh look, Lori probably thinks were crazy." I smiled at her and looked down at my desk before looking back up at her. I told her I didn't think she was crazy I just knew what she was talking about and she was so utterly shocked. She said she didn't know I liked you guys and we talked about it for the rest of class. She recommended some stories for me to read and I did the same for her. It was weird, but somehow that conversation actually made us better friends, well not really friends I guess, but more connected. We'd say hi to each other more often and we'd be partners at soccer practice. One day she saw me crying and she gave me a hug, asking why I was so upset. I told her and she reassured me everything was going to be okay. Then about a month later, during a game she got hurt and I ran to her side. She was crying because she had thought she had broken her leg and she was absolutely terrified and in so much pain. I held her as she cried, telling her everything was going to be okay. We were connected almost like secret friends, but the refreshing thing was that even though we were kind of like friends she never tried to deny it to any of her popular friends. She wasn't embarrassed to be seen with me. We don't talk that much anymore, but every now and then one of us will call the other and we'll update each other about our lives. We have lovely chats and I love hearing her voice and knowing that she's happy. In a funny way, I kind of have you to thank for it so thank you."
"Any time," Harry yawned. "Will you do me a favor and keep talking."
"Why? Does my voice bore you to sleep?" Lori joked.
"No, it's soothing and I like falling asleep to it. I like your voice being the last thing I hear before going to sleep. Please, just talk about anything you like."
"Okay, well the other day at the book store we got a new shipment of books which I was a little too overexcited about..."
Lori continued to talk as Harry's eyelids became heavier and heavier. Hearing her soft voice relaxed him and as his eyes were slowly consumed by exhaustion he smiled. When Harry fell asleep Lori slowly began to drift as well and she realized she had made herself even more tired by talking so much. With a fight or any type of struggle Lori fell into a deep sleep, her breathing becoming even with Harry's.
About an hour later Harry's ringing phone woke them both up. Lori's eyes fluttered open from the noise and she noticed they had slid into a laying down position. She looked up and saw Harry was purposely ignoring his phone.
"Harry pick it up."
"I don't want to," he whined, turning his body to bury his face into the couch and so his back faced Lori.
Lori slipped her hand into his pocket and retrieved his phone. She pressed the answer button and held it to his ear.
"Hello?" he asked, his voice still raspy from the sleep. "Yes, I'm still in America. I'm leaving tomorrow...Before noon. Don't worry, I'll be there. Alright, see you, mate."
Harry took his phone from Lori's hand and shoved it back in his pocket.
"Who was that?" Lori asked.
"Just management checking up on me. I have an interview tomorrow and they're just making sure I don't miss it."
"I wish you could stay a little longer," Lori said softly.
Harry turned around so they were facing each other. His eyes scanned her delicate, flawless face. His hand caressed her soft cheek and he wished they could just live on the couch forever.
"I wish I could stay forever." Harry gave her lips a sweet peck. "I'm getting a few months off after November, just be patient with me."
"Aren't I always?" Lori asked with a smile. Harry's stomach grumbled, making Lori snicker and get off the couch. "You haven't eaten in a while, have you? Let's make some late lunch."
Lori walked into the kitchen and looked around the pantry to see what they could eat. Harry walked up behind her and stared at the half empty pantry.
"Anything catch your eye?" Lori asked.
"Spaghettios," he answered, reaching over her shoulder, and grabbing the can.
Lori scoffed and shrugged before taking the can and heading to the stove. As Lori turned on the stove and got a pot Harry noticed a radio on the counter. He turned it on and started tapping his foot to "Only Wanna Dance With You," by Ke$ha. Lori looked over at him and smiled at him. She shook her head and continued to stir the contents of the pot. Harry danced over to her and took her hand from the wooden spoon. He began to sway his hips, encouraging Lori to loosen up.
"I'm supposed to be cooking," Lori laughed as Harry continued to dance with her, biting his lower lip to hold back his laughter.
Finally she gave in and began to dance with him. She moved her body to the beat and allowed Harry to take the lead. His hands held hers and pulled them back and forth to the music, smiling as Lori laughed. Harry spun her and watched her hair twirl perfectly. He wrapped his arms around her waist and swayed with the music, both of them laughing. Lori threw her head back onto Harry's shoulder as she giggled uncontrollably. Neither of them heard the front door open so Lori jumped out of Harry's arms when she saw her mom standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She turned off the radio and was barely able to look at her mom as red heat rose to her cheeks.
"Mom, y-you're home early," Lori stuttered.
It'd be an understatement to say that you could feel the awkwardness in the room. The awkwardness could be felt, could be heard, could be practically seen upon everyone's face. Lori's eyes shifted between her mom and Harry a few times, wondering what her mom might say or do. She wondered what her mom was thinking and finally decided to be the one to break the uncomfortable silence, realizing no one else was going to speak.
"Mom, this is Harry. Harry this is my mom."
Harry walked over to her and shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too," Lori's mom replied slowly as her hand separated from Harry's. "Lori you're burning something."
Lori quickly turned around and saw that her pot was smoking. She quickly rushed to remove it from the stove and let out a disappointed sigh as she realized the food was beyond recovery. When she tried to pick up the pot again to get rid of the wasted food she burned her finger and let out a small yelp. Harry quickly rushed over to aid her.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked as he examined her hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Lori answered with a smile. "You're contagious."
Harry smiled and shook his head before leading her to the sink. As Harry helped Lori her mother observed them and noticed how quickly Harry went to Lori when she got hurt. She wondered if this was the boy Lori had gone to England for, if he was the reason Lori had been smiling more and seemed less defeated. This was the first time she had met one of Lori's friends besides the blonde one who's name she couldn't recall. But this boy obviously wasn't just a friend, he meant a lot to Lori. She could tell from the way they couldn't stop staring at each other. There was a new shine in Lori's eyes that her mother had never seen before; it was hope. Without either of them noticing, Lori's mom walked into her bedroom, wondering if their love would be able to survive the obstacles of life, if one of them would come out of this romance hurt and broken like she had with her own many years ago.

Notes