Collision

Light floods through Anna's thin curtains, jolting me awake. I stretch and roll over to see the two of them still asleep.

Throwing the covers off of my body, I quietly slip out of bed and into the hallway. I step into the small bathroom across from the bedroom and shut the door behind me.

My phone lights up with a text, illuminating the dark room. Harry's name spreads across the screen.

"Hello?" I whisper, making sure the door's shut.

"Why are you whispering?" He chuckles.

"I don't know," I answer but keep my voice low.

"Where are you? I went by your house but-"

I interrupt him. "What?" I hiss. He did not go to my house with my parents there!

"Relax. I'm just joking," he laughs at my expense and my face flushes. I would probably smack him if he were here.

"I'm at Anna's house," I roll my eyes.

"Girls night?" He guesses.

"We went shopping for something to wear to the party tonight,"

"Send me a picture," I can hear his smirk.

"No,"

"Yes,"

"Harry,"

"Jess," he uses the same tone on me.

I can hear the girls moving across the hall. They'll be looking for me.

"I have to go. I'll see you in a few hours," he says goodbye and I end the call.

Eleanor is sitting on the bed when I return, scrolling through her phone.

"Where's Anna?" I ask, running my hands through my hair.

"She's downstairs," she replies, turning off her phone.

"Louis wants us to get there early so we can help set up." She frowns.

"Okay," I begin collecting my clothes to get ready.

"Were you taking to Harry?" She grins.

"Yes," I open the door and escape to the bathroom, ignoring her laughter.

I'm finished putting on the dress and makeup in under an hour, returning to the room. Eleanor takes my place in the bathroom while I take a seat on the bed.

I feel silly in this dress this early in the morning. It's like I'm going to some formal dinner, not a high school party.

Eleanor's done half an hour later and, after we collect Anna, we head out towards the party. I call my parents to assure them that I'm okay as we pull up to Louis's massive house.

He opens the door for us, instantly making a bee line for Eleanor. Anna and I turn our heads in disgust when he shoves his tongue down her throat.

"That's my cue to leave," Anna gags, pulling me inside. We enter a large living room that's sort of decorated like Halloween. It has orange and black steamers hung across the room along with a type of cobwebs in the corners where the walls meet.

"It's about damn time you got here. I had to help Louis put all this shit up," Harry's voice says into my ear. I look up just as Louis flips him off before returning to Eleanor.

"What do you need us to do?" I ask. The girls are sent into town to get the food while Harry and Louis clean the rest of his house. We get different types of chips, sodas, and any other junk food that looks appetizing. When we return to the house, it is surprisingly clean. We put the food we bought along the counters before walking into the living room.

I sit down on the couch next to Harry and bring my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. It is only 3:30 and the party doesn't start until 7:00. I have no idea what we're going to do for three and a half hours.

Anna must be thinking the same thing because she leaves abruplty without telling us where she is going. She returns with a handful of movies five minutes later and pops the first one into the DVR. I snuggle into Harry's chest when no one's looking, smiling when his long arm wraps around my shoulders.

The movie is horrible, but I don't mind it as long as I'm sitting here with Harry. Anna stands up to switch the movie when the credits roll, and we all settle down for another two hours.

The movie is just finishing when the people start to arrive. Harry stands to greet some of his friends and ends up leaving with them, heading towards the patio. Eleanor must feel the same way because she sighs when Louis does the same thing, plopping her self down next to me.

Once the crowd appears, time seems to pass by faster than ever. I snack on the pretzels that we bought earlier today while staying close to Eleanor's side. I know the majority of the people here but not well enough to engage in any conversation. I wish Harry was with me.

My wish comes true when I see the black clothed figure stalking towards me, his hands wrapped firmly around a red plastic cup. He slams his body into me, his arm snaking around my waist, and plants a sloppy kiss on my lips.

I pull away, stunned. "You're drunk," I decide. He smiles and tips his cup back for another drink. I had hoped that he would stay sober most of the night but he's already hammered. I'm tempted to take his cup away from his but that would just cause more problem.

"You look so fucking sexy," he purrs into my ear, eyeing the tight fabric. These words stir my insides but I keep my emotions hidden.

"Come meet everyone!" he grabs my wrist and yanks me through the thick crowd. We end up on the patio, the wind is sharp and unforgiving. I wrap my arms around myself once he releases me, I hope this doesn't last long.

We walk towards the people surrounding the fire, many of them sharing the same dark tattoos as Harry. I recognize some of them but others are completely unfamiliar.

"This is Jess!" He slurs, showing me off. I give them a small smile and unwrap Harry's arm from around me. Hurt flashes in his eyes, soon being replaced by drunkenness.

Some give small waves, others stare so hard that it makes my skin crawl.

I turn to Harry. "I'm going to go back inside." I begin walking but his hands wrap around my forearm, stopping me.

"Stay with us! Please," he pokes his lip out. I stop for a second, considering my options. I could either stay out here with a wasted Harry and strangers, or I can go back into the warm house with my friends.

"I'm going inside," I repeat and this time he doesn't try and stop me.

I'm glad Harry doesn't come inside because as soon as I step into the kitchen, I'm met with blue eyes.

"Hi Cameron," I sigh and give him a hug. I'm glad he's here but I don't know when Harry will flip out.

"You look beautiful," he says, then his face flushes red. "I, uh, didn't mean it like that." He adds.

"It's fine. You look nice, too." I motion to his dress shirt.

"Jess!" Eleanor calls me, weaving her way through the crowd.

"You want to come down to the docks with us? It's a tradition," Eleanor asks.

"I don't know," I bite my lip.

"Please. Harry won't even know you're gone." She pleads.

"Alright," I give in and she cheers. I know by the look on Cameron's face that he will also be joining us, and my heart beats faster. Nothing will happen. We'll just go down there for a little while and then return before anyone even notices we're gone.

"Let's go," Eleanor hooks her arm through mine and leads me toward the door.

Notes

Happy Thanksgiving for all of my American readers! As a treat for all of you, I decided to do a long update! Love you guys xoxoxo :)