Shadowbrook

At school, I was minding my own business, walking down the hallway, trying not to think about Harry Styles when he grabbed my arm and pulled me into the janitor's closet. I was surprised at first and before I could tell him to go away he kissed me, it was about the first time, so passionately that my legs went weak.

When he pulled away, his cheeks were as red as a beet. "Jamie, I need to tell you something." I opened my mouth to ask him what it was or that I was mad at him at the moment but he cut me off. "And don't interrupt me. I know this isn't your specialty but just listen to me." He took a deep breath. "I care about you. A lot. I don't know why but I just do, and I want to be with you."

My heart pounded in my chest and I found myself overjoyed. "God Harry! Yes! Omigod yes! I want to be with you too!"

He got down on one knee, "Will you go to the upcoming masquerade ball with me? You know, the one downtown?"

"Uh, yeah." My cheeks heated up. "Of course."

I hoped nothing would mess this up.



When I got home, Arnie was there, drinking coffee and telling my mother something and she laughed and nearly dropped her cup when I entered the kitchen. She quickly put the cup down and Arnie whirled around.

"I should go." He said, blushing, walking to the coat rack and grabbing his dark green coat.

I blinked. "Why? It's just me."

He didn't say anything, he just left and my mom poured out the coffee cup.

"What's his deal?" I asked.

My mom shrugged, "He just came over for coffee and he was just, you know, complaining about the neighbor's dog pooping on his lawn. Nothing else really."

I didn't believe her but my mom could have her secrets, as long as I could have mine.



When the masquerade ball finally came I borrowed my mom's wedding dress. A white, lace princess gown with long sleeves and a a-line silhouette. My mom styled my hair into a bouffant bun and did my makeup, and when I looked in the mirror, I gasped, taken aback by my own beauty. I put on my rhinestone crystal masquerade mask.

"Is it okay if Liam escorts you?" My mom asked and I frowned. "He's going too with his date so you might as well go."

Before I could protest the doorbell rung and I went to answer it. I opened the door and there stood Liam, dressed brilliantly in a light blue suit and black dress shoes. We both gasped at how gorgeously the other was dressed and Liam began pulling at his combed hair, making it unruly.

"Don't do that." I mumbled, brushing his hand away. "You'll mess your hair up." My skin tingled when it came in contact with his.

A girl walked up, and she was beautiful, wearing a gorgeous tulle ball gown with a structured bodice and a black, lace masquerade mask. She had olive toned skin, beautiful brown eyes and long brown hair. I also realized that she was the girl Liam was trying to make jealous. His ex.

"You look gorgeous." I said.

"You too." She smiled and we both smiled at each other kindly.

"Where's your mask?" I asked Liam.

He smirked. "I'll put it on later."

His date looked between us and smiled, though there was something behind it, something that I couldn't decipher.



When we got there, his date, whose name was Anais, insisted they go for some punch and he reluctantly did, looking back at me with a shrug as he did. He really did put on his mask, which was gold and traditional and really pretty. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I spun to see a handsomely dressed boy wearing all black with a black mask, his long hair tied back into a ponytail, and I immediately recognized him as Harry.

"Look at you!" I laughed, hugging him and he wrapped his strong, warm arms around me. He smelled nice, so he either must've showered, put on cologne, or both.

He grabbed my hand and twirled me. "Look at you, love. You look gorgeous."

I blushed and turned around so he wouldn't see it, pretending to be looking for something and I saw Liam kissing Anais, and while she seemed into it, he seemed to be holding back.

"I'm going to the toilet." Harry announced and pushed through the crowd towards the restroom.

That wasn't the only shit going on tonight.

Haha, I made a joke.



Throughout the night me and Harry danced and had fun and drank punch and Liam and Anais were off doing something. When Harry again went to the restroom, I moved through the crowd to the balcony, needing to get some air and I was amazed by the view. I was taking it all in when I heard the balcony doors close behind me and I whirled around to see Liam.

"Hey." He muttered awkwardly and I gave him a nod. "What's that mean?"

I sighed. "Please not now. I'm beginning to actually have a good time. Please not now."

"Now what now?"

"This!" I exclaimed, throwing up my hands. "You messing with my head! You kiss me then tell me to go away, and then...what do you want from me?" I demanded quietly. "You've already ruined me."

"I don't want anything from you." He said. "I just want one dance."

"I'm here with Harry."

"And it's against the rules to have just one dance?"

"When it's with you it is."

He sighed. "C'mere." His hands wrapped around my waist and he pulled me to his chest.

We began swaying around the balcony and I couldn't help myself, I started giggling and Liam began to smile. When he started playing with my hair is when I realized he was drunk. I should've know Liam was too much of a jerk to be this playful with me.

"Did I ever tell you how much I loooove you, Jamie?" He asked and I froze, staring up at him open mouthed.

"Excuse me?" I whispered.

"I think I love you." He buried his head in the crook of my neck. "I do. You...you rise up feelings in me that I never knew I had in me." He whispered. "I can't stop thinking about you. You're so small and delicate and seeing you dressed like a princess." He took off my mask, tossing it over the edge of the balcony and my breathing slowed. "I've never seen anything so beautiful."

He leaned down and was kissing me, and the same fire and passion from the kiss in the car came rushing at me. I kissed him back, hooking my arms around his neck and he smiled against my lips.

"Say it." He said against my lips. "Say you love me too, babe."

I opened my mouth to say just that but the doors were flung open and before us stood Anais, who looked pale and heart-broken.

She turned and ran, leaving me and Liam to chase after her and when Liam caught her arm, she spun and slapped him and he stumbled back.

"I thought you had changed!" She screamed. "I thought you were done using me and every other girl you've been with but I see that's just impossible!" Her breathing was fast and it quickened as she began to run again and as I chased her, calling out her name she ran up to Harry, and told him.

He looked at me in disbelief and he shook his head, running a hand through his hair and I hoped for a second he didn't believe her but he ran out of the ballroom and I began to run after him but an arm snaked around my waist and pulled me back.

"Stop it." A drunken Liam slurred in my ear. "Let him calm down."

I whirled, slapping him myself. "Let me go!" I felt tears running down my face. "Let go of me right now! I hate you!"

He did and I ran out of the ballroom after Harry just as he zoomed past on his motorcycle, and I felt a sob build up in my chest.

I took off my heels and ran down the street towards home, a swirl of white in the darkness.

Notes