One Direction Short Stories

“I met her first.” Liam insists.
Harry laughs. “Who cares, she likes me more.”
Liam gets right up in Harry’s face. “You bloody wish.”
Louis rolls his eyes. “Are you two really fighting over Aria again?”
Harry smirks. “There’s nothing to fight about. Aria wants me, she’s only humoring Liam.”
“Ass.” Liam mutters. “I’ll be back later, Louis.”
“Where are you going? We’ve got a show tonight.” Louis asks.
“Out.” Liam replies.
Harry grabs his black leather jacket. “I’m going for a ride.”
Niall enters the room as Louis hears Harry’s motorcycle race off.
“Where are Harry and Liam?” Niall asks.
Louis shakes his head. “Off to fight for the hand of the fair maiden.”
“Ahh geez.”

Aria visits with her friend, Jessie, during her break at the cafe.
“I kind of hate you right now, Aria. You have two hot guys fighting over you.”
She grins.
“You know you have to choose one...right?” Jessie asks.
Aria sighs. “It’s not easy to choose. Liam is so handsome and incredibly sweet. And Harry...he is so hot and he’s got that whole bad boy thing going on.”
“Look, I don’t know Harry very well, but he seems like he could be a bit of a jerk.”
Aria rushes to his defense. “No, he’s always respectful and kind with me.”
“You do seem to have cast some kind of spell on him. He’s different around you. Regardless, you can’t have them both.”
“Are you sure?” Aria grins.
Jessie laughs. “Trust me, I’m sure.”
Aria smiles. “I have to get back to work; can’t afford to lose this job. I promise I’ll think about what you said.”
“Alright. I’ll see you later.”
At the counter, Aria looks up to see that as her friend exits the cafe, Liam enters.
Damn, he’s handsome.
“Hi, Aria, Love. You look beautiful today.” Liam says, leaning in for a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you, Liam. It’s so nice to see you. Can I get you some coffee or tea?”
“Actually, I was hoping we could talk.”“I’m sorry, I just had my break. I don’t get off until six.”
Before Liam can reply they both hear the unmistakable loud noise of Harry’s motorcycle.
“Shit.” Liam mutters.
Aria grins as Harry strolls into the cafe. He’s so freaking gorgeous.
He walks straight up to Aria, kissing her on the mouth.
As much as she enjoyed the kiss, she feels bad that Liam had to witness it. She notices the frown on her boss’s face before he screams her name. “Aria! What going on?”
“Nothing, sir. I was just getting these gentlemen’s drink orders.”
The boss gives her a look, letting her know she’s on thin ice.
“Guys, please behave. I really need this job to pay my tuition.”
“Sorry, Aria. I’ll have Earl Grey tea.” Liam says.
Aria looks to Harry.
He smirks. “Are you on the menu?”
She blushes. “Harry.”
He winks. “I’ll have a mocha.”

For the next hour, Aria tries to do her job but it’s hard as Harry and Liam bicker loudly the entire time.
“Guys, please.”
“Sorry, Aria.” Liam says.

“You’re delusional, Liam.”
Aria turns to the sound of Harry’s loud, angry voice.
Liam stands, pretty much matching Harry’s height. “Why would she want you?”
Before Aria can make it across the cafe to diffuse the situation, Harry throws the first punch. Thank goodness they are both skilled at boxing so no punches actually land.
“Aria wants me, not you, Liam.”
Liam shoves Harry hard. He loses his balance and lands on the floor.
Aria runs for Harry as all of the customers quickly exit the cafe.
“Harry, are you okay?” Aria asks.
“I’m fine.” He insists, then looks in her eyes, quietly telling her, “Don’t worry, Love, honestly I’m fine.”
“Aria!” Her boss yells. “You two get out of my cafe now before I call the police. Aria, you are fired!”
The guys head outside quickly, knowing they can’t have the bad publicity of the police showing up.
Harry hops on his motorcycle, tearing off.
Liam sits in the car, waiting.

“Sir, please give me another chance. I really need this job.” Aria pleads.
“You should have thought about that before you got involved with those two.” Her boss says.
Aria grabs her things and begins the long walk back to her dorm.
“Aria?”
She turns to find Liam there. “I thought you left.”
He shakes his head. “I had to make sure you were alright. I’m so sorry. We acted like complete idiots.”
“Yes, you did; both of you. Liam, I’m probably going to have to leave school now. I can’t afford my tuition.”
Liam touches her arm. “Please let me give you a ride and we can talk.”
“Fine.”
Liam opens the passenger door for her before sliding behind the wheel.
“Aria, I feel horrible about this. I really like you. I guess Harry does as well. It’s made our friendship quite contentious. Today is the first time it’s come to blows. We both let it go too far and that’s not alright. I apologize, Aria.”
“Thank you for saying that, Liam.”
“Please let me make it up to you.”“I don’t see how.”“I want to cover your tuition and expenses for the rest of the semester. You can just concentrate on school.” Liam says.
A million thoughts race through her mind. “I don’t think so, Liam.”
“No strings attached, Aria. I promise.”
“You don’t want anything in return?”
“No, Aria, of course not. It’s my fault you got fired, so let me help you.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say yes.”
“If I want to stay in school, I don’t really have a choice. Yes, and thank you.”
Liam grins. “Great!”
“You can drop me off here.” Aria says before reaching across and touching Liam’s hand. “Thank you. I’ll talk to you soon.” She kisses his cheek and exits the car without looking back.

Once in her dorm room she tells Jessie the whole story.
“That’s crazy. Are you really going to let him cover your expenses?”
“He promised no strings attached and I trust him.”
“I’m just glad you’ll get to stay in school. I can’t do this without my best friend.” Jessie smiles.

Later that night, Aria receives a text from Harry. “I’m so sorry, Babe. Please say you’ll forgive me.”
“I’m just really upset.” She replies.
“Meet me for breakfast before your class? Please?”
“...yes.” She replies, knowing she can’t resist him.

Aria walks into the small diner, spotting Harry immediately. He looks nervous, he never looks nervous.
Harry stands, greeting her with a hug. “Thanks for coming, Babe.”
She nods.
“I ordered your favorite for you.”
“Thank you, Harry.”“I’m really sorry, Aria. I shouldn’t have fought with Liam like that.”
She smiles. “How can I not accept your apology, you are obviously very sorry.”
He reaches for her hand. “Thank you, Aria. I couldn’t sleep last night. I was so afraid you’d never talk to me again.”
“In your big, crazy life, that’s what you worry about? Me never talking to you again.”
Harry smiles, dimples on full display. “I don’t think you realize how much you mean to me, Aria.”
She blows out a breath. “Harry, this probably sounds horrible, but it’s hard to choose between you and Liam. You are both incredible.”
“I understand, Love. Don’t tell him I said this, but Liam is a great guy.” Harry pauses, looking into Aria’s eyes with a sparkle in his own. “I have an idea.”
Aria grins. “Should I be afraid?”
Harry laughs. “No. I think Liam and I need to take you out on dates, alternating for two weeks. At the end of that time, you make a choice. Me or Liam.”
“If Liam is okay with it, let’s do it. I honestly don’t know what else to do.”
“I’ll talk to him. You better get to class, Love.” Harry says.
Not realizing the time, Aria jumps up, grabbing her bag and giving Harry a kiss on the cheek.

“Aria agreed to this?” Liam asks.
“Yes.” Harry replies. “She’s confused, I think this may help her.”
“Alright, shall we flip a coin to see who gets the first date?”
“Sure.” Harry tosses the coin and Liam picks heads. “Heads it is.” Harry says.
Liam laughs. “Ha, I get the first date.”
Harry grins. “But I get the last.”
Liam rolls his eyes. “Ass.”


The next two weeks consist of many dates for Aria. Liam takes her to fancy restaurants, concerts and stage shows.
Harry on the other hand, surprises her. Each date being private and low key. Rather than trying to impress her, the dates are focused on them.

Aria arrives home after her final date with Liam.
“So tell me all about it.” Jessie says.
“Liam rented out an entire expensive restaurant. It was just the two of us.”
“That’s amazing.”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t seem impressed, Aria.”
“Oh no, I am impressed. The fact that Liam did something like that for me is amazing.”
“But?”
“My dates with Harry have been so comfortable, so natural. With Liam it’s been a bit more...forced.”
“Did Liam kiss you?”
Aria smiles. “Yes, he’s an incredible kisser.”
“So after your final date with Harry tomorrow night, will you have an answer for them?” Jessie asks.
“I honestly don’t know. If I can’t choose, I think I have to give up both of them.”

Tonight, Harry picks up Aria in a car rather than his motorcycle. “You look beautiful, Aria.”
“Thank you, Harry. You look so handsome; all dressed up.”
He laughs. “I clean up nice?”
Aria grins. “Yes. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise, Love.” Harry says as he helps her into the car.

A short time later, Harry pulls up to a small beach house near Malibu. “For our last date, I wanted to take you somewhere quiet. Just you and I shutting the world out. Hopefully you’ll be able to hear what your heart’s telling you.”
“I love it. Thank you, Harry.”

They start by slipping their shoes off and taking a long walk on the beach. Aria looks over at Harry often. The man she sees is not the man the world knows. He has a reputation as a bit of a bad boy. Not with her though, he’s anything but that. She catches his eye, he smiles and squeezes her hand.
Once they reach the water’s edge, Harry rolls his trousers up and walks through the waves rolling onto the beach. He teases Aria, pretending to push her in the water. They laugh and she can’t remember ever feeling this comfortable with a man.
Back at the beach house, they have dinner, then cuddle in front of the fireplace. The sound of the waves crashing outside.
“Aria, I need you to understand how I feel about you. I don’t think I’ve done a very
good job of telling you so far.”
She squeezes his hand. “I’m listening, H.”
“I tend to put up a bit of a wall around me, so I don’t get hurt. Hence the jackass persona.”
“You are not a jackass.”
He smiles. “Thank you.” Taking a deep breath, he continues, “Aria, I’ve never felt this way before, I swear. No girl has ever come close to making me feel the way you do. You always make me feel comfortable and you make me laugh all the time.” Harry runs his fingers through her soft brown hair, the fire reflected in her beautiful green eyes. “I think I’m falling in love with you, Aria.”
Those weren’t the words Aria was expecting, but they feel so right. “Harry, deep down I’ve always known you were the one for me. I’m falling for you too.”
He grins, his eyes sparkling. “You are? So does that mean you’ve chosen me?”
“Yes, Harry, you are the one for me.”
Aria leans in, as Harry leans down. Their lips meeting. This isn’t the first time they’ve kissed, but it’s different this time. It’s sweeter, more full of emotion.
They lose all track of time as they make out in front of the fire. Harry takes his time discovering Aria’s body. As his hands trace her body, she notices how natural they feel there.
Harry’s kisses trail down her neck to her chest and Aria pauses him. “I think we should go to the bedroom.”
Harry meets her eyes. “Are you sure, Love?”
She smiles. “I’m positive.”
“We can wait, Aria.”
“I don’t want to wait, Harry. I want to be with you, now.”
He stands, pulling Aria to her feet. Taking her hand he leads her to the bedroom. He lights several candles then turns to Aria, unzipping her dress and letting it fall to the floor. “Beautiful.”
She smiles shyly, beginning to unbutton Harry’s shirt. Her hands are shaking, so he helps her. Once his chest is bare she runs her hands over it. So strong and manly.
Harry finishes undressing and sits on the bed, pulling Aria to stand in front of him. She throws back her head as his hands and lips work their magic on her body.
On the bed, as they make love for the first time, Harry whispers in her ear. “I’m so glad you chose me. I love you, Aria.”
Her heart skips a beat. “I love you, Harry.”

The next morning, Aria’s eyes open to find Harry’s gorgeous green ones already watching her.
“Good morning. You look very sexy first thing in the morning.” She says.
He laughs. “How about I make us some breakfast.”
Aria sighs. “I need to go see Liam.”
Harry nods his head. “I’ll take you after breakfast.”

Aria meets Liam at the park. “Thanks for meeting me, Liam.”
“Of course, Aria.”
She can tell by the look in his sweet brown eyes that he already knows the reason she wanted to meet. They sit on a bench together and Aria begins. “Liam, I need you to know that you are very special to me.”
“But you’ve chosen Harry.” Liam interrupts
“I don’t mean to hurt you, Liam, but I have to go with my heart.”
“I understand. I think I knew it all along, I just didn’t want to face it.” He rubs her arm. “I honestly want you both to be very happy.”
“Thank you, Liam. You aren’t angry with Harry are you?”
He smiles. “No, Harry and I will be fine.”
“And you and I can still be friends, please?” Aria pleads.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Liam smiles.
“Oh, I will find a way to pay you back for my tuition as soon as I can.” Aria says.
“Don’t worry about that. I consider it a great investment. You will do amazing things in this world, Aria.”
“Thank you, Liam. I should go.”
He nods, standing to give her a hug. As she walks away, he calls her name and she pauses.
“If he ever hurts you, he’ll have me to deal with.”
Aria grins.

Meeting up with Harry at the car, he asks, “How did it go? Is he alright?”
Aria smiles, happy that he is concerned about his friend. “He’s okay. We had a good talk.”
Harry pulls her close, kissing her. “How about we go back to the beach?” He asks before whispering in her ear, “I want to hear you scream my name again like you did last night.”
Aria bites her lip. “Maybe you are a bad boy after all, Styles.”
Harry laughs as he gets behind the wheel, holding Aria’s hand as they drive away.

Notes