Homepage › Stories › Something Good Can Work › Chapter 3

Something Good Can Work

When in Rome.

I haven't been feeling like myself is an understatement.
My colorful closet was the first to go, my grandma was thinking that I could use a girls day since I had been moping around.
She also noticed I'd thrown almost all of my clothes into the trash bin.
I didn't feel like the vibrant girl I used to be, I felt cold and dark.
It was like I had attached a memory to every piece of clothing I had and each memory was just too painful. The peach sundress my mom got me the day before my first date with Josh. The gold hat we got at the vintage store in Memphis before hallwoeen. I was the tamest Columbia the world had ever seen. It was a strange feeling, when you want to smile, but the tears won't stop coming from your eyes. So I just gave up, I'll make new memories.
It was the last Saturday before school began, I was lying in my room, (Weird because not my room, but somehow it was now my room) wearing an over-sized t-shirt with The Little Mermaid on it while I watched Heathers. It was on tv so I just couldn't pass it up. It had always been one of my favorites. My grandma had bought me a fluffy blue pillow the day before while we were restocking my wardrobe. Which, I know you're wondering, consisted of mostly dark earth tones now as opposed to those pinks and yellows that had decorated my body before.
I was zoned out, lost in the movie, I didn't even hear Niall knocking at my door.
I only noticed when he had walked in, his blonde hair grabbing my attention.
I blinked before looking at him.
"Are you crying?" He asked, his expression turning concerned. I reached my hand up, touching the wet tear that had stained my cheek. I guess I was.
"Oh, um. Sorry... just kind of happens lately." I said feeling beyond embarassed. He sat on the edge of my bed, taking my hand in his and giving it a squeeze.
"I'm so sorry about what you've been through. I couldn't even imagine." His voice was so genuine and sincere. It was like it struck a nerve because before I even had time to realize, I was sobbing in his embrace. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, his hands rubbing my back as he comforted me.
I just kind of let it all out, didn't hold anything back. Talk about embarrassing.
After I'd collected myself, I was sitting straight up, rubbing at my puffy eyes.
"I am not looking forward to starting classes." I said with a slight laugh, Niall was reaching over to grab a tissue and hand it over. I wiped my eyes and he gave me a shrug.
"It'll be a fresh start right? You can make up anything about your past, I'll totally back it up. I'll go along with the story that you're actually a part of the Kardashians and you had to get out, that's why your hair is blonde."
I laughed, he was goofy. He was cute. Maybe he was the distraction I needed.
"Yes. I like it, that'll be the story. You have to back me up. I mean I have the ass for it." Which I did, I was short and petite, but my ass was pretty large.
"All right, but you have to do something for me. You have to get out of bed, throw on some real clothes, and go to this back to school party with me." He gave me a crooked smile.
I shook my head, covering my face with my palms.
"Noo, I can't. I look a mess and I won't know anyone." I pleaded.
"You know me." He popped his brows, nudging his shoulder into me. "Now c'mon, get up. You're going out with me and you're going to have a blast." He grabbed my hands, pulling me from the bed and lifting me up to my feet.
"Fine." I gave in, I wanted to stay in, but he was right. I needed to go out, to take a break from moping around.
"Get out though, I have to change." I said with a grin, he put his hands up and walked backwards toward the door. "Fifteen minutes. I'll be in Louis' room."
I ran to my closet, I knew the exact outfit I was going to wear. It was a dark red a-line dress, a black cardigan, and a pair of black combat boots. Definitely a new look, but something I was excited to try out.
I dressed quickly, rushing over to my vanity and slapping on some makeup. I went a little too heavy on the eyeliner, but it looked okay. It made my blue eyes pop.
I pulled my hair to the side and quickly braided it, messy, but cute.
Then I was out the door, rushing to Louis' room. I was pretty damn excited, perhaps this was part of some extreme high to balance out my extreme low.
Niall and Louis were just walking out the door.
"Good timing Summer." Niall said with a grin, looking me over.
"You look so alternative." Louis interjected, like an asshole, but I knew he was only joking.
"You look stupid too." I replied, sticking my tongue out.
The party was at a house a few blocks away, there were kids everywhere. On the lawn, inside, in the back yard. It was way crowded.
Niall and I headed into the kitchen, he wanted to get a drink and Louis had stopped in the living room to say hi to some people.
"Right then lads! Let's have a drink!" he said as he walked in, slapping hands with a boy that I'd never seen before. They were pouring shots, Niall didn't really know much about my mother and I hadn't really explained our background with the whole alcohol thing, but you know what. Fuck it.
I took the shot, I poured it into my mouth and swallowed it all. I felt that burn in the back of my throat my mother used to speak about, I felt the stinging sensation on my tongue as I slammed the glass back down on the counter. I shook my head, shivering slightly.
"More!" I yelled, my eyes challenging Niall as he poured the shot.
"To new beginnings, to you Summer." He said gleefully and we took the shot. Then another. Then another.
Needless to say, I found out real quick I was a light weight.
"I want to dance! Let's dance!" I called and we were moving toward the living room, the music was pumping, it was something with a nice beat, and my hips were already moving.
Niall was close to me, our bodies swaying in sync, he had some pretty decent moves.
I threw my hands up, turning to grind my ass against him. His hands were on my hips and we were dangerously close to one another.
I don't know how, but we ended up near the wall, his hands touched my face and time slowed down before his lips crashed into mine.
My first kiss on this continent. It was delicious.
I felt his hand moving up my skirt, I knew I should say no, but I couldn't get the words out.
Luckily, I got something else out.
Vomit.
I missed him by maybe an inch and then turned quickly, running off toward the hallway with my palm clasped to my mouth. I opened the first door I saw, getting lucky, I saw a toilet. I fell to my knees and let it all out, tasting the vodka again as it came back out.
Gross as fuck.
I pulled the chain, flushing the toilet, and leaned back against the tub.
"Whoa, you all right babe?" I heard a familiar voice say. I looked up, how did I even miss him? Harry was squatting down, handing me a wet wash cloth.
I took the washcloth and pressed it to my face, drowning out the sobs that were now coming out freely.
"Hey hey, it's okay. Calm down, everyone gets sick." He said, sitting beside me and putting his arm around my shoulder. "Breathe, relax..." He was speaking slowly, calming me down, I took a few breaths and wiped my face, taking a lot of that eye liner off with it.
"Summer, right?" I hadn't said a word, he was trying to get a response out of me and I had no idea what to say. I nodded my head, blowing my lips out.
"Harry, yeah?" I replied, finally speaking. My voice was raspy and I sounded gross.
"Don't act like you don't remember, I know I've been on your mind non-stop." He teased, giving me a smile.
I laughed slightly, wiping my face once more. I had thought of him. He wasn't wrong. He was not my type in the slightest, but he was the type everyone really wanted.
"Everyday." I said with a smile.
"You'll be okay, Summer." His hand moved to wipe some of my hair from my face. His palms were massive, his fingertips were rough, probably from guitar, but it was an amazing feeling.
"Let's go for tea tomorrow?" He asked, his eyes full of concern.
I nod. "Tea sounds good."