Flat 51

I didn’t like what I saw as I drove down the middle of this pretty damn sketchy part of town. I spotted a couple having sex in an alley, a dude shooting up on a bench, and a couple of guys in a fight in which alcohol was obviously involved. I also noticed that the bus station as two blocks from the hospital, which means Emily walks through all of this to get home.

I felt heat coursing through my body as I angrily searched for the hospital. It was not safe for her to be out at this time, in this part of town. I couldn’t believe how little concern for personal safety she had. She was so selfish, not caring about hurting those who care about her… Wait, what? Stop it, Styles. You’ve known her for less than 12 hours. What was going on with my head? I’d been fine up until she fell off that stupid chair and right into my arms, and since then I hadn’t been able to get her damn laugh and damn eyes and her damn beautiful face out of my damn mind. Dammit!

I pulled up in front of the hospital, searching the selectively lit areas for the brunette that wouldn’t get out of my head. I noticed how hard the wind had picked up. The few trees in the parking lot were violently jerking from side to side, and a lone shopping cart, presumably from the mart across the street, was rolling down the street. There she is. She was stood just under the overhang at the Urgencies entrance, clutching her bags to her chest and hugging herself tightly. I pulled the truck around and jumped out to help her up the high step into the passenger seat.

“Thanks, Harry!” she smiled as I slammed the driver’s side door shut, pulling out into the street.

“What the hell are you thinking? It’s not safe for you to be taking that bus all the time. You could get robbed and get the shit beat out of you if you’re not careful!” I shouted. Great start, Styles. I mentally slapped myself in the face when I saw her jaw drop. She quickly collected herself, but still stared straight ahead.

“I know,” was all she whispered. She awkwardly glanced around, obviously trying to find something to say. This was going to be a long ride… “So, um… do you have any family?” She had to go there.

“No,” I snapped, a little louder than I meant to. I was not having that discussion.

“Ok…” The deafening silence returned. I rather enjoyed the quiet, but I guess that was just me. “Where are you from?”

“None of your business.” Shut up, Emily. Please, for both of our sakes.

“Well, if you didn’t want me asking questions about you… your life, and, um, stuff, you shouldn’t have- Oh! Look! Candy’s is still open! Anyway, you shouldn’t have gotten a roommate. They ask questions. I ask questions. If I’m going to live with you, I want to get to know you, so you’re gonna have to adjust yourself, tough guy.” She finished her little tirade and huffed, folding her arms and staring straight ahead. To be honest, she looked pretty damn cute like that. Her lips were even pouting…

Suddenly I hit the brakes in front of the apartment complex, startling her and bringing her eyes to mine. I smirked and jumped out, helping her down from the other side. She gasped when I held tightly to her arm and pushed her gently against the truck, locking my eyes to her deep, dark blues. I slowly dragged the back of my fingers down her cheek, watching her eyes grow wide. Her skin was so soft, so perfect… I could already imagine her lips on mine, wanting me, as I wanted her at this very moment.

“H-Harry, wha-”

“You’re so beautiful…” I muttered, bringing my lips deliciously close to her ear. She sucked in a breath and I felt one of her bags slip from her grasp, leaving her hand open against my chest. I knew she could feel the pounding of my heart through her warm touch. I wanted more of her. I leaned forward, pushing her body farther into the truck, and mine flush against hers. She was breathing fast. I was breathing fast. Damn, I wanted her. I lightly brushed my lips across her earlobe and felt her hand begin to tremble on my chest. I rested my much larger hands on her hips and pulled her even closer, if that was possible. Oh shit, I wanted her so bad. I wanted to see her. I wanted to make her writhe underneath me. I wanted-

“Harry, w-what are you d-doing?” she whimpered. “You’re hurting me.” I snapped out of my thoughts and suddenly stepped back. Dammit. What the hell am I doing? Styles, you can’t do this. These girls don’t catch you when you fall. Anyone will tell you that. I ran my fingers through my long, curly hair and grabbed her bags from her, marching up the stairs without a word. That was a stupid mistake. Now she’d kick me out like all those other bastards and I’d be homeless again. I can’t believe I let myself lose it like that. What if I’d lost it completely?

“Are you ok, Harry?” She asked softly from the front door as I dropped her bags in the living room and headed for my new bedroom. I ignored her, too flustered to have a decent conversation. If I tried to speak, I’d yell. If I looked, I’d glare. I slammed the door behind me and leaned against it, sinking to the ground. “Well, if you ever wanna talk, I’ll be here,” she said before I heard the soft padding sound her shoes made on the carpet.

Notes