Darkness

It was now the day of the prom, and to be honest, Liam and the boys seemed to be more excited than Carter. They spent the whole day talking about it.

Carter was somewhat worried about the event. What if Harry was there? Surely he would make it his business to ruin the night for her. And what about her hair and make-up? It’s not like the boys were going to be any good at it. It was times like these when she wished that her mum was still with her. She would know what to do.

Carter hopped into the shower and washed her long brown hair thoroughly. She let the warm water relax her muscles before getting out of the shower and exiting the bathroom. She dried her petite body and threw on a pair of joggers and a vest top. She journeyed downstairs and walked into the sitting room where the boys were.

“Do you guys have any idea on how I could do my hair and make-up?” she quizzed. “I’ll do it for you.” Zayn piped up. “Really?” Carter questioned in a surprised tone of voice. Zayn nodded and got up off the couch. He took Carter’s hand and led her upstairs. He grabbed his bag of make-up on the way and threw it onto the bed.

He took a hair-straightener, a hair-drier and curling-thongs out of the drawer and put them beside the make-up. He sat down and patted his lap, indicating for Carter to sit upon it. She did exactly that and he immediately began to work.

* * * * *

About a half an hour later, Zayn was finished. He gazed at his work of art proudly and grinned.

“Put on your dress and come downstairs so the boys can see you.” He told Carter.

Carter nodded and he left the room. She took the dress out of her wardrobe and slipped into it. She placed her shoes on her feet before exiting the room and going down to the sitting room once more.

The boys looked at her, bemused by her beauty. She looked absolutely gorgeous in their opinion.

“You look HOT Carter!” Louis exclaimed, instantly earning a slap off Liam. Carter giggled slightly. “What Louis meant to say was, you look beautiful Carter.” Liam smiled. Carter blushed and thanked him.

“Did Zayn really do your hair and make-up?” Niall questioned, staring at Carter in awe. “Yep! It shows how much of a girl Zayn really is!” Carter winked over at Zayn. Zayn slapped her lightly in the arm and stuck his tongue out at her.

“Right, we need to get going.” Liam patted Carter on the back and headed towards the front door. “Bye boys.” Carter chimed. Each of the boys suffocated her in a big group hug. “Now Carter, make sure you bring back at least 7 boys!” Louis spoke sternly. Carter giggled quietly. “I highly doubt I’ll be bringing back anyone boys!” she told them.

“You better not kiss anyone! We WILL hunt them down!” Niall informed her.
“Yes Niall.” Carter rolled her eyes.

The honking of the car horn outside signalled for Carter to hurry on. “Bye!” she grinned and waved at them before leaving. She put up the hood of her coat and ran to the car.

“Ready?” Liam quizzed as Carter put on her seatbelt. She nodded and he began to drive off. “You excited?” he questioned and Carter nodded, beaming. “You look amazing Carter.” He told her. “Thanks Liam.” She blushed, her cheeks turning a rose pink colour. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen you wearing a dress!” Liam chuckled.

They arrived at the school where the event was being held and got out of the car. Liam took Carter’s hand and led her inside.

Harry took a swig of his beer, wincing at the strong taste. “Lucy’s looking proper fit.” Harry’s mate Ryan slurred in Harry’s ear. “I know.” Harry grinned, wriggling his eyebrows before making his way over to Lucy.

“Hey babe.” He purred in her ear.

She spun on her heels to face him and attached her lips to his. He wrapped his arms around her skinny waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with a loose curl that flopped over his forehead. His lips met hers once more until she broke away and smirked.

“I love you.” He told her.

“I know.” She spoke smugly, caressing Harry’s knuckles and strolling away from him.

The door opened and in walked one of the most beautiful girls Harry had ever seen. He wobbled over to Ryan once again before tapping him on the shoulder. Ryan turned around and greeted his friend kindly. “Who’s that bird over there?” Harry asked, pointing to the gorgeous girl that stood at the other side of the room.

“That’s Carter mate.” Ryan told him.

Harry spat out his beer before shooting him a glare. “There’s no way that’s Carter man!” he protested. “I’m telling you, it’s her!” Ryan quarrelled. “Well whoever she is, I’m going to find out.” Harry chimed.

He staggered over to the girl, who was pouring herself a glass of coke.

Very sensible…

He smirked before clearing his throat and introducing himself.

“Hi, I’m Harry.”

The girl froe on the spot and slowly turned to Harry. His eyes widened when he was that the beautiful girl he was staring at was Carter.

“Carter?!” Harry exclaimed.

Carter couldn’t speak. She really didn’t want to be tortured by Harry tonight. She was to enjoy herself for once. He glared at her and she began to tremble in fear. She prepared herself for the worst as Harry raised his hand. He put it back down and scratched his head. The amount of alcohol he had consumed had obviously taken its toll on him.

“You look really hot tonight.” He announced, smiling warmly at Carter.

“Uh… thank you.” She blushed. He nodded before stumbling slightly and walking away. Carter shook her head, clearly confused at what had just happened.

Harry Styles. No THEE Harry Styles had just complimented her. She couldn’t believe it! She sipped her coke whilst she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

She felt a tip on her shoulder and immediately turned to see who it was. She was surprised to see it was Jake. He was in the year above her and they had barely ever spoken before. “Erm… hi Jake.” Carter smiled. Hi…. Carter, isn’t it?” he quizzed. Carter nodded. “Anyways, I was wondering… who are you here with?” Jake asked. Carter bit her lip before replying. “Um… no one.” Jake’s eyes widened.

“WHAT?! How does a beautiful girl like you not have a date to the prom?!” he exclaimed. “I guess no one asked me.” She chuckled slightly at his little outburst. “Well in that case, would you like to dance Carter?” he inquired, putting out his hand. Carter grinned widely. “I’d love to.” She beamed. Jake took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

He put his hands around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their bodies swayed side by side in unison with the music. Carter couldn’t believe that Jake had asked her to dance! Normally this would happen to the likes of Lucy and her tarty friends, but never Carter. The slow music played out of the loud speakers.

Jake slowly leaned closer to Carter until their lips met. His lips sank into hers as he tightened the grip on her waist. They continued to dance when Jake pulled away.

Everything about this moment was perfect for Carter. For once she wasn’t being beaten up, tortured or discriminated in anyway. She felt like a princess and wished that this moment would last forever.

Unfortunately, it didn’t. Jake soon had to go so before her left, he asked: “Um… Carter, could I have your number?” “Of course.” Carter beamed as she wrote down her number on a piece of paper nearby. He handed her a piece of paper with his number on it and she shoved it into her handbag.

“I had an amazing time tonight Carter.” He told her. “Me too.” She smiled. He pecked her her on the lips before walking away. Carter grinned and at down happily.

She was finally living the fairy tale she had always wanted to.

* * * * *

Harry danced like a fool on the dance floor with his mate Ryan. He was having the time of his life and no one could stop that… or so he thought.

“Harry….” Ryan began. “Yeah mate?” Harry chimed. “Is that Lucy?” Ryan quizzed, pointing to a girl kissing Harry’s other mate Tom. Harry looked in that direction and spat out his drink. “Fuck! That is Lucy!” he mumbled, staggering over to her.

“Lucy?!” he exclaimed. Lucy turned around to face him. “Oh, hi Harry.” She spoke and returned to kissing Tom. Seconds later, after realising that it was Harry, Lucy jumped back. “Oh! Um….. Harry! Erm….. He came onto me?” she said questionably.

“Do you think I’m a fucking idiot Lucy?! How could you do this to me?” Harry shouted. “Oh please, as if I’m the first person Lucy has cheated on you with.” Tom remarked with a smug look on his face. “Shut the fuck up Tom!” Harry scowled as he pounced for Tom and punched him in the face, knocking his so-called ‘friend’ to the floor. Harry then turned to Lucy with a glare.

“I’m done with you. I’m done with all of you!” he shouted, pointing to Lucy and the rest of his friends before storming out. Lucy returned to kissing Tom a couple of seconds later after he had gotten up off the floor. Everyone else in the room fell silent.

Carter was absolutely flabbergasted. She couldn’t believe Lucy would do such a thing! No, wait, she could believe it. But she still couldn’t help but sympathise Harry. He treated Lucy like a princess and this is what he got in return?

Carter sighed and strolled over to the bar, ordering a glass of coke and waiting patiently for it. She noticed a phone right beside her and picked it up to see that it was Harry’s. She decided to bring it to Harry’s house on the way home later.

Carter turned around and bumped into someone, spilling her drink all over the person in the process. “Oh fuck! I’m so sorry!” Carter apologized; looking up to see that it was Lucy she had just spilled her drink one. “You fucking whore!” Lucy spat, slapping Carter aggressively across the face.

“It was an accident Lucy! Get over it!” Carter yelled, suddenly having a newly-found confidence against Lucy.

Lucy was shocked by Carter’s outburst. Did Carter Payne really just stand up to Lucy?! Lucy glared at Carter. “You know, you may be dressed as a princess tonight, but that doesn’t mean that you’re not just an ugly whore with no friends, because that’s all you ever will be.” Lucy growled before slapping Carter once more and storming off.

* * * * *

Carter decided she would go home soon after that. She was originally supposed to be collected by Liam, but she decided to walk instead as she had to return Harry’s phone to him anyways.

She began her journey home and shrugged on her coat. It was freezing outside; the temperature must’ve dropped by over 15 degrees! She strolled along the footpath in the cold air until she reached Harry’s house. She took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

She was met by a kind face at the door. It as Harry’s mum, Anne, who was overjoyed to see Carter. “Hello love!” Anne beamed. “Hi Anne.” Carter retorted shyly. Anne had always been like a mother to Carter when she was younger, but she hadn’t seen her in ages. “You look beautiful tonight Carter!” Anne told her. “Thank you.” Carter smiled. “Do you want Harry hun?” Anne quizzed. “Yes please.” Carter responded, biting her lip.

“HARRY! Someone is here for you!” Anne roared.

“He’ll be down in a second hun.” She smiled at Carter. Carter nodded and waited patiently while Harry stomped down the stairs.

“Carter?! What the hell are you doing here?” he inquired, his voice full of authority. “I-I-I-I just came t-to give you y-your phone.” she stammered, instantly regretting coming to Harry’s house. “My phone?” he asked, confused. Carter nodded and handed his phone to him. “Thanks I guess.” He shrugged. Carter turned to walk away but Harry pulled her back.

“Wait…. What’s that red mark on your face?” Harry questioned, wondering if he had hit Carter in any way today. “Your girlfriend- or should I say ex-girlfriend hit me because I spilt my drink on her dress.” Carter explained, looking into Harry’s eyes for the first time.

They were red and puffy, signally that he had been crying. Carter had never seen Harry in such a feeble state. It was a remarkable sight, but Carter’s heart jerked seeing Harry like this. A grin appeared on Harry’s face upon hearing what Carter did to Lucy. He raised his hand up to high-five Carter but Carter’s instincts told her otherwise and she shielded her face. Harry looked at her strangely before putting his hand down. Carter slowly did the same and noticed that he hadn’t hit her.

“Erm… I was just going to high-five you….” He told her. “Oh.” Carter laughed as she high-fived Harry reluctantly. There was a short silence before Carter spoke. “I-I-I got to go….” She remarked. “Oh, ok then. Thanks for my phone.” He mumbled. “No worries.” She chimed as she strolled away quietly. Harry shut the door behind her and went up to bed, crying a few more tears and plugging in his iPod.

Carter soon got home, still trying to make sense of the conversation her and Harry just had. He didn’t hit her nor insult her once, which never, ever happens. She padded into the sitting room, the boys immediately rushing up to her.

“We were supposed to bring you home!” Louis whined, secretly wanting to catch Carter kissing a boy. “I needed to give Harry his phone anyways.” Carter shrugged. The boys each had very confused expressions on their faces so Carter continued: “Lucy cheated on Harry and he stormed out but he left his phone behind so I gave it back to him.” She spoke.

“Poor Harry.” Niall sighed. Everyone remained silent for a moment until Liam piped up.

“So…. Did you kiss any boys?” Liam winked, nudging Carter. She knew this question was bound to come sooner or later. “No….” she lied, not wanting the boys to start fusing and kill Jake. “Sure.” Liam glared at her.

Carter rolled her eyes and threw her handbag on the couch. She then ventured into the kitchen to get food. Zayn rummaged through Carter’s handbag in the sitting room and found a piece of crumbled paper. He straightened it out and and saw a phone number on it and a little note:

‘I really enjoyed tonight Carter :) Jake. Xxx’

Zayn was outraged that Carter didn’t tell him about her ne secret boyfriend! He had the right to know! His lickle sister was growing up before his eyes!

“HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THIS CARTER?!” Zayn roared as he thrust the piece of paper in Carter’s face. “It’s called a phone number you douche!” Carter giggled. “Is it a boy?” Zayn questioned. “No it’s a girl!” Carter spoke sarcastically. “I always knew you were a lesbian Carter.” Zayn joked. Carter slapped him and journeyed into the sitting room once again.

“CARTER’S GOT A BOYFRIEND! CARTER’S GOT A BOYFRIEND!” Zayn chanted through the halls.

“A boyfriend you say?!” Niall exclaimed. “No! He’s not my boyfriend! We just… erm… kissed.” She remarked.

“And you told me you didn’t kiss anyone.” Liam scowled.

“Yes Liam, Carter is really going to want to tell her big brother about kissing some boy!” Louis chuckled, earning a slap off Liam.

Carter and the rest of the boys spent the rest of the night talking and laughing about the events of the prom.

For Carter, it was one of the best nights of her life, and the boys cherished seeing her so happy.

But for Harry, it was one of the worst nights, and he spent it all alone.

Notes