Stay

Friday Evening
18 August 2017

I have always hated work parties. There was something about trying to fake that many smiles and small talk that always exhausted me. At least with the boys they had been at least manageable. But this party was just going to be a crappy end to a crappy day, at least that’s what I’d thought until I saw her.

My mother always talked about fate and how someday someone would just blow me off my feet. I hadn’t thought that it would literally be a storm that blew me off my feet in the form of a girl that I just couldn’t get a read on. A girl that had openly stared at me in silence while she was my knight in shining armor. I hadn’t known what to say in the car which I now regretted as she stared at me with a pensive smile, Julie Connors attempting to introduce us.

“This is Harry Styles, he’s one of our management executives but I see you two are already acquainted.”

I just wanted to interject as I saw her face automatically fall. While apparently she hadn’t recognized me in the car she knew my name. Fame was sometimes more of a curse than a blessing. In an attempt to try and lighten the situation I just smiled broadly and let out a loud forced chuckle.

“I’m more like one of their executive procrastinators don’t let them tell you any different love.” I stated with a wink earning a slight flush in her face.

“I got it from here Julie.”

Coming around the group I placed my hand lightly on the girl’s bare shoulder evidently startling her as her muscles tensed beneath my touch. I had seen her feet shift back and forth in a familiar nervous habit because of all of the execs. It was the same habit that I had used myself at fundraising benefits that I used to be forced to attend. And since she’d already saved me tonight it was definitely my turn.

“Don’t worry they’re way too stuffy for me too.” I said once we were at a safe enough distance earning a smile, “I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name though love.”

“Piper.” She said curtly before she ducked away from my hand her posture again straightening into quiet confidence, “thank you for saving me Mr. Styles but I’m afraid I should probably go mingle.”

It took me a second to realize that she had turned and walked away. It took one more before I started after her. I admit the Mr. Styles still stung slightly as if I was someone she just wanted to shake although I couldn’t have been more than a year older than her.

“Can I get you a drink?”

It was a lame excuse for talking but it was all I really had. I didn’t have much ‘game’ as Jeremy would call it anymore. For so long I had relied on the whole popstar thing but it really didn’t work anymore. Now I just had to fend off questions on if the band was ever getting back together or why I hadn’t gone solo; both question that I never wanted to answer.

Piper turned her head back towards me her hair letting off a whiff of roses and vanilla. I could see the calculations running through her mind as her face remained friendly but blank. It struck me that she had a lot more poise than I’d given her credit for unless rebuffing advances boosted her confidence.

“I’ll get a table,” She acquiesced with a smile, “and just water for me.”

I resisted the urge to pump my fist like I was in a movie and instead flashed her a smile before making my way back through the busy crowd. It was harder than I thought to get through all of the giggling interns without getting stopped either on the way there or back. So, I took a lot longer than I’d hoped. I could see Piper’s foot swinging in slow circles as she slowly surveyed the crowd a small smile blooming across her face.

“Sorry the line was horrendous.” I admitted coming to a stop beside the table.

“I’d thought the infamous Harry Styles had just forgotten about me.”

She let out a small laugh before taking the glass from my hand.

“Me? Never.” I stated before sliding onto one of the barstool like chairs next to her.

She was different than I expected, but I hadn’t known what to expect. There was a sadness in her eyes that was nearly always hidden behind a twinkle and a joke. We talked about everything and yet she never let out much about herself. She was frustrating and delightful in every sense of the words. Every time I pushed a topic she didn’t like she’d just change it and over the space of an hour we ended up closer than I’d expected our elbows nearly touching across the table.

At least until the unmistakable beats of ¾ timing echoed behind us. Piper paused in her speech listening to the strings start to play something more upbeat as a smile stretched across her face. Her fingers started to tap out the time of the music before she turned to me curiously.

“Can you swing dance?”

I opened my mouth once before actually answering. The truth was something that I didn’t necessarily want to admit, I had only swing danced once and I really couldn’t do it. But infatuation does odd things to people as I stood from the table and offered my hand. I was dragged more than led to the dance floor couples around us twirling in the simple yet intricate moves of the dance. Taking her hands I could feel my own start to sweat but I didn’t want to lose the contact by dropping hers.

Struggling to remember the steps I shuffled awkwardly through the dance. Piper didn’t seem to mind though giggling each time I narrowly missed her now bare toes. She seemed to alive her blue eyes twinkling. Although I’d gotten used to her sassy, sarcastic wit she seemed softer, more vulnerable when dancing. The song thankfully came to a quick end before transitioning into something I could do.

“Last song of the evening mates.”

The pianist announced and I spared a glance at my watch time had flown a lot faster than I wanted or expected. I just wanted to stay there to relish in the moment but apparently that was just my luck. Pulling Piper into me I fell into the easy 4/4 timing of a waltz.

“I can’t waltz.” Piper whispered into my ear as she stepped onto one of my feet. Her warm breath sent a sliver of goosebumps across the back of my neck.

Turning I smoothly lifted her off her feet and when I had turned us I set her down on top of my feet. It was as smooth as I knew how to be and I felt her understand as she stood on the tops of my feet letting me do the dancing. At this height we were at eye level and her gaze held mine steadily as the musicians played seemingly in the background behind us. I was again at a loss for words instead just focusing on my breathing and the quick thrum of my own heartbeat. Too soon the last notes echoed across the silence and we just stood there neither one of us breaking the gaze.

Stepping off of my feet Piper just smiled at me before taking a couple steps away. I just stood and watched her retreat unable to move. I could hardly breathe as I saw her stop, turn back, and smile.

“Are you coming?”

My face must have shown my confusion as she shook her head her loose curls moving as a waterfall.

“Don’t you need a ride home.”

Notes

Hey everyone,

I'm sorry for the horrendously long wait. Midterms and pledge week snuck up on my faster than I'd hoped. But hey they finally met! This is probably draft like 12 of this chapter and Harry still ended up slightly sappy, but hey they can just be cute together :) The next chapter should be up soon. :)

-A

P.S. Keep your eyes out for an entirely new story :)