Pick Me Up

A few days had passed and Percy had gone back to normal: cheery and talkative. She made it to her classes on time, thanks to Zayn and Jo following her around for a few days, she even made it to work exactly on time once, which made Harry praise some god he didn’t believe in when she walked through the door. They didn’t speak of their kiss, but they could both feel that they were closer to each other now. They would hold hands and flirt, sometimes sneak a cheeky grin or two between customers. He even asked her out, but Zayn over heard and thought it was a free invitation since he didn’t know there was anything going on between the two.

That afternoon, Zayn and Harry were making their way to her dorm when they heard shouting.

“You stupid spoiled brat!!” Screamed a yelling voice coming from down the dorm hallway. The both looked at each other and changed their leisurely walk into a slow run. The yelling was coming from Percy who sounded serious and livid. “I can’t believe you moved my stuff!”

“There wasn’t much to move and I needed the space.” Said a voice, most likely coming from her roommate Donna. Her voice sounded too light and carefree compared to the tone that laced Percy’s.

“You already have enough room! It was 60/40, now its like 75/25! This is such bullshit!”

Harry and Zayn reached the door which was already slightly opened, the peeked inside to get an idea of what was going on. There were shopping bags lay out across the entire room and a pile of Percy’s things on her tiny twin bed. Percy’s face was flushed bright red and anger tattooed on her forehead. Her hands were balled into fists at her side, shaking and making her knuckles white.

“It’s not like you need the room. You hardly own anything anyway.” Donna was now emptying the bags and starting putting her new clothes away.

“That’s not the damn point Donna! You already dominate more than half the room. Just leave my shit alone, for fuck’s sake! And stop putting your shit where mine goes!” Her hands were now unclenched and she ran them through her hair, pulling it. She was so frustrated, this is not what she needed right now. “STOP!” She was now screaming, her voice scratchy and strained. But Donna, didn’t stop, she kept on moving her new things where Percy’s things used to be. This was the last straw especially because of the thin ice she was already on with school and with Harry. No one was going to fuck with her today.

She made her move, in her mind it was in slow motion, but to Harry and Zayn, it was nothing but a series of fast flashes. Percy grabbed as much as she could in their mutual closest and threw it with all her might at Donna. Clothes and hangers hit her as she stumbled in silence. It wasn’t in Percy’s character to act like this. She was usually rational and thought most things through. But, rage surged through every fiber of her body.

“That is it! I am taking my half of the room back, you daddy’s little bitch!” Cursed Percy, continuing to grab things and throw them out of the closet. That was when Harry and Zayn decided to intervene. A cursing Percy was an uncontrollable Percy. “I don’t even know why you live in the damn dorms. Go have Daddy buy you some fucking house on Millionaires row and get the fuck out of my room! You don’t even need the dorms!”

“Whoa. Whoa.” Said Zayn as he entered behind Harry. He set his hands on her shoulders and tired to soothe her “Calm down Perce.”

“Calm down?! Are you really telling me to calm down Zayn?” She had no idea why she was scream at her best friend, but everyone was an easy target at this point. “This stupid pampered little bitch of a human is ruining everything!”

“Yeah, well, at least my boyfriend isn’t homeless!” said Donna while she was trying to sort out the mess they made.

“You little fucking troll!” Screamed Percy as she pounced at Donna, trying to throw a punch. Luckily, Harry caught her midway, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back, but she was still flailing about, wanting to get at least one hit in. “He isn’t homeless! And he isn’t my boyfriend!”

“He sure dresses like it!” Harry had half a mind to let Percy go, but he knew very well that if he did, Donna would become her punching bag. Being tenacious was a good quality, but not when you’re trying to keep from getting sued.

“That’s it, I’m taking you outside.” Said Harry, grabbing her around the waist and dragging her away and out into the hallway.

“Don’t you dare touch a fucking thing in there! Or you’ll be sorry when I come back. Harry and Zayn can’t be around all the time to save you from a beating that you very well deserve!” Zayn slammed the dorm door closed as Harry tried to get Percy to stop fighting to get away from him. He finally put her down, but still had a firm grasp on her incase she decided to go AWHOL again.

“What the fuck was that?” asked Zayn, still in shock of seeing Percy so angry. She was usually level headed in most situations.

“She moved all my stuff because she needed more room. You can’t just do that with out asking! She was being rude.” Her voice had gone from a loud yell to a dull roar.

“Keep your hat on, I am sure you can work it out.” Said Zayn, the ever-relaxed stoner.

“I’m done with her! All she does is say mean things under her breath and make fun of me, or Harry or any of my other friends. She is a constant bitch, I can’t stress that enough.”

“Still Perce, you can’t go attacking your dorm mate every time she does something like this.” Said Harry, loosening his grip on her. He didn’t know how to handle mad Percy. Sad Percy was easy, happy Percy was better, and sassy Percy was funny, but he had never seen her in such a heat of hate. It wasn’t in her personality, and to be honest, he was a bit scared.

“She does it constantly! It’s the same things over and over again. I just can’t fucking take it anymore.” She finally broke free of Harry and wanted to head back into the room to continue the fight. Luckily, Zayn blocked her way in.

“I’m not letting you go back in there until you’re calm.” Said Zayn, as he guarded the door, arms crossed at his chest.

“Zayn, you’re my best friend but if you don’t move, I’ll make you move.” She was looking at him dead in the eye, no flinching or nervous actions.

“I’d like you see you damn well try.” His jaw was now clenched, no one was getting past him. Percy looked at Harry for some kind of support, but his face was like Zayn’s, there was no way she was going back in there with both of them fighting her on it. She was strong, but not that strong.

“Fine. Whatever. I’m leaving. You two can stay here and block my way, but you have to leave sometime.” She whipped her head around and started walking down the hall away from them. Harry and Zayn’s eyes met, both sympathetic towards their favorite person. Zayn shrugged, which meant they bother were going to go after her. She was already outside and headed towards the library.

“Percy. Wait.” Said Harry as the caught up to her. She stopped in her tracks and waited for them to meet her. Harry got to her first. He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. The electricity was almost too much to handle, she felt like she was going to faint every time he did something sweet like this. Such a light touch calmed her down. “We can figure something out.”

“Like what?” She asked, not yelling this time, but still with a touch of attitude in her voice.

“We can find you a new place to live, temporarily while thing between you and Donna even out.”

“Where Harry? You’re place?” she scoffed and pulled her hand away. “I don’t think so. Not with Louis and Liam there, there is no room for me.”

“How about our place?” suggested Zayn, who finally joined them. “We have more room than we know what to do with.”

“I’m sure you and Niall don’t want me around cramping your style with all the girls.” He voice was half joking, a good sign for Harry.

“Niall owes you. I owe you.”

“That is true…” agreed Harry.

“Are you sure?” she asked, making sure that they knew what they were getting themselves into. “I have to be a work at 6am sometimes, you don’t want that noise all early.”

“I’m sure we can survive.” Said Zayn. “Look, I’ll call Niall right now and I guarantee her will say yes.”

Zayn grabbed his phone out of his pocket, clicked on Niall’s name, and put it on speakerphone. They phone range for a new seconds then Niall picked up.

“Zayn, you left the damn bong out and my Gran thought it was a flower vase!” said Niall, a bit angry but mostly amused. Zayn laughed a little, but then got to the point.

“Hey, besides that. Percy got into a fight with Donna.”

“Again?”

“Yeah. Well.” Zayn paused, he was pretty sure Niall would be cool with having her stay at the house, but there was still a chance Niall could say no. “She needs a place to stay until she cools down. Can she crash at ours?”

“Hell yes she can.” Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. “We have tons of spare rooms, she can have her pick.”

“Oh my god. Thank you Niall! I owe you.” Said Percy, excitedly.

“Not a problem dear, it’s actually us that owes you.”

“We’ll grab her stuff and head over.” Chimed in Harry, he was smiling know that Percy was safe from herself. Having Zayn and Niall around could help keep in her in control and she wouldn’t head to that dark place.

“Zayn, don’t forget to tell her about naked Thursdays.” Sang Niall.

“Or naked Wednesdays.” Chimed in Zayn.

“There will be no naked any days…” Said Harry, being a bit prematurely over-protective. They were his best mates, but Percy was still his girl in his mind, at least, and the only way she would be naked would be behind her locked door where it was only the two of them. But he still hadn’t told anyone that.

A few hours and a few heavy boxes later, Percy began unpacking her things in the room across the hall from Zayn. She figured it was easy access to some best friend time. Plus, it was the second largest bedroom. It made her feel like she was a queen. Her bed would have taken up the entire space in her dorm room. The sheets were a little out of date, but she could deal until she made the room her own.

Zayn was sitting on her floor, back against the monster bed, flipping through some comic books he had bought earlier in the day. He was supposed to be helping Percy unpack, but, but she hadn’t let him help at all. If fact, she swatted him away when he tried to put her shoes and books on the same shelf. Also, she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts, which were, of course, about Harry. He had dismissed himself so quickly after they finished their last trip from her dorm to Niall’s. He did have work early, so she didn’t complain, but she would have liked to have him there. But, having Zayn around all her most personal items was probably less embarrassing, since Harry didn’t know that much about her, unlike Zayn and Jo.

“Hey Perce…?” asked Zayn. She was thinking of their last kiss when she was brought back to reality by Zayn talking. At first she didn’t hear what he had said, but when she regained her focus when he threw a pillow at her. “Oi! Persephone…”

She turned around very quickly and gave him the stare of death. No one uses her full name and got away with it. “Yes, burnout?” she said to try to annoy him, it didn’t work.

“Hi pot, I’m kettle… it looks like you’re black.” He laughed.

“Clever.” She still glared at him. She put down the books she was organizing by genre and author, giving him her full attention. “What is it?”

“Welll….” He said. “Are you dating any one?”

Deer in headlights, her eyes widened and her face turned red, she was sure of it. But she had to keep her cool. I mean. She and Harry weren’t exactly dating, they only kissed a handful of times, but there was something there between them. She couldn’t put her finger on it yet. She calmed down enough to answer lightly.

“You very well know I am not dating anyone Zayn.” Her eyes narrowed, he was fishing for something and she knew it. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” He said, lying, “Just curious…”

“Right.” She smiled at him, then picked back up her books, “Curiosity killed the cat.”

“Good thing cats have nine lives then.” He smiled up at her and winked, then went back to flipping through his comic books. He was caught off guard when Percy threw a couple coat hangers at him. “What was that for?” he yelled, untangling himself.

“You either help or leave.” She said, matter of factly.

“Fine.” He said, getting up and brushing himself off. “Leaving.”

“Rude!” She shouted, throwing pairs of shoes at him now.

“If you keep throwing things at me you’ll regret it…” He warned, but Percy didn’t take head, she just egged him on more by unloading all her balled up socks at him like snowballs. “That’s it… I warned you.” He ran over and tackled her to the ground, then, while she was still on the floor trying to get up he started pulling all the books that were neatly in the shelf on the floor, in the wrong place, and backwards.

“NO!” She screamed, getting up to try and stop him. “It’s going to take me hours to rearrange those!”

“Should have thought twice about chucking things at me then.” He laughed, holding a book above his head while Percy tried to jump and get it.

“Jerk.”

“I like best friend better.” He laughed; finally he gave in and gave the book back to Percy, kissing her on the cheek.

“I’ll get you back…”

“Oh really? How?” Percy got a shit eating evil grin on her face, headed over to her laptop, which Zayn had so graciously connected to her radio speakers, opened her iTunes and clicked play. Blasting through the room was Taylor Swift’s ‘22’. “Oh god no! Turn that crap off!” Percy just laughed and just turned up the volume and started singing along, dancing towards Zayn.

“I don’t know about you… but I’m feeling twenty-twooooooooo”

“That’s it, only a few hours moved in and we’re kicking you out.” He said, leaving the room, ears covered with his hands. “NIALLLLL!!!” He shouted, but all Percy could do was laugh. Living with these boys was going to be more fun than she anticipated.

As much as Percy wanted to have her movie nights back with Harry and to party on the weekend, three things kept on getting into the way. The first one was school. Since she was on an academic scholarship she had to keep her grades high, if anything was less 85% she would flip out and spend a few hours working on extra credit. She didn’t get this far in school just to fail out because she wanted to spend time drinking with a boy.

The second was work. Now that she was familiar with the whole coffee shop scene, she was working extra hours. Since she started living off campus her meals from the cafeteria were cut off. So now she had to add grocery shopping on top her list of things to do. Also, Niall was refusing to charge her rent, but Percy never takes anything for free. After a few hours arguing she had finally convinced Niall to pay him $100 a month, but if she couldn’t afford it that month, she wouldn’t have to owe. She was very grateful for Niall’s generosity, but after a week or so of living with them she would find $20 notes in random places like the laundry or when she went into her purse or wallet. The damn rat bastard, thinking he was so clever giving back her money slowly.

The third was her new living situation. As much as she loved living with Zayn and Niall, it made privacy very hard to come by. There was always someone in the house, whether it was their normal group of friends, strangers left lingering the morning after a party, or girls that they had brought home. The few times that Harry did try to sneak up to her room he was always was stopped and would make up some lie for why he was in that part of the house. Harry’s living situation wasn’t the best either. Liam and Louis were the nosiest people she had every met. They would insert themselves into whatever Harry and Percy had planned. It was probably because they didn’t know what was really going on between them, they just figured it was a friendly hang out and wanted to be included.

What was going on between them? That was the real question that plagued Percy every day. They had a few kisses, they flirt, they hold hands when no one is looking, the text on a semi-constant basis. It was all new and exciting, but were they friends? More than friends? She thought they skipped the whole friends stage and went right into liking each other. Maybe that was a mistake, she didn’t know. This is what she was thinking about when she was walking on campus and ran straight into someone, dropping everything in both of their hands. Paper, books, pens, and folders flew everywhere.

“Shit! Shit!” said Percy, dropping to the floor to go pick up her things. “I’m so sorry.” She finally looked up and saw a pair of blue eyes that she recognized immediately. It was Louis. He was dressed in a football jersey and hair going every which way.

“It’s okay love.” He said, dropping to his knees, helping her clean up as well as gathering his own things. “No harm, no foul.” It took Louis a minute to figure out it was Percy. “Oh. Hiya.”

“Hi.” She finally composed herself, having collected all her stuff, and stood back up, he did the same. “What are you doing on campus?”

“You know… going to class. That’s what people do when they are at university.” He said sarcastically, cheeky bastard.

“Ha. Ha.” She joked, “Very funny… I meant today, what are you doing on campus today? Since I know that you don’t have classes on Tuesday.”

“Knowing my class schedule, that is considered stalking I believe.” He winked at her.

“It’s nice to know that at least you think you’re funny.” Her head was cocked to the side; she wasn’t really in a mood for having Louis around. He was a good mate, but sometimes he was a bit much to take on. “I only know because you come into the coffee shop and study. Well. You say you’re going to study but you just bug myself and Harry, and you drink up free coffee.”

“I have this damn paper due tomorrow and I haven’t started it. It’s on the American Revolution. I literally have no interest in it but it’s my history requirement for my major.”

“Oh. I love American history. I practically wish that I was American, it makes me sad to realize that I am not.” This was the deepest conversation she had ever had with him. Mostly it was just partying and making jokes at each other’s expenses. “They have all my favorite authors.”

“Didn’t know you were so nerdy for this stuff.” He said, looking at and turning over his textbook.

“There is a lot you don’t know about me. I don’t just party.”

“Could have fooled me.” She narrowed her eyes and glared at him. “What are you doing right now?”

“I was going to head home. Hopefully the Tweedles aren’t there so I can get an hour of peace and quite.”

“How about you come help me instead?” asked Louis. “I could really use the help and I’ll buy you dinner.”

Percy stared at Louis for a few seconds, this was probably the second chance in 2 weeks that her and Harry could be alone. But Louis was her friend, even with how little they knew about each other and he had to be a bit desperate if he was seeking help with something. She looked at her phone and saw it was just a little past 3:30, if she helped Louis for an hour that could still leave maybe 40 minutes of people free time at home.

“Okay.” She agreed, “But only for an hour and I get to pick where we order food from.”

“Sounds like a deal.” He said, extending his hand. “Shake on it?” and they shook. They turned and made their way towards the library. Percy quickly pulled out her phone again and texted Harry.

TO: Harry Styles
From: Percy Appleyard
3:37pm

Louis roped me into helping him with his American history project. Meet me at my place around 5? Hopefully Zayn and Niall are too busy doing whatever they do when they aren’t home…

TO: Percy Appleyard
FROM: Harry Styles
3:39pm

You’re too nice. Ditch Louis and come to mine right now.

TO: Harry Styles
FROM: Percy Appleyard
3:40pm

If I leave now, Louis will be coming with me.

TO: Percy Appleyard
FROM: Harry Styles

You’re right. See you at 5.

The last text made Percy’s heart jump a little at the prospect of spending a few clandestine moments with Harry.

Percy had access to Niall’s cars, well, an old BMW that he never drove. He offered her to take it to school and work since she was living so far from campus now. It took her a few drives to and from to get used to driving again. And when she pulled into the driveway a little after 4:45 she saw that Niall and Zayn’s cars were both absent. Her heart jumped again. She parked, ran upstairs, primped, and got ready for Harry to come over.

There wasn’t even a knock, she heard quiet footsteps coming up the stairs. She left her door slightly open for him. She didn’t know what to do with herself. Should she be standing in wait for him? Laying on the bed? At her vanity mirror? She settled for her desk, laptop open, scrolling through tumblr. Harry peered in, seeing her at the back of her room; she turned and smiled when she saw him.

She got up immediately and walked, well, maybe a tiny run towards him, threw her arms around his neck as he put his around her waist and kissed him. It was a long time coming and was exactly how she daydreamed about it.

Harry hugged her tight as they kissed, this was what he was missing in his life. He had his music, school, and work, and now he had her. She tasted like mint and coffee, which was fine with him. Soon, his hands were in her hair. He parted his lips slightly so she could slip her tongue in his mouth, and so he could do the same. They stayed like that, kissing with their eyes closed, hands gripped tight so neither of them could let go, but, their time was cut short when they heard a car pulling in. They broke away and looked out of the window, Niall was home. Their time alone only lasted about 10 minutes. But it was the best 10 minutes of their entire week.

“Nooooo…” Percy whined and Harry pulled away. “This sucks.”

“I know.” He said, giving her a peck on the lips quickly, then he did it again, and again. He knew he had to stop or he would be held up in her room for the rest of the night. As much as he hated to admit it, he did have other priorities, like doing well in school for his Dad so he could go off and play music seriously. “Soon. I promise. Just have to get through this week. Saturday Niall will have a party, as usual, I’ll crash here, and then we can spend early Sunday morning together”

“Fine.” She said, almost acting like a child, upset that she didn’t get her way. Maybe she was a bit of a princess, but if that meant having Harry around for a few more minutes, she didn’t care. “You promised.”

“I did. I keep my promises.” He smiled at her, giving her a last kiss, short and sweet.

“You better.” She said, trying to not let their kiss go. They heard Niall open the front door. Harry ran down stairs and pretended like he was coming out of the den.

“What are you doing here?” asked Niall, setting his stuff at the base of the stairs.

“Left my phone charger here the other day, needed to grab it. Phone’s dead.” Lied Harry, thinking of what he left upstairs.

“Percy around?”

“Uhhh… I think so. Maybe in her room? Haven’t seen her.” He lied, again.

“Okay.”

“See ya.” Said Harry, as he walked out the front door and headed home. Only a few more days, a few more classes, and a few more shifts at work until he could relax for the weekend.

There was soft music of an acoustic guitar coming down the short hallway. It was lovely and simple, and it made the whole house a bit lighter. It had been way too long since their tiny apartment had heard music coming from Harry’s room. You could just barely make out what he was singing.
“I want you here with me, like how I pictured it. So I don't have to keep imagining”

His door was slightly open so Louis peered in. Harry has his eyes closed in deep concentration. His guitar was slung around him, strumming it while tapping his foot. More lyrics and melodies poured from his mouth.

“Come on, jump out at me. Come on, bring everything. Is it too much to ask for something great?”

“It’s nice to hear you play again… It’s been too long.” Said Louis as he crashed Harry’s private listening party. He was leaning against the doorway, arms folded at his chest.

“Yeah. Well. It’s all a bit new.” Harry put down his guitar and scratched the back of his head. “Not quite ready for an audience.”

“Don’t let me stop you lad.” He unfolded his arms and walked to Harry’s bed and took a seat as Harry swiveled in his chair. “Something has been inspiring you lately.”

“You could say that.” Said Harry, as images of Percy swam through his mind. He tried really hard for it to not show on his face. Images of her at work with her hair a mess and running around trying to do her best, of her slightly drunk with a permanent smile on her face, and of her sleepy eyes getting heavier but still wanting to stay up and not miss anything. He couldn’t get her out of his head, so he decided to start putting her into songs, not that anyone knew they were about her. “You’re home early. What’s up?”

“Nah. Just finished my paper for my last class, you think our history is boring, American history is worse. Bloody Yanks.” Said Louis, laughing and throwing his head back. Did he every really take anything seriously? “But, I do have a question for you.”

“Shoot.”

“It’s about Percy…” He said very carefully. Louis just had spent a quite nice afternoon with her. He really wasn’t expecting it to be honest. She was actually really smart, clever, and funny. Plus, she knew how to party. She wasn’t this crazy erratic girl he had first met, well, from what he knew at least.

“What about her?”

“She is a good friend, yeah? One of the lads?”

“As much as we all hate to admit it, she is.”

“Okay.” Louis was holding back, he wasn’t sure how to big up the next part of his question. She and Harry had been spending quite a bit of time together, at work then always around Niall’s and then their place. But, none of the lads had shown any interest in her, well at least they hadn’t mentioned anything to Louis.

“That’s it?” He sensed something coming.

“Uhhh, No.”

“Go on Louis, spit it out.” He had no idea, but this conversation was making him more and more nervous.

“Is she seeing anyone?” It stung like getting shot with an arrow, but it was half expected. Harry and Percy hadn’t slept together… yet, but they had spent several hours in the back of Coffee Goblin, holding hands and laughing, plus their very brief make out session this afternoon. His feelings were growing each day, but of course, no one knew what was really going on. They both played their parts pretty well. How was he supposed to answer that question? He knew the other guys have always found her attractive, but they never acted on it. Maybe no one did anything because they all found out that she had hooked up with Zayn once, didn’t want to hurt Zayn’s feeling or impose on his territory, but Zayn had been with several, and we all mean, several women since then, Percy hadn’t shown a bit of jealousy, hell, she was the one helping him get girls. Niall would constantly joke, but it was never serious. So it was no surprise to Harry when Louis asked.

“I think so. Hasn’t mentioned anything to me.” His heart felt like it was getting ripped out of his chest. He knew what was coming next, his approval and help.

“Do you think she’d go out with me?” Louis confidence was shaky when he was usually a cocky bastard.

“Errr… I don’t really know.” Harry was becoming jittery, he didn’t like where this was heading, not one bit. “I thought you were glad when you two didn’t hook up?”

“Yeah, but that was ages ago. I know her better now. Do you think you could do some probing on your part? You see her more than the rest of us. If anyone has the chance to talk me up, it’s you.” Harry was now starting to sweat, a slew of mixed emotions poured from him: anger, jealousy, hope, and sadness.

“I can give it a go, if you really want.” Why was he agreeing to this? He didn’t want her on someone else’s arm, definitely not his best friends arm. He wanted her all to himself, wrapped up in a sea of blankets.

“That would be wicked.”

“No problem.” He said, but it was a problem, a big problem.

“Right. Thanks man.” Louis smiled and turned to walk away. “Continue to write. We need it around here.” And all of sudden, Harry felt very uninspired.

Harry was torn, was he going to mention what Louis had asked him to do to Percy, or was he going to just brush it off and pretend it didn’t happen? He couldn’t do that, he knew sooner or later Louis would come back and ask him about it. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Luckily the week had ended, it was the Saturday night and he was looking forward to and the Sunday morning he’d been dreaming of.

It was the Percy’s New Roommate Party, just because Niall needed at least some form of an excuse to fill his house with people and booze. Harry patiently waited in the den, with the rest of the boys, for Jo and Percy to descend down the stairs. He had no idea why he was so nervous, maybe it was the pressing question Louis asked him to do in the back of his mind, or maybe it was the fact that while everyone was piss drunk and not paying attention, he and Percy could sneak away for a few hours and no one would suspect a thing.

A few moments later, it was what he was thinking of. Percy and Jo came into the den, Jo first, looking like she always did, but Percy, she was a knock out. Her long blonde hair was in loose curls, she was wearing a tight dress, leather down the middle, and stilettos that could poke an eye out. She looked perfect to him, to be quite honest, he was more interested in what was going on under the dress, but for right now, it was all he could handle. He had a goofy grin on his face and she did as well as they both stared at each other.

“Uhhhhgg Hmmmmm…” Zayn cleared his throat, breaking the concentration on their faces. “It’s time for a toast.” He had just finished mixing a few drinks that were probably more lethal than he led on. “To our new roommate… Percy” He poured several smaller shots into cups from his large.

“TO PERCY!” everyone shouted, holding up their drinks to salute. Everyone put their shot glasses to their lips and downed them. Percy let up a cough, it was like rubbing alcohol, but she was please to see Liam and Jo have the same reaction.

“One more for the road, shall we?” suggested Niall. Two shots never hurt anyone, did it?

“What are we toasting this one to?” asked Percy.

“How about to a night that we will most certainly forget…?” suggested Louis giving her a pat on the back and a wink. Harry didn’t like that one bit, he wasn’t seeing red, maybe a pale pink, but it was surely going to rise if it happened again.

“Sounds good to me!” shouted Niall. “To a good night lads!” raising the shot glass again.

“Excuse you?” said Jo.

“Sorry. Sorry. Lads and Jo and Percy!”

“Thank you.” With one more shot was down, they all left the den and walked out into the main living area which was already full of people ready for the party to get started.

Several drinks later, several crying girls later, several spilt drinks later, several cigarette and bong loads later, several couples later, several fights later, and several beer pong games later Percy and Harry found themselves alone, for once. Neither of them had any idea where their friends were gone, but they were sure happy to be rid on them.

“I think if we get away now, no one will see.” Whispered Harry in Percy’s ear.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” She said, putting down her drink, grabbing Harry’s hand, and leading him upstairs. The quickly got to her room and slammed the door. Before either of them could even breathe, they were on each other. Harry pinned her against the door, hand on her neck, and kissed her. It might have been sloppy since they were both a bit drunk, but it was they both wanted and needed, hot and heavy. Percy kicked off her heels and helped him unbutton his shirt. He pulled her away from the door, walking backwards they landed on the bed, Percy on top. He couldn’t help but giggle. Percy knew what she wanted and was moving fast, not that he was complaining or anything. After she got a good look at him beneath her while straddling him, his long hair in disarray, shirt off, tattoos showing, she smiled and leaned down to continue their kissing.

Harry’s hand creeped up from her side to her back, hiking up her dress. He could feel the lace of her underwear, he began to pull it down but that made Percy stop kissing him immediately. She sat back up on his lap and looked down at him, with a slight smiled.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” she asked, humor in her voice.

“Just… Uhhh….” He leaned up on his elbows and didn’t know how to answer. “I thought….”

“Exactly… you thought.” She put her hands on her hips, still a smirk on her face. “Oh, if you were only that lucky Harry Styles.”

“I’m not?” He asked, panting breathlessly from their kissing.

“Not tonight, no.” She moved from his lap and laid back down on her bed, Harry scooted up on her side next to her. He was disappointed, he wanted to know what she felt like, but he could see her reasoning. Hell. If all they did was just lay next to each other all night and fall asleep, he would be happy. He turned over to face her, propping himself up with his arm. “You aren’t mad?” she asked.

“Nope.” He replied, smiling. He went back in for a kiss, he half expected her to back away, but she leaned in. He broke away for a second to take her in. She was so close to his face, he wanted to remember her. Even half drunk, make-up slightly smudged, she was beautiful. This time, she went back in for the kiss, holding it a bit longer. Then, the back of his mind raced straight to the front. “I have to tell you something.” He said quickly between breaths. She got a worried look on her face.

“You aren’t going to tell me that you’re really a woman or something are you?” She joked.

“No.” he said while letting out a laugh. “Nothing like that. Promise.”

“Okay then, shoot.” She mirrored the same position that Harry was in. Propped up on her harm, facing him.

“Earlier this week Louis came to me and asked if you were dating anyone and if you weren’t to talk him up.” He let the words leave him mouth so fast that he wasn’t even sure if she heard him correctly. She raised an eyebrow at him, obviously this was not what she was expecting.

“Really?” she asked, slightly confused.

“Yup. Really.”

“Oh. Hmmmm…” She pondered. “I’m mean, I guess I’m single, you should give him my number.” Her face had a serious look on it, it made Harry’s heart practically jump out of his chest, did she really just say that? Then a few seconds later she smiled. “You look like you’re about to have a heart attack. That is exactly the type of reaction I was going for.” She leaned in and kissed him sweetly.

“You had me going there for a second…”

“I know. It was pretty funny.”

“It wasn’t.”

“It totally was.” She kissed him again. “You can tell him that I am currently not taking applicants at the moment.”

“I think I might phrase it differently when I speak to him.”

“I have an idea.” She said, eyes wide.

“What is your idea?” He asked, genuinely interested.

“No more speaking tonight. Deal?”

“Deal.”

And that is exactly what they did, no more speaking, but lots of kissing, and touching, and laughing, and eventually sleeping.

The morning crept up on them both. They forgot to close the curtains so light flooded into the room, to both of their protest. Percy refused to accept the fact that it was light out by throwing the covers over her head and trying to fall back asleep. Luckily, Harry was wide awake. It was time to play cover story and leave her room, as much as he hated to do it.

“Perce…” he whispered quietly into her ear, rubbing her arm up and down gently. “Hey, wake up for a minute.”

“Noooooo… too early.” She complained as her eyes were still shut tight.

“You don’t have to get up love, but I do.” This made her even more unhappy. She grabbed onto his arm as he was getting up and pulled him back down on the bed.

“Stay.” She wasn’t a morning person, only few words could be formed at this hour.

“I can’t love. Everyone has to think I spent the night downstairs.” But instead of her letting him go, she just hugged his arm tighter like a body pillow. “I will gnaw off my arm you know?”

“Five more minutes?” She begged.

“Fine.” He laid back down with her, she went from her side of the bed to practically sleeping right on him. Head on his chest, arm over his torso, legs wrapped around his own. It was the best feeling in the world to him. Soon he heard her breathing become steady, she had fallen asleep again. He kissed her forehead gently and slid out, as much as he hated to do so. He grabbed his things and leaned over her one more time to kiss her again.

Slowly he walked to the door, closing it silently as left. He tiptoed down the steps into what he thought was the vacant den.

“Hello Harry.” He heard voice form behind. It was Zayn at the counter, eating his cereal and drinking his morning coffee. It nearly made Harry jump right out of his socks.

“Holy shit Zayn.” He said, catching his breath and his heart. “You scared me.”

“Could have said the same about you…” Zayn’s eye narrowed in suspicion. “Where are you coming from?” he asked.

“Crashed up in one of the random rooms upstairs.” Harry lied.

“Right.” He said, not believing one word. “Trust you had a good night then?”

“It was alright.” Lying was becoming second nature to him.

“Leaving? I assume?”

“Yeah. Just have to find my keys. Don’t know where I put them.” He said, looking around the room, knowing very well that he had his keys.

“Are you sure they’re in here? And not in Percy’s room?” asked Zayn, casually eating a spoonful of sugar puffs. Harry nearly choked on his own spit.

“No. No. Why would it be there?” He was beginning to sweat.

“No reason. No reason at all.” He was eyeing Harry up and down, something was going on, he was sure of it, but he found fun in this slow torture. “Maybe check your pocket?” Harry stuck his hands in his trouser pockets and jingled the keys.

“Right on the money.” He started to head out. “See you later.”

“Sure. Sure.” Zayn got an evil grin on his face, Harry dismissed it as Zayn just being cocky. But he knew that from now on, he and Percy had to be way more careful.

Notes