Illusion

Chapter 2

Avery's POV

As we leave through the glass door, I turn to see Maddie give Zayn a soft kiss on the cheek while whispering, 'Thank you for tonight.' We slowly walk out onto the sidewalk, each of us pulling our coats tighter around our bodies. I give Maddie and Ivy a quick hug, thanking them for the night and promising Maddie that I did, in fact, have a nice time. Despite one particular person making it his mission for me not to, but I kept that part to myself.

Waiting for my Uber, since it's too late to walk all the way back to my apartment, I make my way around the side of the small brick building. Hidden from the street, but with enough dull light so I could see where I was going, I pull out a cigarette. Placing it between my lips, I search for my lighter. Damn it, I could've sworn I packed it.

I hear light scuffling to my right, but ignore it as it's probably just someone walking down the street. My hand is still reaching around aimlessly in my bag, searching for a lighter that most definitely won't be there, when suddenly a voice speaks. It's low and dark and drips with the insinuation of sex, while still sending a chill down my spine.

'You know, you really shouldn't be out here at night.'

My head whips up to come face to face with shockingly green eyes and long dark hair. I'm overcome with the powerful aroma of mint, musk and a hint of cigarettes. It's so uniquely enticing and specific, that my brain short circuits and I forget where I am. I blink a few times and bring myself back to the present. Only now realising that this is the first time I've heard him speak.

'Harry.' I say, barely above a whisper. 'What are you doing here?'

His hands are buried in his black coat, concealing his toned body. He slowly leans against the brick building, holding his intense eye contact with me, 'I could ask you the same thing baby.'

I scoff and turn my head away from him, going back to my lighter search. 'Don't call me baby.'

Harry hums in response and takes his hand out of his coat, reaching for something in his jean pocket. My eyes flash over his ring covered hand, suddenly fearful of what he's doing.

I watch intently as he retrieves something from his black skinny jeans and begins raising his hand towards my mouth. 'What are you doing?' I ask with all the forcefulness I could muster.

He smirks knowingly, but just continues bringing his hand closer and closer to my mouth, his black nailpolish making his fingertips blend into the night. He slowly unveils the object in his hand and I hear a soft flicker as the space between us is suddenly illuminated in a glowing light.

My eyes flick between the black lighter and Harry's glowing features, the yellow light making him look slightly sinister from this angle.

It's as if time moves in slow motion as he deliberately touches the flame to the end of my cigarette, the little roll of paper burning crisply as it catches alight.

My breath freezes in my chest, my throat forming a lump. His eyes narrow as he concentrates on the stick between my lips, slightly puckered from holding it in my mouth this long. His unwavering gaze makes me want to break out in a sweat and I have to avert my eyes from him to remember how to breathe.

I slowly move my hand up to my mouth and suck in, inhaling the smoke and letting it fill my lungs. I take the cigarette out, letting it dangle by my side, and exhale, letting the smoke cloud around me, before gently blowing it away. I glance over at Harry under my lashes,  to see him watching me intently. I quickly dodge his eye contact and look at the ground, kicking a small stone with the toe of my boot.

I hear the spark of his lighter ignite for the second time and turn my head to watch him place one of his own cigarettes between his perfectly diamond shaped lips. He inhales slowly, drawing out the sensation. He tilts his head back against the wall, highlighting his Adam's apple, and exhales slowly up into the night air, letting the smoke float away.