Fragile

Chapter 4

(A/N: Incase you can't see the cast list, I posted a pic of Lauren who I imagine to be played as Kara Rose Marshall. If you can't see the pic then google her :) xx)

Harry's POV

This girl is unbelievable to be honest. Expecting a fancy dinner when we've only just met and when I tell her that she takes it the wrong way. Following this plan and being nice to Lauren is a lot harder than I expected. She looks freezing in the car so I decide to turn the heating on. As soon as I do so she gives me a smile as to say thank you and she sits up more.

"Drive-thru or eat in?" I smile.

"Drive-thru"

We're waiting for about fifthteen minutes and my patience is put to the test. I honk the horn and shout out of the window, "Hurry up bastards!"

Lauren rolls her eyes and looks out the window with her elbow against the door. "Problem?" I scoff looking away from her.

"You're so rude Harry, you know that? You never look me in the eye, you barely remember my name and you just..." She rambles on. I blanked her out because I couldn't care less.

This is all for a couple grand so I don't mind spending a couple quid here and there. She has no clothes so I'm gonna take her shopping after this.

"What can I get you?" The lady smiles, "Sorry about the wait, someone's car broke down"

"No problem, I'll have a medium cheese burger and fries please" Lauren smiles, "Oh and with a sprite."

"Sure thing, and for you sir?"

"I'll have the same but a large version and with coke." I grumble.

"Coming right up"

"Harry you could be a little nicer" Lauren shrugs.

"I'll never be nicer to anyone, especially not you."

"Here you go" The lady comes back with our food, "Five pounds please"

I hand her the money and drive off. We pull over by a lake and get out. We sit on the floor near the bank and eat our McDonalds.

"Thank you" She nervously smiles.
"Don't mention it" I playfully hit her shoulder and she laughs, "Look Lauren, I'm sorry about my attitude, I've had a rough upbringing and I've never had the childhood to be nice"

"It's okay Harry, I've witnessed a murder right in front of my eyes. Being said so it was my mother being killed by my father. I was five at the time..."

I'm not supposed to actually like her at all and it's supposed to be only for money but I can't help but feel sorry for the fragile girl in front of me. She never had a mother to bring her up to talk to her and show her how to be a proper lady and never had a father around. And if a girl's first love is her father and her's did that, if I were her I'd probably be scared shitless to fall in love.

"I'm sorry..." I mumble.
"Don't be" She's such a happy person even though she's been put through the biggest tragedy anyone could witness.

When we finish I drive around London for a bit until she finds a shop she likes.

Two hours and eight bags later we make our way to the car.

"Harry you didn't have to buy all this-"
"Hush," I silence her, "I know but I want to."

She blushes and when we arrive home Lauren rushes inside and changes into a beautiful turquoise strapless dress which is short at the front and long at the back. She puts on a pair of brown sandals and walks out the front door.

"Where y'going? I call after her.
"When I was in the changing rooms at the store I ran into my grandma, she was buying my cousin some clothes for her birthday she told me. She gave me some money and since I don't have a phone I've decided to go buy one." She replies.

"I'll drive you."

"It's fine Harry, I can walk by myself."

"It's pretty dark out and in case you didn't check the time, it's half nine."

"Harry honestly I'm not a child, I'm eighteen, I can handle walking to town and back." She rolls her eyes.

"Ok fine, if you must"

She turns on her heels and walks out the door.

~•~•~•~•~•~
Lauren's POV

Jesus, it's freezing out here. I've been walking around for about twenty minutes and I still can't find the damn phone shop.

As I keep looking around it starts to get really dark and I step in a puddle getting my new shoes muddy.
"Shit! You've got to be kidding me!" I sigh.

I hear a faint chuckle and a boy about Harry's age starts coming towards me grinning.

He had dirty blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes.

"So, what's a beautiful girl like you doing wandering around in the dark?" He also has an Irish accent.

"Apparently ruining her new shoes," I laugh and he joins in, "Nah, just getting a new phone but I can't find the shop."

"Ah, that shops about an hour walk from here, I can come with you if you like? I went there this mornin'"

"No it's fine, I don't wanna be any trouble. I'm new around here so thanks for telling me." I smile.

"Nonsense! I'll walk ya."

"It's an hour walk though and you could be a murderer... Just sayin'"

He laughs, "There's always that possibility isn't there" He winks before continuing, "Honestly though I don't mind the walk."

"Okay, thank you er.."

"Niall" He smiles, I return it and nod.
"Lauren."

~•~•~•~•~•~
Harry's POV

It's midnight and there's no sign of Lauren. I start to panic and just as I put on my coat to leave and find her she opens the front door laughing.

"Bye Niall" She smiles to someone.
"Bye" He grins and they hug as she waves him off and shuts the door.

"Hey Harry, why've you got your coat on?" She smiles.

"Oh er..." I stammer, "Just going to the shop to get some food?"

"Okay, pick me up some Haribo's while you're there? I love those." She grins and throws me a pound coin.

"Yeah sure, who was that guy?"

"Oh him? He's Niall. He walked with me to the phone shop then took me to Nandos. I was starving. Did you know it's an hour walk to the phone shop?"

I laugh, "Yes Lauren I've lived here all my life. That's why I asked to drive you there."

"You could've told me it was that long!" She throws a muddy shoe at me. Ouch.

"What was that for?"

I can see her trying to fight a smile so I decide to laugh.

"Making me walk around ruining my shoes! You can clean them too."

I smile and shake my head walking out the door.

Wait. Where am I going again? Oh yeah to the damn shop. Eugh.

As I walk inside I see James buying a bottle of vodka. He sees me and drops the bottle, not caring about the smash, and pulls me outside.

"Harry, change of plans. You know Lauren's grandparents? With the cash?" He whispers.

"Mhm."

"They're already in London and they're coming to the house in a week. Speed things up a bit and I'll give you five grand instead of four."

"Deal."