Losing the Light [h.s.]

13

The next interview would be in New York the following week. The group decided it would be too much of a hassle to go home from Toronto and fly back to New York, so they spend the week in America.

Marlee heard that Central Park had a lovely ice rink, so they walk over from their hotel on their second day. Some people stare at Harry--barely struggling--while others come up to talk. Marlee hadn't realized before how charming Harry really is until now, when he's graciously answering his fans' questions and even taking pictures with some of them.

Sure, it was obvious that Harry was good with people, but Marlee didn't know he was this good. Many of the girls who come to talk to him nearly faint when he flashes them a bright smile.

Harry doesn't even know what he's doing to them, Marlee laughs. I'm sure he'd love to see this.

"I'm sorry," Harry mumbles to Marlee. "Maybe a public rink wasn't such a good idea."

She looks out at the people skating around them, watching. "It was my idea, we can go if you want to."

Harry shrugs. "I still feel like skating--" He laughs "--It's like an addiction, and I get irritable when I haven't skated in awhile."

"Tell me about it," Marlee heaves.

Harry laughs. "Wait, seriously? I was joking."

"Well I'm serious," Marlee says in a straightforward manner. "You're not you when you haven't skated."

"Hm. I never noticed." Harry takes Marlee's hand, and he must notice Marlee's tiny gasp because he says shakily, "...S-so I don't bump into someone, y'know?"

I wouldn't mind you holding my hand without reason, though, Marlee thinks.

Harry brings her cold hand up to his mouth, blowing his hot breath on it. "Why are your hands so cold? You're like an ice cube!"

"It's cold out here," Marlee exclaims. "Forgive me for feeling a bit chilled."

-

Throughout the three hours they spend in Central Park, a few more people come up to Harry for fan reasons and prevent them from going places too quickly. It seems as though at every other corner there was someone who'd say hi. Once they make it back to the hotel, they head downstairs for dinner.

"I'm so glad we get to go home after this," Gemma says lazily. "Interviews are so much work."

Everyone nods, agreeing that they just want to go home, too. Harry shakes his head, though.

"I like the work," he says proudly. "I--"

"Oh, shut up." Gemma rolls her eyes. "You're just trying to look better than me and it's not going to happen."

"Harry, stop trying to be The Better Styles," Marlee giggles. "It's not gonna happen."

Gemma smirks as Harry's jaw drops. He sets down his glass with a loud "clink" and purses his lips. "I thought we were friends," he tells Marlee. "I thought you were on my side."

Anne's phone rings then, and she steps away to take the call. Gemma and Harry continue to argue about who the Better Styles is and who it should be, and Harry's father asks, "Why can't it be your mother, or me? Why does it have to be one of you?"

Marlee shakes her head at him. "If you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of this."

Mama Styles comes back a few minutes later with a confused look on her face. "Harry, that was the doctor."

Harry sits up straight. "What did he say?"

Anne furrows her brow. "He said he wanted to talk to you about something important, you need to call him as soon as possible, he said."

Harry pushes his chair out, ready to stand up. Anne stops him.

"--After you finish eating," she tells him. Harry sits back down, tapping his foot on the ground excitedly.

When Anne lets them excuse themselves from the table, Marlee and Harry hurry up to the elevator. Harry pulls out his phone and asks Marlee to dial the number. He holds it to his ear, and Marlee can just barely hear the ringing noise coming from his phone.

Harry says hello into his phone. "There was something you wanted to speak with me about?"

Marlee motions for him to put it on Speaker Phone, but Harry turns away, slyly turning the volume down so she can't hear. Marlee groans, leaning against the elevator wall.

Harry is still listening to the doctor talk when the bell dings and the doors open onto the tenth floor. He follows Marlee out, with her trying to catch what's being said on the other line. Harry playfully pushes her away, then stops walking.

"Wait, say that again," Harry says. He listens some more, and then his eyebrows raise. "Wow, are you serious? Thank you so much, this is amazing news... Yes, we can for sure schedule that for sometime soon."

Marlee's eyes widen. "Schedule what?" she whispers.

"Thanks again, sir. This is huge," Harry says with a huge smile. "I'll call you back soon."

Harry presses the End Call button, slipping his phone back into his pocket. He starts heading down the hall again, nearly knocking Marlee over.

She jogs to catch up with him, pulling out the room key. "What's this amazing news?" she asks frantically.

Harry shrugs. "I'll tell all of you later."

"Are you serious?" Marlee asks. "Harry, you have to tell me!"

"I just feel like this is something we all need to hear together. Decisions need to be made," he says calmly.