Broken

42nd Street (Harry)

I stumbled out of the rundown bar, nearly tripping over the doorstep. The New York air that was so bitterly cold hours before now welcomed me into its warm arms. I could do this. I could perform tonight. No big deal. I'll just take it one day at a time. I went to my phone to dial my driver's number, but the screen was black.

"Shit" I swore.

I walked, well more like stumbled, down the sidewalk, and eventually ended up slumped over a park bench. Everything was perfectly perfect. The slight wind, the soothing sounds of the city.

"Hmmmm" I sighed. My eyelids fell under the heat of the sun and I gave into the sleepiness calling to me.

"juuus lovely" I murmured before dozing off.

I was startled awake by the sound of girls giggling. Shit. Suddenly everything was amplified. 

The group of girls who had woken me up now came into focus. They were about ten feet away and making their way over. They shyly walked up to me, phones in hand. As they got closer, they winced, no doubt at the smell of alcohol rolling off of my body. I smiled, hoping to make up for the state they found me in.

"Hey Harry! Could we take a picture with you?" Their giggling was giving me a headache, so I forced a smile and grabbed their phone for a selfie. They giggled and posed.

"Thank you so much" I nodded and watched them scamper back to their parents. I rubbed my eyes and checked the time on my watch. For fuck's sake. It was 12:20. The alcohol was wearing off, and I was starting to realize just how screwed I was. My phone was dead, I smelled like shit, and I had absolutely no idea where I was.

I slowly surveyed my surroundings, hoping to see something that would indicate where I was.  I spotted a subway entrance, and  jogged down the steps, my feet slapping the concrete. 

"So I take this line, to this line, and then switch to this line." I muttered, trying to make sense of the millions of colors and routes on the map infant of me. 

"Screw this" I muttered. I charged towards the train that was screeching to a halt. It was packed, so I was hoping it was at least going to a well-known part of the city.

I pushed past a couple of people, knocked into a very large and sweaty man exiting the train, and was eventually squished into a standing spot. I looked at my black phone and my shoulders slumped. Sound check was at 1:30. How was I going to make it? How was I even going to get back to the hotel? My chest tightened and I felt panic rising inside of me. I clasped my hands together to stop them from quivering, hoping that no one on this subway car could see what an absolute wreck I was. The walls of the already small cable car kept getting closer and closer, and I seriously thought I was going to suffocate. I needed air. I needed to get off this train. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples.

Just keep breathing and everything will be okay I reminded myself. I took a deep breath, and immediately inhaled the most amazing scent. Daffodils, and rain, and cinnamon all danced together in perfect harmony. I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed it before. It was sweet and bitter at the same time. My jaw relaxed, and the voices that had been screaming in my head quieted down to a whisper. I looked down at the girl standing directly in front of me. I leaned down and lightly sniffed the air around her head. Everything inside of me relaxed. She had long brown hair that was messy and tousled in the sexiest way I had ever seen. She was wearing a tattered grey sweatshirt, black leggings, and scuffed up vans.  I leaned in a little bit further, but the train suddenly jolted forward and I lost my balance. I fell forward and found myself pressed into her back. I inhaled sharply at the feel of her body against mine. Her curves fit perfectly against me. Her small hand brushed against my thigh, sending a wave of heat up through my body. My heart was beating at an alarming rate, and I was sure she could feel it against her back. My lips parted as the crowded subway car pushed us closer together. I felt her let out a small gasp underneath the weight of my body, and it just made me want her more. Was she feeling this too? Did she know what she was doing to me? I was this close to turning her around and doing something I would probably regret, when the muffled voice on the intercom screeched

Approaching 42nd street, now approaching 42nd street

She stiffened at the loud voice and, without looking back, pushed her way through the sea of people. I tried to follow her with my eyes, but I lost her in an instant. Her scent lingered the air, and my skin was still on fire from where her hand had brushed against my thigh. I watched the people coming in and out of the subway war. Maybe if I stayed exactly where I was, she would come back.

 I sounded like an idiot. I probably made up the whole encounter in my head out of delirium. What I needed to do was find my way back to the hotel.

I got off at the next stop, still in a daydreamy mist, when I heard a familiar voice.

"Harold! That you mate? We've been searching everywhere for ya." I sighed in relief at the sight of Louis. He jogged over, but stopped short. He gave me a funny look.

"You good mate? You reek." I cracked a smile for the first time all day.

"Yeah Tommo. I'm good now" I could still smell the flowery spice on my clothes.

***************

 comment, and vote pleaseee <3

I love you all :)