Ruined walls [One Direction AU]

04

"Good night, P-Pearl..." Echoes in my head a few times as I stare at the empty courtyard that Harry Styles left a few minutes ago.

Everything twists and turns, it feels like a dream. The state is cloudy, it makes me want to cry and laugh.

I think I've overheated in the sun... I open the massive old wooden door, which creaks terribly, and the ungrown man at the reception desk opens his eyes abruptly, tearing his head away from the desk.

"Good night, miss" His voice is so lost that I can barely hide a smile.

"Hello..." The realization that I am alone in an unfamiliar huge city begins to stab my heart with renewed vigor, and I shudder, gasping for air, frantically trying to hide my fear behind a mask of confidence.

"I rented a bed..."

Mr. Calton, as the nametag said, looked in my direction with puffy eyes, leafing through his notebook looking for my name. After a long five minutes, he holds out his keys to me, smiling apologetically. Another minute under his slanted stares, and I would have run out into the street, refusing to go back.

I stop in front of the white doors on the third floor. It's pretty dark in the hallway, since the light bulb's blown out, and deserted. With trembling hands I pull the knob down, encountering more darkness, which is shattered by the light from the laptop in the far corner of the small room.

"Оh... I thought I'd be alone..." The woman's smoky voice sounded with notes of disappointment, and I involuntarily locked up with the suitcase in my hand.

"Aa-ah-alright, come on in, I don't bite" She said in a mocking voice.

"I'm Pearl" I fumbled for a switch and turned on the light, which made my roommate squint and mutter something in a language I didn't know.

"Great, I'm Lady Gaga"

She went back to her business, and like a real fool I squeamishly look around this little room: two bunk beds, only the bottom one is occupied, it smells of chips and deodorant. I think I'm going to suffocate. Immediately I open the small window, for which I catch a strange look from the girl.

I involuntarily cringe. Her brown curly hair is tangled and looks ridiculous; it looks like she hasn't brushed it in a month. The bed is filled with stacks of chips and sodas and stuff. I do not understand her strange jokes, it feels like I broke into someone's house without permission...

I sit down on the made-up bed with a displeased face.

Lady Gaga? Seriously? You could have thought of something more original!

I close my eyes, breathing in the stale air. Harry Styles, Lady Gaga...I think I really overheated in the sun.

It's probably around twelve at night by now, so I lazily push my suitcase away from the bed, remembering to get my pajamas and dead phone charger out of there. I probably look ridiculous from the outside trying to change quickly, but I can't help it.

I pull off the very old plaid and am greeted by yellow stains on the white sheet and pillow. Great!

"Princess, you're not in Disneyland, you know?" I involuntarily squeeze the damn plaid, catching her sneer.

"Seriously, damn it!" My voice sounds harsh, I honestly can't even hear it, trying to cope with the incomprehensible shivering and darkness in front of my eyes.

"Lady Gaga" looks at me for a few seconds, and I swear I can see the uncertainty and guilt in her eyes, and I start to feel even worse.

What was that all about?

She goes back to watching the movie or show without a word, leaving me trembling far away.

This anger is like it could tear me to shreds.

I look guiltily in her direction, my mouth opening, trying to squeeze out words of apology, but closing immediately. I take a few breaths and exhales, turn off the light, and lie down on the not-so-clean bed. Seventy dollars a night, it was silly to expect better...

Closing my eyes, a green stare appears before me, turning my insides upside down. I'm scared to go to sleep because I might wake up at home.

"See you later, P-Pearl Anderson" I remember his voice and sly look, gasping in tears and lack of air.

See you later, Harry Styles.