Things I Can't

Chapter 3

Harry's pov

I scrunched up my nose as Gemma spread a cool gel over my wild curls. She was attempting to create a quiff, or at least I think that's what she called it. Normally I would've just left my hair down, ( It was easier that way), but tonight my sister wanted me to look perfect for her friends.

I honestly didn't give a shit about the party tonight. Gemma threw them all the time, and it was always the same. I had actually planned on skipping the party all together and gone to Niall's house, but his parents weren't home and were incredibly strict about Niall not having anyone over when they're out, so I was left here to endure the party by myself.

"Okay." Gemma said, standing back to admire her work. "I gotta say little bro, you look hot." And I did look hot, she was right. Whatever she did to my hair worked. I still preferred the natural look though.

"Thanks Gems." I muttered reluctantly, offering her a tiny smile. She really did know what she was doing when it came to cosmetics. Gemma gave me a smug look and shrugged.

"Gotta make my brother look hot. Now, go get dressed. Nothing too fancy or flashy." I nodded, absent mindedly playing with a strand of hair by my ears. I'd been given these instructions far too many times in the past.

Besides, I already knew what I was going to wear. Gemma had picked the outfit out a week ago. It consisted of a navy blue tee-shirt and black jeans that were so tight I could barely move my legs. My sister had deemed the outfit to be 'acceptable' while I thought it was downright uncomfortable. I didn't complain though. Throughout the years i'd learned to just go with the flow when it came to Gemma.

"Harry, could you help me get the drinks from the cellar?" That's my cue. I thought humorlessly to myself.

"Sure, I'll be down in a second." I replied, rolling my eyes as I descended the staircase. I've only once ever tasted alcohol, and if I'm being honest I don't know if i'd ever try it again. I found the drink bitter, tasteless even. Whenever Gemma had her parties, I always stuck with coca cola, a drink that I unfortunately had an addiction to. It was probably super unhealthy, but better than beer in many ways.

Just as I finished setting up the food and drinks, the doorbell rang, signaling that the first guest was here. Gemma squealed from the next room over and ran to answer the door, her heels clicking against the hardwood floors as she went.

"Be cool Harry. Actually talk to people this time." Gemma demanded, giving me a hard look.

"Yeah whatever." I muttered under my breath, already feeling out of place and irritated.

From the foyer, I could hear Gemma greet the guests with a wide, welcoming smile. She was enjoying herself, and I was not. As an hour passed, the number of people seemed to have doubled, maybe even tripled. I migrated to the kitchen, squeezing through mutiple sweaty teenagers who were dancing to the beat of a catchy song. A few people tried to talk to me, but I shrugged them off. Yeah, It was rude but I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.

The kitchen wasn't as crowded as the living room by any means, but I still felt just as claustrophobic. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, accidentally messing up the neatly done quiff, but it's not like I cared anyway.

"Hey, bitch watch where you're going!" A deep voice slurred as I bumped into his shoulder. I put my hands up in defense and quickly exited the room. I wished Niall was here, maybe then I could actually enjoy myself but for now I knew exactly where I was going.

I pushed past a few wasted kids in my haste to get upstairs, causing a few profanities to be thrown my way, but I didn't care. I needed to escape the endless sea of bodies. I hopped up the stairs two at a time, and nearly ran to the end of the hall where an a white door shined like a beacon in the night. I sighed in relief seeing that nobody had found the room and breathed in the familiar scent of new books that swirled around me in the air. I was in my safe place. My library.

Ten years ago, I'd stumbled across the dusty room while looking for a hoodie I'd misplaced. At the time, I wasn't too interested with the room, but as I grew older I found myself heading there everyday. Each day i'd find a new book to read off the ancient shelves. Nobody ever bothered me there. Gemma knew the room existed, but she couldn't care less about literature, and my parents were hardly ever home, so the room was all mine. By now, I'd read almost all of the books in the room. It was the perfect place to escape reality.

I plopped down on my comfy, red beanbag and took out the battered copy of Pride and Prejudice, continuing from where I left off on Monday. Downstairs, the party was still raging but I could barely hear the noise through the soundproof walls. Every now and then, a giggling teen would walk past the room, but luckily nobody ever entered, that is until now.

Louis' pov

I needed to pee. For the past hour I'd been searching for a bathroom, but there were so many doors, and so many people that the task seemed easier said than done. I had no clue where Liam and Zayn were, the two had abandoned me long ago, leaving me to fend for myself in the gigantic house. The party wasn't even that fun if I'm being honest. I wanted nothing more than to leave, but my need to empty my bladder stood in the way of that.

"Why the fuck can't I find any bathrooms?" I asked myself angrily. I was currently on the last floor, and if I didn't relieve myself in the next two minutes then I'd probably end up peeing in the fake plant downstairs.

I opened all the doors on the floor quickly, hoping to spot a toilet, but instead ending up permanently scarred by what was happening behind those doors if you catch my drift. The door at the end of the hall was my last hope. I walked towards it quickly, throwing it open to reveal a startled looking boy seated in a red beanbag chair, a copy of pride and prejudice gripped in his huge hands.

"Oops." I said, blushing as I glanced at him in embarrassment.

"Hi." The boy replied, flashing me a shy, dimpled smile

And I think I fell in love right then and there.