RUN AWAY || H.S

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟐

Harry's POV.

*Next Day*

I groaned, leaning against the car with my arms crossed. The airport buzzed with travelers, the sound of rolling suitcases and overlapping voices filling the air. The sharp scent of coffee from a nearby kiosk teased my senses, but even caffeine wouldn't be enough to make me enjoy being awake at this ungodly hour.

"Why the hell am I even here?" I grumbled, rubbing a hand down my face.

Kiara shot me a pointed look, her pink hair bouncing as she practically vibrated with excitement. "Because you're my best friend, and you love me," she said sweetly before her grin widened. "Also, you're the only one with a car right now, Mister Grumpy Pants."

I rolled my eyes but said nothing. It wasn't like I had a choice.

For weeks, Kiara had been raving about this friend of hers. Alana. The way she talked, you'd think this girl was some kind of goddess—brave, stunning, confident, effortlessly charming. I had heard her name so many times that I almost felt like I knew her already. Almost.

Not enough to want to be standing here at 8 AM, though.

"Her plane just landed! She should be here any minute!" Kiara squealed, bouncing on her toes.Niall smirked from beside me. "Calm down, baby girl. You've never been this excited to see me."

"Can you blame her?" I deadpanned. "Who would ever get excited to meet you, besides maybe your mother?"

"Asshole."

"Hey!"

Both Niall and Kiara shot me matching glares, making me chuckle.

Kiara suddenly gasped and squinted toward the crowd. "I think I see her! Yep, that's her! Fuck, we should've brought a sign or something!"

"Harry, you yell," she ordered, turning to me. "You're the tallest. Maybe she'll see you faster."

"I don't even know what she looks like," I pointed out.

"Black hair, blue top, black jacket," Kiara said impatiently, already searching for her again.

I scanned the crowd, and then—I saw her.

She stood near the baggage claim, back turned, fingers curling around the handle of a suitcase. Even from a distance, there was something striking about her. A quiet confidence in the way she carried herself, the way she moved. Her black waves tumbled down her back in effortless chaos, and even though I couldn't see her eyes behind the sunglasses, I knew they were sharp. Observant. Calculating.

"ALANA!" I called, ignoring the weird looks from passersby.

Then she turned.

And holy. Fuck.

The hype hadn't done her justice.

Alana wasn't just beautiful—she was the kind of stunning that made time slow down for a second. Her full lips curled into a smirk as she spotted Kiara, and damn, even that tiny movement felt like a punch to the gut. Her presence had a weight to it, like she knew exactly who she was and never had to prove it.

"Fuck, she's beautiful," Niall muttered beside me.

I nudged him hard in the ribs, more to snap myself out of it than to reprimand him.

Kiara didn't hesitate. She broke into a sprint, meeting Alana halfway before practically launching herself into her arms. The impact made Alana stumble slightly before she caught her, laughing as Kiara clung to her.

"Oh my God, oh my God! You're here!" Kiara squealed. "Fuck, I missed you!"

Alana let out a low, warm laugh, squeezing Kiara back just as tight. "Holy shit, I missed you too, Ki."

When they finally pulled apart, they were both grinning like idiots, lost in their own little bubble of reunion. Then Kiara grabbed one of Alana's suitcases and pulled her toward us.

"Alana, this is my lovely boyfriend, Niall! Isn't he cute?" Kiara gushed.

Alana chuckled, offering a hand. "Hi, I'm Alana."

Niall, being Niall, ignored the handshake entirely and pulled her into one of his signature bear hugs. "We don't shake hands, darling. We hug."

For the briefest second, something flickered across Alana's face—hesitation? Uncertainty? But it disappeared quickly. She let out a soft chuckle and patted his back in a slightly awkward but polite manner.

Then she turned to me. "Are you a hugger too?" she asked, lips curling in a teasing smile.

Before I could answer, Kiara butted in. "Oh, Harry's a huge hugger. Like a big ol' teddy bear."

I huffed a laugh, locking eyes with Alana. There was something different about her gaze—like she was sizing me up, reading between the lines of my silence. Then she stepped closer.

I hesitated for just a second before pulling her in. Her scent hit me first—something soft but not overly sweet, like vanilla and sandalwood. Her arms wrapped around me, and though it was just a simple hug, something about it made my pulse stutter.

Then, just barely above a whisper, she murmured near my ear, "Hi, Harry."

I swallowed, my grip tightening just slightly before I pulled back.

"Hello, love. Welcome to America."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. xo