Heat - Harry Styles

twelve

Taking things slowly with Harry proved to be much harder than I first anticipated.

It had been a little over two weeks since we had made up. I found myself spending my days painting by his pool and my nights sneaking around the city with him. We were keeping things friendly, but there were fleeting moments when I found myself getting lost in the green of his eyes or in the subtle rasp of his voice. When those brief times came, I found myself having to turn away from him for fear of letting my resolve crumble and falling into his arms.

I was currently relaxing in Harry's pool, sprawled atop a bright pink float. Today was especially hot, unbearably so. It was one of those days where the only thing you could do was be in the water. The sun beat down on me relentlessly and reflected brightly off of my red-rimmed sunglasses. I pushed them further up my nose before wiping the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.

"What should I wear?" Harry calls from the poolside, breaking me from my thoughts.

"I don't know, Harry. Just what you normally wear."

Tonight was the first time that Harry and I would be seen together publically, well, somewhat publically. Charlotte was throwing a party at her house to celebrate everyone being back from school. I was really looking forward to seeing all of my high school friends, and after much pestering from both Harry and Charlotte, I decided to bring him along. Although he'd been wanting to meet my friends, the moment I told him he could come I saw his face grow nervous. It was cute, really, that he was putting so much pressure on himself. This was a man who walked red carpets and performed in front of thousands, and he was nervous to meet a bunch of drunk twenty-something-year-olds.

"Your friends are rich, I don't want to be underdressed," he admits.

"Harry," I laughed, "that's ridiculous. They're normal people. Just wear something you're comfortable in. Speaking of clothes, I should probably head back home so I can shower and get dressed."

With that, I slid off the raft and plunged into the pool, allowing the cool water to surround me. I quickly emerged and swam to the edge, pulling myself out of the water and onto the hot concrete. As I stood up I caught Harry's eyes dragging shamelessly up my body. I quickly snatched my towel from a nearby chair and wrapped it around me.

"Stop looking at me like that," I scolded.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he smirked.

_

_

I had just finished getting dressed when my younger sister barged into my room unannounced, as always. "Mom and dad just left for dinner with the Carter's," she began.

"When does Harry get here?"

I glanced at the clock that was sitting on my bedside table. It was almost 7:15. Harry was supposed to meet me here so we could have a drink or two before the party started at 8:00.

"Should be here any minute," I shrugged as I put on my shoes.

"God," Louisa sighed as she fell backward onto my bed, "I can't believe you're dating Harry Styles."

"We're just friends, Lou."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. How much do you think everyone is going to freak out when Harry Styles walks into Charlotte's house?"

"Charlotte was supposed to tell everyone he was coming so it wouldn't be as much of a surprise. I just hope everyone acts cool. I don't want Harry to feel like he's doing a meet and greet. I know he gets so tired of being the Harry Styles. I really think it will be good for him to be himself with some people his age."