Stockholm Syndrome [Larry Stylinson AU]

h.1

"Spotted again this week by the general public, psychopath Louis Tomlinson was at the Palm on Tuesday. Dressed in all-black, we advise you to be aware of and on the look-out for this madman. Please contact the police if you know the location of his whereabouts."

It was Saturday morning and I was aimlessly flicking through the channels on TV as I finished my breakfast, when the name "The Palm" caught my attention. About a week ago, my dad had been promoted to a job in The Palm, Dubai and we were going to be moving there next week. Until now, I had thought that Dubai was a very sophisticated and safe place. I guess not.

I sighed and switched the TV off. I had to get going or I would be late for my part-time job at the bakery. I was working there every weekend to save money for college. Grabbing my coat and my keys, I set off.

*****

"Good morning Mrs Warrington, can I get you your usual croissant and coffee?" I greeted the elderly lady. As per usual, the bakery was filled with the regular customers ordering their daily snacks, along with a few unfamiliar faces.

At 8 o'clock on the dot the chimes twinkled at the door, mixed with the sounds of the comforting laughter that I knew so well and loved. My face lit up as soon as I saw her blonde bob push through the queue to the front of the line, despite the protests of many customers.

"Are you a baker? Because you've got a nice set of buns hun," Taylor grinned.

I tried to hide the fact that I was cringing at her majorly terrible joke by pulling her into a warm hug, and kissing her gently on the forehead. I was going to miss her dreadfully when I moved, but it was going to be even more painful to break the news to her. I decided that today was the day to tell her. I had it all planned out. Later this evening, when my shift ended, I would select the sweetest strawberries, the best bread and the freshest lemonade for the picnic I intended to surprise Taylor with.

Halfway through my light shift, the MTV channel was interrupted with a "Breaking News" headline. It was a report about another sighting of Louis Tomlinson in Dubai, but this time, he was seen to be carrying a gun.

I got this weird feeling in my stomach, like I was going to puke. Louis Tomlinson... that name seemed to be following me everywhere. A picture of him flashed up on the screen, momentarily diverting my attention from serving customers. He was looking straight ahead, and while I knew it was just the camera he was looking at, it seemed as if he was staring right at me.

"Excuse me. Harry. Harry, are you alright? Harry..." I heard someone calling my name but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart and see the name Louis Tomlinson flash in front of my eyes. "Harry." There it was again, but sweeter this time. I got myself to concentrate and found Taylor hunching over me a worried expression on her face. My boss was standing not far behind.

"Sorry," I muttered, averting my eyes from the TV. My heart was pounding so loudly against my chest I was surprised that no one else could hear it. Louis' eyes... those bright, deep blue eyes... they'd had me transfixed. I took a deep breath and shook my head, ridding myself of Louis' stare. "I'm fine." I looked up at Taylor and forced a smile. "Really."

Ask her out now, I told myself. Ask her now or you won't get the chance later, and then you won't be able to tell her about Dubai.

Taylor was still looking at me a little strangely, so, flashing her my biggest smile, I said "Taylor, I would be honoured if you would let me take you out on a special picnic date later."

Taylor smiled back, a wide smile that stretched across her whole face and lit up her eyes. The look of panic I had seen in her eyes a couple of seconds earlier was gone."Of course!" she cried. "See you later then." I pulled her into another large hug, and waved as she walked away smiling.

*****

No more than an hour later, I was seated under a tree with the most beautiful woman I will ever know, feasting upon the most delicious food I will ever eat. It was a moment I wished would never end, but unfortunately, all good things come to an end. And I had a job to do. I took a deep breath.

"Taylor... Taylor, I have something to tell you," I mumbled. She looked up, her eyes wide with concern.

"What is it? Are you okay?" she asked. I sighed. Where would I ever find someone as caring and considerate as her?

"Taylor..." I began again. "Taylor, 'm moving to Dubai."