The Cure || Harry Styles

Chapter 22

Harry came back with dozens of chocolate bars, cookie boxes, and of course, flowers. He had seen this in a movie before, and the girl was thrilled, despite the constant ache in her lower abdomen, it was highly appreciated.

The bandana that pushed his curls away from his face was soaked with sweat as well as his shirt. He had walked all the way to the market.

He managed to knock on Alex's apartment door with his foot as he patiently waited for her to answer the door. When the door swung open, he heard Lee's loud squeals of joy. He grinned and crouched down so that he was facing her.

"Hiiii," he said. Lee's eyes sparkled with excitement, making Harry's heart melt. He absolutely loved making her excited and happy.

***

"How does this thing work?"

"I am not explaining how a tampon works, Harry."

"But I want to know, you know, the process." Harry shrugged his shoulders, raising his eyebrows at Alex. He was lying on the floor on his back next to Alex, who was on the couch.

"But men don't have periods. Why do you want to know?" Alex furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. He is the weirdest, I swear, thought Alex.

"Alright, fine. Don't tell me how tampons works. I'll just Google it."

"Don't watch the videos." Alex snickered, amused by Harry's pouting. Weird, but absolutely charming, she added to her list Harry's characteristics.

"What does it feel like?" He asked, poking stomach. She squirmed, swatting his hand away.

"Do you really want to know?"

Seconds of silence passed as Harry played with his fingers, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "Nope. Men don't wanna know that shit."

"Shit it is," Alex muttered. She patted the couch, feeling the chocolate bars that were scattered around her. Harry had bought almost every kind.
She grabbed a stack and stretched her hand into the air. "Here," she offered.

Harry happily took the bars, knowing it wouldn't hurt if he had any. He did bring everything after all.
He and Alex ripped off the wrappers and took their first bites. "I remember when Gemma had her first period," he chuckled, choking on saliva for a second before recovering. "She thought she was stabbed in her sleep." he laughed, throwing his head backwards. Alex giggled, shaking her head at him.

"The first time is scary." Alex nodded. "Wait, why are we talking about this?"

"Because I'm nosy and creepy."

Add to list, Alex reminded herself.

***

Around five in the afternoon, Lee had gone to sleep at her friend's house, leaving Harry and Alex alone. The atmosphere was calm and relaxing. Alex had a blanket around her, her feet resting on Harry's lap(he insisted). Harry's arms were crossed against his chest, eyes fixed on the television screen. A show he did not know was playing but he watched it anyway. Alex mentioned that it was her favorite when she was a teenager.

A low, but audible ringtone rang through my ears, but it was not Harry's. He glanced at Alex, shocked to see her eyes closed, her breath deep. She was asleep. He gently removed her feet off his lap and silently made his way towards her phone. If it keeps on ringing, she will wake up. Harry knew she was hurting right now so he did not want that.

His blood immediately boiled at the name currently flashing on Alex's Iphone.

Mark.

He cursed under his breath, glaring at phone, hoping that it will still. One call after another, Harry grabbed the phone and went out to the balcony. He flared his nostrils and swiped his finger across the screen.

"Alex-"

"It's Harry." he clenched his jaw, hating the way her name sounded coming from his lips. He really disliked Mark.

"What the fuck? What are you doing with her?" Mark angrily yelled over the speaker.

"I'm being there for her. Something you should have done a long time ago, but of course, you're too selfish to even care about anyone but yourself. "

"Let me talk to her." Mark demanded. Harry scoffed. Not in his fucking dreams.

"Just leave her alone, mate."

"You leave her alone! She's my wife!"

Harry couldn't carry on, switching the phone off and placing it on the wooden table. He buried his face in his hands, pressing his palms into his eyes until colored patterns appeared.

"Fucking hell," he cursed.

After a minute or two , he sighed and went back inside. Alex was just where he had left her five minutes ago, her head lying on the couch's arm, her body covered with the thick blanket. He sat down on the edge, his hands twitching at his sides.

It has been a long time since he felt this way. The need to comfort and be there for someone you care about. He would do anything and everything to make that someone feel better. That's just the way he was raised. To be nice and respectful and kind. It didn't cost a dime, and Harry lived that way.

He gulped and glanced at Alex. His heart thumped against his ribcage. No matter how sad Alex was, she made him happy. It was ironic. All of this is but he couldn't stop feeling this way after getting a taste of it again. It was like a drug. You can't escape it.

His hand rose to push away some of the hair that had fallen over her eyes, delicately placing them behind her ears. She has cute ears, he thought as he smiled to himself. His fingers stroked her hair, careful not to wake her up. His eyes softened as they observed the dark circles that surrounded her tired eyes. It was not pity that he felt, but something stronger. Bigger. He felt hurt. He was hurting because she was and that terrified him. He wasn't supposed to think this way, touch her like this, or even develop anything towards her. Alas, he did everything he was not supposed to do.

Alex stirred in her sleep, making Harry jump and remove his touch. He gulped and looked away as she started to wake up. "Hi," she yawned and looked at him through his lashes. She smiled at him, increasig his heartbeat.

"Hi," he smiled back.

What are you doing to me, he thought.

Author's note: omg hi im alive im so sorry i havent updated in like two weeks