Catching Red Eyes - NYC

Chapter 43

"What the hell is going on??" my dad asked.

"Some celebrity is here I guess. Come on, let's go," I said, trying to get away from the chaos.

"What celebrity?"

"I don't know, dad, come on, lets go. Where's mom?"

"She's in the bathroom but she should be out soon."

My dad was still trying to figure out what celebrity people were flocking to but I just needed to find my mother and get out of there. I couldn't see Harry because I knew if I did, I would immediately cry and/or punch him. I was also trying to wrap my head around why he was even here. Did he know someone else who was graduating? That had to be it because there was no way he was here for me. I finally saw my mother's blonde hair coming from out of the bathroom and as I was about to grab my dad and run over to her, when I felt a hand on my arm. A large hand that was pulling me towards the growing crowd of people.

"Hey what the f-"

"Ms. Emerson, please come with me", said the deep voice attached to the hand.

"Excuse, that's my daughter. Who the hell do you think you are touching her?" my dad practically yelled to the stranger while grabbing my other arm. Now I was in this weird tug of war between my dad and this huge man.

"Ralph, Rowan, what is going on??" I heard my mother say from right behind me. Her hands were on my shoulders. If people weren't all rushing to Harry then this scene would be very awkward and very hard to explain.

"I'm sorry folks but Mr. Styles needs to talk to Ms. Emerson immediately."

The knots in my stomach tightened to their utmost tightness and now it all made sense why I had them in the first place. I looked up to the massive giant of a man and immediately recognized him as one of Harry's bodyguards. Was this real life? Could Harry have travelled all this way from wherever he was to come see me? All I knew was I needed answers but I was also fuming that he would do this right now on my graduation day. I don't deem him stupid but why would he pick right now?

"Dad, mom, I'll be right back. Just wait here, please."

They both gave me a worried look but I reassured them with a stern look on my face. I let the bodyguard pull me through the crowd of people. Harry came into view behind more bodyguards and I also heard sirens. Police were there pushing people back from the celebrity and setting up barricades. Professors, chairs of departments, and even the president were trying to keep people back and assemble some kind of order. I overheard excited and also irritated comments from the crowd but the only thing I could focus on where Harry's piercing green eyes staring into mine.

"Mr. Styles, perhaps you two should talk somewhere not as open", said one of the guards.

Harry nodded and reached out for my hand but I drew my entire body back. The crowd was pushed back so that now we were standing in a small circle. It was as if it was a boxing match with an audience full of spectators with their phones out. There was an eerie silence too now with people wanting to know what was going on.

I leaned into Harry's face just so only he could hear me.

"I am not going anywhere with you, Harry. How dare you come here on my graduation day thinking that I would speak to you after what you said and did to me? If you ever want to see or speak to me again, I suggest you do so in a private, normal manner and not like this. My family and friends are here and are waiting for me," I said the last sentence over my shoulder as I walked away from him. The look on his face was a mix of sadness, anger, and guilt but mostly a look of defeat.

It took everything in me not to cry and react in an unladylike manner but I couldn't with all the people around watching, recording, and whispering. The police moved their barricades and I felt like my body was jelly. The heels I was walking in were all of sudden too high and I felt a bit dizzy but I kept my composure. The crowd parted for me and I heard people talking about me, wondering who I was and how I knew Harry. Some even said they knew the rumors were true. Thankfully, I found my parents waiting for me on the outskirts of the crowd.

"I need to get out of here. Now." My parents obliged and got me into the car and drove away from whatever the hell just happened.

After an hour or so in the car, my mother finally broke the silence.

"Honey, that was him wasn't it?"

"Sure was, mom, sure was."

"What was he doing there? Didn't you tell me you two got in a fight and haven't spoken since then?"

"I have no idea. I didn't give him time to talk. And yes, we did fight and I haven't talked to him since."

"Wait a second, that was that kid in that boy band??" my dad chimed in, finally realizing what was going on. "Well, no wonder," he said with a chuckle.

"Yea, dad. Mr. Popular."

"Are ok, sweetie?" my mom asked.

"I'm not really sure yet."

"We can cancel the party, if you want...," she said, turning her head to look at me.

Shit, I totally forgot my graduation party was today. Walking across the stage only a few hours ago felt so far away. My mother planned the party months back and had family flying in from all over. She was very particular about her party planning and I knew it would be a lot of extra work if she were to have to cancel. I couldn't do that to her.

"No, I don't to cancel. I'll be fine, really. You've been working so hard on this party, we aren't cancelling."

"You're sure?" my dad asked from the driver's seat.

"100% sure. This is my day and no one is going to ruin it, not even Harry Styles."