Ecstasy [h.s.]

05

AGE: 22

PRESENT DAY - May 3, 2023

I huff from my spot slouched on the couch outside of the meeting room, my hair rising up from the air in a heated flush. What could they possibly be talking about in there for nearly an hour?

In an attempt to distract myself, I look at the lobby around me. The lobby is a grand and spacious room, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that offers a breathtaking view of the bustling office outside. The natural light that floods the space gives it a bright and inviting atmosphere, highlighting the sleek modern design of the furniture and decor. 

From the comfortable seating arrangements, I can look out and watch the hustle and bustle of the employees going about their day, the movement of people and technology giving the scene a sense of energy and productivity.

I fiddle with my fingers, thinking for a moment about the band. I was so sure that they were the ones who set me up, but was it really possible? I saw Harry pocket that necklace, was it still possible that he could've framed me? Or had I just been an angry teenager, wanting to lash out?

Honestly, I stopped following the cases once I'd gotten acquitted, I didn't care who had or hadn't done it. But should I have followed it? Seen if anything tied to the band? But it couldn't have, could it? I mean, this was one of the most famous bands in the world, they couldn't have gotten famous when stealing the famed Queen's Necklace.

Right?

Yet who else would've done it? Who else could it have been? I saw Harry with the necklace that night.

Finally, the door to my left clicks open, swinging to reveal the boys. Louis spots me first, turning to face me on the couch as the other three boys head out of the space. "Hey Scarlett,"

"Hey Louis," I manage a smile. This band disgusts me.

"Are you okay? You look a bit pale." Louis furrows his eyebrows.

"I'm fine, thanks." Oh yeah, totally, you guys just framed me. I'm totally fine.

"Well, your pieces really were great," Louis assures me.

"Thank you," I respond with the fakest smile of my life as Louis walks out. I hate that he likes my work.

The door next to me swings open again, and I lean forward in excitement at first, but when I don't see Annie, I collapse back against the back of the couch. Instead, a smirking Harry is standing above me, arms crossed with his flannel tucked over his shoulders, coveting his body. 

"Annie will be out in a bit," he says, an almost mocking tone to his voice.

"Great to know," I say bluntly, keeping my eyes focused on his face until he plummets down onto the couch beside me. I want him to get away from me.

"So, you gonna take the job?" Harry says, taking a lighter and cigarette pack out of his pocket. I watch as he slips one of the cigarettes, a Winston Red, out of the pack and lights it, the fire igniting the cigarette. He lifts it up to his mouth, breathing in, before exhaling the smoke in a stream-lined circle. My eyes stay focused on his lips, cherry-pink.

I love cherries. I, however, don't love Harry.

"You smoke Winston Reds?" I scoff, ignoring his previous question as I push it out of my mind abruptly. 

"Why do you care?" Harry's gaze flits over to me, jaw tightening and cheeks hollowing as he takes another drag from the cigarette.

I shrug, part of me just wanting to lash out at him. "I don't. But are you actually going to smoke in an office?"