Amatory [h.s.]

10

The rest of my night was spent at Amatory, mostly hanging out with the other performers. Harry briefly introduced me to them before being pulled away by Zayn, who still only seems to glare at me.

Most of the girls were out on the stages dancing so it was just me, Ava, and Sunny now left sitting at the booth.

"So how long have you been dancing, Sydney?" Ava asked sweetly, sitting across the table.

"Since I was about four," I responded, louder than I usually talked because of the loud club surrounding us.

"Damn, that's mad impressive. I didn't start till I was at least 10," Sunny spoke up with an awestruck expression. "Where were you dancing before ending up here? If you don't mind me asking."

"I uh, I dance at the Academy a few blocks over," I answered, watching as their faces turned to confusion.

"The Academy," Ava repeated as if to verify what I'd said.

"A ballet girl, huh?" Ava smiled genuinely in my direction to which I nodded.

"That's so cool. I've always wanted to try ballet but I don't know if I'd have the patience. An ex-girlfriend of mine was a ballet dancer– a damn good one too but when she'd try to show me some moves I just couldn't pick it up," Sunny said with a small chuckle. I've noticed she's the most talkative out of the bunch.

"Yeah, it's a lot to keep up with for sure. Patience is key," That's what my first ballet instructor told me, and it's been an affirmation in my life ever since.

"So how'd you end up here? If you dance at the Academy I mean," Ava asked, throwing back a shot of vodka.

"Harry came to one of the walk-through observations. He introduced himself and long story short, invited me to come by the club," I concisely explained, purposely leaving some details out.

"So he watched you do what? Ballet?" Sunny asked, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Yeah, basically."

"I'm surprised Harry even knows what ballet is," Sunny looked at Ava, and both of them slightly chuckled.

"Well speak of the fucking devil," Ava suddenly exclaimed, looking over my shoulder. Before I could turn to look, he was at my side, and sliding into the booth beside me. I scooted over to give him space but was halted when a hand appeared on my thigh, and gently squeezed the bare skin of my leg. The devil's hand.

"Was that my name I heard?" Harry asked the three of us, his wide grin showed he already knew the answer but wanted to hear it said. Men and their egos.

"Yes sir, it was," Ava spoke straightforwardly.

"Ya know, sometimes I get the feeling you girls are obsessed with me," He chuckles, but I could tell it bothered him not knowing what we were talking about.

"I think it's the other way around, Mr. Styles," Sunny retorted.

"Mr. Styles," I repeated in perplexity, without entirely intending to. 

"Yes?" Harry answered cheekily to my right.

"Your last name is Styles," Thinking back to that guy in Harry's office who had referred to Harry the same way, I turned towards Harry as the sudden realization but me.

"Geez, Harry, did you not even introduce yourself to her?" Sunny scrutinized, shaking her head slightly.

"I introduced myself just fine," He suddenly squeezed my thigh, reminding me of his hand's presence. "Didn't I?" He asked and his hand moved farther up to my hip, causing my breath to hitch in my throat.