Beautiful Magnolia / Harry Styles

Chapter 3

"Hey...shhh... you're okay, I've got you, Briar... can you hear me?"

As the words started to break through the terror still drowing her, she began to realize just who she was currently wrapped around. Maybe it was the near-death experience clouding her judgment but she strengthened her grip on Harry Styles. The moment doesn't last long though, she slowly became aware of her body again. One of Harry's hands was stroking the side of her head and the other had a tight grip on her hip.

She knows she should tell him that he can put her down now, but the words will not come out. After another minute or so, both of his hands find her waist and he begins to lower her to the ground. She finds her footing, but his hands never leave her.

"Briar, are you okay?" Harry's voice comes out hoarse. It almost sounds like he was worried?

"Yes sorry, I-I don't know what happened, I didn't see my purse," Briar said, unable to look him in the eye. She felt his gaze raking all over her body, making her shiver, and not from the cold.

"Do you not know how to swim?" He asks gently. Briar can feel her face burning.

"No, I do, but I had a bad experience with water when I was young, I can't be near it without panicking," Briar replied, still looking anywhere but his face.

She felt a cold finger under her chin, tilting her face up. Reluctantly, she met Harry's gaze. He was looking at her intently, but she wasn't able to read the emotion in his eyes.

"Thank you," she said in a small voice "and I'm sorry... again."

"Briar, don't.... Don't apologize. I understand. Are you sure you're okay?"
Briar gave a small nod and Harry watched her for a second and nodded back. He began to guide them over to the shallow side of the pool. They silently walked up the stairs out of the pool. They approached the small table where the towels awaited them. Harry grabbed the towel before she could and softly wrapped it around her shoulders. Briar, wanting to take the attention off of herself, and also return the kindness of Harry's action, tried to start another conversation. "I just want to say, I hope everything is okay between you and Olivia." Harry's whole demeanor shifted, his eyes turning cold.

His shoulders tensed as he answered, "None of your business." He glanced back down at Brair, his hands hesitantly coming up to readjust Briar's towel one more time. His hands lingered for a moment on her shoulders and then he abruptly turned around and quickly walked away. She blinked and he was already gone, the plants concealing her from watching him leave.

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Briar slowly trailed after him, making it just in time to watch Harry enter the kitchen. Briar sighed, not even wanting to know what that was going to mean. She stood a moment before walking into the wide doors, knowing that she was going to be met with a million questions. She was trying to think of the quickest way to the bathroom when the doors swung open.

Florence and Chris walk out of the door, both of their eyes widening in shock as they digested the scene in front of them. "Well, I guess it's safe to say that Barty likes a Party!" Chris says, breaking the ice. Briar smiled weakly and just said "Something like that."

As she made her way out of the bathroom, she knew she needed to find Paul before she could go home. She took a deep breath and made her way into the grand hall of the museum. She entered the room right as Harry did from the other side, coming in from the kitchen. She let out a low groan when she saw Harry carrying a champagne bottle, knowing that nothing good could from this. Paul also saw Harry coming, making a face when he realized Harry was soaking wet. His eyes trailed around the room, settling on Briar and his face dropped when he recognized that she was also wet. Just as Pual started walking determinedly towards Briar she heard a loud crash.

She looked towards the sound and saw Harry swaying in the middle of the room with a broken glass at his feet. Not again Briar thought. "I would like to make a toast" Harry slurred.

Briar could only watch the scene unfolding in silent horror as Harry continued his speech. "To the sweetheart of the room, thanks for an amazing film, and an experience we will never forget." Briar could hear the sarcasm dripping off his words.

Paul finally reached Briar's side half-shouted, half-whispered to her "I don't even want to know what happened. I simply don't. Get him out of here."

"It's interesting though how you wrote yourself insert character, very deceptive! Wonder if it's based on real life." Harry's words are filled with chuckles as well as a sinister undertone. "Shut this down!" Paul started waving his hands.

When Briar just stood there moving Paul gave her a little shove. Reluctantly she started walking towards Harry. When she was in front of him placed a hand on his forearm. "Harry can we talk," Briar said in a hushed voice.

Harry shook her hand off and replied "Can't you see I'm in the middle of something love."

"Yes I know, it going great by the way," Briar said dryly. "But I see that you dropped your drink, I hear that they have a booth set up by the front with shots." At the mention of shots, Harry shifted his attention to her. "Come on, before they are all gone." Taking his arm once again she lead him towards the exit. They made it outside and she was walking him down the front steps when Harry stopped.

"Did you trick me?" Harry asked turning a quizzical look at Briar. "It looks like you are walking me towards a car, not a magical shot table." Harry started to turn around.

"Harry please don't make me follow you back in there," Briar said, she could feel tears of frustration burning her eyes. "If Paul sees you again he will fire me on the spot. I swear I will let you drink anything you want in the limo just please, please do not go back inside." Her voice cracked on her last word. Harry's shoulder slumped and he turned back to face her again. He looked guilty for a split second before he wiped the look from his face.

"You said I could drink anything? Does that include shots?" He teased then threw his arm around her shoulders and they continued the walk to the car. Thankfully, there was already a driver waiting to open the door for them. Harry stood back as Briar got in. She shuffled to the far door, giving Harry plenty of room. This was apparently unnecessary as Harry got in and sat right in the middle. Heat bloomed where their arms and legs touched. She could feel the blush rising in her cheeks and shifted her legs closer to the door.

"Where to?" asked the driver.

"Ummm..." Briar said looking at Harry. His eyes were half closed and they dipped to Briar's mouth for a beat before closing them fully. Instead of giving a response, Harry just dropped his head into Briar's neck. His hand fell onto her thigh. Briar let out a small gasp and was about to move his hand when she heard faint snoring. She sighed and tried to ignore the small puffs of air Harry was breathing behind her ear. She wanted to squirm, but the thought of him being asleep sounded more pleasant than him awake. "I'm sorry I don't know where he lives, let me get my phone and I'll call my boss," Briar told him.

"No worries, I have worked in this industry long enough I know his address." The driver said looking at her through the rearview mirror. Briar dropped her head back in relief as the driver pulled forward. The movement caused Harry's hand to shift farther up her thigh.