Light Me Up [HS AU]

14

Having said out loud that I wasn't looking particularly much forward to going out with Ethan had a liberating effect on me. The fact that I could tell Morgan and Alli something like that and be met with understanding and support made me really happy. We sipped the most ridiculously named cocktails and danced like no one was watching. But as I turned around and ended up facing the booth the guys were currently occupying, someone was watching. Harry was leaned back in his seat, a glass of whiskey settled in his lap as he shamelessly stared at me. It wasn't an uncomfortable stare, but a curious one, like he was trying to suss me out. I quickly turned back around and slipped in between Alli and Morgan, momentarily moving myself from his line of vision. It didn't last long though, as Niall suddenly decided he was going to join us. He grabbed my hands and twirled me around, which left me in front of Harry again. Niall dramatically dipped me like we were dancing the tango, and I couldn't hold back a laugh. As I flipped back up, I caught Harry smiling in my direction, which made me horribly awkward and threw me completely off what Niall was trying to lead me into. So I stopped him and tried to think of a way to move away from where Harry was able to see me. Niall gave me a questioning look and draped his arm around my waist to pull me closer. When he started leaning in, it dawned on me that he thought I wanted to kiss him, making me laugh and slap his chest. He covered his eyes with his hand in embarrassment and started apologising. I quickly pecked him on the cheek and signalled that we were good.

Morgan suggested we went over and sat down to cool down, and even though I was pretty sure I wouldn't cool down by being closer to Harry, I agreed. As fate would have it, I ended up next to him in the booth. Morgan sat on the opposite side of Harry, but she leaned over and took my hand, pulling me closer so she could say something to me. That meant I had to lean over Harry, which made my pulse escalate to a very uncomfortable level. 

"Listen, Niall is an unbelievable flirt," Morgan said right in front of Harry. I quickly looked up at him and he had a cheeky smirk on his lips as he nodded, agreeing with Morgan. Morgan gave Harry a glare and he averted his eyes for a moment. "If he gets too handsy or tries something, just tell him. He is a really great guy, I promise. He would never want anyone to think he was pushy." 

"He wasn't pushy, it was me." I said wanting to own up to being the one who made things awkward. Morgan raised her eyebrows and gave me a surprised look. 

"Did you want him to...?" She gestured something with her hands and looked at Harry, who looked surprised as well. 

"Oh God no! No no, I just wanted to move away and it got awkward," I corrected, feeling my cheeks flush red. 

Harry chuckled and shook his head, while Morgan tried not to laugh at me. "I think we need a couple of shots," she said and squeezed my hand before she let me move back in my seat. She grabbed Liam's arm and pulled him to the bar with her. Alli was talking to Louis and Niall, leaving Harry and me sitting a little secluded in the inner corner of the booth.