Starlight [h.s]

10

Nova

"Piece of shit! She's two years old!" I scream, launching a manic attack on the man that just broke Elodie's arm in three different places because of his carelessness.

My hands beat the stranger's sturdy chest and my face is soaked with tears. I had been doing everything I could to keep Elodie safe when I noticed she was alone on the edge of the roller rink, gripping onto the side for dear life.

I was surprised to see her here, but not as surprised to find her alone. By now, it's undeniably clear: Harry Styles doesn't care about his daughter.

I had tried to refrain from judgement, especially as I hardly know him. There is a reason fuelling everyone's behaviour and empathy is our strongest emotion. But it's an unavoidable fact, especially with the way he is currently stood on the roller rink like he has just seen a ghost, impassive while Elodie screams her lungs out.

I can't believe him.

Arms loop around my waist and pull me back, Nathan's voice by my ear. "You need to calm down, Nova."

In the whirlwind of the last half hour, I had completely forgotten my boyfriend was here. I forgot this started out as an apology date where I was aiming to save our relationship. Nathan had very narrowly agreed to coming here in the first place. He originally turned me down, then he sporadically agreed.

But even while we've been here, it's been a miserable time. Nathan wasn't into the skating idea at all and I'd been dragging him around for at least forty minutes until I abandoned him after finding sweet little Elodie.

"Get off me!" I shout, my nerves shot as I push Nathan away.

His expression grows cloudy. "What the fuck?"

I don't want to fight him right now, not here. I don't have the energy or the patience. Instead, I shoulder past him and sink to the floor in front of Elodie's head. Her features are crumpled in pain and her body is shaking like a leaf, but nobody is holding her and somebody should be.

I move her head onto my lap while the workers run around, shouting demands at each other. Somebody trained in first aid is crouched beside Elodie's arm, which is pooling blood. Another is on the phone for an ambulance.

I wish more than anything that I took the damage instead of her. I can't believe I'd gotten knocked out of the way and her little body took the brunt impact of a grown man bulldozing right into her.

I have known this little girl for hardly a month and in this time, she has already nearly drowned and now broken her arm because of her parent's negligence. It's sickening to think about. I've walked into the eye of a hurricane with this family and I hadn't the faintest idea.

Even more harrowing is the fact that Beau Styles is not only watching the traumatic scene unfold, but that his limbs areprotected by elbow and shoulder pads. The fact Harry didn't extend the same safety measures to Elodie washes me cold with another wave of nausea.

My eyes fly towards Harry in total astonishment. His long hair is curling around his face in a bedraggled mess. His eyes are empty, but they are tinged red like he could have just been crying. His fists are clenching and unclenching – the only signs of life in his otherwise hardened exterior.

But he makes no move to come to his daughter.

There are a million things I could say to him right now, but there is too much going on. I cradle Elodie's head in my palms, wiping her tears with my thumbs as they fall. She tries to look at her injury, but I keep her gaze focused away from it.

"You've had a nasty little tumble, pretty girl." I whisper, my throat narrowed. "But everything is going to be okay. You'll feel better in no time at all."