Pinky Promise (En)

Introduction

Delilah was six years old on her first day of school, and her life had just been turned upside down. Her family had left the house she adored to settle in Homechapel, a picturesque small town that seemed to belong in a storybook—but without her friends, it was far from idyllic. That morning, Delilah's small hand clung tightly to her mother's, trembling with anxiety as they crossed the schoolyard.

The buildings towered, the trees swayed above her, and the children's laughter felt like an overwhelming wave. She was a tiny dot in a world too big for comfort.

"Don't worry, sweetheart," murmured her mother, giving her a reassuring smile. "Everything will be fine, you'll see. Oh, look, there they are!."

Delilah cautiously lifted her gaze and noticed a woman with dark brown hair walking toward them, her face lit up with a warm smile. Beside her was a young boy with a head full of curls and an inquisitive look in his eyes.

"Anne! Thank you for welcoming us!," Delilah's mother exclaimed, gently letting go of her daughter's hand.

"Lucy, it's a pleasure. And don't worry, Delilah will love it here, i know it," Anne replied, turning her warm gaze towards the little girl. She crouched down to Delilah's level, her smile soft and kind. "You'll see, this school is amazing. My son Harry can show you all the fun things here. Right, Harry?"

The boy shrugged. "Maybe."

He regarded Delilah with a curious expression, completely at ease. She, on the other hand, averted her eyes almost immediately, feeling a flush of warmth rise to her cheeks under his watchful gaze.

"Harry," Anne said with gentle firmness, "I need you to take care of Delilah. She doesn't know anyone yet."

The boy gave a small nod, then shifted his attention back to Delilah. Without hesitation, he asked,
"Will you be my friend?"

Delilah's eyes went wide, surprised by his earnestness. Yet, there was something warm and reassuring in his bright green gaze. After a brief pause, she gave a small nod.

"Promise?" he asked, holding out his little finger.

"Promise what?" she asked, intrigued.

"Promise we'll be friends forever."

She hesitated, then gave a shy smile before lifting her own little finger to seal the promise.

In that moment, neither of them realized it, but they had just forged the beginning of a connection that would last a lifetime.

Over time, Delilah and Harry's bond deepened, and they became inseparable. Each morning felt like a repeat of the last, with Harry walking into the Carters' house as if it were his own.

"Morning, Lucy!" he'd call out, grabbing a piece of toast from the table without even asking.

"Good morning, Harry. Always so punctual," she'd reply with a laugh. "Maybe you could teach that to my daughter."

"I'm coming!" Delilah would shout from upstairs, accompanied by the sound of a slamming drawer or something falling to the floor.

Harry would burst into laughter at the usual chaos. "Always running late, huh?" he'd yell towards the stairs.

When she finally came down, breathless and disheveled, she'd roll her eyes at his teasing grin. "I'm not late; I'm just... artistically delayed."

"Sure, that's it," he'd reply with a chuckle.

On their walk to school, sharing one earbud each, they listened to Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder. This quiet moment of companionship was their daily ritual. But that day, Delilah broke the silence.

"Promise me something," she said with a mischievous smile.

"Another promise?" Harry replied, rolling his eyes, already amused.

"Yes. Promise that if I'm late, you'll be late with me. No leaving me behind."

"That's just like you," he said, laughing softly. "Fine, pinky promise."

She linked her little finger with his, and as always, the warm comfort of their gesture erased all her worries.

The Styles' living room was a whirlwind of laughter, camera flashes, and offhand compliments. Delilah, standing nervously in her pale blue ball gown, tugged at the fabric in an attempt to hide her knees.

"Stop fidgeting, you look stunning," Anne insisted as she adjusted Harry's bowtie. He, on the other hand, looked surprisingly at ease in his suit.

"You know, you could just say she looks gorgeous instead of making a fuss," Harry said with a playful grin, making Delilah's cheeks flush.

"Can we go now?" she murmured, eager to escape the attention.

Their mothers chuckled softly, eyes shining with a mix of pride and sentiment. "It feels like only yesterday you two were causing chaos in the playground," Lucie remarked, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips.

"If we keep talking about the past like this, I'm going to need a tissue," Harry teased, rolling his eyes, though a genuine, soft smile lingered on his face.

Finally breaking free from the family chaos, they climbed into the car that would take them to the dance. The lights from the event sparkled in the windows, reflecting off their outfits and creating a magical glow around them.

As they reached the entrance, Harry extended his hand to Delilah. "Ready?"

She nodded, but before stepping inside, a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She stopped, turning to him.

"Harry," she said quietly, unsure of how to say what was on her mind.

He raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "What is it? Please don't tell me you're thinking about taking a picture again."

She shook her head with a nervous laugh, then said more seriously, "No, but... promise me something."

He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a teasing smile. "Another promise? I swear, one day I'm going to need more fingers for all your pinky promises."

She laughed lightly, but there was something more in her expression now, a seriousness that made him pause. "Promise me, Harry. No matter how many dances, parties, or changes we go through, you'll always be there. You'll always be my partner."

For a moment, Harry didn't speak. His smile softened, and his gaze lingered on her, as though considering the weight of her words. Then, with that familiar look of quiet affection, he extended his pinky toward hers.

"Delilah Carter," he said, his voice low and sincere, "I promise I'll always be by your side. No matter what comes, I'll be your partner."

Her heart fluttered, but she didn't let it show. She gave him a small, shy smile and linked her pinky with his.

"Pinky promise," she whispered, sealing it with a quiet confidence.

Together, they stepped forward into the dance, the sound of the world fading around them as they held onto their promise—one that would define more than just this night.