Lanky (harry styles au)

three

Emerson contemplated whether or not she wanted to go in for a good five minutes before Beth rolled her eyes and turned the car off.

"Em you need to go in," Beth said, snapping Emerson out of her thoughts. "You need to do something fun; something normal for just once."

"I know, but-"

"No, you're going in. You will have a few drinks. You will let Harry flirt with you. You will laugh and you'll have a good time. Now get off your ass." Beth ordered, opening her door before Emerson could protest.

Emerson took a deep breath and followed her best friend towards the lively house. There was about ten cars squeezed together on the sidewalk, some people scattered on the lawn outside. When they entered they realized there weren't as many people as they expected and the house wasn't a complete disaster. They must be early, she thought.

"Emerson!" Niall shouted, grabbing their attention. He had a beer in one hand and a grin on his face.

"Is that Harry?" Beth muttered as they both looked at Niall.

"God no, were you not listening when I described him to be like six feet tall with long curly hair?" Emerson quickly said, feeling nervous.

"Sorry-"

"Hey, glad you could make it," Niall said, closer now. He was definitely wearing too much cologne but it was okay because it's Niall and he looked adorable.

"No problem," Emerson said, politely smiling. Beth cleared her throat. "Er, this is my best friend Beth, Beth meet Niall. The cohost."

Beth and Niall smiled. "Nice to meet you," he said, shaking her hand. She nodded her head. "Okay, so liquor in the kitchen, and some weird games in the living area. Have fun and come find me, let me just go control that guy," Niall quickly said before stopping a guy from drawing all over the wall.

"C'mon," Beth said, grabbing Emerson's hand. "Let's get a drink." Emerson let Beth lead the way as she looked around. My first real party, she thought, not bad.

"So where's this Harry character? Doesn't he live here too?" Beth said, sipping a beer. Emerson decided to not drink since someone had to drive them home.

"I have no clue," she mumbled, looking around the small kitchen. "Should I, like, look for him?"

"Uh, yeah. He basically gave you no choice but to come, I think he'd want to see you," Beth said, rolling her eyes.

"Come with me?" Emerson said, pouting as Beth shook her head. "Please?"

"Em, no. Just find me after you see him and we'll hang out. It's not like you'll get lost, there's like only thirty people here and two bedrooms," she winked at the last part. "Maybe you'll have sex tonight."

Emerson gave her best friend a look. "Fine," she grumbled, hesitantly walking through the kitchen, then the living room, before reaching a small hallway with three doors.

Okay, she thought, the door in the middle is most likely the bathroom, so which is it left or right? She took the chance and tried the left door, only for it to be locked. Of course (now she just felt stupid). She took a deep breath before trying the right side, pleasantly opening the door with ease. Right when she walked in she saw Harry halfway through slipping a shirt on, causing her to immediately cover her eyes with the hand that wasn't glued to the door. She was a mess.

"Oh my- I'm so sorry!" She stuttered, the sight of Harry's gorgeous tan skin and tattoos burning in her mind.

Harry giggled. "It's okay, you can open your eyes," his husky voice slurred. He was definitely tipsy, if not drunk. He was now clothed; wearing a black t-shirt and dark jeans. He looked amazing.

"Hey, sorry about th-" Emerson began, but Harry stumbled while attempting to walk over to her, causing her to instinctively reach out and help him. He laughed as she let go of him, making sure she was steady. The sound of the music was overshadowed by her heartbeat.

Harry smirked, dimples on display. "Someone dropped a drink all over me," he explained, eyes glassy and innocent. He suddenly lifted his shirt, pointing to his abs. "Do you think the alcohol will burn through my skin?"

Emerson blushed. "No, Harry, I think you're good. And drunk."

He walked closer to her, breath hitting her face. It reeked of alcohol. Suddenly his hands were on her waist, and then he began to get grabby. He was grinning, but Emerson wasn't when she said stop.

"Stop," she repeated firmly. She finally pushed him off, glaring at him. He had a stupid smirk on his face as he rolled his eyes.

"It was just for fun," he said as if he was a child explaining why he'd been naughty. So much for innocent.

"Sure, whatever. You're drunk. And I'm going to go." Emerson snapped, turning out of his room and shuffling through people to pull Beth away from a group of people.

"Hey- whoa, what happened?" Beth said, seeing Emerson's face stoic.

* * * * *

It was three days later when Emerson was sat in Starbucks after her Psychology lecture. Her nose was deep in a book, something along the lines of Feminism: A Necessity. She was enjoying a cookie when someone slid into the booth across from her. She looked up confused before rolling her eyes.

"Whatcha reading?" Harry tried. She just looked up at him.

"A book, not sure if you're familiar with them." She snipped, turning the page. Harry just smiled.

"I see, what book?" He asked. Now Emerson looked up, setting the book down.

"What do you want, Harry?" She finally asked.

"Damn," he muttered. "Just saw you so I decided to say hey."

"Oh okay, well hey. Now bye." Emerson said, looking at him expectantly.

"You don't have to be mean," he mumbled and she almost felt bad. A few beats passed. "Look, I wanna ap-"

"Listen, I don't want to hear some lame excuse of how "drunk you were" when someone says no, it means no. It doesn't mean sure, touch me wherever you'd like, Harry." She snapped, putting a bookmark in her book as she looked at him expectantly.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. Harry was genuinely ashamed with himself and he didn't know what to do.

Emerson looked up, ready with something to say, when she saw the look on his face. It was straight, jaw clenched, pure guilt written all over him. Suddenly, any strength she had to hold a grudge vanished and she felt her anger wash away.

"It's okay," she murmured, squirming in her seat. She didn't like the way Harry made her feel weak. "Just don't do it again, ever."

"Cross my heart and hope to die," he smiled, leaning on his elbows towards her. He wanted to be her friend so badly. "So, what are you reading?"

She sighed and smiled, showing his the cover. He nodded his head, reading. "Tell me about it."

"Well-"

"Wait, no, tell me about yourself," he said, smirk already on his face, eyes locked on the girl in front of him.

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a/n: quick chapter, sorry!! but hey now u get to know that emerson is a feminist!! yay

also harry is such a fuckboy i lowkey love it

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