The Reckless & The Brave

Chapter One

I yawn slightly, letting Harry take most of my weight as we wonder back into the hotel. Immediately I know we’re in trouble, our publist, Anna, is already marching down the reception angrily. “Are you mad?!” she yells, obviously not caring about the on lookers. The normally calm, well presented woman is causing a show; “You two have to get a grip of yourselves! You’re really showing the family up!”

“Alright Anna” Harry calms “I just wanted to show Holly New York my own way.”

Her eyes narrow “By causing havoc and running away from the paparazzi?!”

“We just wanted a bit of privacy”

Anna snorts, shaking her head and folding her arms; “You got the opposite. Go to bed. We’ve got a long day tomorrow.” She spun on her heels and marched down the corridor, making sure everyone could hear her sighing. Harry turned to me “well that was fun” he laughed “bed?”

I nod and we walk towards the lift, our bodyguards following us tiredly. It had been a long and exciting day, we’d arrived in New York because Harry had some public appearances to attend to and of course, he wouldn’t go without me by his side. But total Harry style, we’d run off to do our own thing and, as you can guess, it got a little out of hand. We were used to the telling off by now though. We reached our floor and headed to our room, finally alone for once. “Well today was-”

“Fun? Amazing?” Harry suggested “Perfect because you were with me?” I raised my eyebrows and smirked, punching him in the arm slightly “Don’t flatter yourself” I say. He winks at me cheekily “Fine Longford, I see how it is.” Before I have a chance to reply, Harry is next to me, his face inches away from mine “Alone at last” he breathes. He gazes his hand gently against my face for a second, before letting it drop and pressing his lips into mine. Harry’s kisses never come often enough, we’re always too busy or apart from each other and I find myself forgetting what it feels like. It’s electrifying, always cold and dry, as if they’re too delicate for this world. I hate it when he pulls away; making me grave more, it seems unfair and like he’s teasing me. “Sleep” he commands “you must be exhausted.”

“Not anymore” I mumble, trying to get him to kiss me again. Harry just laughs lightly, pulling away and wandering into the bathroom “Sleep” he says again “we’ve got a busy day ahead tomorrow.” I sigh and shrug my coat off; giving up hope that he’ll come back to me.

I squint in the morning light my eyes adjusting to the world. From what I could see out the window, the sun was quite high up in the sky, meaning I must have slept in late. I roll over lazily, reaching out for Harry. When I get nothing but sheets I sit up and look around our hotel room, then I see him, putting takeaway coffees on the dressing table. This makes me feel like I’m in New York, with a Starbucks. “Morning” he said softly, bringing my coffee over to me “Latte, just the way you like it.” I smile, warmed by the thought that he knows exactly what I like. “Thank you.” Harry sits down by my feet, which are huddled up against my chest. “What’s the plan for today?” I ask

He rolls his eyes “I’ve got go to a meeting, charity stuff. So I was thinking you should do a bit of shopping while you wait?”

I stick out my bottom lip childishly; I hated it when I was apart from Harry. It was as if he was my family now and I was constantly afraid of being abandoned. When he came along, I left my eccentric Mum and Dan and ran off with him, now; he’s the only person I have. Part of me wonders if I should stay in contact with them, after all they are my parents and I do love them but I still dislike them. Maybe I’ll change my mind when I get older, but right now I don’t care. Especially seen as they aren’t exactly concerned about me. Harry leans forward and puts his hand on my chin, forcing it up right. “Don’t look at me like that” he says in a baby voice “I’m sorry.” I grab both sides of his face and pull him closer to me and he smiles “I knew you won’t stay annoyed for long”

“I give in to easily” I mutter as I kiss him.

“Happy five month anniversary by the way” he says.

*

New York City really is amazing, for a girl who at the beginning of this year had never been outside Craster Village, I was amazed and dazzled at every new place Harry took me to. Jack, my personal bodyguard, trails behind me as I stroll the streets. I would’ve preferred to have James, we’d formed a bond when I was getting used to the Royal ways but he was Harry’s. I self consciously look down at my jeans, heels and coat, quite aware I was being looked at. Even in this city, surrounded my thousands of people, there was still people giving me a second look, seeing if I was the girl they thought I was. Personally I thought it was ridiculous, I’d shot to fame in about a week of meeting Harry and I hadn’t even done anything. Though I enjoyed the fact random people seemed to think I was great, I couldn’t see what they saw. No matter where you go in the world, people are obsessed with the British Royal Family and I was their newest addition. I guess everyone was hoping for a marriage or a baby. But we weren’t like Kate and William. People didn’t like us because we were classy or royal; people liked Me and Harry because we were normal. I was a normal middle class girl who Harry fell in love with. We didn’t wear the right clothes or say the right thing, we did what we wanted and for some reason, it made them like us more. I had changed slightly since we got together, my clothes were more expensive and I was more polite, but Harry discouraged it, he didn’t want me to change and that’s why I love him. Personally, I think the paparazzi were what was making people look at me. They certainly did draw attention.

“Holly where’s your boyfriend?!” one asked, closer to me than should be allowed.

“A meeting” I smiled politely

“Holly-”

“That’s enough” Jack intercepted, making himself a barrier between me and the press; “Come on.” He guided me swiftly to the shop I was heading to and stayed outside, guarding it.

“You can come inside” I say as was about to enter.

“Harry would murder me if I let anyone that might hurt you inside miss.” I smirk at Harry’s protectiveness and step inside. It’s a clothes shop, full of clothes that were too expensive and shop assistants who pour over you the moment you walk in. Personally I would’ve rather of gone to H&M but I didn’t see that happening. Anna is waiting for me, sitting on one of the plush couches and drinking champagne. “What are we doing today?” I question

“To get you a nice dress for tonight” Anna informs vaguely.

“There’s no point in me asking what tonight is, is there?” I laugh

“Nope” she winks “Harry’s orders.”

“Of course” I say, as if it would be anything else. Harry always surprised me; I think he’s obsessed with the idea of sweeping me off my feet and treating me. As if it would make any difference, I’d be with him either way. Anna throws me into the dressing room and makes me try on dress after dress. Unlike the typical Royal fashion, these dresses were low cut and revealing, but they look brilliant on me. We finally decide on a purple lacy one, which went all the way down to my ankles and had no back. It wasn’t too different from the one I wore on my first outing with Harry in London.

Anna smiles “You’re going to have a great last night in New York.”