Make All This Pain Go

Chapter Two

Day One: "Are you sure you're okay going home alone Ash?"

"Yeah!! Trust me! I'm going to finish this drink then catch a cab. Go! I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Byeeee!!!"

I see my two best friends leave the club, stumbling slightly, going to catch a cab of their own. They live in the same apartment complex, so I'm often riding home alone.

"Hi beautiful."

I look up to see a very drunk guy in his mid thirties leaning on the bar in front of me. He licks his lips looking me up and down. Ew.

"What's you're name sweetheart?"

"Ashleigh. I'm 17. Leave me alone."

I excuse myself from the bar and start to head outside to catch a cab home. I feel someone close behind me. I turn around, expecting to cuss out the guy from the bar, but come face to face with Harry Styles. I immediately feel my legs go numb and I feel the one drink I had rush to my brain.

"Helllloooo luhve.", he slurs at me. I'd been a directioner before they'd even existed. I'd seen them form on the X-Factor. And now I was standing face to face with the one boy I'd wanted more than anything. Loads of girls were staring and taking pictures of him in his obviously wasted state. I began to feel very protective over him as he leaned into me. I'm only 5'7" so having to support a 6'3" guy wasn't exactly easy, especially in heels. I looked around for one of Harry's friends that I could maybe recognize. No one. More girls were looking now, but at me, with intense hatred in their eyes. I slowly walked Harry over to one of the couches in the corner of the club. I pick the one farthest in the corner, so he could be safe from to girls and paps snapping photos. He keeps mumbling things in my ear that are so slurred and British, I can't even comprehend what's coming out of his mouth. As I slouch him off of my shoulders, he collapses into the couch, keeling over onto his side, seemingly taking a nap. I stand there trying to figure out what to do. Should I just leave him there and let him deal with it? Should I call someone? But who could I call. I decide to sit down on the edge of the couch and try to think of something, anything, to do. I glance over at Harry, not believing that THIS is my grand meeting of my idol and the guy I've loved forever. I look around the room, desperate for someone to help me. That's when I see them, and they see me. 4 very worried looking boys rush over to me, grateful to see their lost friend.

"Thank God he's alright."

"He just, got away from us."

"Is he sleeping?"

"I believe so."

The boys ramble on trying to get Harry up, when Louis acknowledges me.

"Thank you so much for caring for him. Most girls would have just used him for an Instagram picture then left him. We all appreciate it.", he says, gesturing to the rest of the boys. I get collective "Mhms" and "yeahs".

"It's fine, really. I didn't take any pictures, and I brought him over here so no one else could. He just seemed in need of someone to look after him."

Lou approached me and wrapped me into an unexpected hug.

"You have no idea how refreshing it is to have someone who actually care about his damned well being. Thank you so much. Honestly, you couldn't have been better angel. What's your name?"

"Ashleigh."

"Listen, I know Harry's going to want to thank you..", he says pulling out his phone and unlocking it. He hands me the phone, the screen displaying a new contact page saying "Ashley".

"Put your number in. I don't mean to be creepy, but that little twat will smack the shit outta me if I don't get it for him."

I correct the spelling of my name, put my number in, and hand the phone back to Lou.

"Ahhh. Ash l.e.i.g.h! I like it better spelled that way anyways. Thanks again for protecting our little baby!"

"No problem. I should be going.."

"Of course. I'd be expecting a call from him sometime tomorrow."

I nod, knowing that if I speak, I'll probably shriek and cry from excitement.

"By the way... do you happen to be a directioner?"

I giggle softly, then turn around to look at Louis.

"Yes. Very much so."

"I thought so. You actually care. Goodbye Ashleigh."

By this point, the other boys had gotten Harry up, but just barely. Niall and Zayn were holding him up, Liam keeping him from falling back onto the couch.

"Goodbye Louis. Pleasure meeting you.", I say as I begin to exit the club. Did that actually just fucking happen?