Make All This Pain Go

Chapter Six

Day Two: Harry's POV:

As I pulled away from Ashleigh's face, inhaling he perfume, I see her blush lightly. Her eyes glance down to my hand on her waist. I didn't even think about it. Maybe it was too forward? I probably should have asked or something. But she doesn't appear to have a problem with it. God, why am I obsessing? She's just a girl. A beautiful, kind, caring girl, but yet, just a girl. As I'm looking down at her, I find her peering up at me.

"What?"

"Oh.. Nothing."

"Everything alright love?"

"Mhm."

She nods lightly, her waves bouncing a bit. God, she was gorgeous. Her green eyes were so round and clear, her caramel hair with light blond highlights bouncing as she moves. The was her shoulders are just barely jutted out, but yet so delicate. I look down at her again, but now she seems distracted. As I look up, I can hear them before I see them.

"Harry! Is that your new girl?

"Who's heart are you breaking this time, Styles?"

"What's your name babe?"

"C'mon Styles, let us see your new girl!"

"Does anyone recognize her?"

"Is she a fan?"

The questions kept coming in, but Ashleigh did just as I'd told her to. She was looking down, every now and then looking back up to me for reassurance. I had pulled her in tighter to my side, my hand almost fisting her dress. Normally I don;t really mind the paps. I actually chat with them and see how they're doing and take photos with them. But whenever I'm with a girl, they always seem to be more aggressive and persistent. I didn't like the way they were grabbing at Ashleigh or that they couldn't see how uncomfortable she was. I know this isn't what she signed up for when I asked her to a coffee.

"Listen guys. She's not my girlfriend, but I'd really appreciate it if you all could back up a bit. She's clearly uncomfortable. Please."

The paps only used this as fuel to question even more and try to move in closer. She looked up at me, a bit of fear in her eyes.

"Harry.."

I stopped walking abruptly, pulling her is as close to me as I possibly could. She leaned into me, slightly. The paps just looked around, unsure of what to do. They quited down for a split second, then started screaming at us, worse than before. Some were trying to grab at me, but when one grabbed at Ashleigh, I kind of lost it.

"Don't you DARE touch her again. You hear me?! Now fuck off, you got your photos, now leave."

They all just stared at me, then scattered.

"You didn't have to do that. I'm fine."

She smiles up at me, but she couldn't hide the relief in her eyes.

"It was necessary. They shouldn't have touched you. Now how about that coffee?"

I smile down at her, relieved she didn'tt seem too frightened.

"Yeah. How do you deal with hat all the time? Doesn't it get annoying? To not be able to go anywhere without being harassed? I mean, it's kinda scary. I wasn't that scared but.. I mean.. If I had been alone.."

Was she saying I made her feel safe? I hope so..

"Yeah, it gets a bit frightening at times, but you learn to live with it. Learn to live with a lot of things, actually. The perks and fans are great, better than great. Don't get me wrong. But sometimes, I just wish I could go out for a coffee and get to know someone before people are assuming she's my girlfriend, or a one night stand. I like some things to just be private."

"Yeah, I get that. I'd go crazy."

As we step into the Starbucks, a few girls turn around and stare. Ashleigh looks to me, then starts laughing.

"Do you not notice that?"

She giggles out her words, smiling.

"No, I do. I just try not to. I'm only focusing on one girl at the moment."

She looks up at me, a small smile playing on her lips. We order, then begin to walk back to her flat. We talk about last night, and what all I did. I can't believe I made her practically carry me to a couch so I could take a nap. It's even more unbelievable that she did it. As we walk back into her apartment complex, I notice my hand is wrapped in hers. I don't remember grabbing it, but I'm quite glad I did.

"Thanks so much for the coffee. It was so nice meeting you Harry."

"Erm.. Do you want a photo or anything?"

"Oh.. Sure! Of course!"

I take out my phone, before she has the chance to even think about taking hers out. She looks at me curiously.

"I'll send it to you."

"Oh. mkay."

I pull her in close to my side, leaning down and into her a bit. I take a few. The first one of us smiling. The second of her laughing and me sticking my tongue out. The third her smiling and me kissing her cheek. She looks at me, so surprised that I'd do such a thing. I send her the photos, not wanting to leave quite yet.

"Thanks again Harry, for everything."

She turns to go into her flat.

"Wait."

"Hmm?"

"Let me take you to dinner."

"Harry, you already thanked me! It's fine."

"I know. I've thanked you. Now I want to take you out. Please?"

I stare at her, pouting out my lip a bit and giving her puppy dog eyes. She laughs, a real, gorgeous laugh.

"Well how could I say no to that?"

"Good. I'll pick you up at 8."

"Tonight?!"

"Of course! You don;t expect me to wait a whole day do you? I'm a very impatient boy, Ashleigh."

"Alright. I'll see you."

"Bye love."

"Bye."

As she enters her flat, and closes the door, I begin to leave. As I step out of the complex, I quickly change my screen saver to the photo of me kissing Ashleigh's cheek. This girl needs to be mine.