stockholm syndrome | styles

chapter twelve

NATALIE

"Holy shit. This can't be happening. Not now." I said softly to myself, pacing the bathroom.

"Natalie!" I hear Louis call as he entered the apartment.

"No, no, no." I say to myself, hiding my hands behind my back. I exit the bathroom and smile at him. "Hi, babe."

"Hey," He smiles back at me and puts the groceries I requested onto the counter, "You okay? You're pale."

"Yeah, I'm just...not feeling well."

"Come, let's go lie down."

"You go ahead, I'm coming."

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked walking towards me.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Okay.." He leaned down to give me a quick hug, "What's in your hand?" He pulled away and looked at me.

Shit.

"Natalie," He whispered,"Please don't tell me that's what I think it is."

I took a shaky breathe, "I..."

"Natalie."

"I'm pregnant." I whispered.

MISSIE

"This is such a stupid idea." I told Derek.

"We can get him to talk this way. And if he won't, we'll get her to." He explained.

"Derek," I sighed, "This is not a good idea."

"I didn't come here to ask you, I came here to tell you to get ready. You're coming with me." He demanded.

"I..What if something bad happens? We can get caught. They have police men guarding them." I argued, crossing my legs on my bed. I promised I would try my best to keep Harry's loved ones out of harm's way, and even though I can't see him as much anymore, I intend to keep that promise.

"Have we ever gotten caught?" He said as he walked to my bed and sat with me.

"No," I said, "Not yet, anyways."

He softly kissed my cheek, "And we won't. We've been doing this for five years."

"I don't want to do this." I said quietly and avoided we contact with him. I didn't want to make him mad.

"Well you have to." He said sternly, standing up quickly. "You don't have a choice."

HARRY

They had finally let the chains loose againso I could sit down against the wall. I leaned my head back and the door opened. I looked up and saw
Missie.

"Missie? Oh my god, where have you been?"

"Around." She said.

"Around?"

"Alright, look." She spoke harshly. This wasn't her, but I didn't know her, did I? "I'm not here to talk.."

"Why are you here?"

"I'm here to tell you to back off. I wouldn't get closer if I were you."

"What?" I said.

She scoffed, "Are you stupid?"

I was taken aback by what she said, "Are you drunk?"

"Listen, you can't trust anybody. Not even me. I'm just going to hurt you. I'm not someone you can trick into falling in love with you."

"I wasn't asking for that." I interrupted her.

"You don't have to. It's in the way you act when you're with he-um, me." She closed her eyes and sharply exhaled, "I'll see you soon." And then she just left me, confused and, for the first time, scared.