15 Years // harry styles

chapter six

B

Harry fluffs his hair down over his face, keeping his head down and grabbing onto my arm to help guide him and his slippery, now most likely ruined, Gucci-boots to the elevator.

Once were safely inside, he pushes all his curls back again, a grin on his face. I press button 18, awaiting my usual ascent.

"You really didn't have to invite me in. I hope you know I really do appreciate it. I think we're going to be great friends B," Harry says, tapping his boots together.

"I think we are too. H."

"H?"

"Yeah, H."

He smiles, and goes to say something but the elevator jolts to a stop on my floor. I catch him as he stumbles into me slightly, making us both laugh as I fish my keys out of my bag so I can unlock my door.

Harry follows quietly, holding the heavy wood door to apartment 183 back so I can enter, but he freezes when he notices the figure bustling around in the kitchen in her pajamas.

His green eyes are full of panic when he looks down at me, but I put a hand on his back, patting it lightly in reassurance.

"Hey Bail- oh hello!" Lydia smiles. "And who are you?"

"This is my friend Harry. Harry, my aunt Lydia. Lydia, Harry." I introduce him. His instincts seem to kick in, and he goes over to shake hands with her.

"Oh no honey, I'm a hugger. Hi, nice to meet you," she smiles, getting up on her tip toes. He hugs her back, and it's a sight I never knew I wanted to see until now.

"It's nice to meet you Lydia. I'm gonna crash here tonight if that's alright. I'll be on the couch, of course."

"Of course! Are you sure we've never met before? You look awfully familiar."

"No ma'am, we haven't."

"Well, that's weird. Anyways, I'm off to bed kids. Help yourself to whatever, and Bailey I just made that tea you like if you want some. Goodnight!"

"Night!" I yell.

"Goodnight Ms. Lydia!" Harry calls down the hall, and I grin at him.

"Ms. Lydia," I mock quietly, and he clips my shoulder with his, following me to the counter.

"Oh shut up."

"Be nice or I won't share my tea," I threaten, but I still get out two mugs.

The tea is lukewarm, just the way I like it, and I drink it greedily as I head over to my reading nook out of habit.

"Your home is beautiful," Harry says, walking over to the bookshelf. It's always a hit with guests, considering its floor to ceiling, and they always want to climb the sliding ladder attached to it. However, he simply runs his fingers over a few of the spines curiously. "What're you reading?"

"It's called Black Ice. I just started it. I usually read a ton when it's rainy," I explain, watching as his nimble fingers pull the book from the shelf. He hands it to me, awkwardly standing beside me.

"Here, just sit behind me. If, you know, you're okay with that."

He doesn't say anything, but he does slide his boots off, climbing into the make-shift nest, his legs on either side of me. I sit my tea on the windowsill, leaning back slowly against his chest, every nerve in my body on fire.

My reckless tongue continues its trend of not waiting for my brain.

"Is this crazy? I feel like everything is moving so fast. We just met today. But it doesn't feel weird to me. And I have no idea what you're thinking, or what this means."

I don't regret what I say. It feels natural. Like it's okay to ask him anything.

I can see his face in the reflection of the window, and although is distorted by the rain and darkness, I think I see him smile. He takes a deep breath before he speaks.

"Honestly B, I don't really know what this is. I don't know what happened today, except I know I haven't felt this care free since- since I don't know when. And I know that I don't want to be in my hotel room right now. I don't want to be anywhere except for right here. And maybe it is crazy, and unexpected. But the best things usually are. I say we live in the moment and see where it takes us. If we think about it too much, we'll screw it up. How's that sound?"

My cheeks are on fire, and I can feel my hands trembling a little.

"I think that sounds perfect."

It's silent for a moment, the only sounds being our breathing and the rain.

"Now that we have that settled, it's raining. I believe someone should be reading. Don't change on my account."

I feel his lips against my hair as I open the book, and I can feel him begin to twirl a strand of it, then rub his fingertips gently against my scalp as I pass through chapter by chapter.

Then suddenly I'm as light as a feather, and everything is dark, and I can smell my bedsheets and there's a kiss on my forehead and a raspy "Goodnight B. See you in the morning" echoing in my ear as I fade back into sleep.