H
I feel like a may throw up as I go perch on the edge of Bailey's reading nook. I've been caught in a lie. I knew I should have just told her that I was famous; it's worse for her to find out this way.
"Cookie?" Lydia asks, offering me the plate from the table. I shake my head, and I know my confusion translates to my face because she sighs. "Sorry. I try to soften awkward situations with pastries. Never works."
"Look, Ms. Lydia. I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I'm famous. I just don't like to be considered something I'm not, just because I'm in a successful band. But that's no excuse for me not telling you and I'm terribly sor-"
"Oh honey. It's not that. I knew exactly who you were as soon as you walked in my door, and I understand why you would keep it from me. I don't judge you for being famous, you seem to be a really awesome guy." Her words are warm and genuine, and I'm only more confused. I can't find a way to ask her nicely 'then what the fuck is this about' so I just wait.
"Now, as you have probably gathered, I'm pretty laid back with Bailey. She's a good kid, and she's been through some shit- stuff, sorry- in her life that no one should have to go through, especially not when they're 5. And I know she'll tell you everything when she's ready, so I'm not going to overstep her like that but I need you to hear me when I say this. No one can know you two are together- no one that would leak it to the media anyways. No paparazzi pictures, not a single one, no scandalous magazine article, nothing. I'm not exaggerating when I say it would be like signing her death sentence. You have to promise me you can keep her shielded, and keep her safe, or you can't be around her. Not even as a friend. Do you understand?"
My head is swimming. Death sentence? Why would it be her death sentence? I nod at Lydia through my haze.
"I understand. I will make sure she's safe."
From what? The hell if I know.
"I know you will Harry." She comes over and gives me a hug, saying quietly in my ear "it'll all make sense in it's time."
By the time Lydia retreats to her bedroom, I'm exhausted, both mentally and physically. To my surprise, my spinning brain gives into sleep quite easily once I take my shoes off and lay down on the couch, incredibly thankful to myself for changing into sweats and a T-shirt before coming back over.
--
"No. No no NO NO GET AWAY FROM ME! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
The screams rip through the house, startling me awake. I orient myself, my heart paining me as I realize that I know that voice.
Bailey.
I jump to my feet, running across the cold wood floor and heading straight into her room. She thrashing around on her bed, still yelling and whimpering. I climb onto the side of the bed on my knees, grabbing her shoulders and trying to hold her still.
"Bailey! Bailey wake up, wake up its me!" I call to her. Her eyes fly open in the dark and she only screams again, thrashing again.
"GET OFF OF ME! HOW DID YOU FIND ME? GET AWAY!" She screams, shoving against me. I stumble back off the bed to the other side of the room. I'm half convinced she's asleep with her eyes open.
"Bailey! It's me, it's Harry! B, it's Harry!"
The use of her nickname seems to pull her out of it, and she deflates. All her anger and fear is gone, leaving a small girl with tear stains and a shaking frame.
"Harry?" She whispers, voice raspy from the screaming.
I don't know if she wants me, I don't know why she shoved me off but I don't care, either. I stride over to her, pulling her up and into my arms. She clings to me as if she might break if she loses her grip; and part of me is afraid that she just might.
After a few moments I take my hands from her back and reach down to the back of her thighs, picking her up with ease and spinning us so that I can sit on the bed, bringing her with me.
She's crying now; I can feel the hot tears soaking through my shirt. I position us so that she is laying on top of me, head on my chest. I rub her back soothingly, pressing small kisses to her hair.
"It's alright B. I'm right here. You're safe, I'm right here. Breathe. Just breathe."
Her voice is meek when she speaks after the tears have passed. She looks up at me, her eyes puffy and red. She's still beautiful, so beautiful my heart aches.
"I'm so sorry Harry, I had a nightmare abo-"
I press my lips to hers to silence her.
"In the morning baby. Sleep. Just sleep. I'm right here."
She nuzzles up to my neck, her face hot against my shirt as I wrap my arms around her protectively.
"Can you sing?" She whispers into the black fabric.
"Of course." I kiss her forehead again, beginning to sing Me by the 1975 as she dozes off in my arms.
YOU ARE READING
15 Years // harry styles
Fanfiction"When will you understand? I'm always going to protect you. I don't care if it puts me in danger, I don't care if you don't want me to. It doesn't matter where we are. Who it is. What it's from. I can't just sit by Bailey. I can't. I only care about...
