15 Years // harry styles

chapter thirteen

H

"Favoriiiiite fruit?" I ask quietly, twirling a strand of her hair around my fingers.

"None, I hate fruit," she says, and I can tell she scrunched up her nose at the question.

I laugh a little, pressing my lips to her hair. I've lost track of time inside this little room. I'd gotten tired of holding my phone flashlight up so I simply turned it off, leaving us completely in the dark as we ask each other about anything and everything.

Bailey is still sitting on my lap, her back against my chest, my arms wrapped around her. Her skin is warm against my palms, like a mug of coffee on a winter morning, and it's soothing to me.

"Favorite Christmas movie?" She asks, recognizing her turn.

"Easy. Miracle on 34th Street. Do you have any tattoos?"

"Yeah, I've got one on my ribs that says 'you're alive'."

"I didn't know you were that big of a 1975 fan, damn!" I almost ask her to see it, but then I remember were in the dark. And she'd have to lift her shirt. The second one doesn't deter me as much.

"I told you they were my favorite dude. Favorite song off your new album?"

"Probably Love You Goodbye or Infinity. What's your favorite meal of the day?"

"Breakfast, hands down. I could eat breakfast food for every meal. Do you like your hair long?"

I smile to myself, imagining her at 4 o'clock in the afternoon with a plate of pancakes stacked high in front of her.

"Yeah, I really do. Mainly cause it's not something people liked, they all told me not to but it something I have control over. I don't have much control anymore."

"Can I ask you something?" Her voice is different this time, shyer.

"Of course, that is the game you know. Even if you skipped my turn."

"And you won't get mad?"

"No.... I don't think?" I tease, squeezing her a little to try and calm her nerves.

"How many girls have you dated?"

I sigh; I should have known this was coming. She speaks up again before I can say anything.

"It doesn't really matter to me, honestly it doesn't. I just, I've well. Um. I've never, like, dated anyone. Ever."

"Ever?" I'm surprised at that. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to date her.

"I've only dated a few people. Real relationship wise, like two. Everyone I know is famous, and they like being famous, and I just, don't."

"What do you mean, you don't?" She seems confused, and I feel her turn to look at me even though we both know she can't see me.

"I like being able to share my music with the world, yeah of course, I love it. And touring the world with my best friends and the fans, I love all of that. But being famous, it just doesn't appeal to me. I don't like being followed, I don't like there being assumptions about anything and everything that I do. I could go buy a book and suddenly I'm buying it for some mystery girl whose been spotted at my apartment 3 times, when in reality I went to go buy my mum a book cause she can't go outside without being harassed anymore. And it sucks. Sometimes I would almost rather not be known at all." I trail off, biting my tongue. I've never said that. To anyone.

"I'm sorry H," Bailey whispers, and I can tell she actually is.

"You have no reason to be sorry. You never treat me like I'm famous, you haven't since we met. You're the only one whose done that in 5 years. Please, don't apologize." I bring my hands up to find her head, pulling her towards me and taking a guess as to where her lips are.

I get lucky, finding them with my own and kissing her gently. She responds to me, leaning in closer and she sighs when I swipe my tongue along her bottom lip. The passion dwindles down after a little bit and I pull away slightly.

"Can I ask you a hard question now?" I bite my lip a little, nerves getting the best of me. I want to wait, I want her to tell me on her own but I just can't shake the pit in my stomach about it.

"Of course."

"What was your nightmare abo-"

I'm cut off by a hand covering my mouth.

"Shh. I think Lydia is back," she whispers, climbing up off me and feeling her way to the wall. Sure enough, I hear the click of the apartment door before Bailey starts calling Lydia's name, my question long forgotten.