15 Years // harry styles

chapter fifteen

H

"B, I'm sure you look great," I say, sitting against the wall in the hallway.

"You can't see me you liar."

"Doesn't mean I don't know you look great."

She's quiet for a while before she finally opens the door with a groan.

"I own no clothing. Nothing. Zero."

I try to ignore the fact that she's standing in front of me in a just a bra, but it's quite hard to do. I clear my throat a little and try to focus on her legs, since they're covered with jeans.

"Here." I tug my sweatshirt up off of my head, tossing it to her. "Now, you look beautiful, so put that on, slide on some shoes and come join me for our date." I kiss her forehead before leaving her room to get dressed, the image of her bra still burning behind my eyes.

She comes out a few minutes later, and I can't decide which is sexier; seeing her in a bra or seeing her in my packers sweatshirt. I can't help but kiss her before I grab the lemon bars and we head out the door.

I scour the lobby closely on our way out, making sure no one recognizes me as I lead Bailey to the taxi, Lydia's warning a broken record in my mind.

"Hey stranger!" Jer calls, his smile wide and warm as B ducks into the cab.

"I missed you! Here's the lemon bars, as promised." She takes them from me before I climb in, sliding them through the gap in the divider.

"Alright, off we go!"

She turns to me, confusion clear on her face as Jer begins to pull off the curb.

"He knows where to go, just relax." I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her to my side as we head off into the night.

----

"Alright Harry we're about 2 minutes out," Jer warns me, looking at me in the rear view mirror with a wink. I feel like I'm on his good side now, after I'd explained my plans for the night over the phone while Bailey showered.

She perks up next to me, excitedly looking out the window for clues as to what I have planned. I chuckle, rummaging through my bag until I find the spare bandana I stowed there.

I fold it up, pulling it over her eyes and tying it, pressing closer to her as she gasps.

"Only until we get to where we're going, I promise." She relaxes when I press a gentle kiss to her hair, and she's quiet until the taxi stops.

"Alright, you kids have fun!" Jer says. I put my bag over my shoulder before helping Bailey out of the car, shutting the door and smacking it twice before her drives away. She stands on the sidewalk, biting her lip and swaying a little, hands clasped in front of her nervously.

"Don't be scared B. I'm right here." I kiss her lips gently before taking both her hands and placing them on my shoulders, turning around slowly and crouching down.

"Wha-" she starts, squeezing my shoulders.

"Well, jump on!"

I catch her legs as she jumps, starting my way up to the stadium doors with a smile. "And no peaking."

---

By the time I've woven through all of backstage and by a few security guards Bailey is relaxed, her cheek pressed against my back and her arms loosely slung around my neck. I take the final door, and let out a breath.

The stage is massive. It never seems any smaller, no matter how many times I walk out on it. The catwalk seems to extend for miles in front of me, and looking at all the seats I know will be filled next week makes my stomach flutter. Man I love my job.

"Are we here? You stopped walking." Bailey's voice brings me back and I smile.

"Someone's pushy," I tease, but I ease her down to her feet. "Give me one more minute."

I unzip my bag hastily, fishing out the blanket I'd snagged from the hotel suite. I lay it down at the start of the catwalk before returning to B, moving her so she's center stage, facing out towards the seats.

I walk behind her, suddenly nervous.

She'll like this, right? She'll think it's cool?

"Open your eyes." I pull the blindfold off, and her gasp echoes through the empty air.

"Oh my god," she whispers, and I can see her taking everything in, the sheer scale and size of everything.

"You should see it when it's full of people. Especially when they put up their lights. It's magic B. Pure magic." I wrap my arms around her waist, kissing her neck sweetly as she gazes around. We stay like that for a little while before she twists in my arms, turning to kiss me. It's sweet, but not as gentle as usual. Not as shy.

"Thank you. For sharing this with me," she whispers against my lips and I smile, my hands snaking around to her back and pressing her closer to me. Our kiss turns feverish and suddenly she's not close enough to me, I can't get enough air- no, I can't get enough of her.
I get so lost in her lips I forget to take her to sit on the blanket before the fireworks test goes off, but it doesn't matter. The crackles and booms don't even phase us for a moment, but we pull apart for just a second, and when I see the illuminated sky reflected in her eyes I know. I can feel it when I look at this girl in front of me, with fireworks in her eyes and my sweatshirt on her arms, I feel something I've never felt before in my life.

I'm in love.