15 Years // harry styles

chapter twenty four

B

"If I could kill that boy without half the world's population hating me, I would." I glare at the dress bag hanging up on the door of the hotel bathroom. It's massive - granted we're in one of the nicest hotels in New York- and it smells of citrus and hairspray. Even though I can't read the note on the bag from my chair, I remember exactly what it said.

I'm sorry I went against your wishes, but there's no reason to waste a beautiful dress, a beautiful night and a stupid boy who wants to take you on a date, right? Lou said she'd do your hair and makeup if you want. Meet you in the hotel room at 5?

All the love, H

"We're going to this dinner, whether you like it or not. I shaved. You're not backing out." Rose's voice is stern, her nose in a book as Lou sets the last curler in her hair. I roll my eyes at her and she sticks her tongue out at me. I know it's pointless to argue with her; after picking me up from lunch (on Harry's request, of course) with the dress hidden in the back of her car, we spent an hour bickering, and it made me come to the conclusion that she'd drag me in by my hair if I wouldn't agree to go.

Lou turns to me with a frown.

"Bailey, I'm sorry, I know you don't know me very well, and it's not any of my business but I have to ask. Your boyfriend, my Harry, bought you a very nice dress and is taking you to an amazing dinner. Why are you so angry?"

"Because he spent 700 dollars on it!"

"Oh my. 700 dollars? That's what's got you all worked up? Honey, don't take this the wrong way, but he's Harry Styles. It's hard to remember that he's one of the richest men in the world sometimes, but he could pay 700 dollars for a box of tissues and not blink if he wanted to. You can't worry about money with him sweetie, it doesn't mean the same thing in his world as it does in yours."

I don't like the idea of it, that spending money to him means next to nothing, but I still have to agree that she has a point. I sit quietly for awhile, listening to Rose and Lou argue about how it's impossible to do eye makeup if there's a book in the way.

"Alright fine. I'll go."

Lou squeals a little and Rose smirks, picking up her book again as Lou slides over to me and begins to work on my hair and makeup. She says something about keeping it simple since my dress is a statement dress, but I just sit back and relax, listening to the songs playing in the background and imagining seeing Harry tonight.

-----

"Holy shit Bailey," is all Rose says once Lou zips up the back of my dress. It truly is beautiful, and when I twirl around it makes me smile as it billows out slightly.

I blush at their compliments, quickly moving back from the mirror.

"C'mon Rose, your turn." I bring her dress to her as she strips down. It's black with long, linear cut outs that are nude colored and very elegant, yet edgy at the same time.

I help her into it and zip it up, leaving us both standing in the mirror. Her hair is up in a curly up-do, lips bright with red lipstick, while my hair is in a sort of ponytail, my makeup light and natural.

"You both look absolutely stunning." Lou beams at us, her hands clasped together in excitement.

"I have to second that." I look in the mirror to see Louis and Harry standing in the doorway. Rose rolls her eyes at Louis' comment, heading over to find her shoes. I turn around to see Harry, whose just standing there, silently looking at me. Part of me is glad he isn't saying anything, because I know I won't be able to process it at the moment because I can't do anything but look at him.

He's in all black, a well-tailored jacket over his button up and it makes my heart melt to a puddle in my shoes.

"No Gucci suit?! Who are you and what have you done with Harry?" Lou teases as she starts to mess with Louis' hair despite his protests.

"No ones going to be looking at me tonight anyways," Harry murmurs and my stomach flips. I can barely hear Rose's gagging noises as I step away from the mirror and over to him, standing on my tip toes to kiss him.

"You look incredible," he whispers with a smile, pulling a bag out from behind his back. "Will you let me spoil you just a little more?"

He looks very cautious as he pulls the shoe box out of the bag, discretely trying to hid the Jimmy Choo logo on the top.

I open my mouth to protest, but Lou catches my eye and I can see her warning glare, so I swallow my comment.

"I suppose. Doesn't mean I like it though," I murmur, walking over to a chair as he follows. I sit down, watching him open the box, revealing beautiful silver heels. He crouches down, sliding them on my feet.

"My Cinderella for the night," he whispers as he stands back up, pressing a light kiss to my lips. He sits down next to me, lacing his fingers in mine, and I can't help but dread the night a little less.