I was yanked my hood into the dark alley we just happened to stroll by. I came face to face with a gun and a very angry man. Harry instantly stepped in front of me, blocking me from the man. I had a strong urge to run away, but I was paralyzed with fear.
"Where the hell is my money, Styles?" The man spat out. I felt like I was trapped in some stupid action movie. I wish this was a movie.
"Can we talk about this later?" Harry asked through a clenched jaw. At least I think it was clenched. The only part of him I could see right now was his strained back.
"Aw, am I scaring your little girlfriend? What's your name little girl?" The guy teased.
"Don't talk to her. Don't even look at her ever again!" Harry hollered. His raised voice made me jump. But his protectiveness was kind of hot. No time for that, Juno! I don't think it's healthy to yell at yourself as much as I do.
"I'm the one with the gun. I give the orders!" The guy barked back. "Now, where's my money Damon?"
"Harry," he growled.
"Whatever. I just want my money. You've got three days. If I don't have my money by then I will hunt your little girlfriend down and make her pay. And not with cash," the guy smirked. Harry growled and lurched at the guy, only to be stopped by the gun poking his chest. "Three days, Styles!" The guy called out while running away.
Harry turned and looked at me with worry and regret. I took that moment to realize how bad I was shaking. And it wasn't the cold. "Juno," Harry mumbled and stuck an arm out to me. My eyes shot up to his, meeting sparkling emerald irises.
I let him put his arms around my shoulder. No matter how scared and worried I was, I needed the comfort. "W-what was th-that?"
"C'mon. Lets talk about this somewhere else," he led me down the sidewalk. We stayed silent as he led me to his house, which was a couple blocks away. I wondered how he knew how to get back to his house so easily, but I didn't question it. I watched him curiously as he peaked through the window. I saw what I'm guessing is his mom stirring something on the stove and I'm guessing his dad having a deep conversation with Damon.
"Do your parents not like you having guests or something?" I whispered to him.
"It's not my parents I'm worried about," I wondered what he meant, but I didn't ask. He led me around to the back of the house and to a back door. We quietly crept through it inside. I didn't have time to admire anything, Harry already had dragged me up the stairs and into his bedroom. Being in his room made me nervous. I've had boyfriends before, but I've never been I their house. Okay, I have worse things to worry about.
He shut the door. I stared wide eyed at him. "Relax. Now you're probably wondering what that was all about?" I slowly nodded before he continued. "Alright. Um, you have to promise not to tell anyone EVER about anything I'm about to say, understood?" I nod. "Okay, well, my family used to live in poverty. We barely ate, nearly lost our house. Damon had a friend, who was a drug dealer. Smuggled them all around-"
"He what?!" I screeched, causing Harry to clamp a hand over my mouth.
"Shh! Now listen. He asked us for our help multiple times. Said our fighting skills could come in handy. We always turned him down until..." He trailed off. I could tell this was all very hard to tell a girl he just met. Trust me this is hard hearing. We somehow made it over to the bed and sat on the edge without me paying much attention. I nodded in encouragement to go on. "Until my sister, Gemma got sick. The bills were just to much, and if we didn't get help, we'd end up on the street without any help for her. That's when me and Damon decided to take his offer. It was the only thing we could do to save our sister." I could see tears brimming in his eyes. I felt so much sympathy for him it hurt.
"Harry, you don't have to go on," I said quietly.
"It's okay. I want to. It actually feels good to tell someone all this," he gave a small smile and took a big breath. "Anyway, we've been helping out our friend for about two years. My parents never asked how we came up with all the money, they just gratefully took it. Gemma is better now, but Damon and I.. We're so deep in this whole gang thing there's no escape. Everything is dangerous. I'm so sorry I asked you out in the first place. Damon told me not to, I was just so intrigued by you," he added with a flirty smirk. I blushed and looked at my lap. "The only reason I'm telling you this is now you're in danger if we don't get that money."
"Why do you owe him money anyway?"
"We borrowed some from that guy to help with the bills. Now he's furious and wants it back. We almost have enough, we just need a bit more," I nodded. I felt strangely closer to Harry, even though we just met.
"Harry I-" a brunette girl came in through the door but stopped when she spotted me. Harry jumped off the bed and walked towards her. He tried ushering her out of the door, but she wouldn't budge. "Who is she?" Harry gave up on trying to push her out, although I bet if he really tried he'd be able to. "Hi, I'm Gemma," she came over to me and stuck out her hand. I stood up and shook her hand.
"Juno," I replied. Her expression turned from sweet to inquisitive.
"Favorite color?" she curiously peered at me.
"Is this really neccesary?" Harry cut in, but Gemma ignored him.
"Dark blue," I answered.
"Favorite movie?"
"Die Hard." She gave me a 'you've got to be kidding me look'. "It's a good movie," I said and shrugged.
"Favorite band?"
"Coldplay." She studied my face further, before smiling and wrapping her arms around me.
"I think we're going to get along real well," I lightly smiled before my phone buzzed. I read the caller ID and immediatley my face went blank.
"Hello?" I answered in a monotone voice. I don't know what it is about my mother that made me so dull. I ignored Harry and Gemma's stares, looking down at my converse.
"Where are you?" she also answered in a monotone voice.
"A friends."
"Are you coming home tonight?" I guess the only reason she calls is to at least pretend she cares for my sake, but fakeness rings in her voice.
"Yeah."
"See you then." She hung up and I did the same, sliding my phone back in my hoodie pocket. I suddenly wasn't in the mood to socialize. Now that I think of it I really never am anymore.
"I gotta go," I walked past Harry and Gemma, but a firm grip stopped me. I turned to face Harry. "I'll see you tomarrow." I tugged my arm from his grip and went the same way, out the back door. I pulled my hood over my head and quickly made my way back to my house. Once safely inside, I fell asleep.
