Trouble ¤HS¤

Chapter One

I let out a relieved sigh as I plopped down into a booth away in the corner of The Standard and removed the death traps Carmen had managed to coax onto my feet. I was hot, sweaty, tired, and too drunk to still be here. I pulled myself into the booth, letting my legs rest on the remainder of the bench while my head lolled back into the wall. I let out a groan before grabbing at my long, dark brown hair and messily braiding it off to the side. It was too hot for this shit. I crossed one ankle over the other to keep my last parts covered

I closed my eyes and let out another sigh, content to just sit until closing time. I wasn't exactly sure how long I sat like that, but before I knew it someone cleared their throat from the bench across the table from me.

"I already told you that I'm all danced out, Carmen." I said, not even bothering to see who it was because I was that sure it was my best friend.

"Not quite sure who Carmen is but if she stops by, I'll be sure to pass the message along." The stranger answered, amusement dripping in his every slow, well-enunciated word.

His voice was deep and raspy with a rich British accent. I was almost scared to look, afraid he might not have been as cute as his voice suggested. I shrugged my shoulders, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"It would be much appreciated." I replied, on the cusp of falling asleep.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked after a silent beat.

I lifted my head and cracked open my eyes to get a good look at the guy before me. He was attractive, but still boyish. He had a sharp, angular jawline with slightly rounded cheeks. His hair was dark, the curls pushed back off his forehead. He has startlingly bright green eyes and full, plump pink lips. I guess he noticed my ogling because his lips curved upwards in a smug smirk, a set of dimples carving into his cheeks. He folded his hands under his chin, his elbows resting on the table. His left arm, wrist, and hand were decorated with countless random tattoos

"Sorry, but my mom always taught me to never accept drinks from a stranger." I answered playfully , letting my head thud back onto wall I was propped up against. I knew good and well who he was. His face was only plastered on every magazine in every store. His bandmate was also good friends with my brother.

"But I'm Harry Styles." He replied indignantly, his eyes wide and glinting with mischief.

"That doesn't mean you aren't gonna roofie me. How am I supposed to know you aren't just lurking about for some poor, innocent girl to lure into your bed tonight?" I shot back, a smile making its way onto my face.

"Take a good look, love. I don't think there's a girl alive I'd have to drug to get into bed with me."

He was right about that. He was very attractive. Anyone with a set of eyes could see that. But, it wasn't something I'd openly admit to him. No need to encourage his smug attitude. I'd seen guys like him before. Everything about them screamed for you, but they were trouble.

"Now, about that drink...." He trailed off, eyes narrowing in ont me expectantly.

"Hey, Bri! Come on, Darren's ready to go!" Carmen called from somewhere not too far off.

I turned to face my new companion, giving him a sweet smile as I slid out of the booth. I snatched my heels up behind me and tugged the hem of my royal blue bandage dress down my thighs.

"Sorry, but I do believe that's my ride calling." I told him as he followed suit.

I hadn't realized how tall he was until he stood up. Harry was tall, a full head taller than myself which easily put him in the six foot plus category. He was thin, yet muscular. All long and awkward limbs with a never ending torso. He was clad in a simple white V-neck that was stretched out at the top, exposing a hint of a tattoo on his right collarbone. It was very thin and I could make out the outlines of several more tattoos scattered along his chest and torso. His lower half was dressed in a pair of tight, black skinny jeans (really, how did he manage to get into those?) with a pair of white converse adorning his feet. I watched his gaze wander around before landing on my best friend, Carmen, and my brother, Darren.

"Shit! You aren't Darren's bird by any chance, are you?" He questioned frantically, his large hand raking through his thick hair as he met my gaze.

I couldn't help the unladylike snort that ripped out of the back of my throat because of his words. He looked at me, slightly perplexed.

"What the hell is a [i]"bird"[/i]?" I asked him, craning my neck to look at him.

"A girl." Came his answer, as he furrowed his brows down at me.

"Piece of friendly advice here: this is America. The only birds we have around here are the kinds with beaks and wings." I replied, patting his upper arm.

"Well, are you his girl?" He asked as Darren and Carmen approached us.

"No. Darren's my brother." I supplied, my laughter bubbling up from the back of my throat.

I began to make my way towards the pair, leaving Harry by the table we had previously been seated at.

"Wait!" Harry called, as he began to walk towards me.

I turned to face him, my eyebrows raised imploringly at the lanky figure in front of me.

"Can I have your number?" He asked, stopping in front of me.

"Bri!" Carmen bellowed, my head snapping to her general direction.

I heaved a sigh, stepping forward as he fished his phone out of his back pocket, quickly unlocking it and placing it in my hand. I sent a quick text to myself from his phone before handing it back to him, eyes meeting his for another brief moment.

"I've got to go. It was nice meeting you, Harry." I supplied with a smile, before turning to leave once again, giving him a small wave.

"So, was that who I thought it was?" Carmen asked conspiratorially as I caught up with her, slipping my arm into the crook of her thin arm.

I fought my grin as I shrugged my shoulders, glancing over at his towering frame one last time and muttered out a "maybe," as we slipped out to hail a cab.