Part the Seas (Harry Styles Fanfiction)

Chapter 8: Confused

Harry stood up, making sure I was behind him. "Casey?" he said in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"My brother and I are meeting some friends here!  I can't believe you're here!" She flipped her brown locks over one side of her shoulder and flashed a flirty grin.  "What a small world!"

My mind was reeling.  I tried to locate in my memory who this girl was.  Something about her seemed strikingly familiar.  Then it hit me:  I remembered the picture I saw on the cover of a previous People magazine.  Harry's hand entwined with another girl's, a girl with dark brown hair and a slender body.

Just like Casey's.

Harry's voice broke my focus.  "Yeah, I guess so," he responded to her remark.  To my surprise, there was coldness in his voice, no trace of emotion.  His eyes portrayed worry.  Why worry? I thought.

Casey then decided to take a seat next to Harry.  "So how've ya been, Haz?" An unintentional anger burned up inside of me.  Harry wanted me to call him that.

I was suddenly grateful for his icy tone. "Oh, you know, touring, the new album, spending time with the boys...and Amber." He put a defensive arm around me.  "I go with her now."

Casey smirked.  "Well, I kinda assumed you were, since you probably don't hook up with every girl you meet anymore."  She playfully tossed a thin arm at him and emitted a spine-chilling laugh.  "I was joking, Haz!"

His dark gaze pierced her as he stood up.  "Amber, love, I'm going to go get you a refill. Stay here." He gave Casey a warning look as he strode off towards the bar, quietly discussing something with Zayn.

Her manicured nails clattered against the tabletop as she tapped her fingers.  "So you're Harry's girl," she said a jaunting edge in her voice.

"Yeah," I responded tersely. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.  I didn't trust her.  Not a bit.  She didn't really do anything, but...something about her set off a sixth sense in me.  She was Harry's ex-girlfriend.  What the hell was she really doing here?

Casey interrupted my train of thought.  "Well, I'm happy to find the answer to the mystery the whole world's been trying to solve."  She paused to look at me coyly.  "Harry was so fun to be with.  He's just so sexy, and such a good kisser.  And god damn, how hot he was naked! It's the curls, love...they got me every time." A sly smile crept up her face.

My eyes narrowed at her lack of modesty and consideration.  "Then why did you guys break up in the first place?" O asked, annoyed.

She rolled her eyes.  "Well, he got boring. And some sides of him were a bit weird.  Besides, I was perfectly happy to pass him up for someone else.  I guess that's life!"  Finally she stood up, baring an artificial grin.  "Well, I'll see you around, sweetie!"  In utter disgust I watched her leave, up until I saw her grip the back of Harry's head with her hand and press her lips against his.

I couldn't think.  Couldn't speak.  Could barely see through the blurriness that was beginning to cloud my eyes.  I didn't know whether to use a force of anger to pull her away from him or to cover away under a mask of hurt.  Shaking my head in disbelief,  I backed away oward the club exit.  The tears became more numerous as I saw Harry pull away, his eyes fiercely green.  He looked beyond Casey's view behind her and he caught sight of me.  I dashed out of his view, weaving through the crowd.  My body had made up its mind to flee the provocative building before before I could comprehend anything else.  I turned for the dorr, but Zayn barricaded my path, his soft and comforting hand holding mine.  "Amber, love, what's wrong?" he gently asked.  "Where are you going?"

"I don't know," I shakily replied, smearing the tears off my face with the back of my hand.  "I just saw  Casey show up, and she kissed Harry, and I...I really can't think right now."  My frazzleds words came out in short, choppy breaths.  Through the heat of my tears I saw Liam approach us, a bar waittress behind him.  His eyes gave off pure worry as his strong arms were placed on my shoulders.  

"Amber...?  Why are you crying? What on Earth happened?" His pained voice matched his expressions.

The waittress behind him stepped forward, flipping her curly black hair over her shoulder.  Her shiny name tag was pinned to her white blouse, revealing her name:  Maggie.  "I couldn't help but notice everything that happened," she said empathetically, her deep brown eyes displaying compassion above freckled cheeks. "Don't worry, that girl's just something meaningleses.  You're Harry's girl, and I can tell he really, really likes you and cares for you.  Just talk to him!"

My head suddenly began to hurt.  "I know, but I just need to get out of here."  After seeing Casey, I hated the promiscuity of the room. 

Liam nodded.  "Of course, I'l ask Paul to get you and Harry a cab."

Once again I noticed a pair of familiar green eyes. "Amber!"  Harry called out in distress.

"No, I need to go now!"  My adrenaline was kicking in again.  I gave a grateful smile to Maggie. "Thank you.  So much."  I said.

"No problem, hon.  Good luck!" I caught a glimpse then of Zayn's eyes skimming up and down Maggie's body.  Liam noticed and, with a firm stare, simply reminded him: "Perrie."

The exit door smoothly opened and I was hit with a cool blast of wind.  Immediately I descended the stairs and began to run.  Down the sidewalks lining quaint little shops and restaurants.  Around couples who looked at mee curiously, some calling out,  "Are you okay?"  across streets where cars honked furiously.  The hotel loomed closer and clooser with every step I took. 

I then became aware of footsteps behind me.  A breathless command: "Amber, stop!" But I couldn't. I could only run, and keep running, until my foot found itself a crack in the ground, sending me flying.  My hands hit the ground, grazing across it for a moment.  My cheek slid across the gravel and sand-coverede sidewalk, and I gave up any effort of trying to get away from Harry.

"AMBER!" yellede a pain-stricken voice that became closer until it came from above me.  Strong hands gripped my waist as Harry pulled me upward.  My head fell back, but my hands pushed against his chest in refusal to be helped up.  "No, Harry, stop," I said sternly. We were both sitting on the ground now.

Harry ignored my reluctance and brushed the dirt off my cheek.  "Babe, you need to understand that I have absolutely no feelings for Casey."

I looked at him, his eyes pleading for me to believe him.  "I want to believe that, but...I just saw the kiss, and...I just can't think clearly about it." 

His hands cupped emy face, fingers swiftly wiping a stray tear from my eyes.  "I know...she just came out of nowhere.  But if she ahd never kissed me, had she never showed up...would you still be doubting me?"  His voice went deeper into his passionate words.

"Of course not."  I didn't think of that.  Casey made it happen, not Harry.  Shame began to grow in my chest as I looked eup apologetically.  "I'm sorry, Harry."

"No, I'm sorry.  That issue just ruined the night.  I mean, look at us!"  We were a sight, my face and arms smudged with dirt,  Harry sitting next to me,  our movements stirring up dust in the darkness.

I took hold of both sides of his shirt collar and pulled his face closer.  "It's not ruined yet."

His face tugged a beautiful smile.  "You're right.  But just know, you have my love.  Do you trust me?"

I let the question echo in the air for a moment.

"I trust you."