Hot (Harry Styles Fanfiction)

6

I’m not sure what compelled me to bring Harry here so soon in our…acquaintance-ship? But against my better judgment I did. I did not believe that I should be so closed off to something new. I knew I needed to be careful but I didn’t want to shut him out because he did seem interested in me.

I was still a little shocked that he was so charming with my parents. They were intimidating and scary to so many people. I adored that he was able to hold his own and stay confident, even if I found it coming off just a little cocky.

I decided to take him to an animal rescue shelter that I loved spend a lot of my time at. I enjoyed visiting all the animals that had not found a place to go yet.l they had just been saved. Being able to play with them and help them in small ways to slowly heal and hopefully find a better home brought me joy. While I didn’t plan on having a career involving animals, I was glad to give at least some of my time to the scared creatures.

It wasn’t too far from my house and Yogurtland so we walked the distance, our arms by our sides now.

I was silently slurping at my melting yogurt, trying to finish it as quickly as I could. Harry had his hands in his pocket and his reddening lips were caught between his teeth as he stared quietly at the ground.

“Where are we going?” he finally asked, looking at me, eyebrows slightly raised.

“I just wanted to show you this animal rescue shelter I visit sometimes,” I replied.

I suddenly felt extremely foolish for being so excited before. It was really silly to take him there and quite so randomly too. My face started heating up and the yogurt was sorely unappealing now.

“Unless you don’t want to. It’s really a silly idea. I just thought it would be nice to go see the animals. And I don’t know. I thought it was a good way to open up or something…” I started backtracking and then rambling. This really was highly unattractive but I couldn’t seem to keep my mouth from spewing my nerves.

I stopped walking as I continued to rant.

“Aria,” Harry chuckled. “I’d definitely enjoy going to the shelter. I’m glad you want to take me there.” He smiled warmly. But I was still freaking out.

“Sure, but it makes no sense that I should take you there. It was so random and…” I kept going, looking anywhere but at his eyes.

Harry suddenly grabbed my shoulders, stopping me mid-rant. I snapped my gaze into his.

“I mean it. It’s fine. It’s wonderful really. Don’t overthink it,” he said. I did have the tendency to do that. I sighed and pursed my lips. Harry could tell that I didn’t totally believe him that it was all right.

***

“Hey Patty,” I called out to the lovely lady working the animal rescue as we walked inside.

“Aria! Back here,” she responded from the back where the dog kennels were. Patty was a lovely lady who took care of this center with her partner Alicia. They had been together for nearly seventeen years. They were very sweet and always gave me a place to go when I fought with my parents.

I led Harry to the back where Patty was putting food into the bowls for each of the dogs.

“I’ve just about finished sweetie,” she said. She put the last of the food in the last bowl and straightened up.

“Well who is this?” she asked, eyes narrowing on Harry. Her warm demeanor was replaced with a very protective one. Harry seemed to slightly shrink before he held out his hand.

“Hello ma’am. I’m Harry,” he said. She glared at his hand before crossing her own. Harry’s lip jutted out in confusion and worry; he looked at me wondering what to do. I didn’t have a clue. I’d never brought anyone over to meet Patty or Alicia before so this was just as new to me.