Under the Upper Hand --(A Harry Styles Fanfiction)

Chapter Fifteen: Kindness of my Star

Chapter Fifteen:

Kindness of my Star

After a few minutes of silent driving, Harry and I pulled up to a tall apartment complex. It was one of the biggest ones in the city and not a far commute to Gemma's flat.

After we got out of the car we made our way inside the building and began to trek up the many stairs. With every step Harry took, his mop of messy hair sort of bounced about, never landing back in the same spot. Eventually, we arrived at the correct floor and walked through the hall, guiding me to the door that was his. Harry quickly removed a key from his back pocket and opened the door, eager to get inside and show me around.

...

"Welcome home! What's mine is yours." My apparent new roommate presented in an upbeat tone. I laughed at how proud the boy was of this small place. There was a living room (if you could call it that) with a little couch and miniature television to match. Along with that, there was a crowded kitchenette and a narrow hallway off to the side of it filled with family pictures and peculiar artworks.

Harry began to give me the grand tour... Which consisted of showing me the bathroom and his room. It wasn't much, but I was extremely grateful for it. It was a wonder why he was being so kind to a girl like me, I didn't exactly understand.

"Here is my junk room. There is only my spare crap in here right now, but I was thinking I could get some of my friends to help me fix it up and it could be your room!" Hazz exclaimed and I just smiled the same warm smile I've had since I walked in here. The room was stuffed to the brim with boxes, old clothes, and loose items he never really found a use for. It was heart warming to think that he cared and valued me enough to even consider making me a permanent spot. Harry must've been the sweetest guy around.

...

Little time passed before Harry was forcing me to eat. To be honest, it felt weird eating his food. It felt weird staying in his house. It feels like it's going to take some getting used to actually having a home. For once, it feels like I'm secure, like I actually have the makings of a life.

I sat at the plastic typed makeshift table across from Harry. The table was almost like the kind people would fold up and bring to parties and barbecues. And the chairs you ask? The same deal. We ate instant heat up chicken nuggets and it was honestly the cutest thing ever.

"I'm sorry it's not much." Harry apologized for his meal, slightly frowning.

"It's perfect. Don't worry." I assured him, but he still appeared sad and set off.

"No, Emma, I mean my whole place. It's all pretty pathetic." He flatly explained and began to gaze around at the teeny place with shame.

My eyes widened and I ferociously shook my head. He had to be kidding, apologizing for his flat that he was generously letting me stay in for as long as I needed.

"Harry, this place isn't pathetic, It's lovely. Really, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me stay here with you for a bit. It's got to be the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." I gushed and watched his expression lighten back to normal.

After we finished our exquisite dinner, I took my duffle bag and entered his bathroom to get ready for bed. I decided to shower in the morning and just change into more comfortable clothing. I set the bag down on the toilet seat and took out a pair of pale yellow shorts that lost their tint over the years and an old tank top. After changing, I pulled out my toothbrush and toothpaste. I've learned to keep everything in this bag so I'd be set for whatever situation comes my way.

I stare myself down in the bathroom mirror. Smudged makeup outlines my entire face and it's a wonder that I haven't scared the poor boy half to death. I began to splash water over the smeared marks, eventually removing it all.

I emerge from the bathroom and sit my bag by the door. I begin to make my way to the living room only to see Harry setting up a "bed" on the sofa. He draped blankets over the couch and adorned it with pillows.

"I'll sleep out here, you go make yourself comfy in my bed." He said, full of sincerity. Have him sleep on the couch in his own home? I wasn't going to let that happen.

"Absolutely not! This is your place after all. Go sleep in your bed, Harry." I insisted. The boy faced me, his frame being much larger than mine could make me seen insignificant in any argument.

"You've been working the entire day! Go sleep in the bed and be comfortable." He demanded.

"Look, I've slept in much worse places than a sofa. I think I'll be able to manage." I argued and he became less tense.

"Yeah, erm, okay. But you will sleep in the bed tomorrow night!" It felt strange when he said "tomorrow night". Just to think, I'll get to see him daily...

Harry wished me goodnight and pulled me in for an awkward kind of hug. I wrapped my arms around him and once again sincerely thanked him for all he was doing and reminded him of how unnecessary it was.

...

I laid on the couch, under a few blankets, head resting on a fuzzy pillow. I stared up at the ceiling of Harry's living room. How did any of this happen? Maybe being exposed unknowingly to him was actually a good thing. Of course I was ashamed and embarrassed, but looking past that I've already made a closer friend out of him. I still believed it was terribly unfair to him to ever be his girlfriend or anything on those lines (not that he would ever want to), but for now it was nice to have a loyal friend of him. I rested there, almost shaking in disbelief. I was so incredibly close to my star, but no matter how much it pained me, I had to keep myself from falling harder for Harry... For his own protection.