bare // harry styles

chapter 2

two

"Fuck." I shook my hand, as if trying to shake off the burning sensation caused by the kettle.

Sierra chuckled. "You're really quite good at this whole tea thing, aren't you?" I shrugged, and blew a strand of lose hair out of my eyes.

"Do it the American way." Sierra grabbed a white mug, and stuck in the microwave. "Two minutes enough?" I rolled my eyes, and she started the microwave.

Addison was brushing her hair and watching the news at the same time. Her purple Jack Wills sweatshirt had a vintage look to it, though it was only because she wore it every other day. "Are we going to church?"

Sierra made a face. "No?" I snickered at her tone. Addison sighed. "Thank Christ, if I go, the girls from Constance might see me."

"Constance?" Sierra asked, taking the steaming mug out of the microwave. "Constance Day. It's her rich private school that she got a fully paid scholarship to." I ran my tongue over my teeth. I didn't want my little sister involved with those snobby rich kids.

Addison cleared her throat. "I don't want 'em there, because they might see me with you and Charlotte and Juliette and Sierra- and you guys are great- but your reputation isn't."

"Aw, a little fun never hurts anyone." Sierra poked Addison, who smiled halfheartedly. The silver spoon Sierra was holding poured sugar into the tea.

She shoved it at me. "Go take it to Charlotte, tell her I spit in it." I frowned, but laughed as I headed into the bedroom.

Charlotte had a towel wrapped around her. Her honey blonde hair was wet, and sticking to her skin. She had her cracked black iPhone phone in one hand, and the other was propped against the doorframe.

"Here you go." I handed her the tea, and she smiled gratefully, wrapping her hands around the china mug.

"Thank you." Charlotte sipped the tea. "Are we still going to Ali's party tonight?"

I made a face. Laura Sarver is the it girl, who's twenty two. In high school, she was on the girl's football team and had shiny blonde hair, with high honor status. Now she has dark brown hair, eyebrow piercings, and a nose piercing, and probably more. She always invites us to her parties for some reason. "Do we have to?"

"It'll be fun. A night off, a party at Laura's." Charlotte set her tea down. "We can relax and make friends, maybe flirt a bit."

I made the face again. "Okay. Only because I might see some old friends."

Charlotte grinned. "Amazing."

❧

Teenagers sat in the yard, and music blasted from the inside. It was ten thirty at night, so it only just started. I was wearing a floral skirt and a snug navy t-shirt that Addison had styled.

"We should go inside." Charlotte jutted her chin toward the entrance. I nodded slowly. Her brown boots squished against the mud surrounding the pavement walkway. She pushed open the large door.

Laura sat on the kitchen island, sipping her white wine elegantly. Boys surrounded her, staring at her intently. Her white dress was short, and her bright red lipstick made it look old Hollywood glam.

"Guys!" She handed her drink to a boy, and walked toward us. Laura's wiry arms snaked around both of us, kissing our cheeks.

"Looking lovely, both of you. I love the skirt, Nicole." Her smile was the only thing that hadn't changed. Everyone had admired her smile when she was in school.

I scrunched my nose up. "Uh, thanks." The perfume she was wearing was making my eyes water.

Laura informed us that some girls from our class were outside by the bonfire. "Adieu, ladies." She sipped her wine slowly, and sauntered off.

Outside, the bonfire sent heavy grey smoke into the purplish evening sky. I recognized a few girls that I knew were in drama with Charlotte, and some cheerleaders.

"God, Nicole Elliot? Is that you?" A blonde stumbled forward, her hair gleaming in the light. I nodded half-heartedly, glancing at something across the lawn.

"I'll be right back, okay?" I whispered to Charlotte, and she nodded. I walked away slowly, curling my hands into little fists.