The Boy In The Beanie (Fetus Harry Styles)

Brighter Than Ever

I open my eyes to see my mom holding my hand to her lips. I look around the cold, white room and down at the white, crinkled sheets that lay over my lap. I'm in the hospital.

"How are you, baby?" asks my mom.

"I don't know."

"She's awake!" my mom calls to the doctor.

"Ahh how are yah feelin', sugar?" he asks, walking in and closing the door behind him.

"Fine, I think."

"Your father's outside, I'll go get him." she says, getting up off her knees.

Mom shuts the door behind her.

"So, quite a bit of running you did there."

"Yah."

"That boy, is he a friend o' yours?"

"Which boy?"

"The one in the room next door."

"I think so."

"He's beat up a bit, maybe a scar or two will be left but he's fine, right now we're letting him rest." he says.

"When can I go home?"

"Whenever you're ready, your parents filled out the paper work while you were asleep."

"What about Harry?" I ask.

"He's going to have to stay later, the nurses have to check his wounds again and put a permanent cast on his arm."

"Oh how long will it take?" I ask.

"It'll be a while, you should go home and get something to eat, unless you plan on eating our cafeteria food but to be honest you'll end up right back in this hospital room if you eat the meatloaf."

"Yah I think I'll go home."

"Good choice."

"Hey sweetie, how are you?" my dad asks, entering the room.

"Fine."

"Good, you ready to go home?"

"Actually I missed something, it says here that Miss Edith has to go see the therapist for a quick moment, to have a talk with her." Says my doctor, pointing to his clipboard.

"Mrs. Hartford is the last door on the left. Once she releases you you're free to go."

"Thanks." I say.

"You're welcome, have a nice day, and a word of advice?"

"Yah?"

"Stay out of the woods." he says with a wink.

"So tell me what exactly happened in the woods yesterday? Why were you there?" asks Mrs. Hartford.

"I was painting like every other day I had gone in the woods to paint."

"Why the woods?"

"Because if you go far enough, there's a pond, I like to paint there, it's quiet and there's a lot to see."

"And what about the boys? Did you know them?"

"No ma'am."

"Why were they chasing you?"

"I'm not sure I think it was partially because I saw them smoking and drinking."

"Partially?" she asks.

I can feel tears building up in my eyes at the thought of those boys chasing me, just the memory of that night is horrific.

"It's ok, if you want to wait a little to answer feel free to, whatever you talk about here doesn't go passed these walls."

Her room is completely white, it looks brand new.

"I don't know what else they would've done."

"Ok. What about the boy? What kind of relationship do you share with him?" she asks.

"He's an old friend."

"So he's not your boyfriend?"

"No. Why?"

"I talked to him earlier and by the way he talked about you I assumed you two were dating or something."

"What'd he say?" I ask.

"I can't tell you, remember anything that you say doesn't go passed my lips unless you've hurt someone, yourself, or are going to."

"Oh, right sorry."

"It's ok."

"So did they hurt you in anyway?" she asks.

"They didn't have a chance to, Harry came in before they could do anything to me."

"Did they threaten you?"

"No ma'am."

"Good, we're about done here. Unless, there's anything else you'd like to talk about?"

"No, I'm good."

"Ok, your parents have my number if you ever want to give me a call."

"Thank you." I say, opening the door.

"No problem. Oh, and one more thing!"

"Yes?"

"You said you're a painter?"

"I dabble."

"Would you by any chance be interested in painting my room? I'll pay you."

"Sure, I'd love too! What kind of color were you thinking?"

"I didn't really have a certain color in mind, I think I'd like more of a creative looking wall, you can paint whatever you want I trust that it'll be beautiful."

"Cool, when should I come by?"

"You can come by after school, that should keep you out of the woods for a while." We both laugh.

When I get home I'm forced to explain to my dad what exactly happened in the woods. I can't help but cry while discussing the traumatizing experience. As I figured, I'm no longer allowed to go in the woods, (not that I'd want to anyway.)

Aria calls me and asks me about the matter.

"How did you find out?" I ask.

"How could I not? It's in the newspaper, on the local news, and not to mention the fact that everyone's talking about it."

"Great, just what I needed, constant reminders." I say sarcastically.

"Yah you're being called two things." She says.

"And what are those?"

"The poor girl who got chased through the woods at night."

"And?"

She continues, "the idiot who went through the woods at night."

"Lovely."

"But Harry's getting some good recognition. They're calling him a hero, I agree."

"Oh my god Harry! I've gotta' go, Aria. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye."

"Bye."

I look down the road to see if Harry's home yet and I see his mom and Gemma's car.

I walk over and ring their doorbell, Gemma answers as usual.

"Hi, Eden. Haven't seen you since you passed out in my arms. how've you been?"

"Sorry about that by the way, and I'm fine."

"No problem, Harry's upstairs resting, he's awake though. He's just laying in his bed. Please, come in."

I walk in and greet Ms. Styles before heading upstairs.

I knock on his door.

"Come in!" he calls.

I walk in and see him reading 'Lord of the Rings' he's awkwardly trying to hold it with his fingertips because his cast is getting in the way, he doesn't bother to look up from his book.

"What is it, Gemma?" He asks.

"Actually, Harry it's me, E-"

"Eden?" he asks, finally looking up from his book.

"Yah it's me."

"I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"It's kind of a déjà vu moment for me."

"How so?" he asks.

"I mean, will I ever get to walk into this bedroom and not see you injured?"

"Maybe you should come in more often. Sit."

I sit down at the edge of his bed. Harry has changed, grown. His hair holds at least twice as many curls, they're not long but they're all over his head not to mention his height.

He closes his book and sets it on his nightstand. "Could you help me out?"

"Sure, with what?"

"My shirt." he struggles to remove his shirt.

"I can turn on the fan."

"No, it's fine."

"At least get out from under those covers." I say, pulling up the covers that lay over his waist and down.

"No!" he protests, slamming his cast over his covers.

"Why not?"

"I'm in my briefs."

"Oh."

I help him remove his shirt and I can't help but stare in awe. Harry has devolved a six pack. I just stare, and stare, and stare, until I feel him smirking at me.

"My belly button is really attractive isn't it?"

"What? No."

"Go on, touch them. I know you want to."

"No I do not!"

He grabs my hand and rubs it down the bumpy and smooth surface.

I lay beside him talking about what happened at the pond and tracing his abs with the tip of my finger.

"Harry, I don't think I could ever repay you."

He takes my hand in both of his. "I think you can."

"Umm how?" I'm scared as to what he might say.

"Be with me again."

"We should just start all over." I say.

"No. I like the time we've shared I wouldn't trade those memories for anything, they're priceless, like you."

"I think starting where we left off would be payment enough." he says with a wink.

I lean in, our lips almost touching.

"Harry!" Gemma calls.

"Damn." he curses.

"Language, Harry."

"Sorry, love."

He hurries downstairs, holding the blanket around his waist.

He may have grown but he hasn't changed inside. He's still Harry, he still cares about me, and he's still my little star shining brighter than ever.

Shining for me.