Drag Me Down (h.s.) EDITING

May (2013)

I tapped my foot as I waited for my coffee order to come up. I snatched my cup before the barista could say my name and sprinted out of the shop. I was already running late for work and I hadn't even had this job for a month. Granted, I was only a block away. I pushed my hair back as I walked as fast as I could without looking awkward. I crossed the street, without bumping anyone, just as my phone began to ring. I looked down and suppressed a laugh. Of course he would call me at the most terrible time.

"Niall, really? I'm on my way to work."

"What? I can't sleep I figured you'd be sleeping in. Yer as lazy as me." I heard him laugh on the other end. I wish I could stay on and talk to him but I really couldn't be late. I was lucky to have this job as is.

"I'm so offended! No, just kidding, I was a lazy ass before this job. I'll call you later if you aren't busy." I said as I stood outside my new office building. I watched as people were entering looking all professional. I was stoked I looked like one of them.

"Yeah, alright Lani. You'll probably forget to call me, AGAIN." he sounded genuinely offended I forgot to call him. I do that often but it's just because our schedules conflict so much. I tried to keep in touch with him and the others as much as time would allow. I heard him stifle a yawn and I smiled. Couldn't sleep my ass. I had a feeling he just wanted to talk to me. It was odd not being around all day everyday. I still caught myself turning to tell him something just to remind myself he wasn't there at all.

"I won't forget to call you this time I promise, okay?" I said walking in to my building trying to dodge last minute stragglers such as myself.

"You better not forget. Don't make me co-" Niall was cut off as I heard some scuffling in the background.

"Hello? Niall? I really have to go or I'll be late."

"Lani! Love, I missed all your calls. Not on purpose, I swear." I laughed as Louis spoke in to the phone. He sounded strained. I heard Niall cursing him in the background.

"Thanks and I know y'all are extremely busy but I gotta go now. I'm seriously going to be so late." I pushed the elevator button a couple times. It was taking forever.

"Okay babe, love you. Niall says he loves you too." I heard a grunt, a curse, and the line went dead. I started laughing as I shoved my phone in my purse. They were a mess.

I stepped on to the elevator and pressed the number for my floor just as a hand shot out to hold the door. I looked over to see Aiden stepping on and out of breath. It looks like I wasn't the only straggler this morning. He gave me a smile and bent at the waist to catch his breath.

"Looks like I'm not the only late one this morning after all." I said as I nudged him in the ribs with my elbow. He took a deep breath and let it out on a laugh.

"I completely overslept. Dina is going to kill me." he said as he looked at his watch. Dina, his boss, always liked for him to be as early as possible. She was a total stickler for time management. I thanked the heavens above that I didn't have her over me. I heard enough horror stories from Aiden and my surrounding co workers to know I  was lucky to have gotten Dr. Morgan. She was intimidating when she wanted to be but extremely nice for the most part. I didn't catch her anger like the interns because I was only an assistant. I was pretty low on the totem pole.

"I feel for you there. I wouldn't want to ever be caught on her bad side." I said with a shudder. He laughed at my reaction.

Aiden and I had actually hit it off at the club so much so that I did leave with him. We had a great night with no sex involved, surprisingly. There was a heavy make out session but he didn't want us sleeping together and regretting it later. He wanted to get to know me better. I said yes and I was honestly extremely happy with the outcome. He helped me get this assistant job too. He was quickly becoming my favorite person to be around. We talked frequently and hanging out was easy. I hadn't been this relaxed with a guy since I left the boys. Aiden put no pressure or expectation on our friendship and I think that was the best part.

"Well, this is me. See you later at Roxie's." Aiden said as he shot a wink my way and climbed off the elevator. I smiled to myself. Roxie's had become a place where Cat and I liked to frequent. It was a super laid back bar in between her job and mine. If we were lucky Lux and Aiden would usually join us to unwind after work. My life was slowly but surely getting back to normal.

"Oh, thank the heaven above you're here Delani. My files are a wreck and this computer is going haywire!" Dr. Morgan rushed up to me the second I stepped into her office. I couldn't conceal the smile threatening to break my face. I had worked for this woman less than a month and I was astounded at how normal she treated me. The other Psychologists, Social worker's, and councilors weren't nearly as nice as Dr. Morgan.

"You just prepare for your eight o'clock and I will take a look at the files. They're all linked to my computer. I'll make sure everything gets organized. Also, here are the notes you asked for yesterday." I said as I handed her the documents in my hand. She loved Psychology Today Magazine and asked for new articles and notes about each issue. I had actually taken a personal interest in the magazine myself.

She thanked me and I quickly exited her office to go do damage control with her files. She was one of the top Psychologists in the city yet she was one of the most unorganized. I think that made her less intimidating. Tisha Morgan was an extremely put together woman with a PhD but would lose her head if it wasn't attached. That is the main reason she had quickly become my favorite in this building overflowing with influential individuals.

I was more than thankful to Aiden for putting his neck on the line to get me here. I had been a Psych major for two years and still hadn't figured out what I wanted to do. At first I thought I wanted to teach. The more time I spent here the more I realized that isn't the path I wanted to follow. II wanted to be like Dr. Morgan. I wanted to talk to others one on one. I even had thoughts of being a consultant. I hadn't been motivate before. Now, I certainly was. I found my passion.

I looked up from my thoughts to see Dr. Morgan's first patient arriving. I buzzed her to let her know and waited for her response.

"I am good to go. Thank you again Delani, so much." the intercom clicked off and I motioned for the young woman, Kate, to go on in. She was a regular who came twice a week eight o'clock on the dot. She began walking towards Dr. Morgan's office door but halted in front of my desk. I looked up and she was studying me intently before her eyes grew as wide as saucer plates. I really hoped I didn't have anything on my face or stuck in my teeth. I self consciously touched my face.

"Oh my gosh. You're her! You're Harry Styles' girlfriend!" she exclaimed excitedly. I could feel the color drain from my face. She was staring at the ring on my thumb. The ring Harry had given me for safe keeping. The ring I literally never took off.

"Oh, no. I'm not his girlfriend. We are totally platonic I swear." I laugh nervously. I wanted to hide my hand so bad but she was totally and completely zeroed in. She knew it was his.

"But you're wearing his ring. He has never given anyone his ring. Not even Taylor." she took her eyes off the ring and stared back up at me. I could see how badly she wanted to take a picture. I saw how her hand idly played with her phone. I couldn't let that happen. This was the reason I left the tour. this exact reason.

"He didn't exactly give it to me. I kind of took it. You know how everyone pranks one another? Yeah, I wanted to make him think he lost it. I'm just waiting for him to notice. That's all." I rambled on in hopes of making light of this information. I really didn't need the world on my back. She looked convinced enough.

"Well, I hope you win." Kate gave me a sly smile and winked. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding as she turned and went in to Dr. Morgan's office. I guess nothing could stay normal for long.