Annabeth // h.s.

O n e

"I'm telling you this dress is too much for a simple dinner party." I complain as Aunt Darcy and I enter the beautiful Victorian style restaurant, the familiar sound of a piano immediately filling my ears.

"Just be polite and deal with it. It's only for a few hours." She talks through her smile as an older gentlemen approaches us.

"Ah, Darcy Lynn." The man cheers before grabbing her hand and bringing it to his lips.

Gross.

"Mr. Jones." Aunt Darcy coos back. She then turns towards me as I breath in deeply, "this is my niece Annabeth. Please look after her in my absence if needed."

"Hello young lady." Mr Jones grabs my hand and brings it to his lips just like he did with Aunt Darcy.

"Mr. Jones." I give a small bow with a smile.

You can do this Annabeth.

An hour into the dinner and I'm begging for the time to go faster. I've barely talked besides a few things about private school or the piano. I've sat patiently eating small bites of my meal while Mr. Jones continuously flirts with Aunt Darcy.

"Excuse me." I say getting up from my seat and placing my napkin on the long wooden table. They don't even notice me so I turn on my heels and walk away, towards the sounds of the piano.

Walking through the restaurant full of happy families and couples makes my stomach turn with uneasiness, until I reach a long hallway with an open room at the end. Slowly making my way down the hallway, the only sounds are the piano and my heels against the wood.

Holding onto the edging of the open door I peak inside. There is a man playing the piano with long beautiful curly hair. My heart leaps in joy at the sight of his all too beautiful face. He almost doesn't seem real.

Slowly walking in towards him feels like I'm heating up and the sound of my heels are no longer there. When I finally reach him it's like my whole aches to touch him. And so without even realizing what I'm doing my hand reaches up towards his face as he looks down on the piano.

When my finger tips touch his cheeks, my body rushes with a heat like fire against his smooth skin. He doesn't stop playing the piano until the song is done and when he does, he turns towards me and grabs my hand that is against his cheek.

"Hello love." His British accent seeming to engrave itself to my mind immediately. Finally getting a good look at him I notice his bright green eyes, plump pink lips, tan skin, and sharp jawline; very different from me.

"Did you enjoy me playing?" He asks, but I'm unable to answer with my voice so I nod. He's giving me the strangest feeling. He chuckles and releasing my hand he starts to play again.

"What is your name?" He asks me, glancing up at me.

"An-Annabeth Johnson." I stutter out. He stops playing mid song and turns towards me. He reaches up and grabs my small cheek with his large hand. My whole body is heating up and my head is beginning to spin.

"Miss Annabeth, do you have a boyfriend?" I shake my head and he smiles. "Good. Why are you here than, at the restaurant?"

"My Aunt Darcy is having dinner with Mr. Jones, but it seemed more like a flirting contest than a meal." I sigh, pulling my hand away from his cheek hoping the heat will cool down.

"And why are you kept away in this room Mr..." I don't know his name, but it feels like it's on the tip of my tongue.

"Styles, Harry Styles."

"–Mr. Styles."

"Because Mr. Jones does not think ones dinner entertainment should be shown while eating, only heard." He answers me, letting go of my cheek which cools the heat I feel a bit.

"Do you think so too?" I question, wanting to talk more.

"I do not think, simply play the piano while I'm here."

"And if you were to chat with me instead of playing the piano?" I interject, not willing to let him go so easily.

"Mr. Jones will surely have my head." He chuckles lightly.

"Than he shall have mine as well." I smile.

"It'll only be a feel more moments until he comes to take our heads Miss Annabeth, do you still wish to lose your head with me?" He questions. I should say no, I should turn back around and go back to dinner and forget I meet this man. That's what my mind is telling me, but my heart says much different already.

"Yes. So long as you tell me where I can find you in the afterlife?" I ask, clearly wanting to see him again. He seems amused by my question, and just as he opens hi mouth to speak a loud bang interrupts him.

Turning around quickly, I immediately feel the rage coming from Mr. Jones and Aunt Darcy.

"Annabeth! What on earth are you doing with this man?" She gasps loudly as Harry stands and places his large hand on the small of my back.

"Miss Annabeth, I regretfully think that they are here for our heads already."

"I do say so Mr. Styles." I reply to him as Aunt Darcy rushes to me, almost tripping on her long red dress. Tightly she grabs my wrist and pulls me away forcefully, almost causing me to trip over my white long dress.

"Harry, it's time we had a talk." Mr. Jones says as he stands next to Harry, a few inches shorter than the beautiful man.

"And in the afterlife Mr. Styles?" I shout as I'm dragged into the hallway. I struggle to break free so I can hear his reply, but I don't.