Finding Yourself

chapter 31

"You should wear this one." Harry smiled, picking out the plum dress I wore on our first date. "I love this."

"Do we really have to go?" I huffed.

"C'mon it'll be fun, we can't make Liam stay in the whole time he's visiting." Harry said kissing my cheek. "We won't stay out long if you don't want but please come."

I took the dress from him and rolled my eyes. "Fine but if I throw up in public I'm blaming you!"

He grinned and slapped my bum before heading to the bathroom.

I threw the dress over my head and applied my makeup before quickly straightening my hair. Harry was ready long before me and kept nagging at me to hurry up.

"Finally!" He said snaking both of his hands around my waist when I walked into the living room. "You look beautiful... I would kiss you but you're wearing that lipstick again." He grinned.

He drove us to a shitty bar in town where we met the others and the pumping music sent vibrations through my body, making my stomach churn even more. I haven't been ill for the longest time ever what was even happening?

"Vodka Mel?" Hannah called over the music.

"Ugh no! I'm not drinking, I don't feel good. Get me water please."

Hannah looked at me like I had grown an extra head. "You're not drinking? Who are you and what have you done with my bestfriend?"

"You say that like I'm some kind of alcoholic!" I laughed. "But seriously if I drink I'll think I'll throw up."

Liam and Hannah got their drinks and went off to dance and Niall and Louis went in search for some 'eye candy', leaving me and Harry perched against the bar

"I'm sorry Harry you don't have to stay with me. Go find Niall and Louis, I'm gunna go home."

"I'll come with you." He said grabbing my hand.

"No I don't wanna ruin your night, please stay."

"If you're ill, I wanna look after you, not sit in here watching Niall and Louis trying to pick up some poor girls." He laughed. "It's fine Melanie, I want to be with you."

"Thanks." I smiled.

He pushed his way through the people around the bar to find Louis and Niall to tell them we were leaving and a few minutes later I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I turned around expecting it to be Harry but it was a dark haired man I had never seen before. He looked quite old and stunk of alcohol.

"You lookin' for some fun round ere sexy?" He smirked licking his lips.

I grimaced at the sight of him. "No." I said screwing my face up. "Get away from me you creep."

He moved closer towards me and his grip on my shoulder got tighter. "I like 'em feisty." He grinned.

I searched around for Harry or Niall or anyone I knew but they were no where to be seen.

"Get away from me." I snapped louder.

Just as the man stepped closer to me again, I felt a hand grab my hip and pull me aside. I looked up and relief flooded through my body at the sight of Harry.

He shielded me with his body. "What the fuck are you doing." He spat at the drunken man infront of him. "Get a girl your own age you slimy prick. Couldn't you hear her telling you to leave her alone?!"

"Harry it's okay." I said grabbing his arm. "Please lets go."

At that point, the fucking genius drunken arsehole thought he'd slap my bum as we walked past.

Harry turned around, pulling me behind him again and punched him clean in the nose.

The man immediately fell backwards, landing in a heap on the floor, his nose bleeding and his pint of beer smashing on the ground.

Harry was breathing heavily and I could see him clenching his fist to go in for another punch.

"No Harry!" I rushed tugging his shirt. "C'mon!"

He reluctantly stepped away from the mess on the floor, grabbed my hand and pushed us through everyone until we reached the door.

"That slimy fucking bastard!" He said through gritted teeth as we made our way over to the car.

I stayed silent, not knowing what to say. I'd never seen Harry this angry before and I was glad I wasn't the man on the receiving end of that punch!

"Are you alright?" He said resting his hand on my thigh as we drove off. "He's lucky I wasn't drunk because there would be no way I would of stopped punching that smug bastards face!"

"It's okay Harry, please calm down. I'm fine I just want to go home."

We stayed silent for the rest of the journey and I was happy to be back at Harrys as I flopped onto the sofa.

Harry gave me a glass of water and kissed my forehead.

"Let me see your knuckles." I said grabbing his hand.

All of them were red and the middle one had a cut on it that had been bleeding. I stroked my hand over them and got up.

"Come on."

I went into the kitchen and ran a dish cloth under some warm water.

Harry walked over to me and I lifted up his hand over the sink and wiped over his cut knuckle.

He hissed inwards as the water touched his skin but he relaxed after a few seconds.

"I'm sorry if I scared you tonight." He said quietly. "I didn't mean to get so angry... Well I did but I wish you hadn't of seen it."

"Don't worry about it." I smiled. "Now we've both seen eachother hit someone."

Harry laughed as I dried off his knuckles.

"Thanks though... for being there, for sticking up for me."

"I'll always be there for you Melanie." He said and sincerity filled his eyes.

I kissed his glossy lips and we headed up to bed.

I wiped off all my makeup, dragged my hair up into a bun and put on some pyjamas.

My stomach still ached and I crawled into bed.

Harry climbed in next to me and I huddled closer to his warm body.

"We should of just stayed at home like you said huh?" He smiled.

"I told you I'm always right." I grinned before placing my lips on his.

"Sleep tight baby." He whispered.

"Baby?" I giggled.

"I don't know where that came from."

"I like it" I grinned.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep as Harry stroked my back with his fingers.