Sunshine (Harry Styles)

three

The minute I step through the doors, I already want to leave. Numerous people fill the room, some I have and haven't seen before. Servants dressed in black rush around, carrying trays of wine and small cakes for the guests to enjoy.

The men and women in the room talked and chattered, laughing occasionally. This is pathetic. This party isn't for me, but for them. I wish I could have a regular birthday party.

The moment everyone sees me, they all raise their sparkling wine glasses, as they have done numerous times for numerous young ladies. The servants, of both genders, line the back wall.

They each wear a matching uniform. The women wear a black blouse and skirt, just as all maids do. The men are wearing black trousers, with an ironed white shirt tucked neatly into them. The sleeves are puffy in the arms, but are buttoned and snug at the wrists. Their hair is slicked back with some sort of hair grease, making them look clean cut. All but one.

This man's hair is sprawled in all directions, curly and chocolate brown. He looks at my family and I, a sad, desperate, lost look on his face. Much like I imagine my own expression looking like.

I find myself interested in the manservant. He's very handsome, I think to myself. He comes near me quite often as the night goes on, offering everyone refreshments, and I notice he has captivating green eyes. Also, he has a thick British accent, and his voice is very deep and charming. I want to know more about this boy.

The night continues, and my mother suddenly taps on my hand lightly. I turn to face her. Her blue eyes are wide, her eyebrows raised as she points to something behind me. I turn and look, and internally groan.

Over marches the one and only Liam Payne. His parents are extremely wealthy, and quite rude, in my opinion. My parents are wanting me to be with him, as his parents are wanting him to be with me. He has money, and he can take care of me and my future children well, they tell me.

He stops in front of me, smirking. I look up into his brown eyes, slightly afraid. Something about Liam has always seemed slightly off to me. There's something hidden in his eyes, and I'm curious as to know what it is. I'm also afraid.

"Sonny Lauderdale," he says, his voice has a slight British accent, although not as charming or thick as the curly headed boy's. "It's a pleasure," he says, smiling, and then bowing to me, never losing eye contact. A shudder runs down my spine, and I think he notices. "Care to dance?" he asks me, offering me his hand.

I internally grimace, groan, vomit, and die all at once as I reach up and grab his hand. The skin is cold and rough, not comforting at all. I gulp as he leads me into an open area of the banquet hall, where musicians play violins, cellos, and piano.

He places one hand on the small of my back, and keeps the other interlocked with mine. I place my other hand onto his shoulder, glancing nervously up at him as we begin to step to the tempo of the music.

He wears this smirk, like he knows something that I do not. It makes me nervous. I don't like it at all. I try to look anywhere but his eyes, and it's hard, knowing that they are on me at all times.

"So, you are sixteen," he attempts a conversation. "Yes," I answer quietly, looking over to where my family sits, paying no attention to me. "Today is your birthday, I assume?" he continues. Why wouldn't he keep quiet? I clearly did not want to talk to him. "Yes," I repeat, scanning the room for Miss Macey. I'm very distracted.

I find her chatting with another maid, who is short and pudgy. I long to be over with them, having a nice conversation about how nicely the area looks, instead of being with Liam. I try to push the thought that my parents would more than likely force me to marry him out of my mind.

"You seem a little..distracted," Liam says, smirking at me. He removes his hand from my lower back, and leads me over to a nearby table, where no one else is sitting.

"Would you care for a glass of wine, Sonny?" he asks me, tilting his head. I'm about to protest, but he ignores me and shouts, "Styles!"

I'm a bit confused, but then the curly haired manservant quickly strides over to us, glancing at me before turning to Liam.

"Sir?" He strained a smile to Liam, clasping his large hands. "Go fetch us some wine, if you will," Liam smirks, looking up to the curly headed boy. The servant nods quickly and turns to walk away.

"Who is he?" I ask Liam, my curiosity getting the best of me. Liam smirks in reply, and then,

"Styles! Get back here. I advise that you properly introduce yourself to Miss Lauderdale. How rude of you."

'Styles' turns back around slowly, not even fifteen feet away. He has a slightly annoyed look on his face, but it quickly disappears.

"Yes," he says, looking at Liam, his eyebrows raised. "How rude of me."

With that, he turns to me, his piercing jade eyes meeting mine. His heart shaped lips pull into a beautiful smile, revealing a row of dazzling white teeth. He truly was charming.

He walked closer to me, before slightly bowing. "It's a pleasure, madam," he says, cocking his head slightly. I can't help but smile at his personality. He seems like he'd be very humorous.

"Miss Lauderdale, I'm sorry that I failed to properly introduce myself," he smiled. "Forgive me, yes?" Humor is gleaming behind his eyes, and I try not to laugh. I can't help but feel like the two of us are sharing a private joke between us, unknown to Liam.

"My name is Harry Styles, and I am Mr. Payne's... house servant," he smiles, bouncing on his feet. Liam rolls his eyes. I can sense a sort of tension between the two that I can't quite put my finger on.

"It's nice to meet you, Harry," I say, relieved that I now know his name. I reach up to shake his hand, something very unladylike.

Harry beams at my gesture, taking my hand in his. "Same to you, Sonny."

His hand is strong, warm, and soft. His firm grip during our handshake comforts me in a way, somehow assuring me that everything was okay in the world, despite this horrible party, and horrible Liam, although I'm not sure why Liam is horrible. I just do not like him.

"Styles, how disrespectful. Address her by her last name, if you will," Liam says, smirking. I begin to think he simply likes to embarrass Harry, and it makes me dislike him even more.

I look up at Harry, my eyebrows furrowed. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and opens them once more. "Miss Lauderdale," he says, forcing a smile. "It's nice to meet you too, Miss Lauderdale." I force a smile in return, feeling bad for Harry, the way Liam treats him.

Harry continues to stand there, looking back and forth between the two of us, something playing behind his eyes. I can't tell what it is. "I'll go get your wine," he says quietly, before turning and walking away.

•

•

•

The night was semi-decent, when Liam wasn't with me. I chatted with Harry a few times, learning he was from an old village in Cheshire, England. He had begun working for the Paynes a year ago, desperate for money after his move to the United States, and just hadn't quit yet. He seemed so interesting, and was just so charming. I wanted to know much more about him.

On the other hand, some things went terribly wrong. My parents are forcing me to go to dinner at the Payne residence tomorrow evening. I'm dreading it, but maybe Harry will be there, and I'll get to talk to him.

I go to sleep that night dreaming of finally breaking away from this terrible lifestyle of sitting up straight, and always looking my best. I dream of letting my hair flow free, naturally, without it being pinned in place and curled perfectly. I dream of driving a car, something women could not do. I dream of living with someone who is not a snobby, wealthy, jerk.

I dream of Harry.