Project: CA, U.S.A. | Harry Styles AU

Chapter 7

„Oh c’mon Alii…“ Leah whined urgently. “Just this one party. I’ll take my own car, so we could leave whenever we want. Don’t be such a party pooper.”

“Am not!” I defended myself. I had to resort on a few white lies if I wanted Leah to leave me in peace. “I’m just..not feeling very well. I’ve got..you know.. bellyache.” I rubbed my lower stomach, just to prove my point a bit more. It’s just that I really wasn’t in the mood for eardrum-ripping music, crowded rooms full of drunken teenagers and vomit.

“Rubbish! An hour ago you were the happiness –and healthiness- in person. You even suggested to go to the beach later!” She stated, putting her arms dramatically on her hips. “Urgh c’mon already, I thought you wanted to explore our living and such? How could you, if you’d never even go to a typical high school house party, huh, killjoy?”

“I am not a killjoy! And I didn’t say that I’d never go to a party, just not today.” Could this microwave take any longer to heat up my damn meal? I mean really – I’ve never used one before, because we haven’t got one at home but weren’t these things supposed to save your time? I just want to go to my beautiful, silent room, curl myself up in my bed and eat my mac and cheese while watching an over romantic and cliché-full chick flick.  “I’ll gladly go with you another time, promise.”

“Pfff…” she just raised her eyebrows and stared at me for a few moments. “Is this about Harry? Because he isn’t even invited today, I’m sure… Even tho I’d love to watch his reaction when he sees you again.” A little smirk made its way onto her face. “You know,… in a hot dress or something…” Groaning slightly, I looked up at her while she chuckled. Unfortunately, yes, I told her about what happened yesterday – I cut out the goosebumps of course, but even without that, Leah teased me about it every free second which was rather annoying. Before I could respond anything, a high pitched BING broke the silence and I took the plate out of the microwave and a spoon out of the drawer.

"It’s not because of Harry.“ A loud chink resonated through the kitchen as I vigorously put my food on the counter and leaned against it.  “Ugh, you know what? Fine. I’ll go. But just if you stop ragging me about him or the party.” I stuffed a noodle in my mouth and narrowed my eyes at her, crossing my arms at the same time. “And I definitely won’t wear something slutty.”

The following expression on Leahs face looked firstly a bit offended but mainly happy.

“YES! I knew you’d give in at the end.” She did a little happy-dance and I just shook my head, laughing lightly.  “And I have just overheard that last remark. Because you’re about to get finished off by the best –and only the best- stylist you can find.”

That’s it, payback time.

I fake gasped and put my left hand on my chest the other hand in front of my mouth.

“What? Somebody called Rachel Zoe over? Oh my god!”

Leahs eyes widened and her mouth stood open, speechless.

“Actually, I was talking about me, you cunt!” We both broke out into laughter. “Now hurry up. Never forget that I’ve got the whole power on your appearance tonight. Don’t fuck with me again or else.”

****************

“Open your eyes, Ali.”

Wow.

Well, I’ve never thought that I was ugly or something but I’ve never seen myself as pretty either. So I couldn’t believe my eyes as the mirror somehow actually showed a pretty decent reflection, if I may say so. In the back, Leah grinned down at me, her own blonde hair perfectly straightened and a navy dress, hugging her body just the way it should. She had braided a few tiny strands of my dark brown hair and put them to the back of my head with bobby pins. The rest of my natural just partly wavy hair was curled, now flowing lightly over my shoulders. The makeup was kept decent, like the other days even though my eyes were a bit darker and more dramatic than usually, but, you know, I could live with that. I hadn’t thought I could already look this grown-up.

“Well, without overestimating myself, I think, I’ve done a pretty good job, huh? You look gorgeous.” said Leah, still waiting for my reaction.  

“Why, thank you Lee! I can’t believe it. You’re the best!” I couldn’t help but join her grin. It’s contagious.

“Ah, wait till you’ve got your dress on. You’ll look so hot…he- I mean the guys’ll be all over you, I promise.”  She suddenly turned her face away and acted busy with recollecting all the make-up stuff and putting them back into her little peach-colored case. I wanted to say something about her strange behavior but I was soon silenced when she held up the dress that she wanted me to wear this night.

“Nope.” I said, popping the ‘p’ and shaking my head. “No way. I’m not gonna end up like Ruby, showing up with something like that.”

It was a typical little black dress, covered in lace and it ended about mid-thigh. What’s the problem you’d say? Well-

“Ohhh don’t be stupid Ali, these cutouts are simple and modest, and it isn’t a big cleavage either! It’ll look hot but classy, not slutty like Ruby. Not at all.”

“Modest? They’re showing off half of my waist and yes you’re right, there’s not much cleavage, but, like, almost my whole back is uncovered instead. Separately- yes okay. But not together. It’s just too much skin that's showing for my liking.” I tried to keep my way up, but I knew that Leah could be very convincing.

“'Whole back,' as if! Nonsense! Just try it on and we’ll see if you stay with your opinion like that or not.” She pushed me already towards the bathroom, leaving me no chance to respond. I sighed. Fine, then, I guess.

***********

“Where is the party, by the way?” We were sitting in Leah's little red civic, making our way over to wherever the party’d take place. As I had to admit, it turned out that I couldn’t say anything at all against the dress since I’d put it on, because my mouth just wouldn’t want to close again for like 5 minutes. I was literally speechless. How could something so simple turn someone like me into something I was indeed able to call ‘pretty’? I was still stunned when I sat in the car but Leah interrupted my thoughts, her voice suddenly a bit unsure.

“Euh..well, I don’t know exactly, eh, a friend gave me the address.” I just nodded and hummed along whatever song was playing on the radio, closing my eyes.

After a few minutes the car made an abrupt stop. My eyes flew open and I turned around to see the source of the extremely loud music, blasting through the whole neighborhood. When I saw the familiar house, I froze and slowly turned around to Leah who was watching my reaction anxiously.

"We can’t be right. This is the Styles’ house. You said Harry wouldn’t be at the party.” I tried to stay calm, maybe it was just a bad joke and Leah would laugh at me and then drive to the actual party. ‘She won’t.’ my subconscious told me when I saw a little apologizing smile creeping onto Leahs face.

“Well, I didn’t lie. I said he wasn’t invited –which he isn’t, because unfortunately he’s the host.” I narrowed my eyes.

“Sorryy.. but you wouldn’t have come with me if I’d told you earlier. Let’s just go in and have a good time, shouldn’t we? It’d be a waste of outfit if we’d go home yet.”

And unfortunately and hesitantly, I had to agree with her. So I just sighed, but nodded, grumbling a little “Fine, let’s get over with it.” before I exited the car. Little did I know what would happen at that evening, because otherwise I’d be turning around and speeding off with the car right away.  

*****

Sorry for the filler chapter! I hadn't had much time recently, but drama's about to come soon, I promise!!

Btw, almost 80 reads! You guys are ace ((:

Love you

Sarah xxxx