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

Chapter 9

Aliyahs POV

If people were thinking that I was crazy- throwing my clutch at the nearby bench, stomping through the hall, pushing Harry angrily away with both of my hands on his shoulders and making my way furiously upstairs and then down the hall, ignoring everyone and pushing everybody aside who was in my way - I didn't care at all.

I knew that Harry was unreliable but this-

I can't believe he wouldn't even think about putting the safety and well-being of his own little brother over his stupid and negligent urge for freaking parties and getting drunk.

When I finally arrived at the desired door, I stopped and took a deep breath to attempt the relaxing feeling of calming down. During that, I observed the door and froze when I looked at the tiny orange wooden letters. And it wanted to make me throw up. These innocent-looking figures, adorned with tiny little white polka dots didn't fit in a situation like this house was in now, at all. Just like the little boy owning them.

It was silly to not wonder about Ed's whereabouts during the evening earlier, but on the other hand: why would Anne allow Harry to watch his brother when he planned on throwing a party? Is it because she doesn't even know about it? Anyways- with me being his babysitter and apparently the only clear thinking person in this house, I at least had to take care of him. So when my breathing became a bit steadier again, I slowly pushed the door open, just for my head to fit in the gap, and glimpsed in the dark room. But due to the lack of any lightening source in the room besides the faint rays of moonshine, making its way through the striped light blue curtains, I couldn't see anything. The door squeaked a bit when I pushed it open. I slid through the free space into the room and shut it again swiftly. The music level upstairs was surprisingly lower than I'd expected it to be, but it was still way too loud for any toddler to sleep to. After my eyes accustomed to the darkness, I roamed the room for any sign of the little boy.

"Eddie? Where are you, love?" I found myself whispering in confusion. 

He couldn't maybe really be sleeping, could he? Did he maybe hide in another room?

I quickly took a few steps in the direction of the little bathroom which was en suite with two doors, so it was connecting Ed's room to his mother's one. But as I took a look into it, I still didn't find anything so I walked back to his bed. He wasn't sleeping, as I was guessing but this fact just added a few points more to my constantly growing worry. Where the hell was he? My vision flew over the bed sheet again and stopped abruptly. His bed was made neatly but what made me wondering was, that Oscar, his little stuffed bear, wasn't seated next to the pillow, like he usually would when Ed is at home.

Just as my mind started to make conclusions,  the door cracked again and I suddenly knew who it was and why I was standing here like a fool, not finding any clues about Ed's whereabouts, without turning around.

"You didn't really believe that I'd throw a party while I should be watching my brother, did you?"  His voice held a hint of offendedness but mostly amusement.

I dropped my tensed shoulders and sighed. Even though I was indescribably angry at Harry for fooling me with his immature tricks, it took a load off my mind. Ed was safe and good with his mother and not at this place. Behind me erupted a growing chuckle which immediately stopped as I turned around with a deep frown on my face. I shot daggers at him and studied his expression, which was unreadable. But suggesting to his little step back, he was a little bit taken aback by my not-so-amused reaction. But I was too exhausted and angry to be satisfied at his action. That's why I just dropped my stare and slowly shook my head.

"Yes Harry, obviously I thought that you'd be capable of doing something like this, proven by the fact, that I'm standing here. But now I just think you're-" I felt my breath going heavier again. "No, whatever. I'm not wasting my time with this." I huffed and started to make my way back to the door. But as I was just a few feet away, Harry stepped in my way, making me stop again.