The Shop

Chapter 17

"Ow, ow, ow, fuck Tara." Tara slashes then comb through my hair again, killing more of my brain cells.

"Fuck this, whenever you comb your hair it does not take this fucking long." I complain. This shit hurts.

"Harry, unlike you, I do not have curly hair." She tells me in a parental voice, while dragging the comb through my hair again.

"Ow, ok no. Fuck this." I stand up and back away from Tara and her tortious comb. 

"Well what am I supposed to do with that mess now?" She pauses to think. While picking at dead skin around my finger, I sarcastically say, "Give me one of your bandanas and make me look beautiful." Tara takes the joke too literally.

She walks over to her dresser and starts sifting through some drawers. Tara pulls out a short green neck scarf and ties it into a ring. 

"Hell no." I laugh in her face. But she steps closer.

"No Tara. Fuck. No." She doesn't stop.

"It was your idea, and not a bad one at that." She defends herself. This is a fucking joke.

"I'm not wearing that and you must have completely lost your shit if you think I am."

"The shower is free!" Mary calls from the hall. Tara looks at the door then back at me.

She sighs then says, "Look, while I'm in the shower, at least try it on. And if you absolutely hate it, you don't have to wear it." I don't respond and pick at my fingers.

"But at least give it a chance." She grabs her towel then leaves me in the room.

I look at the scarf that's just sitting on the dresser. No I'm not wearing that. I walk to the bed and go on my laptop. 

Ten minutes later and I'm bored. The scarf looks at me again. Whatever, fuck it. I storm over to the dresser and sloppily throw the thing on my head. It pulls back the hair from my forehead leaving me feeling like I just got a haircut. I glance at the mirror and I don't hate it. 

I mean I do hate it. But I don't. 

Getting annoyed at myself I exit the bedroom down the hall. I'm staring at my feet when I hear the bathroom door open and Tara's wet body slams into mine. 

"Ow Harry, stop looking at your fee..." She stops speaking when she sees my hair. Fuck. I look fucking stupid.

This is embarrassing.

 "I knew it was a shitty idea." I throw my hand up to my head to snatch the thing off but Tara's hands quickly catch mine. Her lips are parted slightly and her eyes are fixated on my face, lips and hair. 

"No don't." She almost whispers.

"It looks good." Her eyes scan my face then she stops on my lips. She pauses before bringing her face to mine. She kisses me all at once then lets out a breath. I'm caught off guard but quickly roll with it and we stumble backwards to the bedroom. Once I feel my feet hit the carpet, my arms feel around for the door then I shut it. 

Damnit, I just got dressed.

"Help me with the zipper." Tara walks over to me as I put my pants back on. I zip up her lace black dress and watch her carefully as she slides into flats. She runs her hands through her hair, glances at the mirror for reassurance then walks out of the room. After dumbly staring at her for five minutes I do the same and join her in the kitchen. 

Mary is dressed up in a blue dress that gets tight around her waist and falls just below her knees. The sleeves go up to her elbow and there are only a few buttons open that reveal her cleavage. Well shit Mary, if you want this guy to like you stop dressing like you're ready for church.

The table has all the food spread out on it and contains empty plates, lit candles and a bunch of fancy silverware that we never use. 

"This looks beautiful Mary, and so do you." Tara compliments while walking over to her.

"Thank you, I just want it all to be perfect. I really like Niall and I want this to go well." I get bored of their conversation and go to pick at some food. 

"Harry stop, that's for later..." She stops talking and looks at my headband.

"What are you wearing." I can see Tara nudge her a little but honestly I don't mind. I mean the cloth made me sexy enough to have Tara want to fuck me before dinner so it must look good.

"It's obviously my fucking headband." I say while picking at more food. Tara is clearly upset with my choice of words to Mary and gives me an scowl. Mary is not surprised and shows no reaction.

"It's...new." Mary gives me a backhanded compliment. Before I can fire back Tara says,

"Harry did you call Jamie yet to invite her to dinner?" She raises her eyebrow and cocks her head to the side. Fuck. I walk through the front door to talk in the hallway. As I'm leaving I can hear Mary ask, "Who is Jamie?"

"Oh, just one of Harry's friends." I can hear the emphasis on the word, friend.

I pull out my phone then ring up Jasmine. On the third ring the call gets picked up. 

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Harry...What's your last name again?" Jasmine asks after a failed attempt to be sarcastic.

"Styles." I laugh at her.

"Hm, Harry Styles. I didn't expect to be hearing from you so soon." 

"Why do you say that?" I ask.

"I just figured your girlfriend would have your balls by now, considering you've been sneaking around with some girl." When she said girlfriend it sounded strange.

"Well you thought wrong, my girlfriend wasn't intimidated because the 'girl' wasn't even that pretty." Laughter fills her end of the phone. I think we both know that's a lie.

"Oh really?" She asks. I'm joining her now and laughing in the empty hallway. A lady's head peeks from out of her apartment door to see what the noise is about. I flip her off. She scoffs then returns about her business. 

"So, what do I owe the pleasure Mr. Styles?" I can practically hear her grin as she calls me Mr. Styles.

"Well, you have actually received an invitation to join me and my girlfriend for dinner tonight."

"Really?" She is in disbelief. 

"Yeah, I think it's my form of punishment." Jasmine laughs again. 

"Well, I would never miss seeing that." I know she is smiling. 

"Anyway, our roommate Mary is having her boyfriend over for dinner so Tara suggested you join us." 

"Well then I guess I'll come since I've been invited by Tara herself."

"Good, because I'm afraid of the punishment I'll get if you don't come." 

"Text me the address." She almost whispers in a raspy voice.

"Ok." I whisper back to mock her.

"See you soon."

"See you soon." I repeat back.

She hangs up.

I walk back into the apartment. 

"So...is she coming?" Tara asks as soon as I walk in through the front door. She doesn't look at me.

"Yeah, she'll be here." I walk over and flop on the couch. The telecom on the wall beeps and Roofas speaks.

"Mr. Styles, there is Niall here to see you."

"He's here!" Mary squeals as she runs out of the door.

I sigh, "Lets get this shit over with."