Remembering How To Love {A Harry Styles Fanfic} [ON HOLD]

Chapter Four

HARRY'S POV:

An almost ear-splitting whistle rang out and I awake with a start. Sitting bolt upright, I clamp a hand over my racing heart and try to steady my breathing. Once my vision adjusts to the blinding sunlight pouring through the window, I see Louis grinning at me as he tosses a silver object up and down in his hand.

"Morning mate," he says innocently.

"What the hell Louis!" I shout, glaring at my best friend.

"Sorry," he apologizes, although the expression on his face easily gives away the satisfaction of disrupting my peaceful sleep. "But you were supposed to get up twenty minutes ago. We have an autograph signing in an hour."

Oh yeah. I'd totally forgotten about that. I sigh and scratch my head. "Alright. Just give me a few minutes to get ready," I say as I climb out of the bed. The blankets crumple to the floor in a heap but I just ignore them. As I'm searching for something to wear, I notice that Louis is still standing in the same spot. I turn around and see him watching me.

"So... what are we suppose to do about her?" He asks. It takes a few seconds for me to fully comprehend what he's talking about. But when I do, I literally slap my forehead.

"I don't know," I say truthfully.

"Well, we can't just take her with us," Louis points out. "The press would have a fit."

"I know." I sigh and glance at my alarm clock. It's eleven twent-four and the signing is suppose to be at twelve-thirty. "I need to get ready. We'll deal with the rest when the guys get here."

Twenty minutes later and I am dressed in a white polo and my favorite pair of jeans. I spray a bit of cologne - I'm going to be surrounded by a lot of girls today, might as well smell as good as I look - and head into the living room. The other four members of the band are lounging around, as always.

"Took you long enough," Louis says as he strides over to me. He holds out his hand and I notice that he's holding a pink tank top, shorts, and flowery underwear.

"Um... you're not expecting me to wear that, are you?" I ask jokingly.

Louis rolls his eyes. "Of course I'm going to make you wear a girl's outfit," he says sarcastically. "These are for Maddie. Eleanor left them here a while back."

I nod and take the clothes as he continues, "Oh, and Danielle agreed to come by and keep Maddie company."

"Does she know about her?" I ask, referring to Maddie's memory loss.

"Sort of. Liam told Daniella that Maddie is Niall's cousin and that she lost her memory when she got into a car crash."

"Why Niall's cousin?" I arch an eyebrow.

"Well we all agree that she looks more like him than you, Harry."

"They both have blond hair and blue eyes," Zayn adds.

I want to point out the fact that Niall's natural hair color is actually brown, but that's when Maddie walks in. She glances at everyone of us in turn.

"You're all dressed up. Are you going somewhere?" She asks, walking further into the room.

"Yes," Liam answers her. "We have a signing today. My girlfriend is going to come by, if that's alright. We didn't want you to be here by yourself all day."

"That's fine," she says.

I take the opportunity to give her the clothes and explain the situation. She doesn't seem to mind any of it.

"Okay... but who is Niall?" she asks, her light eyebrow knitting together as she peers around the group. Niall holds up his hand. "Oh."

"We should get going," Zayn states as he looks down at his watch. "It takes nearly a half hour to get there."

As everyone gets up and heads out the door, I reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet. "Here," I say as I hold out some money for her to take. She just stares at it.

"I can't take your money," Maddie says, taking a step back.

I sigh. "Just take it. It's no big deal."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes, take it!" I grab her hand and shove the bills into her hand. "Danielle loves to shop, so chances are she'll drag you to the mall once she realizes you don't have anything to wear."

Maddie sighs and reluctantly accepts the money. "Thanks..."

I scratch my head and smile. "No need to thank me."

"Really, Harry. Thanks. For everything." She sets the clothes and money down on the couch and moves toward me. At first I'm completely still when she wraps her arms around my neck in a hug, but I soon relax and embrace her. She feels so small and fragile in my arms. Her body is warm against mine, and for a brief moment I don't want to let go. As she pulls back and stares up at my face, I can't help but wonder why anyone would abandon her like a puppy. Her brilliant blue eyes are clouded with mixed emotions; the most pronounced ones being loneliness and fear.

Right then, I make a pact to keep this mysterious girl safe. No matter what.