Roaring Styles

Chapter 1: Bang Bang

It was December 31, 1926. The cold winter air was crisp, white snowflakes lightly falling from the clouds above. The new year was almost upon us, and I was on my way to the biggest celebration of the past year. My heels clicked upon the concrete sidewalk as I approached the Plaza Hotel located on 768 5th Ave.  Lavish themed parties, mood music, flapper-esque costumes, and diamonds from Tiffany seemed to fill the atmosphere. 

My straight auburn hair was cut into a short bob that rested just above my shoulders. A ruby red lipstick lined my plump lips that seemed to make my hazel eyes pop with a sparkle. Pearls found themselves positioned around my neck against my shapeless, slip dress which was adorned with sequins. 

"I'm here on the behalf of an extended invitation granted to me by the Walker twins," I said to the doorman at the entrance of the Plaza Hotel. His eyes quickly scanned the guest list present in his hand before giving me a thumbs up allowing me to enter. I quickly patted down my hair just in case the weather outside had made it somehow fly up in a tangled mess. Walking towards the glittering halls of the Plaza Hotel, which optimized the decadence of this day and age, I found myself approaching a party of lavishing standards. Words cannot begin to describe the grand party I found myself attending. Flappers dancing everywhere your eyes gazed, liquor illegally found in the cups held by most gentlemen in the room, the smell of cigarettes and cigars consumed the air, music blasted elsewhere—all of it was surreal. What to do! What to see!

Two red heads came into view the second I entered. Andrew and Thomas Walker, the very two who had gotten me an invitation to this elaborate event. I danced my way through the crowds approaching my two gentlemen friends who were dancing it up with two flapper gals. 

"Andrew! Thomas! It's me." I bellowed while waving, hoping to get their attention. Two heads turned to my direction where I found myself staring at two pairs of brown eyes. 

"Sarina! Why Sarina Smith, is that you?" Andrew called out squinting in an attempt to get a better view of me. 

"It is indeed. Aren't you going to come greet me?" I questioned, with a hint of seduction hidden in my voice which was enough to have their attention on me. They hopped down from the table on which they were dancing upon and came my way. 

"How are you, little lady?" Thomas asked, grabbing my hand to plant a soft kiss upon it.

"I'm well. Very well, actually. Ready for the start of a new year, how about you two?" 

"Ready as we'll ever be. We've both been partying, drinking, and simply living our lives. We have missed your presence though, little lady. We're surprised you even came tonight." Thomas responded. 

"Why I haven't been out for a celebration like this since I was 16, I thought it was time I changed that bad habit of mine," I said with a chuckle, "besides whose party even is this?"

"Mr. Harry E.Styles, only the most eligible and wealthy bachelor in New York City. He's a very close friend of ours, and it happens to be his birthday today, so this bash is to honor the past 19 years of his life." Andrew retorted, immediately catching the gaze of the beautiful flapper girl he was dancing with earlier. "I'll be right back." He said dumbfounded as he began to swiftly follow her. 

"Excuse him. Anyways, how have you actually been, little lady? No one just goes into hibernation like that for two years, especially not in the greatest decade this world has ever seen!" Thomas said extending his arm out to show all the splendors this party had to offer. 

"You know I haven't been able to go to extravagant events like this ever since what happened to Rob. But, it's all time I move past that gray area of my life." I expressed quickly glancing behind me, as I fell upon the gaze of a very handsome gentleman only a few feet away. He caught me briefly staring and rose his glass to acknowledge my presence with a quick hello. I turned around, remaining focused on Thomas. 

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I better go get myself another drink," Thomas said pardoning himself. 

"Be careful, you do know how immoral that is!" I called out to him as he shook his head in disapproval.

I found myself enjoying the party. Quite a few gentleman had approached me introducing themselves, none of which provoked any interest in me. After dancing for an hour non-stop, I decided to head to the Ladies' Room to freshen up when I found myself staring at the same handsome gentleman from before. He began to walk in my direction as I made an attempt to divert my attention and thoughts to all else. 

A cold hand tapped my shoulder which had me turn around to face the stranger. Soon enough I was face-to-face with the handsome gentleman. 

"I'm Mr. Styles. But, you can call me Harry, love." The handsome man said extending a hand for me to shake.