Chapter 1
Snow tumbled from the sky as my friends and I ran excitedly out of the arena. I looked over at my two best friends lovingly because I knew that at some point this moment would end. Our arms were wrapped over each other’s shoulders and there was nothing that could keep us from giggling.
“Did you see the way Zayn looked at me?” Taisie screamed, unable to control her excitement.
“No, I was too busy looking at Niall.” My other friend Lana said, smiling. “They are just so gorgeous. Why can’t there be guys like them in our town? It’s like you have to become a celebrity to be paired with a ten.”
I laughed because what Lana said was completely true. I had never had a serious boyfriend because not only were the guys in my neighborhood total jerks but they were greasy and smelled like cheese.
“If I had one night with a guy like Harry my life would be complete.” I said, grinning. “Maybe one day I’ll be famous and marry him. Then we’ll have three kids and live in a house on the sunset.”
Both Taisie and Lana broke out in ear splitting laughter.
“Only in your dreams.” They both said in unison.
I rolled my eyes and threw my hood over my head because the night was getting even colder.
“Who’s picking you up?” I asked, rubbing my hands together.
“My mom, I think. Are you sure you don’t need a ride, Paris?” Taisie said, looking concerned.
I shrugged.
“Yeah, I’m sure. My dad should be here any minute.”
The girls and I huddled up in a small circle to keep each other warm while we waited for our rides. We had just begun talking about the school dance when Taisie’s mom arrived. They both hopped into the backseat and asked once more if I wanted a ride, but I declined. The two of them blew me several air kisses through the window before they disappeared onto the highway. It was after they left that I suddenly remembered how much I hated being alone. I checked my watch which read that it was one in the morning. My teeth began to chatter ferociously as I reached deep in my pocket for my phone. When I tried to dial the number a glowing red sign appeared and I realized that I had drained my battery filming the concert. I cursed under my breath before taking a seat on one of the benches. After an hour the crowd of more than a thousand teenage girls had dwindled down to about fifty or so and the parking lot began to look more like a ghost town. Without even realizing it I had started pacing the outside of the arena in an attempt to warm myself. By this time my skin had paled and my body was shaking uncontrollably. I walked over to the side of the road and sat down before burying my face in my hands. Shortly after sitting down I heard the sound of a car pulling up in front of me. I opened my eyes and to my dismay it was a beat down truck that was far from the luxury of my dad’s well-kept Camaro. The truck stayed parked in front of me for about ten minutes before the driver stepped out of the vehicle and approached me. The minute I laid eyes on him I knew something was off. The man was old looking and had a beard that came down to his chest, but his voice was like that of a child.
“Are you alright, girl?” He asked.
I flinched at how unnatural his voice was in comparison to his body. His face screamed pedophile but his voice gave the impression of something else.
“I’m fine,” I managed to speak out, “Is there a problem?”
“No, I was just wondering why a pretty girl like you would be sitting out here alone this late at night.”
I almost reached in my bag for my pepper spray when the man took a seat next to me on the side of the road. His breath smelled like raw onions and garlic.
“Look sir, I’m flattered. But my dad is on his way to pick me up so you can go now.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” He smiled slyly.
“I’m sure. Now could you please-“
Before I could finish my sentence the man’s bony fingers were circled around my mouth, causing me to lose hold of the little air I had in my lungs. I swung my arms in an attempt to release myself, but the man was already hauling me to the truck. As I looked around to take my last glimpse of the outside world I noticed a boy sprinting in my direction. My vision was blurred due to my lack of oxygen but from what I saw he looked somewhat familiar. Brown hair partially covered his bright eyes and he had on nothing but a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt.
“Harry.” I mumbled through the man’s fingers before darkness swallowed up everything.
