Paper Boy //h.s. (ON HOLD)

lV

~~Monday~~

Harry's hand ran over the soil, checking for moisture. Finding it was quite dry, he rushed to his kitchen for a glass of water. He filled one up and poured it carefully at the plants roots. He licked his top lip, watching it intently as the water soaked the soil evenly. His Dahlia should bloom soon.

He smiled to himself and stepped back into his closet to get ready for his work day. A white dress shirt, red tie, black suit pants and black socks to go under his black Stanfords. He flew into the bathroom to brush and gel his hair back once taking it from his petite ponytail.

A bagel and glass of milk were prepared for his breakfast before he swooped out of his apartment and down the elevator. There was another boy in it, around 17 or so. He had a hideous amount of acne and wore a blue tank top with a fedora. 'Disgusting', Harry thought. He was relieved to get off at the lobby and catch a taxi to work. Today, was no different than any other. He had the cab drop him off a block away from the 'Times' work building so he could catch some fresh air.

He pushed inside the building, a warm breeze meeting him along with his coworkers and other employees. He swung his satchel over his shoulder and entered another elevator to get up to the third floor, where all his work was done.

"Good Morning Harry," Denise, a short, red-headed woman in her mid 30's voiced to him with a wink as he entered the elevator. 'How revolting. Why don't you find a man your own age.' He rolled his eyes, choosing not to respond. They stopped at the second floor and Harry's breath was taken once the door opened.

In walked Dinah Ray. She had on a light pink and white floral skirt with a white t-shirt tucked into it. Her hair had some of it pinned back, making her silver earrings apparent.

"Mr. Styles, Hello." She smiled at him warmly and stepped inside, right next to him.

"Morning Ms. Ray." He replied frankly. "What are you doing here?" His eyes flickered from the floor the the elevator door.

"Mr. Banks hired me as his secretary. I'll be answering phone calls and the whole nine yards," She adjusted her purse, hanging from her shoulder just as Harry's did. "I got off on the wrong floor and didn't realize until I couldn't find my desk. Oh glorious first day of work." She chuckled quietly to herself. Harry looked back over at her attire and nearly forgot how to talk when their eyes met.

"Do you, always dress like that for work?" He asked her, staring. It was a terrible habit of his. He knew he did it and avoided looking at other people for that reason.

"Do you always dress so... professional?" She examined his clothes for herself. "No um... I still have to go work shopping, this was the best I could do for now-"

"Flowers?" He interrupted. She giggled and shrugged.

"They won't be making another appearance. Someday we'll get sick of colorblock and want designs back on our clothes," She smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"I like solids." Harry said directly. She found him as quite a stiff and knew he wasn't the most people-friendly person she knew, but she knew how to make lemonade so she can make fun of stiff coworkers.

"Well someday we might all change our minds about that." The elevator made a ding, indicating their ride was over. They both stepped out and halted at once, glancing at each other.

"I see we'll be working on the same floor." Harry informed, pinching his lip. She laughed.

"I guess we will." She continued to laugh quietly and walked in the direction of his desk. He walked with a fast pace, wondering where she was headed and wanted to holler and collapse the the floor when she sat at the desk that was no further than 6 feet away from his. The closest desk to his in the whole building. And it was hers. She noticed Harry's name on the desk by hers and giggled again. "And we'll be working as neighbors it seems as well." He just let out a puff and sat at his desk, trying to ignore her.

After only 20 minutes of work and Harry got not one slip of paper done. Dinah was his distraction. Harry hated distractions. He shot up from his chair and walked into Mr. Banks office. He was greeted with a smile from Mr. Banks and was invited to sit down.

"What's on your mind Styles?" He asked, leaning back in his chair and adjusting his glasses.

"Sir, I am unable to focus because of your new secretary, Ms. Ray." Harry took deep breaths and fiddled with the tip of his tie. The skin in between Mr. Banks eyebrows grew wrinkled as a confused expression appeared on his face. After thinking a moment, Mr. Banks chuckled loudly, making the muscles in Harry's jaw tighten quite apparently.

"Oh boy!" Mr. Banks continued laughing, making Harry grow angry. "You like her don't you?" Mr. Banks regained composure and sighed. "That's why she's 'distracting' you." Harry glanced around the room, letting out a breath. 'Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable'. Harry dared not tell the truth. He's known for having inhuman emotions and he wouldn't dare give up that name. He like to be feared and respected.

"No sir, quite the opposite." He said calmly. Mr. Banks mouth formed an 'o' shape and he nodded understandingly.

"Well Harry I can't do anything about her position. I can however suggest that you try to make friends so things might be more bearable." Harry's eyes were stuck on Mr. Banks as he nodded, raising his eyebrows. "Oh cheer up, just say hi and then ask her-" Harry shot up from his seat and rushed out the door. That was the last thing he needed to hear. Harry brushed past Dinah's desk, and slumped into his own.

"You okay?" Dinah asked, hanging up the phone and turning her attention to Harry as he rolled a pencil around on his desk, having a fit. Harry let out a quiet, throated growl.

"Yeah, just thinking." He lied again. He glanced over at her and examined her once again. 'I can't let anyone know how I feel. I know it, I'll pretend I despise her, so that way Mr. Banks won't be suspicious and maybe I might get rid of this foreign feeling of lust'. Harry licked his lip and smiled. 'That's perfect'.

"Well if you need anything let me know." Dinah smiled at him and began to dial another number. He shoved the thought of her aside and focused on his work, he would hate for his work to decline over a damned girl.

His day went by slowly and he didn't bother a lunchbreak. He wanted to catch up on time. Harry's mind was restless, and it was only Dinah's first day.