fire | harry styles

f o u r t e e n

>> you're gonna carry that weight a long time <<

[HARRY]

It's been three hours since I had arrived to work and tried filling out the paper working but kept failing miserably when I kept getting distracted. The memory of Angel standing next to the bed when I woke up this morning was still fresh and replaying in my mind.

She looked so small with the blanket hanging over her shoulders and scared but also worried. Worried?

I couldn't remember anything about making it home last night. All I was able to recall was having some whiskey here and then waking up this morning. Waking up in Angel's room, in her bed, was so strange and confusing at first. The duvet that covered her bed smelled sweet... like her.

I closed my eyes and dropped the pen onto my desk in frustration. I shook my head trying to rid any golden thoughts about Angel while running my hands through my already messy hair. I can't think about her this way. I kidnapped her. I locked her up. I took her away from her home. She despises me.

I grabbed the nearest object, without looking, and threw it across the room for it to hit the wall and shatter on the floor. Almost like on cue Louis opened the door and stepped, staring at the shards on the floor.

"Someone's in a mood." he chuckled mockingly. He continued into the room until he made his way to a chair on the opposite side of my desk.

I watched him intently while clenching my hands into a fist trying to keep my cool.

"Did you finish filling out the paper work?"

I shook my head instead of verbally answering.

"Well... you have 15 minutes before they're due. Which designer did you pick?"

I looked back down at the paperwork to find that it was only halfway filled out.

"Harris Reed. His designs were my favorite." I replied.

From the corner of my eye I noticed Louis nod his head in approval to my choice. I pressed my lips into a firm line and examined Louis' face.

"What's up with you?"

He looked down at the folder he was holding in his hands before the carefully placing it on my desk and sliding them over.

I looked at the folder and back him confused. "What's that?"

He hesitated before answering making me narrow my eyes at him even more.

"They're... I did some research on Angel. After you told me you didn't know anything about her, I couldn't help it."

I sat up and took the folder in between my hands, carefully opening it.

"There wasn't much I could find about her, only news stories."

I gave him a questioning look. News stories? Why would she be on the news?

The second I looked down at the papers inside the folder my questions were answered. There were printed out news articles about a house burning down. I read the titles and felt a frown form on my face as I went on to read every single word.

"House burns down in a peaceful town in upstate New York."
"Only survivor is a seven year old girl by the name of Angel Solis. Both her parents parishes in the fire."
"...No known relatives."

I pick up the paper to reveal another underneath it.

"Seven year old girl gets raped by employee at The Graham Home for Children."
"Employee disappears without a trace..."
"Angel Solis"

I had no idea what to feel, I didn't feel anything reading those articles.

[ANGEL]

"Lunch, dear!" I heard Johanna yell from the kitchen.

She let me watch tv in the living room instead of letting me her because according to her it was her job and no one else's.

I turned off the tv and stood up from the comfy couch, heading into the kitchen. I smiled at Johanna as she placed a glass of iced tea next to the plate of food. She had made me a chicken wrap with a side of pasta salad and I was smiling like a fool at the sight.

"Are you sure I can't help out?" I asked before placing the last bite of the pasta salad in my mouth.

"Yes, dear. Why do you keep asking?" She smiled.

"Well, I feel guilty with you doing all the work and me not doing anything. Plus... it's boring! There's nothing for me to do." I playfully threw my hands in the air for emphasis.

She giggled. "Well what do you usually like doing? Like hobbies?"

"Hmm..." I thought about it for a second realizing that I didn't really have much hobbies. I used to always work and then come home late and it was just a cycle.

"...I've always liked reading books a lot." I finally answer.

I saw her face light up like she had an idea and I stood there giving her a confused look.

"Wha-"

Before I could finish asking she grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the kitchen and started heading for the hallway where I remember is also where Harry's office is.

We stopped in front of a door a few feet away from Harry's office, which I was also forbidden to go into. Not that I want to... stop lying.

"Now make sure that Harry doesn't find out I ever let you in here." She winked before opening the door.

She held it open for me to walk in and when I did so my jaw dropped. I was now exposed to the most beautiful library I had ever seen in my entire life. It was ginormous with books in shelves decorating every inch of the walls. There were huge windows letting in a good amount of light and giving a peaceful vibe. In the center of it all was a round table with three chairs and a tall lamp.

I stepped further in still trying to grasp how incredible it all is.

"Harry doesn't use it often but still doesn't like when people intrude. But you can help yourself to any book anytime you want as long as Harry doesn't know."

I felt my heart warm up at Johanna's kindness towards me. Before I could even think about my actions I rushed to her and surprised her with a hug. I placed my head on her shoulder and she was so thrown back she hesitated before hugging back, tightly.

"Thank you so much." I whispered.

I felt her nod her head against me before we both pulled away.

"Anytime, dear."

A/N :

okay but this moment with johanna and angel is super cute :')

the first half of this chapter is important while the second half is just filler until i fully come up with what i want to happen next between angel and harry.

hope y'all had a wonderful day <3

- n.a.