1986 [harry styles au]

XXV. SNOW BALL

CHAPTER XXV. SNOW BALL
It was the night of girls taking hours to do their hair and makeup, of boys preparing their suits and shiny shoes, and everybody holding anticipation for a good time; it was Friday December 12th, otherwise known as night of the Snow Ball. I had went out to the mall and purchased an appropriate dress after school the week before. It was an off-the-shoulder midi-dress in white that flattered my curves and only seemed fitting for a Snow Ball.

My parents were now back from their trip and my mother even offered to straighten my hair, which I accepted, needing a change from my thick curls. Whilst we were halfway through, I could hear a knock at the door followed by my father calling my name. I hoped that it could have been Harry but once I got down the stairs to the living room, I noticed it was Lana. I gulped and braced myself for our conversation as I stepped to the door. My father had left to his bedroom, leaving the living room deserted and I invited her inside away from the cold.

'I'm sorry, Adriana. I'm sorry for the way I've acted around you.' She says, unexpectedly. Her eyes shining with sympathy and her manicured blood-red nails running through her dark auburn hair.

'It's okay, Lana. I'm sorry for being inconsiderate. I didn't mean to upset you.' I reply, and a small grin falls over her lips.

'It's okay.' We both pull each other into a hug.

'Are you heading to the Snow Ball?' I question and she nods, pulling away.

'Kian asked me to go with him.' She says and my heart sinks, but I refrain from telling her to be careful. Harry and I will be there, we'll put a stop to any funny business. I can't forget what happened the last time Harry and I kept our eye on somebody, he ended up dying. Knowing my own innocence, this just caused me to grow ever more suspicious of Harry.

Lana left eventually, leaving me to hurry back to my mother and finish up my hair. I did my own makeup, slightly heavier than usual, but Lana's expertise had thankfully grown on me. I joined my parents downstairs, once I was ready, to see a tear already forming in my fathers eye. My mother had swiftly left for the kitchen, returning with the usual Polaroid camera in her hands. This time I allowed it; life was too short after all.

'My baby is all grown up!' My dad coos as my mother snaps her first photograph. I'm stood near the front door as I await Harry's arrival; suddenly feeling like a model posing candid for a photo shoot.

Soon enough, we hear Harry's car pull up outside and before I can even step out to him, my mother runs to the door and beckons him to join us. I sigh, feeling embarrassed, as Harry, wearing a humorous smirk, joins us inside the living room. He looked unbelievably handsome, but then again, when didn't he? I scan his body, taking in his sharp-black tux and the way it looked on his body; it was a big difference to his typical colourful suits. There was no arguing that he suited the outfit, I found myself growing even more embarrassed that he had to be seen with me whilst looking so great. His hair was also styled differently than usual, his locks pushed back with gel and appearing a lot more formal. He reminded me of Pretty in Pink's Blane during the final prom scene.

He steps inside, closing the door behind and keeping the bitter cold air outside. 'You - you look beautiful.' He stutters, his cheeks flushing, before peering to the floor. I found it hard to believe that he felt flustered over me, him being Harry of all people, but I couldn't deny the confidence boost it gave me. 'I brought you something.' In his hand is a box and once it's revealed to me, I notice that it's a corsage with a few snow-white flowers embroidered into it.

'It's lovely, you shouldn't have.' I say as he takes it out of the box and wraps it around my wrist; a perfect fit. I'm beaming with happiness. He opens his mouth to speak but is distracted by my mother's camera flashing once again.