Project: CA, U.S.A. | Harry Styles AU

Chapter 20

As we went through the unlocked front door of the massive mansion-like house, we were instantly greeted with the loud bass, the dancing lights and a fair amount of people that were dancing, talking, drinking or whatever. At first I was, once again, overwhelmed by the sudden change of situation but my body soon found its orientation again and it wasn’t as bad as the first time when I was at Harry’s party. Anyway, I stood frozen on the threshold for a few seconds and looked around the room to drink the whole scene in and to grow comfortable with it. But Leah had other plans, grabbed my wrist and dragged me away through the crowd to some sort of bar on the other side of what I assumed was the living room. 

During this little walk, several drunken blokes touched me on places I’d rather them not or slurred something in my ear, which I either couldn’t or didn’t want to understand. I really had to pull myself together to not go off on each one of them and hold a little speech on basic rights and rules of feminism. Instead I just glared at them so that they would piss off by themselves or –if they didn’t even take that hint- I would slap their hands away and continue to follow Leah as soon as possible. That was not really the way I’d liked this party to start. Great.

Leah was harassed in quite the same way but she just pushed them off as well and ignored them. So, as we finally arrived at the bar, we were more than happy to seat ourselves on two free bar stools, away from the drunk, dancing crowd. I looked around and shook my head. Why are so many drunks and peverts at this party? It surely wasn’t that bad back at Harry’s party, was it?

“Gosh! I think we really need a drink now, don’t you?” Leah sighed. I furrowed my brows and shook my head, looking incredulously at her. 

"No thanks. I’d really prefer just water, if I’m honest.” I stated dryly.

Leah laughed and rolled her eyes. “I know. I was kidding, Ali.” She looked at a boy that had already passed out in a corner. “This is pathetic.” She waved at the bartender and he made his way over to us.

Yes, they even had a bartender here. What house party even was this?

Leah ordered us two glasses of water and our eyes followed the guy carefully while he prepared them. After he handed us our cups, he winked at us and we both turned away again, a sour expression on both our faces.

"Ugh.” Leah grumbled and I took a sip out of my cup. Then I looked up at her.

“How did you even find out about this party? Call me boring but that’s not really my scene. Most of the people are older than us anyway. Did you already see somebody we know?”

Leah just shrugged and shook her head. “Uhm..I don’t know..I think one of Liam’s friends is hosting it.”

I felt myself instantly become curious. “So, Liam invited you?” My eyes widened a bit when I saw her blush. “Ohhh!” I felt a giddy rush overcome myself. “Does that mean you two are already talking regularly now?” Leah just smiled shyly and nodded.

"Yes, we kinda got to know each other a bit better on the party, two weeks ago and yeah..well..he may or may not have asked me for my number and now we’re texting sometimes or even talking on the hallway..” She was full on grinning now and I couldn’t help but join her. I put my hand on hers, which was placed on the bar and shook it excitedly.

“Ahh! But that’s great, Leah, really! I’m so happy for you.” I gushed. Then I leaned back and took another sip. “But you know that I still have to check him, right? We’ll see if he really has the potential to be a possible future boyfriend, my dear.” I tried to sound serious but when Leah started to laugh again, I giggled as well.

“Of course, do what you want. As long as you don’t scare him off.” She held her index warningly up but still kept her grin on her face. I giggled again into my glass and shook my head in amusement.