Trust [h.s.]

VII

Niall, Liam, Zayn, and Louis let out whooping cheers as Harry retrieved the bottle of vodka from its original spot in the refrigerator, finishing off their beers with sloshing chugs, and setting their emptied bottles down on the granite countertop. I gulped audibly as Harry's eyes, locked with mine, never strayed, and shone down on me with a chilling fixation. The smirk tugging at his pink lips said enough, and as he began to take shot glasses from the cabinets, I attempted to remain calm and composed.

I'd had drinks before, I'd been drunk before, but the idea of allowing myself to slightly impair my senses in the presence of Harry and his friends put me on edge. As nice as they were being to me, I didn't know these people, and I knew that being even somewhat off guard seemed dangerous and naïve. I attempted to display a neutral expression as the catastrophic thoughts in my head crashed and collided with one another, providing my brain with a dull, throbbing ache.

"Who's up for a round then?" Harry asked, arranging the tiny shot glasses in an ordered configuration; a straight line of translucent glasses that shined under the dimly-lit overhead light. Before anyone answered, he began pouring the alcohol into each glass, skillfully managing to avoid splashing a drop of the liquid onto the countertop as he went down the line.

Once he finished, he slid a shot over to each of us, the objects in motion gliding across the granite with an ease to them. As mine paused before me, I locked eyes with Harry again, and he offered me the same look, with such intensity, and such a burning force to them, my cheeks reddened. He was challenging me. If it had been the first day at Harry's, when I was terrified, lost, and easily intimidated, I would have recoiled in fear. But it wasn't, and I knew better than to cower away from Harry and his empty promises of threat. Though an apprehension bubbled beneath my flesh, warning me to stay on my guard, I gripped the cool glass in my hand, narrowed my eyes at Harry, then tossed the liquid down my throat. It immediately burned my tongue, leaving a trail of fire down my throat as it slithered down. I fought back a wince as Harry smirked at me, and I couldn't tell whether he was impressed or inwardly laughed at my inexperience. I couldn't tell why I cared what he thought.

The rest of the boys mimicked my actions, tossing their heads back one by one as the familiar burn of alcohol coated their throats. They high-fived and whooped as they did so, encouraging Harry to pour more once they finished.

"Not yet," Harry said with a sly grin. "We're gonna play a game."

"A game?" Zayn echoed with knit brows, his confused expression mimicking all of ours as we gaped blankly at the boy with the messy curls. "What are we, twelve?"

Harry's eyes narrowed at the raven haired boy, his chilling stare intimidating me, but having no effect on Zayn's similar gaze.

"A game sounds fun." Louis cut in, slicing the tension with his neutral tone and encouraging words. "What'd you have in mind?"

"Never Have I Ever." Harry announced with a proud smirk. "You ever play, Ellie?" As his gaze shifts to mine, the eyes of the other boys follow, and I felt a blush splash upon my cheeks as I become the center of attention.

"Uh, no." I admit uneasily.

"The rules are simple," Harry said. "You just say something you've never done before, and if other members of the group have done it, then they take a shot."

"Okay." I said with faux-confidence. "Fine. Sounds easy enough."

"Okay, okay," Niall smiled giddily. "I'll start." He knit his brows as he stood deep in thought, contemplating his contribution thoroughly before offering it to the group. "Never have I ever...had a threesome."

Zayn and Harry, as if on queue, poured the clear liquid from the bottle into their glasses, and threw their heads back as they took their shots. They grinned at each other simultaneously, the previous tension between them seemingly lost as they reveled in their conquests.