Empire // h.s. au

Being Friends

Samantha Anderson

Calling Harry was never in my plan. But neither was getting lost in the middle of New York.

For some reason, I decided I really, really wanted Chinese. So, I went across town to grab it. I couldn't get a cab back, so I began to walk towards my home, not wanting to waste a Subway pass on a 15 minute walk. However, I must have taken a wrong turn, because I was now in the middle of a part of the city I have never been to. 

I had called everyone, Luke, Aria, friends from college, even Louis. But no one picked up. Which left me with the infamous Harry Styles. Louis had given me his number for emergencies. And I considered this a pretty big emergency. 

Calling him was entirely unprofessional and inappropriate. But I would say we didn't exactly have the typical boss and intern relationship. It was strange we both felt this intense hate and annoyance for one another. But I still found myself calling him. No matter how much we didn't get along he was still all I had at this very moment. Which only depressed me further. 

 But he agreed to come, after asking for where I was. I was shocked he agreed, but I don't think he was about to leave a young woman alone in New York without any direction and a dying phone. He wasn't totally heartless. 

Okay, he was. But I highly doubt, especially after the prior events of tonight, that he'd want the guilt of a kidnapped or raped girl on his conscience. And, right now, both of those seemed likely. Because, currently, some creepy men were crowded in front of a bar all staring and whistling at me. 

Harry, hurry up! We're basically the only words I could completely form. I was scared, but they haven't approached me yet, which made me feel a tad better. But the unsettling feeling in my stomach was still highly present. 

For the first time, I wanted to see Harry. I wanted to see his arrogant, over dramatic presence. I mean, he was more comforting then a bunch of perverted, old men. I knew I would pay for the fact that Harry would have to defend my honor twice in one night, but at least he made me feel safe. 

"Sweetie, care for a drink?" one of the men yelled. It looked like he was in his mid-thirties and on Wall Street or was a businessman. Obviously getting hammered after work and hooking up with the first girl desperate enough to be with him, then going home to his oblivious wife in the morning. Of course, claiming he was at the office all night.

Asshole. 

"No," I mumbled, wrapping my jacket tighter around myself. It was getting chillier and chillier. 

"You sure," he said, approaching me. He must have been handsome before the alcohol and excessive eating due to stress. But now, he looked like nothing but a sleaze. 

"Hundred percent," I responded, clutching my purse in my hands. Damn me for not keeping the pepper spray my mother gave me. I thought she had been silly for thinking I would need it. However, it would have been quite useful right about now. 

"What is a pretty girl like you doing out here on a cold night?" another man said, he stumbled over to where I was, clearly intoxicated. 

"Waiting for my...friend," I said, not really sure what Harry and I were. Friends was safe, maybe it would get these assholes to back off. 

"A boyfriend?" the first one slurred, slightly swaying. 

"He's a boy and he's my friend," I said, rolling my eyes and wrapping my arms even tighter around myself. "Now, if you'll excuse me." 

I tried to get around them, but they refused to move. Both giving me a provocative look. 

Where the hell was Harry and his far too fancy Town Car? 

"What's your name, doll face?" the second man asked, his eyebrow going up and his smirk widening. He smelled like booze and cigarettes.  

"That is none of your business," I snapped, feeling my cheeks growing red and my stomach knotting, I continued to try to walk around them, but it was without success. If Harry didn't hurry, I wasn't too sure what would happen. God, one night and I've been waiting for Harry to  help me twice. Must be some sort of record. 

Someone must have been helping me out, because as soon as the words left my mouth, a familiar car pulled up, with a tired looking Harry Styles stepping out. 

"Samantha," he said, grabbing my wrist. "Let's go." 

"Eh, don't take the fun away," one of the guys yelled. "I think I was about to get into her pants!" 

"Yeah right, and I'm the King of England. You're complete and utter trash, mate. I don't foresee you getting any of this anytime soon," Harry scoffed, gesturing to me. With that, he slightly pushed me into the car, following suit. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" 

"Excuse me?" I yelled, shocked at his sudden change of emotion. "I was the one being harassed, jackass." 

"Why the hell do I have to keep saving you? I'm not some Prince Charming and you sure as hell aren't a princess," he snapped, clicking his seat belt on and crossing his arms like an upset parent. 

"I'm sorry that a bunch of creeps decided to hit on me tonight," I said, my voice getting more and more angry. Who the hell was he? I called him because I had no one else. Not because I needed 'saving'.

Even though I absolutely did.

"Like you aren't all high and mighty about it. I'm sure you just adore the attention," his accent got thicker the angrier his voice got. 

"Fuck off," I said, rolling my eyes. 

"Did you just tell me to 'fuck off'?" he said, his face looking slightly amused. 

Damn, this boy's mood swings gave me whip lash. 

"Shut up. I only called you because I had no one else." 

"You mean this "boyfriend" of yours couldn't come?" Harry teased, his lips pulling into a cruel grin. I wanted to punch him in the face. He was making my horrible night even worse. 

"No, because he's been asleep for the past four hours," I said, sitting back and crossing my arms, except instead of looking like a disappointed father like him I looked like a toddler throwing a tantrum. "Because, unlike you, he actually has to work during the day. Not just sit in his office doing nothing." 

"You know nothing about my job or me, so don't act like you do," Harry said, his emotions suddenly turning fiercely angry. Angrier than I've ever seen him. 

"Sorry," I mumbled. "I've just had a bad night and you yelling at me hasn't exactly helped."

He never responded. So, we sat in silence, a thick, uncomfortable air swirling around us. Neither of us wanted to speak first. 

"Where to Mr. Styles?" Harry's driver broke the silence, sounding like he was almost amused at our banter.

"Just take us back to my apartment," Harry said, rubbing his face with his hands. 

"Mr. Styles, I want to go home," I said, sounding, once again, like the employee I actually was.

"Call me Harry, and you'll be staying at my place tonight. I don't want to make an extra trip. Just tell your boyfriend you had to stay at a friend's house." 

So we were friends...

A/N: Kind of boring, but just trying to set stuff up for the rest of the story! Much love! Don't forget to comment and vote (: