Letting Go (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 9: Tension

Really really sorry about the wait guys. School has been awful. Hopefully, I'll be able to update every two weeks at most.  Enjoy this chapter :)

Natalie Clemons 

"Absolutely. Not to worry Ma'am, Logan will be in good hands here." I reassured the middle aged woman for the fifth time. Her long fingers clutched the back of her son's t-shirt, causing the collar to press into his throat uncomfortably. I had yet to see the boy's face; he had been staring at the ground the entire time, his wavy red locks hiding his eyes. Logan's over anxious mother had checked him in twenty minutes ago, yet somehow she was still here. I glanced over her outfit: charcoal dress pants and a matching blazer with a purple blouse and kitten heels. Surely she had somewhere else to be.  

Her stark blue eyes caught mine again, before looking around at the rambunctious dining hall, her lips tilting even further into a frown. "I'm sure he will be." She murmured sarcastically as a pack of returning campers raced past us. 

"Max! Keagan! No running during check-in!" I cringed as Courtney chased after them. 

We know what we're doing lady.

I swear. 

 Another awkward moment of silence passes by and my brain is scrambling for a way out of this. I plaster a fake smile on my face and subtly search for help. I need Uncle Ben or James or someone a lot smoother with words to assure this woman that we aren't going to turn her son into a chimpanzee or something. 

Obviously not. Besides, he has red hair, he would be an orangutan. Duh. 

Mrs. Uptight cleared her throat, garnering my attention once again. "I would like to meet his counselor. He's in the fifth grade. Do you know who that is?" Her tone grew more passive aggressive by the second as she adjusted the poof of blonde hair on top of her head. 

My phony grin grew wider. "Yes, of course."

Stepping to the side, I searched the crowd for a familiar head of brown curls. "Let me just see if I can..." I stopped short as I finally found him.

We're screwed. 

 Harry was sitting at his table, a group of boys from his cabin gathered around him in curiosity. Their faces were a mixture of shock and admiration as they pushed each other around to get a closer look. He was wearing a skull patterned bandana to tame his long, unruly curls and a pair of dark skinny jeans, still not accepting the Georgia summer weather. But, what drew both mine and the boys' attention was the fact that the agglomeration of tattoos on his upper chest and arms, were now on full display in his sleeveless black tank top. 

Bright green eyes turned to meet mine and his lips lifted into his signature smirk as he caught me staring at him. Yeah, introduce a tattooed, cocky drop out to a rich, overbearing mother. Sounds like a great idea.

Maybe I could grab Connor and pretend he was going to be his counselor. Logan wouldn't tell on us right? I peered down at the boy once again to no avail. His gaze was still focused firmly on his shiny red sneakers below him. Nope, not going to get any help from this kid. 

When I looked back at Harry, his emerald gaze was still on mine. He seemed amused at my expression and I wanted to smack the entertainment clear off his face. It wasn't enough that he threw an alcoholic party last night, now he had to show off to the parents in his full tattooed glory? It was almost like he was asking for Chickasaw to get shut down. 

Was that was he was trying to do? Get himself kicked out so he can go back home to his rich parents in England? If that's what he wants, he better find another way to do it. This camp isn't going to close because some guy wants to go home and doesn't care what it costs. Not happening.