you flower, you feast (harry styles)

chapter 5

all at once - the fray
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I had begun to go through different study methods, ways to manage time, and juggle classes with other responsibilities, when Winnie interrupted.

"I can't imagine losing my little sister." Her eyes instantly filled with regret. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I just can't stop thinking about it and I wish I could-"

"It's fine. Let's just get back to school stuff." I snapped, instantly regretting it. Evie was a touchy subject, and I hated appearing vulnerable to anyone, even my own family.

"I'm sorry Winnie. I'm an ass. It just.....hurts." I admitted, letting a bit of my guard down.

"I get it. I just have a big mouth." She sighed, and I could tell she was mentally beating herself up. She had that look on her face, similar to the one I get when I'm doing the same thing.

"Don't feel bad." I nudged her, grinning. "And a big mouth? I'm shocked. You're like a little church mouse." I chuckled teasingly.

"You'd be surprised." She smirked, followed by a giggle. Fuck, she's so cute.

"You're not from here, are you?" I inquired. "Sorry, not to be nosy. You've just got a Chicago accent."

"You're good." she laughed in response. "Yes, I come from the Chicago suburbs. That's where my siblings are."

"How many?" I asked, getting more curious.

"Four. For a man who doesn't offer up very much about himself, you sure do ask a lot of questions." She raised an accusatory eyebrow at me.

"Fine." I sighed dramatically. "What do you want to know?"

"Whatever you're willing to tell me." She replied.

"Erm, I'm Harry Edward Styles, twenty-three, from Homes Chapel, Cheshire, England. I lived with my mum, my gran, Aunt Libby and my little cousin Evie. My dad died when I was five, so my gran moved in to help my mum with me and Libby moved in when she got pregnant with Evie...her boyfriend kicked her out because she wouldn't get an abortion. I was twelve when she was born. I'm an only child, and I love books." I shocked myself with how much information I'd just laid out in front of Winnie.

"Wow." Winnie smiled, inquisitively. "I guess it's my turn. Winnifred Rose Evans, eighteen years old, from Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois. I was raised by my dad 'cause my mom was a druggie. He's a public school teacher, actually. Ninth grade English. I have two sisters and two brothers. Ellie is ten, Jane is nineteen, Augie is twenty-one, and Henry is twenty-four. We have a bunny named Muffin, and a bearded dragon named Squishy."

"Are you close?" I found myself asking, before even thinking about it. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that."

"Ellie and I are close. My mom was doing drugs when she was pregnant with her, so she came out addicted to heroin. She has Down Syndrome, too. Mom was 43 when she had Eloise. Having babies after 40 ups the chances of that. Which I'm sure you know, because you're about to be a doctor..." she rambled.

"But that's beside the point. I had the hardest time leaving her. It literally broke my heart, because I know she needs me there. But I had to get out of Chicago if I was going to do anything with my life. I had to get away." Her voice cracked a little, clearly upset.

"But I came here to study," she changed the subject. "Let's go over my biology, if you don't mind."

I obliged, but my mind couldn't help but wonder what this girl had been through. And why did I feel this connection with her already?