Mixed Up // Harry Styles

Eighteen

                                          CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

FROM: AARON

Be there in ten xxxxx :)

     I place my phone back onto the bedside table and resume my space in front of the mirror, patting down my white dress and fixing my hair, not completely satisfied with it.

     Tonight me, Aaron and a couple of his friends are heading into central London to a few clubs for a bit of fun and for me to finally mix with all his friends after nearly two weeks of dating – in total, nearly four weeks of knowing one another.

                                                               *

     “Holly! Aaron you didn’t mention how gorgeous she is! Oh my god! I’m Lauren,” One of the girls sitting at the table races over, her fluorescent pink hair falling from her messy bun, some resemblance of Felicity clear to me through her hair and facial features although neither of them are alike.

     I giggle nervously and respond to the hug she’s quickly pulling me into.

     “It’s nice to meet you Lauren,” I greet once she releases me.

     “It’s lovely to meet you too, come and sit down.”

     I follow her to the table where five other faces stare back at me, Aaron joining the two boys to the left of me who eye me up and down as Aaron talks. The girls to my right all smile up at me and Lauren goes clockwise around the table to introduce everyone.

     “Aaron, who you obviously know,” She winks and nudges her elbow into my side playfully. “That’s Malcolm and Freddie, and these are Hayley, Jade and Brooke.”

     I sit down next to Brooke and Lauren squeezes in next to me, all of the girls already chatting to one another about a plan in the future, making me feel slightly uncomfortable.

     “Are you coming Bournemouth with us, Hol?” Jade asks, leaning round Brooke to look at me.

     “I-“

     “Great!” Lauren claps her hands and smiles brightly at me when I turn to face her.

     “C’mon girls, we have to dance some time tonight, my feet are already in a mind of their own, let me out.” Hayley’s voice bellows over the loud music.

     One by one, each of us get out of our seat and head for the dance floor, every one of them already moving to the music and I shake my head when Hayley encourages me to copy her.

     “I’m just gonna go get a drink,” I tell them and they nod their heads as I head off towards the bar.

     “I’ll just have some Smirnoff Ice please,” I tell the barman and sit down at the barstool.

     Shortly after, an arm snakes around my waist and lips attack at my face and I see Aaron’s smiling face from the corner of my eye. Startled and confused, I push the unknown boy away and jump off of the barstool, turning to face the boy.

     “Freddie?” I say, my mouth hanging open in shock. “But Aaron is- what are you doing?”

     “Oh come on babe, you don’t really think he cares do you?”

     “I just met you, no. And I never would in a million years.”

     “Don’t be such a baby, Holly.” Aaron’s voice whispers into my ear as my back collides with his chest, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist as he lifts me up off of the ground.

     I panic and kick my legs out in all directions as he carries me across the club and towards a back door, fear sinking in.

     “Wait here,” He tells me and stands me up against the back wall as he disappears back into the club.

     I look around my surroundings and notice a fence in the near distance with the dumpsters pushed up against it. Making a break for it, I run towards them and climb on top quickly, throwing my bag over the fence and climbing over, Aaron coming into sight through the back door just as I jump over the side of the fence.

     I pick up my bag and sprint towards the main streets of London, ones that I know quite well. Switching off of the main road, I travel down a back road finally coming to a halt and leaning against the wall of a shop building, breathing heavily and rapidly as I sink to the floor.

     A tear tumbles down my cheek and I pull my knees up to my chest, looking out into the darkness of London, watching as cars zoom past.

     “Holly?” Someone’s voice yells from across the street.