Mending

Chapter Four

Harry

She raised her eyebrows as she took in the building towering above me.
"This is nice." She said. "Why are we here?"

I tugged on her hand as I pulled her inside. She followed me into the elevator, more confused than ever.

"You look like you're about to pass out." She observed, her eyes holding worry.

I stilled the fingers tapping against my leg in nervousness and shook my head. "Nope. I'm perfectly fine."

She was about to reply when the lift dinged and the doors slid open.

"Come on." I motioned with my head, leaving the lift.

She looked back behind her and then back at me.

"Don't look back baby. Follow me." I told her.

She nodded and followed as I led her down the hallway. We stopped at the door three down from the lift and I turned to her, taking her by the hands.

"Now, I know we haven't been together very long, but with you forever even wouldn't be long enough." I started with a deep breath. "Mum and Robin are getting married soon and with them and you and me and Gem, the house would get kind of crowded."

"Yeah, I agree." she said, brushing away a strand of hair.

"So, I also know we didn't talk about it before but," I paused, looking into her ocean blue eyes. "Adelaide Cushing, will you be my flat mate?"
She blinked, a stretch of silence forming between us. My heart started to sink in disappointment, almost feeling sick.

"I mean," I started again, shifting my weight. "if you don't want to I under-"

"You got us an apartment?" She whispered, tears pooling in her eyes.

My spirits rose at the smile forming on her face and I nodded. "Yeah. I kind of did."

Her fingers were in my hair and her lips pressed against my own. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her as close as I could get her, my fingers tangling through her ends.

She pulled back and cupped my face, her thumb smoothing over my jaw. "You're perfect. Just perfect."

"It's perfect." I grinned. "Come see it."

I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door, leading her inside. The walls were white with sleek furniture set neatly in the living room.

"Over there is the kitchen." I said, pointing to the alcove. "And back here are the bedrooms."

She looked in, giggling. "This place is beautiful. You really outdid yourself, Mr. Styles."

I wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my chin on the top of her head. "Anything for you, Ms. Cushing."

I felt her breathing steadily and I shook my head slightly, amazed at what I had managed to get myself into.

"Now, the bedrooms are connected by a bathroom." I said hesitantly. "I hope that's not a big problem."

She turned to me. "Why would it be?" We'll be sharing the same bedroom anyway."

"Well...yes I know that." I said, grimacing slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"We have a roommate." I said slowly. "It was the only way I could afford the flat. He should be here any time."

"Oh." she said quietly. "Well I'm sure that will be fine."

"He said he wasn't going to be around much anyway, he just needed a new place to crash."

"That's fine. When do I meet him?" She asked.

I looked down at my phone. "He should be here any minute."

"Hello? Anyone home?"

A voice called from the living room, echoing through the flat. "Speaking of which, he's here." I smiled. I walked back out to the living room, stepping aside. "Adelaide, I would like you to meet our flatmate. This is-"

She had frozen behind me in her tracks, staring at him.

"Seth?"

~~~~~~~~~
Adelaide
I blinked about a million times, staring in disbelief. Seth smirked, his eyes as dark as night.

"Hey there America." he said, shoving his hands in his leather jacket pockets.

"You guys know each other?" Harry asked, slightly surprised.

"Yeah. We're in art class together." I said, frowning slightly, his smirk bothering me.

"Oh." Harry replied. "Well Seth and I have known each other since primary school."

"Styles and I go way back." Seth commented. His eyes bounced around the apartment before landing back on me. "Nice place."

"It was." I said stiffly.

"Okay." Harry said awkwardly. "I need to go call the landlady and let her know we're moving in and need the water on. I'll be right back."

I clamped my mouth shut as I watched him leave, trying not to call him back to save me. I wearily eyed Seth, taking in his shadow of stubble, his smirk and devastatingly dark eyes. He had gotten his hair cut since I last saw him but it was still long, combed over slightly. His eyes tracked down to my toes and back again and I shivered.

"This is going to be fun." he said.

I rolled my eyes, scoffing. "You don't know how to have fun."

He raised his eyebrow, stepping closer. "Do I not?" he asked. "Obviously you don't know me."

"I don't want to know you." I tipped my chin defiantly.

He shrugged. "I don't want to know me either. Don't blame you."

I looked at him for a moment. "Listen, if you're going to live here, we need some boundaries."

He laughed, a laugh from his chest, flashing surprisingly straight white teeth. "Are you seriously afraid I'm going to make moves on you?"

My confidence was shaken by his reaction. "No." I said, my voice small. "Of course not."

He got real close to me, his voice low. "Listen America, let me set one thing straight. I'm not attracted to you in the slightest. You don't appeal to me. Plus, I have no heart for that sort of stuff anyway."

"Good. Fine." I stammered, my heart hammering.

"Glad we got that cleared up." he smirked again. He spun on his heel and headed toward the door. "Have a good evening." he called over his shoulder before disappearing.