About (Harry Styles)

47.

I can't sleep. It's four in the morning. My mind just refuses to shut down. It's one of those nights where all of my troubles just enjoy keeping me awake. I've been dreaming about nothing except Anne's distressed expression when she told me to go upstairs. Though she tried to hide it, the uncertainty behind her smile still lingered in my mind.

And I'm hungry again.

I fell asleep right after my shower and missed dinner last night. I don't even remember laying on the bed. I was so tired.

Creeping down the stairs in hopes that I don't wake anyone, I tread quietly to the kitchen. The refrigerator is the first thing I set my eyes upon. But when I open it, there's nothing that seems to satisfy my hunger. It's all unfamiliar. Either that or vegetables so I settle on some milk and Cheerios.

From the corner of my eye, I spy a dark figure entering the room. I'm so frightened I almost spill the carton of milk as I'm pouring it into my bowl.

"Sorry for scaring you," Des says.

"No, that's okay," I put on a smile.

"Why're you up so early? Early bird?" He crosses his arm as he sits on the stool by the island counter.

"No, just hungry," I chuckle.

"You know, when Anne was pregnant with Harry, she craved nothing but plain cereal for a whole week. She didn't even take it with milk."

"Really?" I ask, a curious grin spreading on my lips. I take a spoonful of the cereal into my mouth.

"Yeah," he nods, his eyes persistent. "She was crazy. Wouldn't eat nothing else. Insisted on nothing but it. Even though the doctor advised her to eat other things and told me to watch over her, she'd somehow manage to sneak a bowl in there."

"A woman gets what a woman wants," I joke.

"I learned that the hard way.  So, tell me something. how do you feel about our Harry? Truly?"

"Hmm?" The transition from the subject of Anne's cravings to my feeling Harry catches me off guard.

"My son. How do you feel about him?" He repeats the question, even though I heard it clearly the first time. "I mean, things are getting pretty serious. You're the first girl he's brought home in a long time."

In a long time? He's brought a girl home before?

That's not the point to focus on right now, Elaine.

"Umm."

"I'm sorry. I'm making you uncomfortable."

"No, I -- umm I --"

I don't know what to say. Words just seem to have vanished from my brain. My mouth is suddenly dry from being unable to come up with a response.

How do I feel about Harry?

I've never asked myself the question, but I know what the answer is. At least I think I do. I simply refuse to acknowledge it.

"When it comes to Harry, it's different." Des looks at me skeptically for a moment before I add, "In a good way."

His features soften, and oddly, I don't feel any guilt because it's true. It is different with Harry. He's the first person that I don't know how to be around when I'm with him. He's different, way different from Kai.

"I know, the Styles men in the family tend to bring trouble with them wherever they go. I'm sure you know this."

I nod, remembering the misfortune Harry has brought into my life. Every time we met, I always seemed to have bad luck with him.