Harry Styles Imagines

» the edge of all we've ever known

imagine was made by @ fallinharry on tumblr

word count; 4.42k
point of view; second person

There are three groups of people when it comes to a camera. The first group that stands in front of it, the second group that stands behind it, and the third group that watches from the sideline—a meer speculator of the art. Harry had always been the former and you, well, you'd always been the latter.

You didn't have a hidden talent that would awe the nations and put your name in headlines. You couldn't sing, you didn't have the body of a model, you weren't a dancer and you couldn't act. You were a mediocre twenty-four-year-old that's held down the same job for six years in a residential home for individuals with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.

You were a kind and bubbly soul with an electric personality and a huge appreciation for everything music and books. You very much didn't mind lurking in the shadows of Harry's life to the public. Few knew of your name, some had seen your face, but no one had ever really bothered to look closer to see who you were and how you'd gone so unnoticed in the past nine years of his career.

But you liked it that way, being a mere spectator to the crowd while you knew Harry held you closer to his heart that anyone could even imagine. You were happy with being his best friend and soulmate, as he had called you many a time, in his personal life and a friendly supporter in his public one.

It wasn't like he treated you differently when you were in the presence of the media or fans. He'd still stand with an arm wrapped around you, whisper things in your ear just to make you laugh and hold your hand whenever places got too crowded and your anxiety started creeping up.

No one ever questioned it though. Maybe if you were drop-dead gorgeous with a captivating smile and a slender body, they would. But as a seemingly plain jane with a mediocre face and shy persona to those from afar, your involvement with Harry was never questioned. Nobody ever had a worry that Harry could be dating you, because why would he?

It was something you had grown to appreciate over the years that Harry's fame grew. Living your boring, mundane life unfiltered while still having Harry so close to you was something you considered yourself lucky for. You were still able to live without being noticed, without worrying something stupid you did on a night out would make headlines and paint a bad image on Harry.

You liked still having your privacy while being so close to the pop star and living part of that life with him. Your flat was only a twenty-minute walk from Harry's house and when he wasn't off touring the world, he was at yours or you were at his, stuffing your faces with pizza and wine or binge-watching shows.

You liked being able to do community-based activities without being swarmed by Harry's fans or being photographed. That was your main concern. You adored your job more than anything in the entire world and confidentiality was one of the most important aspects about it. You'd made it very clear when you'd got the job about your close relationship with Harry and the other boys while they were still a band and for almost a year you were bound to house activities only.

You'd come a long way with your job and your personal life. You'd managed to have boyfriends and sleep around a little without fans speculating you were actually dating Harry. But you didn't need his fans assuming to jeopardize your relationships, you and Harry had done that yourselves. Your past boyfriends didn't appreciate the fact that Harry heard your news before they did, or that he seemed to be all you talked about, and Harry's past girlfriends didn't appreciate the temple kisses he gave you or the way your opinion and input mattered more than anyone else's.

Neither of you did anything to change your dynamic to make future relationships work, though. Your boyfriends didn't last more than six months and Harry was dead set on marrying one girl until she gave him an ultimatum and in the end, he chose you. You didn't speak to him for a week after that. Though you were thankful he didn't cut you off, you couldn't believe he gave up his future with the supposed love of his life to keep you in his.