PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

xxx. dilemma

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

"I still couldn't believe people believed you were Harry Styles." Charlie's eyes are moist from laughing so hard. Clutching her stomach, she looks up at Harry's face to see how they were able to deceive everyone. But she only sees Aiden, her constant friend. She couldn't picture him sitting behind a desk in a wide office space, nose touching the screen of his computer. She couldn't see him as the person who gets interviewed in different magazines for being a young successful businessman, especially not the one that's lying on a plush bed in a very expensive hotel...who gets to travel from place to place, living a demanding and wealthy life. Aiden is just Aiden. He's always there for her -- just one text or phone call away. She couldn't imagine him wearing the same tux he wore in the party earlier (he removed it and gave it to one of the bodyguards before leaving with Charlie) on a daily basis. She's so used to him coming over only in a plain black or white shirt and a pair of tight jeans...and of course, his scuffed boots. She couldn't see Harry Styles in him, so she shakes her head and looks back to the path where they are going, still smiling to herself.

Harry doesn't say anything. He's just smiling back at the blonde girl, though he has a different reason for smiling that wide.

"I didn't know you had a gift in acting, Aiden. Perhaps, I should take a lesson or two from you one of these days."

Harry listens to her words, he would nod but not reply, laughing along with her. Talking would mean adding another bullet to the list of lies he told Charlie. Thankfully, she doesn't mind taking the floor at all times. She just really loves to talk. Meanwhile, Harry is just relishing on the temporary bliss.

Grinning from ear to ear, cheeks puffy red, noses a bit stuffy from the cold atmosphere, the only warmth felt between the two is the gentle stroke of Harry's thumb against the back of Charlie's skin as they hold each other's hand. Their melodious laughter carried in the air disrupts the silence of the night as they walk down the quiet boulevard.

The party's over, which means they're not pretending as lovers anymore...but it seemed as though the pair got carried away by the act, never letting go of the simple feeling of holding each other's hand. It feels nice though, so they don't mind...just having each other close especially.

Charlie feels special next to Harry, she feels protected, treasured...as if the act of sliding off her hand away from his would feel like running away from that security. So when another wind blows and a strand of hair gets stuck in front of her face, she uses her other hand to tuck it behind her ear although she has to reach over the other side of her face to do so. The motion is a bit awkward and some time between walking and talking, she just got tired of her stubborn hair. Harry sees her dilemma and hears the exasperated sigh that left her lips, so he sorts on to tucking her hair himself before switching places with her, and then carefully interlocks their fingers once again.

Charlie hides the stupid smile on her face by looking down at her feet. As if it wasn't enough, she also presses her lips in a tight line and attempts a straight face...her bright eyes hold a different story, though.

Harry is the same, but he's better in hiding his feelings by controlling his facial expressions. Years of practice made him an expert after all. He didn't know he could utilize the ability in a different aspect other than business. He acts normal, acting as if the contact of his thumb against the back of Charlie's hand does not affect him at any rate. But his subconscious is jumping in the air with happiness, a giddy grin plastered on his face as if he just read the climax of a romantic novel.

Charlie's laughter dies down, but the grin on her face doesn't dwindle. Harry squeezes her hand to get her to listen to what he has to say which causes the blonde to look up at him again.

"Hmm?" Charlie presses her lips together and stares at him in a curious manner, waiting for the curly headed boy to speak.

"Um," Harry hesitates. "I'm going back to Tennesse."

Charlie's face drops, heart sinking down to her toes at Harry's words. She stops walking and faces Harry in one swift motion, looking at him in disbelief...and pain.

Talk about bursting the bubble and just ruining the once playful night.

He couldn't say he was expecting this reaction from her, but once Charlie retrieves her hand away from his, he feels a pang of disappointment and grief he didn't quite experienced before. It's heart-wrenching, to say the least. However, he's flattered to see that Charlie would be affected by his approaching temporary departure.

Charlie's eyes are like aquamarine gemstones on the brink of melting as she stares at him. Her lips jutting out just as slightly, the frown carving further into her face. She doesn't want him to go.

"It's just for a week, Charlie...if I'm lucky. If not, maybe two weeks." He feels the need to reassure her, cooing the words so softly to her like an adult to an upset toddler. "Mom's sick, Charlie. I just need to make sure she's okay." He swallows the lump in his throat. Although, she's partly the reason why he's flying back to England, he feels bad for using his mother as an excuse...a support for his growing lie because he knows she doesn't want him lying.

Charlie's face softens, nodding after absorbing the information. "You're coming back, right?" She asks him, the hopefulness underlying in her tone.

"Do you want me to?" Harry smirks a little, raising his brows at the blonde girl...secretly hoping for a positive answer.

Embarassed by the truth, Charlie looks down at the proximity between the two of them and nods.

She looks up just as Harry steps forward, deminishing the space between them and she's overwhelmed by his height. He carefully sweeps a stray hair from her face and smiles coyly down at her.

"I'm coming back, so don't miss me too much." His eyes are glued to hers at that instant and it feels like they are sucked in a vaccum, saturated by the blonde's presence. He couldn't hear a thing aside from the hammering of his heart...until Charlie punches his chest playfully and he's back to being himself again.

"You better. I don't want to be alone watching HIMYM while eating junk food for a very long time." She threatens him to which causes Harry to laugh harder than he did earlier. Charlie needs someone to laugh with every time she watches some comical TV show and Harry's just the right person...although he didn't really had that fun personality before. She's definitely successful into corrupting him. "When are you leaving?"

A puff of white air leaves Harry's lips as he exhales. He takes Charlie's hand back to his and resume on their tracks before answering her. "In three days."

"That soon?"

"I intend on leaving in three days. Three days is already enough to prepare yourself emotionally before I leave, Charlie. It takes a lot of getting used to, I know, but I'll be back before you know it so don't worry yourself now."

"Idiot."

*****

Short bc I updated last night, you spoiled brats. Btw, this is unedited so don't you dare correct if there are mistakes bc I will not acknowledge them. I'm perfect, you peasants!

(Someone woke up in the wrong side of the bed. Uh-oh!)

-- Glyz xx

PS: typed this as soon as I woke up and finished less than an hour. I'm fishing for compliments, give it my way.