She | A Harry Styles Fanfiction

Chapter 30

"Surprise!" Everyone yelled making me jump. Instantly, my face smiled as my friends all jumped out from the private room in the bar. Sofia must've made the plans. She was always extra with my birthday. "Happy birthday!" I left his side as I walked over to Sofia, who was in front of everyone. I engulfed her with a hug, then moved to my friends, who I hadn't seen in a while.

I was handed a drink before I could even realize that this party was for me. I was mingling and catching up with everyone. My birthday was off to a great start. We listened to music, drank, danced, had fun. I didn't notice that one person wasn't having fun because I was. Before I could ask him to dance with me, or why he was sitting on the chairs, awkwardly engaging with Sofia's boyfriend and my other guy friends, Sofia would drag me away. She would take my hand and encourage me to dance and not worry about him because he'd be fine. I took her advice.

Not until she had gotten my surprise did I walk over to him, begging him to tell me why he was so upset. He brushed it off, pettily telling me to enjoy my time. He helped plan this, so he reminded me over and over. He told me he'd rather talk about business with my guy friends rather than dance with me. His business talk is talking himself up. He was angry with me for not hugging him first when everyone yelled surprise. After all, he brought me there. I should've gone to him first, not my best friend.

Sofia brought out a large cake—one with our faces on it. I laughed in excitement as I joined her side. He perked up a little when he saw the cake and joined my side. Sofia's side eye didn't go unnoticed. The crowd sang Happy Birthday to me, and I was excited to dig in. Sofia was about to cut a piece once the candles were blown out, but he insisted on cutting it. She handed him the knife. I was excited about the corner piece.

"Before I cut the cake, let's all just acknowledge my beautiful girlfriend!" He announced, receiving cheers from the crowd, but they quickly changed into gasps. 

I suddenly couldn't see or breathe for a second. I tried to push his hand away when it clicked that he had smashed the cake in my face. My heart sank into a panic when I couldn't push his hand away. The cake was smushed up my nose and into my mouth. I stepped back, tripping on my heels and eventually falling. The only ones laughing were him and his friends. None of mine were.

"Happy fucking birthday, Everly!" He shouted in a laugh, but I was humiliated. I couldn't breathe well. I felt arms loop under mine to pull me to my feet. One of my guy friends from the feels of it. I couldn't see, but I knew Sofia grabbed my hand to pull me to the bathroom. The crowd murmured while the boys got into a small shoving match to keep him away from me. We got into the bathroom where my tears slipped.

"Ev, no... not on your birthday," Sofia said with pain in her voice. She wasn't scolding. She was in disbelief. She wiped the cake from my eyes and nose. I could see her now, livid, but empathetic. "I think it's time you left..."

"But the party--" She shook her head, taking my hand in hers.

"Not the party." I looked into her eyes, now understanding. "I got the place. We can leave soon. Very soon." I nodded, now knowing the severity of this. He's a narcissist. "Happy fucking birthday--"

I jumped up, feeling the empty bed next to me. My head pounded with the rhythm of the alarm. The blare of it told me it was an alarm I don't use. It was the one on Harry's side table. I quickly turned it off, feeling my heart racing against my chest. I was a little hungover, but alone. Until I felt two arms wrap around me. I wasn't alone.

"You're alright." His voice soothed me as I listened to his heartbeat. I shut my eyes, sinking into his grip. "You're shaking."

"I'm fine," I assured him once I was calmed. I pulled away, running my fingers through my hair. I looked at his face as he pushed a loose piece of hair out of my way. He was worried. I could see it in his eyes.