HARRY STYLES
Seven Years Ago
"So...just friends then?"
I forced myself to tear my gaze away from Scarlett when I was watching her laugh with my sister outside around the fire pit in the backyard, giving my mum my attention. "Yeah, we're friends."
She gave me that skeptical smile she did when she knew I was being less than truthful. "Is that your idea or hers?"
Defeated, my shoulders dropped slightly as I continued mixing the piping hot chocolate I made for Scarlett. "Hers."
She laughed at me in sympathy as she rubbed my back, both of us glancing over to see her through the cracked-open glass back door. "How long have you been friends?"
"Since that last weekend before school started after you and Gem dropped me off," I confirm. "I met her at a party and she just...she was so forward with me and she certainly wasn't treating me like a friend, but it's been two months of us not acting like friends and she still calls me that."
Anne watched her light a cigarette to puff on, adjusting the flannel blanket in her lap as she nodded at whatever Gemma was saying to her from across the fire. "She seems to be incredibly independent. I like that she also seems not to care what people think about her. I wasn't aware they made shorts that short."
I hung my head to laugh, but she wasn't judging her at all; she was genuinely amused that Scarlett didn't dress to impress her, which only further proved that she only considered us to be friends with sexual benefits. If that wasn't the case, maybe she would have worn something more modest.
"She's independent, funny, smart, nice...for the most part, and she's beyond confident. It's like she's not afraid of anything except for being vulnerable enough to admit that we're more than friends."
"Maybe she was hurt before," my mum suggested. "Did you ask her?"
"No, she's never had a boyfriend, but Seth told me that she just has commitment issues, I guess," I mumbled and removed the spoon from Scarlett's mug. "I like her so much."
That look of sympathy came right back as she ruffled my hair. "Just give her time, love. She wouldn't be here if she didn't care about you."
I felt instantly better as I considered the same thing, meeting her gaze through the glass as Anne kissed my cheek and told me to take the mug to Scarlett before it got too cold. Her smile softened as she looked away from me and handed her cigarette to Seth, and I practically tripped over my own feet just trying to get to her.
***
"If you're not careful, I think Uncle Bill might steal your girl," Anne laughs.
I laugh into my cocktail glass, standing by to watch Scarlett slow dance with my 65-year-old uncle. He's making her laugh a lot, and I'm more than happy to see it. "He could do it, too. She likes older men."
Anne hums a laugh of her own as she links her arm through mine, resting her head on my shoulder. "She looks incredibly beautiful, don't you think?"
I nod and look her over in her strapless chiffon lavender dress. "She always does."
"How are things going between you two?"
My smile grows as I think of the memory I had on my mind before she came to interrupt me. "Well, she's my girlfriend now, so that's progress."
"See? I told you that you just needed to give her time, didn't I?"
"Yeah," I chuckle in exasperation. "Seven years."
"Mm," she laughs to herself as Bill raises their arms to twirl Scarlett around.
"Do you think you could talk to her at some point tomorrow?" I ask.
Anne pulls back to look at me. "Talk to her about what?"
"Whatever it is you usually talk to her about," I shrug. "She's always in better spirits after speaking to you, and I think she could use a famous Anne Twist conversation."
"Oh, they're famous, are they?"
"Completely," I finish my drink as the song ends just to be replaced with a slower old fashioned love song. "Alright, I think that's enough."
Anne laughs at me as she takes my glass to let me go and cut in before my uncle can keep her for a third dance. He's reluctant to give her up like all men would be, but Scarlett promises that she'll save him another before the reception is over as she kisses his cheek. He's satisfied enough with that...like all men would be.
"Having fun?" I lightly scoff as I place one hand on her lower back to bring her and lace my fingers through hers to hold them close to us.
"He was very nice to me," she smiles softly at my mouth. "He said I was a beautiful jewel."
"I'm sure he did," I mutter, making her giggle with her nose wrinkled up as she turned her head to rest it just below my shoulder.
Lately, I find myself gazing out at the stars
Hearing guitars like someone in love
Sometimes the things I do astound me
Mostly when you're around me
"Are you warm enough?" I speak down closer to her ear as she retracts her hand from my chest to slip it around under my jacket.
"Mhm," she nods against my chest, and I tilt my head to see that her eyes are closed as we slowly sway back and forth. She's wearing more makeup than usual for the occasion, but it looks nice on her even if I do prefer her with a completely bare face. Her cheeks are flushed a rose pink, her green eyes are lined in a deep smokey brown color to match the shadow on her eyelids, and her long lashes are curled and coated in black mascara.
"You look beautiful," I tell her for what has to be the fifteenth time today, but she still smiles and thanks me quietly.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings
Bump into things like someone in love
Each time I look at you, I'm limp as a glove
And feeling like someone in love
Who sings this song?" She asks me.
"I think it's Chet Baker," I feel chills rise over the skin under my shirt as she starts tracing my spine over the fabric.
She tilts her head back to look at me with tired eyes, smiling a little. "I think we need to add it to our list."
Like clockwork, I'm only able to stare back into her eyes for maybe ten seconds before I'm leaning in for a kiss. I'm very aware that my entire family is in the room, and there's a good chance a majority of them are watching us right now, but that doesn't stop me from parting my lips further the second I feel her tongue sweeping along my bottom lip.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings
Bump into things like someone in love
Each time I look at you, I'm limp as a glove
And feeling like someone in love
She brings her hand out from under my jacket to splay out on the side of my neck, kissing me until the next song starts to play. "Hm," she pulls back and slowly lets her lashes flutter open to blink at my mouth. "You're a pretty good kisser."
I laugh at the way she says that as if she's just now noticing. "That's nice of you, thanks."
"You're welcome," she smiles as I lift her chin to kiss her again, and again, and again until she's the one stopping me with her hand lightly pushing on my chest. "In front of your family? Uh-uh."
