mastermind [h.s.]

chapter 1

Inspired by a fic I once read on 1DFF called "Ghost Writer" and a bollywood movie I once saw lol.

***

It was never about me. I always knew that.

Julia was the prettier one, she was the smarter one, she had the dazzling smile and the long blonde locks. She was a true goddess, and I was a mere mortal. I had accepted my role as the Watson to her Sherlock back when we were ten years old. She was a friend to me when I needed one and I'll never forget that.

Over the years we grew really close. She was beautiful enough for the both of us, and she dated more than enough for the both of us. I lacked her glowing persona, and yet she needed me too. The only thing I had going for me was my understanding of people. I was better at reading people and situations. This is why we worked so well together. She helped me write my papers and I wingwomaned for her at many parties.

Julia was a secret genius. She would brag about how much dick she got over the weekend but would not let a single soul know about her 4.0 GPA. It baffled me, but that was one of the few things I'll never understand about her. She often acted like a spoiled brat (one of the many things that pissed me off about her) but despite her childish and highly annoying behaviour, she was still the best friend I ever had.

And I'll be damned if I lose my partner in crime just because she's dating the man I love.

---

Harry Styles was an accident. I was alone drunk at a party during orientation—Julia had already left with the hot guy I approved of—so I had no one to stop me from watching this beautiful boy from afar. He also had a glowing personality. Everyone around him was drawn to his aura, his boyish grin stealing hearts left and right. I had to work harder than the devil to keep him out of Julia's sight until I was able to present her with another equally handsome man, because I knew the second she set her eyes on him, he would be hers.

He was in the middle of a group of giggling girls, who were tying a blindfold around his eyes.

"Alright, alright ladies, that's tight enough!" he slurred, hand gently stopping them from tightening his blindfold. They waved a hand in front of his face to ensure he couldn't see, then burst into more giggles when he remained unknowing. A cute smile grew on his face at their laughter. He was eagerly positioned in the middle by the brunette girl who couldn't seem to get her hands off him. I walked closer to see what they were up to.

"You have to be honest okay, Harry? Ready?" she asked him. He nodded with a goofy smile. Her hands wrapped around his neck and she brought his lips down to hers. They made out for a few seconds until one of the other girls pushed her off him.

"My turn!" The next girl stood in front of him and did the same. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned into the kiss. After a few seconds, she too, was pulled away. A third girl repeated the same actions. In my drunken haze, I understood that they were probably wanting to know who was the better kisser and got Harry to decide. Still in my drunken haze, I decided that I had to join.

I nudged my way through the people until I was a few feet away from him. Downing my drink, I pushed the cup into a random person's hand and swooped in to place my hands on Harry's neck the second it was free. He was laughing and stopped when he felt my presence. This was the most reckless I've ever been in my life, and I was starting to question whether it was a good idea. I wished I could see the sparkle in his eyes and assure myself that it was fine. Just then, Harry placed his arms on my hips and brushed his thumb in a circular pattern. He pulled me closer to him and I exhaled all my nervousness and went straight for his lips.

His soft lips molded into mine perfectly. I made out with a few guys before, but I had never felt anything like this. There was a deep hunger inside me that only craved him. I kissed him with all my might and yet, I was still insatiable. He responded just as fiercely. His arms tightened around me, one moving up my back and the other pulling me closer. I let my hands tangle in his soft hair. My insides were on fire. I didn't know if it was because of him or the lack of oxygen, but I was not about to pull away. His tongue brushed my lips and a jolt ran through my body. I was so hyper aware of him, of everything his was doing. His hand reached the back of my head and began to pull away my hair scrunchie. Just as my hair was freed and he buried his hand into it, I was pulled away from him. The other girls showed their obvious distaste at the fact that I had him for so long.

"Okay who was better?!" the first girl demanded. "And be honest, Harry!"

"Uh...I-I'm—" Harry stuttered. I didn't want to stick around to hear him pick who was the best, I didn't think I could take the feeling of rejection. His long fingers quickly worked to untie the blindfold and I turned around to leave before I was forced to witness him flirting with them again.

Outside, the cold wind blew my hair against my face. It sobered me up a bit, from the alcohol and the kiss. A small smile spread across my face. I shook my head at myself and walked back to my dorm, thinking about the beautiful boy and the kiss that would haunt me forever.

---

It was just a week later that everything went downhill.

I huffed and pulled my hair aggressively out of my face. Julia, who unlike me was not doing her readings at all, was texting instead. "Do you have a hair tie?" I asked her.

"The ugly Beatles scrunchie is in my purse," she said without looking up.

"Oh, I thought I took that."

"You did and you didn't return it, I found it," she gave me a disapproving look. Julia hated it when things weren't in their place, and she especially hated it when I took them and didn't at least return it to her. I ignored her look, and searched for the ugly scrunchie, relieved to finally have my hair out of the way.

"Who are you texting?" I questioned.

She smirked. "I also found a hot guy and his phone number."

"Already? It's the first week," I said, organizing my notes. "Is it Zayn?" I recalled the guy I set her up with at the party so she wouldn't notice the one I had my eyes set on.

"No, this guy's name is Harry," she smiled. My heart dropped.

Surely there was more than one Harry on campus.

"Though, he is just as hot as Zayn..." Julia added.

Surely there was more than one Harry on campus who was just as hot as the guy I set Julia up with a few days ago.

But of course there wasn't.

This was a cruel twist of fate, and I immediately knew it was never meant to be.

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Thanks for reading, and please let me know what you think! Next chapters are going to be way longer and more interesting, I'll post them soon!