Diana

After a long, hard day, Diana barges into the flat, slams herself onto the couch, and rests her legs on the coffee table. She lays her head to the back of the couch, as she closes the eyes and covers them with her hands.

“Geez, what happened to you?” Sadie asks, when she hears Diana let out a loud sigh. She turns the TV off and directs her attention to her roommate.

“You don’t even wanna know, babe.”

“How was the meeting?”

Diana scoffs. “There was no meeting. I ran my ass off to that damn park only to have them cancel it on last minute. I ended up going to the studio to help Johnny out with the photoshoot for his magazine spread project.” Diana opens the window before she lights up a cigarette. There is nothing more liberating than the feeling she gets from the first inhale of her cigarette.

“That sucks, honey.” Sadie takes a pause before saying, “Oh! I know what can take your mind off of work.”

“What?” Diana takes a second to inhale, and continues, “Mm, wait, I didn’t even tell you the worst part. I bumped into Harry Styles.”

Sadie is a little taken aback. “Whoa! Really? Did you touch his smooth, silky, curly hair? Did he smell like rainbow-infused unicorn farts?”

Diana immediately cracks up. “Hey! Didn’t you hear me? That was the worst part of my day. He ran into me, spilled my coffee all over my shirt, and made me more than half an hour late to the meeting! All he did was offering me to replace the damn coffee. He practically triggered all the shitty things that happened to me today.”

“The meeting was cancelled anyway, though?” Sadie says with a smirk.

Diana tosses some peanuts at her. “That’s not the point! Don’t tell me you’re actually one of those girls.”

“What can I say, he’s gorgeous.”

“Yeah, and repulsive, cocky, self-centered. Just like the other four lads in his so-called band.” She inhales her cigarette one more time. “What did you want to tell me before?”

“Oh, umm...” Sadie hesitates for a while, but carries on anyway, “I met a guy at the coffeehouse today. He was costumer, but we ended up chatting for a while. Anyway, he told me that he is hosting a party at the Garage on Saturday, and since it’s just right around the corner, he invited me to come. Do you wanna come with me?”

Diana shrugs in silence. She’s not sure if she’s in the mood of socializing, as much as she loves parties and clubs.

“Oh come on, it’s gonna be fun! No work, just a few drinks and a couple of guys!” Sadie starts to shake Diana’s body in excitement. “Di, don’t be such an antisocia—“

Diana immediately cuts her before she rants about more unimportant things, “Fine! Fine! I’ll go.” She rolls her eyes, thinking about how pushy her roommate can be. She agrees with a heavy heart, but then again, she thinks that there’s nothing to lose if she goes anyway.

“Alright then, I’m off to bed okay?” says Sadie, leaving Diana sitting on the windowpane.

As soon as Sadie leaves the room, Diana’s iPhone beeps.

Hey babe, wanna meet up?

Without looking at the sender’s name, she can already tell who’s texting her this late at night. She replies, Idk J, I’m pretty swamped.I can really use the company, though. It has been a while since… you know.

C’mon, we both know you want to. If you can’t tonight, how’s Sat?

Sure, that’d be—Shit! I promised Sadie I’ll go to that stupid party. Diana deletes the text and replaces it with, I’m going to this party at the Garage on Sat. Meet me there?

Sounds great. See ya x

She turns her phone off; she doesn’t feel like interacting with anyone else that night. At least I’ll have my boy toy to accompany me while Sadie shags those drunken blokes.

Diana inhales her cigarette one more time before she puts it out and walks up to her bedroom.

--

“Hurry up, Di! What’s taking you so long?” Sadie shouts up from the living room.

Diana replies from upstairs, “Wait, I’m looking for the other half of my boots!”

“Look under the bed!”

With her black cropped top, another one of her shredded jean shorts, and a small bull necklace, Diana runs downstairs while she puts the ankle boot on her right foot. She has no time to style her hair, and she doesn’t mind because she never does anything much to it anyway, so she just runs fingers through it. While she still tries to place her purse, Sadie is already waiting by the door, ready to close it.

“Ugh, calm your tits, won’t you? There’s no such thing as being late to a party,” says Diana, as she finally follows Sadie out the door. Sadie rolls her eyes and locks the door behind her.

--

It was a typical nightclub, with colorful lights, VIP lounges, and a dancefloor. Diana has never actually been here before, though, she usually goes to the one on the opposite end of the street, Marquee. She likes it because it is technically a pub on the first floor, and a nightclub on the second. It’s slightly smaller than this, and less crowded, but Diana knows the bartender well. She also prefers it because it randomly presents live music sometimes. Setting her foot in here for the first time, she directly heads towards the bar.

“One scotch on the rocks, please.” Diana sits down as she watches Sadie disappears into the crowd. She grabs her phone and texts, Tell me when you’re here. It’s a private party; I’ll get you in. She takes a sip of her scotch and starts to bob her head according to the music. It isn’t long until she feels a hand firmly grabbing her by the waist.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he says, and then he leans in for a kiss.

“Hi, Jace,” Diana replies with a quick smile, a bit confused of finding him in front of her. “How did you get in?”

“I have my ways,” Jace smirks. “Been waiting long?” He asks, while caressing her hair.

“Nah, I just got here. Aren’t you gonna get something to drink?”

“Of course,” he says as he waves to the bartender, “One tequila shot, please.”

Jace takes the shot before he says, “Come on, let’s dance.” Then he quickly stands up and flees to the dancefloor, while Diana is still on her stool. He waves a hand motion while mouthing, “Come here.”

Diana takes another sip of her scotch and gets ready to go, when her body suddenly hits a firm, familiar figure.

“I’m sor—“

“Well, I think we have to stop meeting this way, don’t you?” says Harry with a charming smirk. His dimples almost sweep her off her feet, if she didn’t remember who he is.

She rolls her eyes and lets out a loud sigh, “Here, let me help you.”

Harry politely declines and keeps her hands off his shirt, “No, it’s okay, I’ll deal with it.” She chokes for a split second when his skin touches hers.

“So what are you doing here? I’ve never seen you around.”

“I’m here with a friend, she invited me. Why are you here? I thought this is a private party.”

“Yeah, it’s mine. The lads and I are celebrating our wins at the Billboard Music Awards, you know, privately.” When he looks up, their eyes meet again. Diana catches his misty pine green eyes, and Harry captures hers, a pair of cold ceruleans. He absent-mindedly stops wiping his shirt.

After yet another lingering exchange, Diana breaks the eye-contact and says, “I see. Well, umm—“

“Let me guess, you gotta go?”

“Yeah, someone’s waiting for me,” she replies with an uncomfortable smile.

Harry returns the smile, more sincerely, “Okay, enjoy the party.” Diana catches up to Jace, as Harry’s eyes trail her every move. He takes a long look at her slightly arched back, and the way her outfit shows off a little of her back skin. It takes a while until he realizes what he was doing and orders another drink from the bar.

--

Damn it, Sade. How could you bring me to this bloody party? You know how much I despise those lads and you didn’t even bother to mention the one little detail that—

Jace’s husky voice interrupts her thought, “Who was that? Was he trying to pick you up?”

Diana laughed instantly. “No, he’s just—He doesn’t matter. I’m with you right now, aren’t I?” She wraps her arms around his neck, while Jace places his around her waist to pull her closer.

“Yes, yes, you are,” he replies, as he greets her pastel pink lips with his aggresively, followed by their playful tongues. At that moment, Diana is reminded of the taste of his lips. It is something that she has not come across in a while, considering the countless number of the busy nights she has been having lately. She throws herself at him, stroking his sleek hair, clearly wanting for more. She likes the fact that she can be with him with no strings attached.

He pulls away a little, “Let’s just get out of here.”

Diana chuckles. “No, babe. We just got here. Besides, I promised Sadie I’d be around, so at least try to have fun with me in this bloody place. We can play at my flat later on,” she replies with a sneaky wink.

“Alright.” Jace pulls her back in to continue their previously interrupted steamy action.

Little do they know, the very same pair of green eyes is watching them from a booth no further than 5 meters away from them. Those eyes linger for a good couple of minutes before they look away. There is definitely something about the girl that just won’t leave his mind. Her cerulean blue eyes are the only image that sticks into his brain. To him, it feels like he just caught a glimpse of a world that he doesn’t want to miss. In his eyes, she seems to be a book full of stories, waiting to be unfolded.

--

Diana catches his attention again, much later on, when she climbs up the bar top as she dances to Swedish House Mafia with a bottle of tequila on her hand. People are swarming in front of her, telling her to “shake that bum.” Her lipstick is smudged and her hair is a mess, but all she cares about is to dance to the music.

Harry looks around and doesn’t seem to find Diana’s company anywhere. He debates with himself over whether or not he should come over and stop her, because she is clearly drunk. He keeps an eye on her in case anything goes wrong, and when it starts to seem like it does, he approaches her. Harry comes to the bar at the unrealistically right moment, as Diana stumbles on her feet and lands on his steady arms.

“Whoa, easy there, tiger, “ he remarks as he sits her down on one of the stools.

She hiccups. “You… again,” Diana says, pointing her finger to his chest. “Ey, that’s some solid chest you got there, mister.”

Harry snickers. “I think you’ve had enough drinks for the night.” He takes the liquor bottle off her grip and hands it to the bartender. He brushes some of her hair off her face and tucks them behind her ear, then he gently lifts her chin up. “You definitely need a ride home. Where’s your friend?”

“I don’t know… He’s gone somewhere to take a wee and she’s probably snogging some random guy behind the— Oops!“ He supports her again when she almost fall out of the stool; this time he’s not letting her go. Diana lets her head fall into his chest; she is on the verge of passing out. Being so close in his arms, she can’t help but smell his subtle musky body scent, with a hint of wood. It is almost as if he smells like the forest after it rains, if that’s even possible.

“Okay, now. May I have a glass of water please?” The water comes and Harry slowly brings the glass into her mouth. He watches her lips as she chugs away the water, and by then it is obvious that he wants her. After he makes sure that she is stable, he wraps his arm around her shoulder and says, “Alright, let me take you home.” Being in her state right now, Diana can’t complain nor resist, so she lets Harry lead her way out of the club.

Just a few meters from the exit, a familiar face shows up. “I’ll take it from here, mate. Thank you.” Jace suddenly comes into the picture and ruins Harry’s excuse of getting to know her. Without a doubt, he takes her arms off Harry’s and turns his back on him. Diana, being completely oblivious to the situation, lets out a faint groan.

Harry is completely taken aback, not expecting that he would show up, but lets her go anyway, “Uhh, okay. Careful.”

“Let’s get you home, babe,” says Jace to Diana, ignoring Harry behind them. Seeing them go, Harry wretchedly shakes his head. He is genuinely concerned about her, despite the fact that he doesn’t even know her name. He doesn’t feel like he trusts Jace to lay his hands on her, but there’s nothing more that he can do at that point. With a slight feeling of disappointment, Harry heads back to his booth.

--

At the booth, his friend greets him with a subtle laughter, “What was that all about, man?”

“Back off, Louis. Harry clearly fancies the girl, or else he never would have bothered to go there in the first place,” says the girl leaning on his arms.

A slight blush appears on Harry’s cheeks while he tries to contain his smile, “I was just trying to help out. She seems appealing to me.”

“Ooo… Harry’s in looove…” teases Louis.

Harry slaps him lightly and says, “Put a sock in it, Lou! I just ran into her the other day, and I didn’t think I would see her again. It just caught me by surprise that we met again tonight.” He runs his finger through his loose, curly hair and sits down beside the girl. “Try to control your man, Eleanor.” She responds to the remark with laughter. “Where are the other lads?”

“Liam and Zayn are dancing with their girlfriends, and Niall is having his own private party with some girl somewhere.”

Harry takes a sip from his drink. “Oh, speak of the devil,” he says as Niall walks towards them with his arm around the girl.

“You sly son of bitch!” Louis adds, and receives another smack in the head.

“Try to behave, Louis. Guys, this is Sadie,” says Niall before he turns to speak to the girl, “That’s Harry, Louis, and his girlfriend Eleanor.”

“Ah yes, the girl from the coffeehouse the other day. I haven’t seen you all night; you must have been pretty preoccupied with Niall right there, eh?”

Sadie blushes. “He’s quite alright,” she says as she looks up to his face.

“You both missed it!” Louis suddenly shouts.

“Missed what?”

“Harry’s ever-so-romantic pursue of love.”

Niall and Sadie’s eyes widen. “Oo… Really? What happened?”

“Jesus, Louis, if someone walks in here right now, they never would have guessed that you’re the oldest,” Harry claims before he continues, “No, I was just trying to help out a short-haired blonde that I have previously met the other day. I saw her again just a while ago, and she seemed to be really struggling to even keep herself standing. So I offered to take her home, but her vile ass boyfriend just took over.”

“That’s very nice of you,” Sadie comments.

“Yeah, well, her cropped top was just that close from being open and her ankle boots were flying about; it seemed like the right thing to do.”

“Trying to be a gentleman, weren’t you Styles?” says Niall with a wink. He grabs Harry by the neck and messes his hair up.

It takes a moment, but upon hearing the description, something clicks in Sadie’s mind. “Shit.”

“What?”

“You said her boyfriend took her home?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong?”

“Shit, I gotta go. That’s my friend, I need to make sure that she’s okay.”

“You do? Do you want me to take you home, love?” asks Niall, obviously sensing the urgency.

“No, babe, it’s alright, I have my car with me.”

Harry interupts, “Your friend?”

“Yeah, that’s why I asked you if I can bring a plus-one the other day, I was bringing her,” Sadie replies as she grabs a pen and writes on a tissue paper. “It’s lovely to meet you, Niall, call me tomorrow.” She hands him the tissue paper with her number on it and smiles. Sadie gives him a quick peck on the cheek before she heads out.

Realizing that she’s already on her way, Harry half-shouts, “What’s her name?!”

“Diana!” answers Sadie from a distance.

Everyone else just has no clue of what’s going on, and their heads turn to Harry. He messes his hair up, trying to fully take in all the things that just happened. He leans against the back of the seat, and closes his eyes. Suddenly, he finds stillness amidst all the noises.

Diana.

Notes

May I ask for more comments, please? I'd really love to know what you think! I already have some chapters pre-written, so tell me if you'd like sooner/later updates :)

Also, what do you think about outfits? Do you want me to hyperlink them or should I just let you use your imagination?

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