Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Ben raised his eyebrow at her.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” He asked.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” Lara fumed.

“So what did Harry do to get you so fired up?” Ben said with a chuckle. “Doesn’t he want to hold your hand anymore?”

“Very funny, now let’s go.” She took his arm, but he shrugged it off.

“I’m not leaving until I get a few more drinks under my belt.” He said, signalling to the barman for one more drink. Lara sighed and looked around, spotting Harry across the room. He gave her a dark look, as he was accosted by a couple of people who stopped to talk to him. Harry nodded politely but kept his gaze trained on Lara. She glared back before turning to Ben who watched her amused.

“You’re a bit of a spitfire when you’re angry.” He said. “Maybe you should have a drink.”

“Didn’t you tell me to remind you not to do shots?” Lara asked.

“Shut up and have a drink.”

Lara accepted the shot glass and took a tentative sip.

“You’re supposed to down it in one go.” Ben said as if he were speaking to a child. He watched as she swallowed the drink and laughed as she screwed up her face.

“I don’t know how you do it.” She shook her head, the strong taste still making her head spin.

“It gets better with the second one.” Ben said. “And the third… and the fourth.”

He ordered another round and downed it quickly. Ben was right: the more she didn’t think about it, the easier it became, and God knows she didn’t want to be thinking about anything else. From the corner of her eye she could see a grim Harry being spoken to by Julian. They glanced at her and Julian seemed to give her a disapproving look. She could just picture tomorrow’s meeting. And she knew Ben wouldn’t be spared either. It seemed that Ben had also noticed Julian because he suddenly became nervous.

“Er, I think we’d better go…” He said.

The cool night air didn’t do much to refresh her as she tried to walk in a straight line. Ben noticed her stumbling, and held onto her arm as he steered her toward the waiting car.

Raindrops began to hit the windscreen as they were driven home, and the rain became steady once they pulled up in front of the apartment.

They held onto each other for support as they climbed the stairs, but once inside Lara wordlessly walked into her old bedroom. She couldn’t remember how many shots she had consumed, as she looked at her bleary eyed reflection in the mirror.

Her head started to spin as she flopped onto the bed face first and groaned. Thoughts swirled around in her head: the way Harry touched her, how her lips were almost bruised by all the kisses, the way he pushed her away. She had just fallen asleep when she felt a hand caress her hair. It took a few seconds for her to realise that the caress was real, and she opened her eyes to see Ben standing over her bed. Before she could speak he lay down close beside her.

“What are you doing?” She slurred. Her head felt heavy as she lifted it to look at him. He smiled at her as his hand slipped under the sheet and onto her leg. He rubbed it firmly before moving closer, pressing himself against her.

“Ben, what are you doing?” Lara repeated, starting to panic.

“Hold still.” He whispered as he climbed on top of her, pinning her arms down. He imprisoned her hands in his, and kissed her. She automatically turned her head to avoid his lips but they managed to find her again.

“You’re supposed to be my Uncle.” She mumbled.

“You know very well I’m not your Uncle.” He said as he grinded against her, breathing heavily. She began to struggle, but his hold was strong, and she found herself beginning to cry with frustration.

“Come on Lara… you’re nineteen years old, not fucking five… now hold still.” He rasped.
Lara relaxed her body, and allowed him to continue kissing her. He smiled satisfied, as his grip loosened, his hands moving to her underwear. His coffee coloured eyes were streaked with red and his breath stank of alcohol as his hands clumsily groped her.

“That’s better… now just enjoy it… who knows you might even like it.”

Lara took that moment to kick him with all her strength and roll out from beneath his crushing weight. He reached out to grab her and they both fell to the floor. She instantly scrambled to her feet, her stiletto digging into the palm of his hand. Ben yelled out in pain, as Lara ran for the door slamming it shut behind her. She didn’t look behind her as she ran out the front door and down onto the street. Lara didn’t stop there as she continued to run, only turning once to make sure Ben was not following her. The rain must have deterred him, not to mention the copious amounts of alcohol he had drunk, as it began to pour in earnest. Lara
could only think of one place to go.

She was soaking wet by the time she reached Harry’s apartment. Her tears mingled with the rain on her face, and her hair had managed to unravel during the struggle earlier. Lara banged on the door hoping Harry was home. Hoping he was alone. Please don’t let Louis be there too, she thought to herself.

“Who is it?” She heard his uncertain voice.

“Harry it’s Lara.” She sobbed.

He opened the door and could not hide the surprise on his face. He enveloped her into his arms and led her inside.

“What happened?” He asked.

“Nothing…” She mumbled.

“Lara.” He said more firmly, “What happened?”

“Ben and I had a fight.” She said.

“Did he hurt you?” Harry suddenly asked.

“No.” Lara lied. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Harry sighed as he took her hand and led her to the bathroom. He turned the water on and looked at her.

“I’ll make you a cup of tea, okay?” He said. Lara looked into the bathroom mirror and saw her mascara streaking down her cheeks, her hair all stringy and wet. She slipped out of her dress and stepped into the shower, enjoying the feeling of warm water hitting her skin. Half an hour later she was freshly showered and in her pyjamas. She made herself comfortable on the couch and gratefully accepted the cup of tea.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Harry asked settling beside her. Lara shook her head as she shakily brought the cup to her lips. They sat in silence until Lara looked up at him plaintively.

“Please hold me?” She said. Harry placed the teacups on the table and hugged her close.

Being with Harry Styles might be a fantasy, she thought to herself, but right now, it was the only thing she had.

Notes

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