Career in Jeopardy

As I drove through the never ending London traffic Harry was all that I could think of. Every time I tried to think of something else they would all lead back to him. How had one concert turned into all this drama? But the way he kissed me was strong like he knew I was strong not a weak girl he made me feel so secure in his embrace. I bought my fingers up to my neck and brushed over the mark Harry had left.
But I can’t feel like this I won’t. I can’t fall for him. I remembered his expression as I left stony and un-readable. Even his green eyes that I had perfectly memorised were cold. Would the next 10 months be like this? At least the other guys seemed cool, I thought that with their undeniable rising success that they would be cocky pricks but they were just normal guys with not so normal jobs. At least they would be around but I wasn’t sure how much of Harry I would be able to take. The feelings that he gave me were so exhausting but I would ignore them till they became nothing.

*****

“Frankie!!!” I called in a whinny voice as I entered our flat.

“Whats up girlie?!” Frankie said energetically as she bounded into the living room/entrance but once she saw my face hers fell.

“I need a hug.” I said weakly. Immediately she bought my into a bear hug. I rested my head on her shoulder. “Everything is a mess.” I whispered ashamed at the tear that rolled down my cheek.

We broke apart. “Come on you can tell me we can fix and we’ll eat chocolate.” She said in a comforting slightly cheery tone.
I smiled gratefully. “Sounds good.”


*****

15 minutes later we were both seated on the window seat with a tray of churros and a small bowl of melted chocolate.

“So what happened?” Frankie asked.

I immediately launched into the story from start to end from when I left the hotel leaving Frankie with a frozen wide eyed expression.

“Holy shit.” She finally said.

I smiled exasperated. “Thanks.”

“So you have to be in a fake relationship with one of the hottest guys in the country, scratch that world for 10 months and that he kissed you and then you said something that obviously hit a nerve, he saved he from the paparazzi but was really pissed when he left you at your car?”

I nodded. “Basically.”

“Jeez whenever my life is a mess I just need to look at yours and it puts everything into perspective.”

I laughed. “Thanks Frankie.”

“What can I say? I’m a therapist.”

I laughed. “Your my therapist.” I corrected.

“You know what?”

“What?” I asked playing along.

“You had your first kiss today.” Frankie said devilishly as she whipped out her phone.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “You wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t I?”

“I’ll kill you.” I warned.

Sneaking one last look at me she got up and sprinted away.

“Frankiiiiie!” I screamed as I ran after her. She ran into her bedroom and slammed her door shut. I pounded on the door. “Let me in Frankie!”

Suddenly my phone buzzed and I was full of dread when I saw the twitter notification.

‘That moment when you’re best friend gets her first kiss @DarcyFoster1’

“Oh you are so dead.” I growled as I stormed away from her door as giggles bursted through the crack under the door.

6 hours later Frankie decided to show herself to me. I was sitting on the couch editing a beauty video.

“You know what?” she asked as she sat down in front of me with another devilish grin.

“What?”

“You’ve had your first kiss.”

“I know.” I said full of sarcasm as I shook my phone. “I got the notification.”

“And you told me that we could go clubbing after you had you had your first kiss.” Frankie continued full of excitement, ignoring my snide comment.

“No.” I said /full of dread.

“Yes.” She said mischievously. “We’re going to a club and you’re going to like it and we’ll go with a bunch of other people.

“Please don’t make me.” I pleaded.

“Be ready to go in an hour!” Frankie said bounding off.

“What do I even wear to a club?” I called after her.

“I’ll lend you something of mine.” Frankie reassured me.

“Terrific.” I said under my breath if Frankie was to give me something it would be short and tight, two things that I didn’t like to wear as I felt too conscious and uncomfortable.

*****
1 hour later we both stood in front of the long mirror in our walk in robe. Frankie looked confident and gorgeous as always and then there’s me, I looked like a grade nine going to her first dance.


Frankie's outfit

Darcy's outfit

My dress was long sleeved, tight and short. It was a dark blue so dark it could almost be black. Frankie wore a black dress that was fish net over a black dress that showed off her mid drift. Her hair was pulled back in a messy pony tail but thankfully she left my hair alone and I was grateful for having the familiar weight of hair on my shoulders.

We ended up in front of a London club. We got a ride from Frankie’s boyfriend Mark and we were going to stay in a hotel nearby so we wouldn't have to do the 90 minute journey to get home.
I felt like a third wheeler so when we got in the club I was relieved to see our group of friends at the bar.

Here goes nothing, my first drink.

My ears were still adjusting to the loud music as I squeezed through the crowds of dancing bodies.

“Chloeee!” I shouted. She turned and pulled me into a tight hug. “How have you been girl?”

I sighed “It’s been a long day.” I admitted.

“Then lets you get a drink.”

“Oh I don’t know Chloe, you know I don’t drink.”

“Your eighteen not eighty Darcy loosen up!” Chloe joked.

I grinned. “Fine.”

“What do you want?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know?” I asked laughing.

“Right.” She said sheepishly and asked the bartender for a round of shots with a flirty smile.

“Hey it’s Darcy.” A voice boomed behind me.

I turned and saw Ben.

“What you doing here? I thought you don’t do clubs.” Ben asked.

“I made her come with a deal we made years ago.” Frankie shouted standing next to me.

Ben grinned. “Well I’m glad.” His eyes travelled down my body making me feel insanely uncomfortable. It was the same as when Harry looked at me. No shivers.

“Chloe where are those drinks.” I asked turning away.

I took my first shot and the alcohol hit the back of my throat making me splutter making all my friends around my laugh as they patted my back. Wanting to prove that I could take my drink as well as the next person I took another, then another and then another. There were 10 of us there. 4 girls and 6 guys. It was nice seeing them again. They all lived in London but Frankie and I prefer the homeliness of Colchester.

“Let’s go and dance!” Julia yelled over the music. Julia was an old friend of ours. She grabbed all of the girl’s wrists and dragged us on to the dance floor. Soon they all had grabbed someone to grind on and dance with. Frankie was off in her own little world that she had let Mark in. I was happy for them, my child like friend was growing up.

I did my version of dancing of swaying with my hands in the air.

“Hey sweetie.” A male voice whispered in my ear as two arms slithered around my waist. He started to sway against me.

“Ben?” I asked mystified. “What are you doing?”

“Just go with it.” He said aggressively.

“Like hell.” I pushed his arms away and stormed away from him in hopes of finding the bathroom.
I ended up in front of the VIP section. I stood on my tip toes in hopes of finding a sign.

“Darcy?” said a familiar Irish accent.

I whipped around and saw “Niall?”

“Hey what you doing here?”

“Clubbing?” I offered.

He laughed.

“Nah I just brushed off an old friend who turns out to be a bit of a dick.”

“Ahh.” Niall said understandingly.

“Do you want to come through everyone’s round there?”

“Round where?” I asked curiously.

“We have a table.”

“Who’s everyone?” I questioned.

“Full of questions aren’t you?” Niall said chuckling. “All of the guys.”

“So Harry?”

“What happened between you two earlier? He came back so pissed he just locked himself in his room till we forced him to go out with us. You know what come on.” Niall said avoiding the question with an answer.

He walked down the 4 small steps and told the security guy that I was with ‘them’ before he grabbed my wrist and dragged me away ignoring my protests.

“Here we go.” Niall said dropping my wrist as we reached the table that sat: Liam, Louis, Zayn and Harry.”

“Hey.” I said as I stood awkwardly in front of the table.

I looked at Harry whose eyes raked my body they trailed up till his eyes made contact with mine, I felt my heart race quicken. After a moment he turned away and took a long swig of his beer letting me let go of a breath I wasn’t aware that I was holding.

“Well that was.” Louis started.

“Awkward?” Liam offered.

“Exactly.” Louis said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes. Niall and Liam moved over so I could sit down. Right. In. Front. Of. Harry. I nervously fiddled with my fingers as Harry continued to stare at me through his brown curls. I felt my cheeks heat up drastically.

“So Darcy I saw your friends tweet from earlier.” Niall said grinning.

“What tweet?” Louis said perking up.

“Don’t.” I pleaded.

But Niall had already whipped out his phone and was showing everyone the tweet while I rested my face in my hands. I peaked through my hands to sneak a look at Harry’s expression that was eye browed raised slightly shocked.

“I’m going to get a drink.” I muttered as I scurried away.

“Can I get a drink?” I asked the bartender as I slid on to a wooden stool.

“What kind of drink?” The bartender asked as came closer to me. He had short brown hair and had a sharp jaw. He had brown eyes that were so dark you could mistake them for black.

Realising that I had no idea what to get as i don't order drinks I just gave him a somewhat flirty smile. “I don’t care just something strong.”

He smiled. “Coming right up.”

I soon had my drink and I was on the floor weaving through the crowds in hope to find my friends again.

“Darcy!!” Frankie said slurred. “Dance with me.”

I laughed at Frankie’s current state. “Fine.”

We were on the dance floor doing our version of dancing, swaying our hips and dropping low to the floor occasionally.
We both chugged down drink after drink. I felt myself stumbling around the floor and I started giggle at nothing. I felt all warm and fuzzy inside, I was completely numb.

“Dance with me.” A voice whispered in my ear.

I turned my head slightly and saw the bartender standing right behind me. He grabbed my both of my hips firmly in his hands and pulled me firmly against him and started to move me against him.

He moaned. “Christ.”

I felt him harden but the alcohol had numbed my senses completely to do anything to stop this going any further.

“I need you.” He growled. He grabbed my wrist and dragged me to an exit.

“But my friends.” I slurred as I stumbled after him.

We bursted out into an ally way. He shoved me onto a wall and pressed himself against me. He started pampering my chest with kisses as his hands ran over my dress that hugged my skin.

“No.” I said as I felt his hand slip under my dress.

“No.” I repeated. “I don’t want this.” I pleaded as tears filled my eyes. I tried shoving him away but my clumsy alcoholic state made my movements weaker than usual.


“Don’t resist little girl.” The man growled. “You’ll enjoy this.”

“Help!” I screamed as tears fell down my cheek.

Suddenly I felt the man’s presence disappear. I fell to the ground in a ball. I looked up and saw a man beating the shit out of the bartender who was lying on the ground.

“Harry?” I asked, shocked.

Punch after punch was thrown. One after another.

“Harry.” I said weakly as I tried pulling him off the man. “Harry please he’s not worth it.”

He looked up, his eyes were blazing with an uncontrollable anger.

“Please.” I whispered.

He nodded and got off the bartender.

“Let’s go. Can you walk?”

I tried to take a few simple steps but failed by stumbling everywhere.

Without saying a word he scooped me up bridal style. He walked us quickly out of the ally way to a black range rover. With one arm holding me he un-locked the car and opened the passenger door and swiftly put me down. He clicked in my seat belt before running to the other side. He got in quickly and sped off without saying a word but I saw the anger still burning in his eyes but surprisingly it didn’t scare me.

Notes

xxx