Intoxicated.

“Argh!” Claire groaned out of frustration when she was just about to answer Harry’s call but he hung up, almost as if it was on cue.

“What do you freaking want” Claire gripped her phone tightly and plopped on her bed and screamed on her pillow.

She pried her hair from her face and sighed, she felt like Harry was playing mind games with her for the past two days, reminding her every second about the dinner they had. Claire made pros and cons list in her mind to conclude if she should initiate another meeting with Harry.
In her pros list, all she could put are very shallow reasons like cute dimples, annoyingly handsome, manners, and other things that did sit well with Claire but not enough to give him a chance. But her cons list, on the other hand, remained empty because all of her judgments about Harry turned out to be false.

She groaned again with the ‘ding’ sound coming from her phone, meaning she got a text.

iMessage

Harry Styles: Hope you like it.

Claire furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and looked out her window, Harry’s not there holding a gigantic boom box or something. She opened her main door and found box, she carefully shook it before pulling the strings before completely opening it, revealing a note that says, ’I’m sorry’ and a framed drawing of her sitting on a hood of a car with a band-aid on her right knee.
‘The night i met you’ and Harry’s signature written on the lower right end, Claire smiled to herself and closed her door.

//

Harry stared at his phone patiently waiting for Claire’s reply for the past hour, he scratched the back of his head and plopped on his sofa.

“Why aren’t you replying!” He held his phone up, fake choking it and buried his head on the plush pillows.

“If you’re done choking your phone-“Carol, Harry’s maid appeared out of nowhere.

“AHH! Carol!” Harry screamed and jumped out of the sofa

“If you’re done choking your phone to death it would be nice of you to help me fold your laundry, love” Carol chuckled patting Harry’s shoulder and walked away.

“Ugh, that sixty-year-old wizard” Harry breathed and followed Carol into his bedroom.

They settled on Harry’s bed separating Harry’s clothes and folding them neatly, Carol observed that Harry was folding his clothes all wrong, she snatched it secretly and had to redo it again.

Harry was obviously in deep thought and Carol smiled to herself.

“What is the matter, love?” Carol asked, her British accent becoming purer.

“Huh?” Harry snapped out of his thoughts,” Nothing.” He mumbled.

“She must be important that you must kill your cell phone device” Carol joked.

Harry laughed and threw his t-shirt at Carol, who protested right away and pinched his underarm.

“I’m so stuck Car… It’s so fun to surprise her because her reaction always surprises me” Harry said

“How are you stuck? Is it because you’ve been friends since you were kids?” Carol asked. Harry looked at her in confusion and got who Carol was referring to in a second.

“Oh, you thought I was talking about Blair” Carol nodded in return, “No, it’s not Blair” He frowned.

“Someone new?” Carol asked, almost shocked.

“Someone I don’t deserve,” Harry said.

He checked his watch and excused himself from Carol, she agreed to let her do the rest of the laundry since Harry looked like he was going somewhere important. Harry quickly got dressed and rushed out to catch the subway. When he got to the subway station Claire was already there waiting for her train.

She was dressed in a yellow floral dress, a denim jacket and white converse. Her hair was effortlessly wavy that cascades down just past her shoulder. Harry smiled to himself and stood beside her. He noticed that she was wearing earphones and tapping her feet along the beat as she waited. He took the left earpiece and tucked it in his sharing the same song Claire was listening to

“Hey-“Clair began to protest and stopped when she saw Harry, he was looking straight, smiling as he appreciated the beat.

“So how come I never got a ‘Thank you’ note? Didn’t you like it?” Harry suddenly spoke, his eyes never tearing off the wall on the other side of the tracks.

"You have high stalker potential, you know that?" Claire said as she took a deep breath, Harry chuckled.

“I liked it…. A lot, actually” Claire shyly said tearing her eyes away from Harry.

“Your Welcome” Harry smiled and looked at her, “So are you going to paint today?” pointing at the toolbox full of paint and paintbrushes Claire was carrying

“Yeah, um at the gallery” Claire smiled, “Following me again?” she asked followed by a laugh

Harry laughed and nodded, “I wanted to see you”

They arrived at the gallery and Simon, the owner, was there and a few other people. Claire bid her hello’s and proceeded to her designated room. Harry did a full 360 and the room, it had more colors than the first time he visited, the Alice in Wonderland theme becoming more and more noticeable.

Claire dropped her bag and stood in front of Harry, “Strip.”

“W-what?” Harry’s eyes almost popped out.

“Instead of spending most of your time watching me paint, you can help me” Clair smiled, “now take off your sweater and strip down to your t-shirt”

“O-oh okay” Harry breathed out and did what Claire said.

Claire immediately regretted asking Harry to strip, his white shirt defined his chest and biceps perfectly. He wasn’t buff or anything but his body had enough structure and built to make her week in the knees and the white t-shirt didn’t help, well… It did a lot.

“Take a picture babe, it’ll last longer” Harry joked snapping Claire out of her thoughts. Claire rolled her eyes and shoved the coveralls to him and started to work on coloring.

Harry took out his camera and started recording,” Coming to you live from the famous Claire Lyon’s workroom”

Claire covered the camera with her hand and trying to make Harry stop but her height didn’t help her. Claire laughed and Harry laughed with her, and that’s all they did that afternoon.
By the time Claire called it a day she realized Harry didn’t do anything to help her, all he did was annoy her, take pictures and record her. She smiled to herself knowing that she would’ve gotten mad if only she didn't enjoy his company so much.

“Since you owe me dinner, I was thinking pizza,” Harry said as he put back his sweater, showing off his dimples.

“Sounds good” Claire smiled.

//

Blaire arrived at the Bellagio Hotel with her mother and headed straight to one of the private dining rooms. William and Matt were already seated, waiting for them. William greeted her and her mother with a warm smile, as her mother proceeded to step forward and give him a kiss on the cheek. Blair looked away and sat down.

“Thank you for joining us tonight, Blair,” William said as they all have been seated.

“I thought this was a family dinner, why is Harry not here?” Blair asked

“He had plans prior to this, he might still be preoccupied with that” William safely answered.

Hours passed and most of what William, Matt and her mom talked about was corporate matters. Blair who sat by and watched in silence grew tired and frustrated.

“Family dinners aren’t supposed to feel like a business meeting,” Blair said aloud.

“Oh, my apologies Blair… We got caught up” William smiled.

Blair mimicked his smile and said,” Here’s a real family matter”

“Blair.” Her mother placed her hand on top of Blair’s, stopping her from speaking further.

“It’s fine Elaine,” William said

“If ever you do get married, do not get rid of your current house,” Blair said, her smile disappearing.

Matt looked at her like a deer in headlights, William looked at Elaine with a worried look on his face.

“This is none of your business, Blair” Her mom warned.

“I’m aware of that” Blair turned to her mother,” But that house is neither you nor my place to butt in to”

Elaine turned to Blair with a shocked look on her face. Blair then gave her a ‘you-know-what-i-mean’ look and turned to William.

“To Harry, that house is an extension of his mother. He spent much effort to stay there to ensure that it won’t feel different for her when she comes home from the hospital” Blair informed.

“He’s a grown up now Blair, I believe it’s time for him to move on and accept it” William stated, his voice becoming stern.

“How could he accept that she’s gone, it’s his mother” Blair fought back, her voice rising as her temper catch up with her,” he’s never gotten a closure”

“Blair Harrington” Elaine warned once more but Blair ignored her.

“The day of the funeral…” Blaire drifted her voice becoming weak as the memories come back to her,” You didn’t even let him attend to see her for one last time” she continued.

Flashback

“They didn’t even let him attend her funeral,” Blair said with pure anger, as she tried to stop tears from falling.

“If he collapsed, why did they leave him alone in the house? Shouldn’t they take him to the hospital?” Louis said in the same manner, as they watched Harry from the outside of his house.

Harry was leaning on a glass window, his back turned from his best friend, not aware that they were already there. A bottle of scotch beside him, his head bowed down as he cried.

Blair and Louis, dressed in black came from the funeral and went straight to Harry’s house after they found out that his father didn’t want him to cause a scene so he made him stay.

“Harry…” Blair said as she stood beside him.

Harry looked up and smiled, but Blair and Louis both know it’s fake.

“MOM! BLAIR AND LOUIS ARE HERE!” He cheerfully announced, a teardrop leaving his eye

Blair knelt down beside him and caressed his hair, “I’m here… talk to me”.

“S-s-she’s…. She’s…” Harry tried to make out but no words left his lips, but wearing sounds as he buried his head in Blair’s neck as she embraced him

“Shhh, it’s okay to cry” Blair soothed as she cried with him,“We’re here with you, okay”
Louis, who was crying, knelt beside Harry and placed his hand on Harry’s, his grip instantly became tight.

“My mom’s …. Mom’s g-gone.” Harry cried out.

End of Flashback

“I understand how Harry feels” Blair continued, “If you want to take everything for him, fine, but leave this house to him. In memory of his mother”

“Fine. I will think about getting a new house” William said, the wine he just consumed getting stuck in his throat.

Blair stood up and collected her things,” Thank you for the splendid dinner, family, let’s try to make it a tradition never to do it again” she smiled and walked out of the room.

//

“Look at this one!” Claire smiled as she looked at the photos Harry took.

Harry munched on the pizza and smiled at her,

” I know, Claire. I took those photos.” He said playfully rolling his eyes,” Now, can I have my camera back?”

Claire looked at his waiting hand and rolled her eyes, returning the camera. She grabbed another slice of pizza and laid down on their makeshift picnic area at the studio. Harry laid down beside her and propped his arm up to rest his cheek on his palm, looking down at Claire.

“You really have skills, why don’t you show em’ to other people?” Claire asked.

“I don’t know, I just don’t feel like it's not good enough…” Harry took another bite.

“You can do the promotional pictures for the opening! Simon would be thrilled” Claire encouraged plastering a wide smile on her face

“Nah…” Harry smiled back when Claire frowned.

“I know you said let’s forget what happened the other night but I just wanted to say sorry” Claire softly spoke, her cheeks becoming rosier every second as she changed the topic.

“Sorry for what?” Harry asked.

Claire mimicked his position and rested her cheek in her palm,” For judging you…”

“I’m used to it” Harry smiled and stared at Claire who is just looking at him, he suddenly felt bare, like she could see right through him.

“Why do you follow me these past few days? And the missed calls?” Claire asked, her curiosity taking a toll on her, again.

“For a smart girl you sure don’t know when to take a hint” Harry laughed once more, earning a playful push from Claire.

He took his time, taking a deep breath, examining her expression, her soft pink lips, her long lashes, and finally looking into her soft brown eyes.

“I like you, Claire Lyon” Harry softly spoke

Next on Intoxicated:

Notes

CHAPTER NINE IS UP! WE REACHED 2k plus READS!!!!! OMG THANK YOU AGAIN GUISEEEEE!!!!! SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CLAIRE AND HARRY AREN'T THEY CUTE????

WHO ARE YOU SHIPPING??? AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CLAIRE SO FAR???