Georgia sat in her seat, fiddling with the sleeve of her sweater absentmindedly while Harry placed their order. It was within a few minutes that he returned with a tray full of their food and Georgia straightened up, stomach rumbling with hunger. He set the tray down and took a seat opposite her.

“I can’t believe you didn’t let me pay,” Georgia said as she took a sip of her coke before biting into her burger.

“It’s just McDonald’s,” Harry chuckled. “Besides, I’m quite the gentleman.”

“Right,” Georgia rolled her eyes, but Harry’s grin didn’t falter.

They ate in silence for a while, chewing their food and looking around, thinking. Then Georgia broke the silence. “So,” she said after she’d swallowed, “who’s looking after Jade right now?”

Harry sipped his coke. “My mum,” he said. He looked down at his watch. “You have to come over again.”

“Oh?”

“Jade’s been asking,” Harry explained. “She really enjoys your company for some reason.”

“‘For some reason’?” Georgia asked, raising her eyebrows. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Harry smirked, but otherwise ignored her question. “She really likes you.”

“She’s amazing,” Georgia said. “You know, back home, I have a cousin about the same age as her and she was nowhere as nice as Jade is.”

Harry chuckled. “Oh?”

“If she didn’t get what she wanted,” Georgia told him, “she lay on the floor and scream loudly till her mum gave in. And she used to call me ugly and pull my hair.”

Harry actually laughed at that, loudly. “I can’t believe you actually got bullied by a kid.”

“She’d bully you too,” Georgia promised him. “Seriously, if you meet her, you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

“Sure, if that’s what you want to go with,” Harry chortled.

“I’m serious!” Georgia pouted. Harry, still laughing, raised his hand to tap her bottom lips, jutting out slightly. Georgia blushed and looked down at her food.

“Jade’s always been a quite one,” Harry said, oblivious to Georgia’s nerves. “She doesn’t really throw tantrums for anything. Honestly, I’ve never seen her cry for anything other than…well, you know, when she’s feeling unwell.”

“She’s shy,” Georgia observed.

Harry nodded in agreement. “She’s never been as outgoing either.” He said. “Usually she likes to sit in her room and read books, or play with her toys. I tried to get her to go out and make friends, but she never really wanted to. So I sort of gave up after a while. She takes a lot of time to open up to people.” Harry’s expression turned thoughtful. “Besides you.”

Georgia nodded, chewing her food. They talked more whilst they ate, moving from one topic to another with ease. Both were paying attention to only each other, listening to every word carefully and laughing with (but mostly at) each other. Both were oblivious to the door opening and the sudden presence of two characters in the restaurant. But when they walked straight up to the table Harry and Georgia were sat at, the two looked up.

Georgia didn’t notice the way Harry’s expression hardened, warm, green eyes turning stone cold as he looked at the two boys before him. She was only looking at the two smirking males, their attire not fitting in with the restaurant’s atmosphere, lively and filled with chatter. They were dressed simply, black jackets and pants, but there was something intimidating about their appearance, the way they stood at the table with a smirk.

“Well, well,” spoke one of the boys, a golden haired boy with a voice like melted chocolate. He was attractive, remarkably sharp features, beautiful blue eyes but his smirk was wicked, and it gave his beauty a sort of darkness that made Georgia’s heart pound. “Got a new bird, have you, Styles?”

So Harry knew them. Georgia cast a quick look towards him, and for a second she caught a glimpse of horror and anger in his eyes. But the next second, his eyes were flat, devoid of any emotion, and his expression was unreadable but for the hard set of his jaw. “James.” Was all he said.

“Would you look at that, Ethan?” James spoke to the other boy. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she? Nice catch, Styles.”

Georgia tensed too, unsure of what to say, or where to look.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“What do you both want?” Harry snapped, and Georgia was fortunately spared a response.

“Now, now,” James chuckled. “No need to get so snappy. We were just passing the area when we spotted you here. Thought we’d drop in to say hi to our dearest friend.”

Harry snorted. “Alright, you done, then?” he asked rudely. Georgia had an ominous feeling that using the sort of tone with the two was not advisable, but she kept her mouth shut.

“Oh come on, don’t be like that.” James laughed. “At least tell us what your girlfriend’s name is.”
Harry opened his mouth but snapped it shut quickly. Instead of replying to James, he looked at Georgia. “You done?”

“I—”

He didn’t bother waiting for a response. “Come on, we’re leaving.” He said, ignoring her half eaten burger and the almost full glass of coke. He got up quickly, and when Georgia remained seated, half due to her confusion, he looked at her impatiently. “Get up.”

“Now is that any way to treat your girl, Harry?” James chided playfully, though his playfulness was anything but cheery. “Tell us your name, beautiful.”

“James—”

“While we’re here,” James cut across Harry, “might as well ask, yeah? You still got stuff on you?”

Georgia frowned, wondering as to what James’ words meant. She looked at Harry, whose features had morphed into an expression of absolute, pure anger; eyebrows knitted, upper lip curled ever so slightly to for a snarl, his eyes almost black with rage.

“Oh,” James snickered. “Not supposed to mention that in front of the lady, am I?”

A hand, Harry’s hand, encased around Georgia’s wrist, the grip slightly tighter than necessary.

“You didn’t know, did you?” James asked her, his smirk intact.

“I—”

“Georgia, we’re leaving,” Harry snarled, and pushed past James and his friend, dragging a very bewildered Georgia behind him. A few tables that were near them turned to look at the slight commotion taking place, but it was obvious that Harry didn’t care.

“Georgia,” James murmured as they passed him. Her name on his tongue sounded as if he was already objectifying her in his head, a sort of threat, and Georgia shivered. “I’ll be seeing you.”

The door burst open and they were out in the cold again. Harry dropped Georgia’s hand and marched at a furiously fast pace towards his car as Georgia struggled to keep up with him. He ignored her pleas to slow down and listen to her, posture still tense, his anger so clear that she could almost see it around him, an aura.

“Harry,” she begged, half jogging to keep up with his pace. “Harry, slow down.”

“Will you shut up?” he roared suddenly, turning around abruptly. Georgia froze midstep, surprised by his sudden outburst. “Stop it, stop talking and walk faster.”

“What was that?” Georgia asked him. “Inside, with those two boys? What did he mean, ‘have you got stuff on you?”

“Mind your own business,” Harry snapped at her, taking slow steps towards her. “Just fucking shut up and walk. I’m taking you home.”

“Don’t talk to me like that,” she retorted. “And I’m not going anywhere till you tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything,” Harry yelled at her. “And I won’t, alright? Now stop whining and come on.”

“I’m not leaving till you—”

“Fine, then stay here!” he said, so loudly that Georgia flinched.

“Stop it, stop yelling,” Georgia told him, her voice nowhere as loud as his but her tone was firm.
“Calm down—”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Harry warned. “Don’t you dare—just shut up—”

He was furious, impossibly so, and Georgia didn’t know why. Somewhere inside her, fear stirred and she took a small step away from him, suddenly wishing she hadn’t decided to accompany him to McDonald’s, or even for the drive. She’d seen him angry before, it was an emotion she associated with him often. But this was a type of rage she hadn’t seen him portray before, the way his eyes were almost black with anger scared her a little, and she wasn’t sure if she’d pushed him too far. It was often hard for people to control their anger, and the things they did and said in its wake, and she wondered how far Harry would go before he realized he was simply blinded by his anger.

“It was nothing, okay?” he growled down at her. “Forget you ever saw those two in there. Don’t you dare mention this to anyone, you got that?”

“Are you threatening me?” she asked, a slight tremble to her voice.

“Shut up,” he told her again. “Stop asking me, just shut up and walk.”

He turned away from her and began walking again, and Georgia ditched her attempts to get him to slow down and followed him at her own pace. By the time she reached the car, Harry was already inside, sitting in his seat, his hands wrapped around the wheel so tightly his knuckles were almost white. Georgia quietly got in and shut the door, refraining from speaking. Harry started the car without a single glance at her. They drove in silence, Georgia clutching the edge of her seat as she fought the urge to call Harry out on the increasingly fast speed with which he was driving the car. The trees, houses, local shops and people rushed by them, only a blur.

However, she thought she’d had enough when Harry made a sudden, sharp turn and she heard the tires screech, her body almost jolting to the side and she winced. Harry ignored her, seemingly unaffected by the fact that this turn could have almost killed them.

“Harry,” she said softly. “Harry, please slow down.”

He ignored her.

“Harry—”

“Please shut up,” he growled at her.

“Stop driving this fast, we’re in no hurry to—”

“Georgia,” Harry warned, cutting her off. “I’m not going to say it again. Keep your mouth shut.”

“Don’t talk to me like that.”

“Georgia—”

“You’re too fast—”

“If you have a problem, you can walk back home.”

“Fine.”

“What did you just—?”

“I’d rather walk back home,” Georgia said, her voice soft but firm. “You’re scaring me.”

The car jolted to a sudden stop, and Georgia would have been sent flying out of the window if it weren’t for her seatbelt. Harry glared at her, absolutely livid and she almost shrank back. “Fine,” he said. “Get out.” His words came out as a snarl, and she heard a click; he’d unlocked the doors.

She sat there for a split second longer, before undoing her seatbelt quickly and getting off the car, shutting the door behind her with a loud bang. The cold air hit her like a ton of bricks and she shivered, but didn’t look back as she stalked off in the dead of the night, unsure of where she was going. Her heels clicked against the road as she walked further and further away from the car. Harry hadn’t gotten out to stop her, and with every step she took, the possibility of him doing so seemed lesser. But the car hadn’t passed her yet—maybe he’d taken another route.

“Fucking hell!”

She heard him finally, and had to stop herself from sighing in absolute relief. As much as she hated how Harry was behaving at that moment, she didn’t want to be left alone to find her way back home in a city she wasn’t so familiar with. Besides, the events in the alley a few nights ago were unfortunately fresh in her mind, and she didn’t want to experience that again. She ignored him at first.

“Wait!” he called out, but she ignored him further.

A hand encased around her wrist and she was spun around roughly. “Fuck,” Harry growled as she collided with his hard chest. He was glowering down at her as he did often. “Are you fucking deaf?”

“No,” she said bravely. “I was ignoring you. You asked me to go home alone.”

“Get back inside the car,” he said, and it was clear that keeping calm was a struggle for him.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she snapped at him.

“Georgia,” he warned, his grip on her wrist tightening, his eyes almost black with anger as he stared at her. “Don’t be stupid, okay? Fucking get in.”

“You’re the one who asked me to walk home.”

“And now I’m asking you to get in the car.”

“And why should I listen to you?”

“Jesus!” Harry roared and she flinched at the sudden raise in volume. His grip was
excruciatingly tight, and Georgia attempted to remove her hand from his grasp, but in vain.

“What is it with you? Why can’t you just shut up for once, and listen to what I’m telling you?”

“I don’t have to listen to you!” she retorted him. “I don’t care what upset you about those two boys, but don’t take your anger out one me.”

Harry’s jaw locked, his grip still tight on her wrist and she was sure it was going to bruise. He stepped closer to her, their bodies pressing, his chest rising and falling rapidly, breathing erratic due to his anger. “Just stop talking, you hear me?” he asked her, and though he wasn’t yelling, anger was laced in every word, his voice scarily calm. His eyes bore into hers. “Shut up, fucking shut up, and come with me.”

“I am not going anywhere with you.” She told him bravely.

She was pushing it, testing him, she knew it. “I’m absolutely fucking infuriated right now,
Georgia,” he snarled. “Don’t make it worse.”

“Ow,” she whimpered, as his grip tightened even further. “Harry, stop.”

“Are you going to come with me or not?” he asked her, not seeming to have heard her over his anger clouding his thoughts.

“Harry, stop it.” She said, and this time her tone was soft, pleading. “You’re hurting me.”

There was a shift in the tense air around them, and Harry’s eyes flashed with something before going slightly wide. He seemed surprised by what he’d done, the control he seemed to have lost in his anger. His hand slipped away from her and Georgia took several steps back. Harry’s stomach twisted when he saw a hint of fear in her eyes. His heart was pounding in his head, furiously and he was still livid—thought, admittedly, not at her.

She wasn’t supposed to meet James—not this way, not at all. Hell, no one was supposed to know Harry knew him. No one knew about that phase of his life, and he would have preferred to keep it that way. It wasn’t Georgia’s fault that they had run into him this way, with Harry totally unprepared. What was more, he actually had the audacity to ask him the one question Harry had been running away from.

Another thing that made Harry upset was his anger, the anger that he had unintentionally let out on her. Harry did that often—whenever he was upset, he lashed out. He tried to control himself for Jade’s sake, but sometimes, it didn’t work. It seemed to happen around Georgia often. She was shy and quiet and an easy person to use as a punch bag. He had no right to let his frustration out on her the way that he had, but he couldn’t help himself from being snappy around her. The same way he couldn’t help the fact that he liked teasing her, and asking her about her life. He was strange around her.

But in this moment, he’d let his anger slip a little too far. That happened too, sometimes; almost everyone had caught a glimpse of Harry when he was really livid. He broke things then, hurt people with words and punched walls. His anger would cloud his judgment and it would take a while for him to calm down.

He squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds, taking several calming breaths. When he opened them, she was still there, looking at him and rubbing her sore wrist.

“Listen,” he said, and though he was still not yelling, his voice was softer. “I’m sorry, I—”

“I’ll just walk home,” Georgia cut across him.

“No,” he said, tone still soft. “No, you shouldn’t—I’ll drop you. I’m sorry, okay?”

When she didn’t respond, he raised his eyebrows slightly and offered her a small smile, hoping to ease the tension. He felt guilty for having snapped at her so wildly, and possibly bruising her arm without any intention to do so. Georgia sighed and walked back towards the car, and Harry followed slowly behind. He held the door open for her as she got in, and then quietly did the same himself.

The ride was mostly silent. Georgia stared out of the window, her hand wrapped around her wrist, while Harry sneaked glances at her, opening his mouth every once in a while as if to say something, but then shutting it again, unable to find words to start a conversation.

Harry’s car came to a slow stop outside her house. Georgia attempted to undo her seatbelt quickly, but as her luck would have it, she found it stuck. Harry sighed and reached over her and deftly undid it for her while she looked away pointedly. She reached for the door the moment he pulled away, but he stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Wait,” he said, and she turned to look at him, eyes blank, unreadable. “Let me see your wrist.”

“What?”

“Let me see it,” he insisted.

When she didn’t respond, he gingerly her thin wrist in his hand, bringing it close to his face to examine it. Her skin was red, angry fingerprints marring the creamy flesh, and Harry’s stomach twisted with guilt. Slowly, he let his thumb run across the forming bruises, gentle and soothing and he looked up at Georgia to find her watching him with what was an almost confused expression, as if she couldn’t understand why, or how, he was this calm, almost gentle.

“I’m sorry,” he said, and Georgia was surprised to hear a tinge of pleading in his voice. He looked at her, green eyes searching her face for any sign of forgiveness. “Really, I am. That wasn’t…I shouldn’t have lashed out on you like that.”

Georgia stared at him for a long time, or at least, that’s what it seemed like to Harry. But then she sighed, eyes softening slightly. “Okay,” she muttered. “It’s okay.” Then she turned and reached for the door.

“Goodnight,” he said.

Georgia got off the car, and then looked at Harry one time. “Night,” she said, and then she shut the door and walked off.

This time, it was Harry who watched her go.

Notes

yoooooooooo!

so this was a new introduction to the plot, basically how harry has a sort of darker side to him that threatens to spill out sometimes. also, james is an essential character, remember him!

and thank you for all your comments, i'm glad you're enjoying! i love you guys, and don't forget to tell me what you thought of this one too! and subscribe and vote! tHANK YOUUU :* <3