When Love Gets Complicated [ A One Direction fanfiction <3 ]

Chapter 1 - The Dream 



RACHEL’S P.O.V.

Just as she approached three marbled steps that lead to the ballroom, Rachel Morgan felt for the black feathers that whisked at the top of her red-coloured masquerade mask and re-adjusted the eyeholes. Bordered by jewels and sequins, the mask was heavy and had found its way to the tip of her nose.

With her eyes no longer staring at the back part of her mask, she reached over to pick up the slightly long train, of her dress, that followed behind her as she made her way towards two very large, wooden doors. With each stair, her Louis Vuitton Daffodil pumps clicked and the sound of “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol grew louder.

She was missing the slow dance. Butterflies fluttered around in her stomach and she could feel sweat slowly rising from within her pores. Her heartbeat palpitated to the rhythm of her footsteps. She stood in front of the doors for a moment, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. A drip of sweat glided down her nape and settled at the end of one of her brown curls. “Are you ready?” The doorman asked.

Rachel opened her eyes. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied.

The cherry-stained doors opened to a dim-lit ballroom. She could only see the few couples that were closest to the entrance until a bright spotlight shined directly onto her, catching the sequins and silver refluxes in her dress. Everyone shot up from their partners’ shoulders and fixed their piercing eyes at Rachel, who stood there like a deer in headlights. She shaded her eyes with her hands – carefully not to move her mask – and glanced up in search of the lighting director. Sure enough, she caught a glimpse of her best friend, Louis Tomlinson, bolting from the actual lighting director – his suspenders gave him away. Louis was constantly trying to embarrass her and he didn’t care much for where he did it. He succeeded at it too as Rachel’s cheeks were flushed and her makeup was quickly mixing with sweat.

It was only a few seconds later that everyone shelved Rachel’s awkward entrance and focused their attention back to their partners.

With her eyes clear of the spotlight and stares from others, Rachel took a moment to sweep her eyes around the room. The masquerade ball had a sort of night-time theme, with bright lights hanging around fake trees and stars dangling from the ballroom’s high-reaching ceiling.

The next slow song began to play; it was her favourite, “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia. She glanced down to watch her step along the balloon and lightly fog-covered floor when she noticed the all-too familiar shoe stance of her crush. He stood there awkwardly, with one white converse facing forward and the other turned in. He looked almost picturesque. His brown curls looked fluffier than ever and his clothes were tightfitting – just the way she liked them. He had on khakis, a black blazer over a white shirt buttoned to the top, and an asymmetrically patterned bow tie. His smile was stretching from one cheek to the other, unveiling his dimples and infallible teeth. It was Harry Styles.

Suddenly, Rachel’s brown eyes locked with Harry’s X-rated green eyes. With his cheeky smile pushing against his eyes, he was sort of squinting – making him look even more heavenly.

 “You look quite… dashing.” Harry teased in his low-toned voice as he kissed Rachel’s hand.

Rachel couldn’t look away from his stare. “Thank you.” She replied.

“May I have this dance?” Asked Harry.

“Of course.” Rachel nervously hesitated as she accepted his offer.

She followed Harry to the middle of the ballroom and the spotlight shined down on the two of them. Harry slipped his large hands around Rachel’s waist and gently pulled her close into his chest. She rested her chin on his shoulder. He moved one of his hands to middle of her back, sending shivers throughout her body.

“You are the most beautiful girl in this room, Rachel Morgan.” Harry whispered into her ear. He then pulled away slightly to look her directly in the eyes. He leaned in with his lips heading towards hers, his nose brushing against hers, and then – the light from the spotlight shined brighter, almost like the beam-lights of a car. The ballroom went into a panic and Rachel’s mask was pulled back down to the edge of her nose. It must have been Louis fooling around again. “LOUIS!” Shouted Rachel.