Living a new life (Adopted)

Chapter 1

It was a cold day in London, that only putting it lightly.Poor young Harry Styles is shivering like crazy, the small frail boy only wore a jumper, which in truth barely reached his thighs and was filled with holes and rips. The child had found it in a homeless shelter; as each year, the local shelters had 'big donations' where people would basically get rid of all of their unwanted junk that they no longer had interest in owning, that along with food - canned food and bread, mainly stale.All the donated food was horrible, and honestly the homeless people probably would have been better off with just leaving it and starving; at least then they didn't have a chance of dying from food poisoning or any other illnesses....an unfortunate sad truth, but the truth, nonetheless.Harry has had a relatively good start to life, he was brought into a loving family, which consisted of: his dad, his mum, and his older sister Gemma who all loved him to no end. Desmond and Anne Styles were high up in their jobs, meaning they could give their kids nearly everything they wanted and didn't need to even bother with bringing a calculator with them on shopping trips, so when they saw families who actually brought calculators to the shops with them, they turned up their noses and laughed at said families.Out of the blue and so suddenly, the unthinkable had happened. The family had all been on a night out; a super fancy restaurant (which had impeccable food!) and then a trip to the theater, which they all had enjoyed. Des and Harry clad in their suits (bless little Harry, only being nine at the time) and Anne and Gemma dressed to the nines in their blood red and baby blue evening gowns. The family obviously radiated wealth, and anyone around them could see that.Bad people included.Des and Gemma were shot out of no where, seeing her dearest family drop to the floor Anne cried out, cradling her daughter in her arms. The balaclava ruffian wasn't happy with the noise the pretty woman was making, and so decided to shoot her too. Anne died instantly. Harry whimpered, holding Gemma's hand, who was the only one still alive in that moment, Gemma used the last of her strength to smile at him, and then she died too.Harry laid his big sisters hand down, tears streaming down his face. Having the chance to do so Harry took off and ran, ran as far and as quickly his little legs could take him. The boy stopped in an alley, his breathing becoming erratic and quick.....he is alone now, no Mummy to read him stories, no daddy to give him piggy back rides and no big sister to spoil him.~Harry didn't tell the police as the police are scary. So, he fled, hiding in alleys and entries whenever he heard a cruiser's siren. Eventually, everyone forgot about him and so he just became another face in London....another burden to society, but as long as he stayed away from the police, he is safe....well not really. People in London didn't take nicely to homeless people and so poor Harry suffered through his fair share of abuse throughout the years; from being spat on to being flat out kicked in the face by by passers. but....he was strong.Though Harry thought he was strong he knew his barriers where slowly breaking down and it will not be long what so ever before he would be crumpled on the streets ground drowning in his self pity and guilt.Living on the streets isn't easy at all, why? Well Harry is afraid of everything and anything, shots of fireworks made him relapse into traumas of flashbacks, Harry waking up with his little heart thumping one hundred miles an hour and his mind afraid to fall back asleep.Other than being reminded of his painful past, Harry got the most dirtiest looks from everyone who dared looked at his way, food and water becoming a thing he had to steal which has become quite hard for the boy as there has been many times he's had to take off and run for a hiding spot away from the store worker that had took off running for his stolen items back.Life on the streets is hard no doubt about it, but Harry has endured it this far... But how long can he keep this up?~It was this cold day in London when everything changed.As said before, Harry had to steal a lot to survive. He knew that the local Tesco manager would be on the lookout for him today, so he couldn't go there, unless he wanted to be arrested. He'd walk for miles and miles to get the food and drink that he needed, to Harry though it is all worth it.But maybe today, he didn't have to. The tall, old man with white hair and a white, fluffy beard told Harry this.....well, he didn't, but Harry swore the old man signaled for the boy to follow him.....to take the gold watch hanging out of his brown Burberry coat.Harry is no expert when it came to stealing, but he had quite a lot of experience and therefore knew the basics. All he had to do was sneak behind the man, snatch the watch quickly and take off running. The old man looked on the verge of eighty so surely, he'd never be able to catch up to Harry when he ran away, after all Harry is now a nimble and skinny twelve year old boy, of course he would beat the old guy.Turns out though that Harry had it all wrong. His hand didn't even get into the man's pocket before he was shoved back harshly. It was a snowy day in England, which was rare and so when he fell on his back, there was a resounding 'crack' that nobody for miles would miss. The twelve-year-old boy screamed out, as he was sure his spine had snapped, but the old man above him just glared down, raising his cane to beat the young thief."Please, sir! I won't do it again!" Harry begged, but he couldn't even roll over to get out of the way, his back absolutely killing him. However before the man could strike him, it was as if the heavens had heard him. The cane was plucked out of the old man's hand and thrown to the ground.....harshly. "Excuse me?!" the man shouted, turning around hastily.Harry turned his head to look at his savior, turned out to be a young, tanned man who couldn't have been a day over 21. His hair was as black as raven feathers, hanging over his face and draping down his neck like curtains. It looked oily, as if a whole tub of hair gel had been combed through it a thousand and one times to get it to look like sheer perfection.....then came his face, Chiseled cheek bones, a jawline to die for and those eyes. Oh, those eyes!Harry wasn't sure if he had been knocked into oblivion as this man wasn't just a regular man. He looked like an Arab prince, who belonged to royalty, not one of the shabbiest areas in London. "Excuse me?" the man spoke, and Harry's ears melted at the sound. "You're telling me to be excused, when you've just prepared to beat this poor young boy to a pulp? What did he do to deserve being hit by this?" he raised the cane that had thrown on the ground.The white-haired old man grit his teeth. "He was trying to steal my watch," he seethed. "This is real genuine gold. Young scum like this need to learn to keep their hands to themselves." The raven haired man shook his head. "Old men like you need to learn the same, clearly. I'm giving you thirty seconds and if you're not away from here by the time I'm done counting, I'll report you to the police for assault and battery" Sensing that the black-haired beauty wasn't lying, the old man grumbled before taking his cane and hobbling away.Harry flinched when he felt a shadow loom over him, not used in the slightest with people coming near him as that always meant that something bad is going to happen. "It's okay, little one. I'm not going to hurt you" the man cooed, ghosting a hand over Harry's mucky and cold face gently. "My name's Zayn. I'm going to help you, okay? Can I help you sit up?" The young child nodded hesitantly, groaning in pain when Zayn slid a hand under his back to help him sit up.You see Zayn, the raven haired man of the heavens isn't like other people here in London. Zayn is a loyal man of his twenties who loves to help all....including the homeless as shown with Harry. Harry flinched violently when the man helped him, not used to such gentle touch as it's been three years and a bit since he was last treated with love and care. "Hey there young one, are you hurt?" Zayn asked hearing the boy groan in obvious pain.Harry didn't answer first as he didn't know what to say or do at this point. "It's alright you know, you can tell me as I want to make it better" Harry bowed his head down, his left hand rubbing at his lower back. Zayn sore the action and frowned, his soft eyebrows knitting together. "Is it your back?" Harry nodded after a minute not being one to take to people quickly as anyone he has come across either spat at him or kicked him, throwing abuse after abuse at him.Zayn noticed the boy's wariness and instantly softened his expression. "You don't have to be so tense around me little guy. I'm a good guy, okay?" Tears brimmed in Harry's eyes, as the man seemed so genuine, but because of how screwed up his life was he didn't knew who he could trust anymore."Oh no, don't cry. It's alright," Zayn cooed, wrapping a gentle arm around Harry's shoulders. "Calm down, sweetheart. Shh." Harry listened to the man's soothing voice, eventually opting to fall into his chest and sob as it was so cold. There was hardly anybody out, leaving the child to cry in peace in the stranger's arms.~Eventually, the boy had calmed down. "Can you tell me your name, honey?" Zayn prompted, rubbing his hand gently over Harry's back. The young boy looked up at him, eyes wide with fear though Zayn just smiled down softly at him, assuring him that everything is going to be alright."My name's...my name's H-Harry," Harry answered quietly, wincing when he moved as his back was still killing him. Zayn tutted, turning Harry around slightly.He pulled on Harry's scruffy, thin collar to observe his back, groaning himself when he saw the large, red mark. "That looks like it hurts. It'll definitely bruise, however I don't think it's anything too serious. We'll keep an eye on it, though how about we get you to a doctor? Better safe than sorry I always say" Harry attempted to back up slightly. "No!" Harry shouted, pulling away. "No doctors!" Zayn frowned...this poor little boy. "Harry" Zayn stated sitting on the floor next to the boy, not minding one bit that his clothes got caked in snow and melted ice.Harry flinched at his name being called as it has been a while since anyone called him by his name. "P-please.......no d-doctors" Harry practically begged. "Alright, I am not one to push" Zayn commented smiling gently at the boy.A little silence became the two, which got broken by Harry's rumbling stomach. Zayn chuckled and brought the boy closer to his chest, said boy flinching at the movement. "How about we go get some yummy food in your stomach huh?" Zayn stated tickling Harry's thin stomach, a stomach that has been starved of proper food since he was first out on the streets. "Uh huh" Harry agreed breath hitching in his throat when the man lifted him up, a slight groan following out of his mouth when he was jostled around in the mans strong tanned arms.As Zayn carried the smelly boy to a restaurant he knew had impeccable food, enough to satisfy anyone, the young man couldn't help but feel the weight of the boy, weight telling him that the boy is starved and lucky to even be alive today. Smell, the boy smelt bad putting it as nicely as he could, other than being starved of food the boy had been starved of baths and looking at the boys hair, he knew the young lad could do with a hair cut.But....how could just a little lad like him end up on the streets at the tender age of eight....well at least that's the age Zayn is betting on anyway.~"Choose anything you want, sweetheart," Zayn said softly, handing Harry a menu as soon as they were seated. Harry took the book and stared at it before looking around the restaurant, only now just realizing that it was only him and Zayn in the restaurant. "Not many people can be bothered coming out on such a cold day. How lazy, huh?" Zayn chuckled. Harry didn't smile, but he did nod, which was something at least.After a couple of minutes, Harry finally decided on the spaghetti and meatballs. A simple dish, but Harry remembered having it years ago, when everything was still great, and goodness he missed it! "He'll have number forty eight and I'll have number fifty nine, thank you" Zayn grinned, handing the menus back to the waiter.The waiter smiled and even bowed, which shocked Harry something great, however he decided not to question it.Once Zayn turned his attention back to Harry, the boy couldn't help but feel awkward. He stared at the velvet walls around him, wondering why the money the government made went towards restaurants like the one he was currently in rather than homeless shelters. At least, that's how he looked at it."So," Zayn started, placing his palms on the white-cloth table. "I feel like we should get to know each other, little one. If that's okay with you." Harry shrugged, his dirty shirt slipping off his shoulders. "Not much to know," he answered, rather bitterly, shaking his head. Zayn's lips twitched downwards. "Now, I'm sure that's not entirely true," he stated pointedly. "Was there a reason I caught you trying to steal from that old man?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow. The little boy in-front of him gulped. "Don't know," he mumbled, the hairs on the back of his neck were starting to stand up a bit now.He should have never come with Zayn, he should have just lied and said that his back was alright...... Gosh, what if he handed Harry over to the police?!"I think you do," Zayn said softly, gently rubbing a finger against Harry's knuckle....and by that one simple action Harry just...broke down, he couldn't help it. Within a few minutes, Zayn knew his whole life story, he's always known to never tell a stranger any personal information...but Zayn was just so nice and...and...he couldn't help it, alright?!"Oh, poor baby," Zayn cooed lightly, standing up and going over to Harry, lifting the boy up. At first, Harry thought the man was going to throw him out, to tell Harry how much of a burden he was to society.....but none of that ever came as instead the man sat the boy on his lap and just like before, he let the child sob into his chest. He didn't care about the smell, the stains he was going to leave on his very expensive suit for as long as Harry was okay, he'd go through anything...that's what it seemed like to Harry."W-why are you being so nice to me?" the boy croaked, staring into his Zayn's eyes. Zayn smiled. "Because you're a human being, a creation of God, and you deserve to be treated with kindness," he stated softly, laying a delicate, innocent kiss on the boy's greasy, overgrown fringe.Harry melted into the touch. a kiss....something so small yet meant a lot and it brought tears to Harry's eyes...happy tears that for once after three years someone has helped him, someone as rich as Zayn has chosen to pick up a child suck as himself off of the streets and into this very expensive, very rich restaurant that if people like him come anywhere near the place with their filthy hands, they would be lucky to even be alive after being beaten for coming so close to the expensive place.Zayn sat with Harry on his lap for another ten minutes, letting the boy soak in as much comfort he needed, knowing the only comfort the boy got is the feeling of rocks and glass under sore feet and a cardboard box that he took refuge of to sleep in. At ten minutes the waitress had come back with food and drinks, the smell making Harry's stomach growl impatiently. "Your really hungry aren't you honey? Come on eat up, your tummy will be a happy one once this delicious food has filled it up" Zayn commented digging into his dinner.Harry looked down at his dinner and then at the silver cutlery that he saw Zayn using. Picking up his knife and fork clumsily, Harry attempted to position them in his hands.....though he tried he just kept on failing at the task in hand. He got close as to stabbing some spaghetti.....but it fell off of his fork and onto his clothes, which didn't matter as his clothes where already dirty. Zayn watched the boy for a little while longer and felt truly sorry for the boy.Putting down his silverware, Zayn made the boy jump when all of a sudden his chair moved on it's own. Zayn pulled Harry around on the chair positioning the boy in front of him, Harry looking up at him curiously. "Let me help you sweet heart" Zayn stated grabbing Harry's dinner and feeding the boy.Though it felt weird being fed, Harry loved it. The boy opened his mouth every time Zayn touch his bottom lip with a fork full of food, Harry eating it hungrily though he stopped halfway through when he decided he didn't want anymore. "Nu uh" Harry shoved his head away from the plate. "Come on one more mouthful, please" Zayn tried though Harry wasn't having any of it. "Alright fine you don't have to. Good job honey" Harry nodded his head in a thank you gesture.Zayn stood up and put his hand out for Harry to take. "Let's go get the bill paid shall we?" Zayn prompted heading over to the till to get his bill. "Hello sir, how can I help" a young lady asked, not taking much liking to Harry though Harry had gotten used to looks like hers. While Zayn paid for the bill Harry danced around on his sore feet, the drink he had with his dinner going straight to his bladder.Zayn, noticing the small boy's constant wiggling knelt down in-front of the lad with a worried look. "Is something the matter, sweetheart?" He questioned gently, putting a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry flinched slightly, but otherwise opted not to say anything, he just shook his head and pouted slightly.The woman at the till sighed impatiently. Zayn is a regular visitor to the place and he is therefore always welcomed - heck, she even flirts with him! Though she didn't like the way the smelly, rotten boy was taking all of his attention.Zayn always dined alone; she didn't like that this little brat had come out of nowhere and changed that.Yet again of course...she wasn't aware of Zayn's "business"as so to speak. Zayn smiled softly knowing what shy children can be like. "Do you need the potty, perhaps?" Zayn guessed, knowing he guessed right when Harry squirmed. He really did need to go, but he didn't want Zayn to know that! Too late now. "Mmm hmm" he groaned, his bladder thudding as he had a hand digging into his crouch. Zayn saw how desperate the small lad was and gave an apologetic look towards the woman he knew always flirts with him...as if!"Sorry, put a hold on the bill please I need to take this little guy to the bathroom" the woman didn't look pleased at that clarification and so glared at the boy who took the raven haired man's hand, the two of them heading to the boys toilets.Inside the boys toilets, Zayn led Harry into a stall and let the boy have his privacy. Zayn soon heard tinkering of water hitting water rather forcefully. When Harry was done, it turned out he also needed to go number two as well and therefore it worried Zayn when the boy stopped weeing and it went silent, only the sound of a few grunts could be heard. "Harry, are you alright in there sweetheart?" Harry looked up from where he was counting the tiles on the floor. "Uh huh" Harry replied not telling Zayn what exactly his is doing, though the man seemed to know what was up."Would you like me to step out for a moment?" Zayn asked kindly. Harry made a noise of agreement as he is too embarrassed to speak at the moment. Zayn did so as requested, waiting outside of the toilets till the boy finished.He is quite aware of what Harry was doing, and he just felt so sorry for the boy - this was probably the first time in a while that the boy had used a decent toilet. Harry took his time, cleaning himself thoroughly with the lavender-scented loo roll. It felt so good to finally be able to feel at least a little bit refreshed, something he hasn't felt in a long while. Heck, he couldn't even remember the last time he'd had a shower or a bath for that matter!The hot water from the tap seemed to be enough to make Harry's eyes roll back from the sheer relaxing feeling. Letting the pink soap slide between his fingers, he watched as his hands bubbled up with rosy foam."All done?" Zayn smiled, frowning slightly at the way Harry was shivering, the boy would need new clothes for sure. Not that they'd have a problem with that obviously.Harry yawned slightly, a sudden feeling of tiredness taking over him. Weird. He'd been wide awake before hand. "I've just been on the phone with my friend, Harry. I think he'll really be able to help you" he stated, putting a hand on the boy's neck and leading him back to the till. Thankfully, there was another server there now. A tall, buff man with swirly hair, like one of the men you see in those old rock 'n roll movies.Harry pulled away, however. "Friend?!" he exclaimed. That's what all strangers on the streets tell him. "You just wait there, honey. I'm just going to get my 'friend'" and "I think I'd better let my 'friends' know about you" Harry knew who the 'friends' were. The police, the council, social workers...all the people Harry didn't like.....at all.Zayn crouched down, wrapping an arm around the distressed child. "Hey, hey, calm down," he soothed, pulling him close. He gave the swirly-haired man a look, handing his credit card over, before turning his attention to Harry again. "I'd never hand you over to anyone who will hurt you, okay?" he cooed, rubbing his thumb gently over the bottom of Harry's spine. "His name's Louis. He's not a policeman or a criminal, or anything of the sort. Nothing to worry your cute little head over, okay, darling? He just wants to help you." The man at the till raised his eyebrows at Zayn, seeming to understand what he was saying.Zayn nodded at him, and the man left them, going back to the kitchen. There was a reason why the restaurant was empty."N-no" Harry stuttered, shaking his head. "I-I gotta leave. I can't stay here!" he claimed, trying to shuffle out of Zayn's grip. To his surprise, he very nearly fell, but Zayn caught him.The other man just smiled sadly. "'M afraid you're not going anywhere now, little one," he expressed softly, standing up and setting the tiny boy down on his hip. The pain in Harry's back was completely gone now; he felt...numb and when bright, blue eyes entered his vision, he lost consciousness completely.