ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇɴ
Perfect
The longer Elora spent in the large house, surrounded by famous people she had vague recollections of, the odder she felt. She had only been there for five minutes when she felt the desire to make up an excuse to hide out in the garden, away from all the people. Their journey to the kitchen involved Louis getting stopped and congratulated by every single guest, which meant that she had so smile awkwardly every time they looked at her and didn't know who she was. Eventually the brash nature of Louis shone through and he only gave fleeting 'thank you's and pulled her through the crowd.
When they reached the kitchen, his face was tense and uncomfortable before he began looking around for something she would drink.
"I'm sorry about that, I thought there would be less people," he grumbled before catching sight of the wine bottle he had passed to her and took it from her.
"It's fine," she chuckled and sighed at the peace of the kitchen, "You don't seem to be enjoying yourself, though."
He shrugged as he poured the wine into a glass he stole from the cabinet, "I don't like big crowds so I was hoping that this would be a bit smaller, which is why I only invited you."
Elora choked on her breath at his words before she took the glass from him with wide eyes, "Why didn't you ask your other friends to be here?"
"Eh," he took a sip of beer, "They're all a rowdy bunch and this was supposed to be chill, plus, I don't normally mix my personal life with work because the media does it enough for me."
She smiled at his remark before nodding in understanding; it had been something she'd wondered about – what his personal life was like when he got a chance to take a breath. Before she could respond, he added, "And I've only spent time with like you for the past bit."
"Well, I'm complimented," she laughed to try and hide how much his words meant to her, "I hope I won't disappoint you tonight then."
Louis rolled his eyes before he guided her out of the kitchen into the lounge where the group was smaller but he could still say that he was being involved. His eyes ran over the people situated in random places around the room, trying to see if there was anyone that he felt like talking to. He, quite frankly, wasn't surprised when the only one who caught his attention was the gorgeous brunette standing alongside him. Her swirling brown eyes glinted in the warm light of the room and as she looked around, her smooth skin gleamed like rich silk. He couldn't help but admire the lustier of her dark hair and the way the lighter brown highlights blended into the strands naturally.
Elora looked at him with a small smile as she took a sip of the musky wine, appreciating its flavour far more than Louis would have. Just as he was about to say something, he felt the presence of a much taller being walk up behind him and he couldn't help but sigh in resignation. Turning around, he caught the sight he had expected: Harry stood with a charming smile and eyes focused fully on the woman Louis had brought with. Elora hadn't noticed his friend's presence yet, so Louis shot him a look that he hoped would convey his dislike for Harry's curiosity. The fellow British lad grinned innocently at him but ignored the hint and cleared his throat in an attempt to catch her attention. His attempt was successful when she turned around quickly with wide eyes, worried that she had been standing in someone's way.
"Good evening," Harry greeted with his dimpled smile, "I'm Harry, I don't think I've met you before."
Elora looked at Louis with a faintly raised eyebrow, catching him rolling his bright eyes at his friend's antics. She smiled sweetly and switched her glass over to her other hand so that she could shake his, "You definitely haven't. Hi Harry, I'm Elora Rayne."
Louis watched them with keen interest, trying to read if there was any discomfort and hoping to see an excuse to drag her away with him. Unfortunately for him, Harry was a naturally amiable person and Elora was too polite to ignore someone directly engaging her, so the singer continued their interaction.
"Elora," he smiled widely, "Did you sneak in or are you here with someone?"
Louis groaned out loud, well aware of what Harry was trying to do but not surprised when his new friend ran with it. She looked at her companion with a sparkle in her eyes, "I was hoping no one would notice. My months of preparation were apparently useless."
The younger man's face lit up when she added to his joke, immediately taking more of a liking to her, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Although, I suggest steering clear of this Louis-guy, he's a bit loud."
Elora's mellifluous laugh treakled out of her mouth, causing Louis to smile at the sound and look at her with endeared eyes as she responded, "Ugh, you're just spoiling all my plans, Harry; meeting him was my main priority."
Harry laughed at her remark before shrugging, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry - just trying to protect your invasion."
Before Elora could respond, Louis stepped in with rolled eyes, "Okay you two, give it a rest."
"Aw, Luis," she grinned, "I was enjoying myself."
He chuckled, rolling his eyes as Harry raised his eyebrows in question, "Luis?"
The older musician waved off the question as his guest looked at him with a cheeky grin and laughing eyes. Turning to his bandmate, he raised an eyebrow at the look on the boy's face, realising that he shouldn't let him spend too much time with his new companion.
"Come on, love," he began pulling her away, "I don't need the poor lad writing love songs about you already."
She laughed loudly, drowning out the protests of his abandoned friend as they practically ran from the room. Chuckles were still escaping her lips by the time they reached the main room, leading the singer so shake his head as he waited for her to calm down. When she finally brightly smiled at him, he couldn't help but smile back, glad to see that she was enjoying herself.
"So that's Harry, huh?" she commented with a small grin as he chuckled.
"Yeah," he looked around, "He's a charming goofball in reality."
She merely nodded in agreement as they rested in silence for a moment, allowing themselves the opportunity to examine their surroundings. Elora couldn't believe where she was and how her life had changed in that last month - she always reasoned that she would never live an exciting life because of her quiet personality, but now she couldn't help but change her mind. She knew that it wouldn't last, most relationships don't, but she was determined to live every moment of it.
Louis couldn't help but feel a lightness in his heart that he knew came from Elora. He had never met someone who made him feel so free and it shocked him every day that she was so willing to light up his life - even if she wasn't fully aware that she was doing it. He couldn't help but desperately cling to her in that time of chaos, hoping passionately that she would never leave him to fight alone again. Looking at her with captivated eyes, the bright feeling in his chest swelled upon the sight of her small smile that never seemed to leave her lips.
"Thank you for coming with me," he finally spoke up, causing her to turn to him with surprised eyes.
"Of course, Louis," she smiled, "You know that I'm here whenever you need me."
He couldn't help but look away, hoping she wouldn't see the vulnerability that her sentiment caused. Before he could redirect the conversation in an attempt to hide his emotions, he noticed that he was being beckoned from across the room. Liam was standing in the doorway, looking at him with expressive eyes as he nudged his head in the direction behind him. Sighing slightly, Louis turned to his companion and excused himself - hoping that he would only be gone briefly.
He walked over to his bandmate with bated breath, silently begging him to not say anything about the woman he had left alone. Liam placed a hand on the shorter lad's shoulder and gently guided him to the rest of their group, confirming Louis' fears that they were going to say something.
"So," Harry started, his green eyes glinting in amusement as Niall jumped in.
"Who is that?"
"My friend."
"A new friend?" their tallest member asked, hoping to confirm his theories.
"Relatively," he responded vaguely, hoping to avoid too much interrogation.
"You do realise that this is supposed to be an exclusive event, right?" Liam asked, surprise evident in his voice upon the realisation that his guest was, in fact, not an old childhood friend.
"I'm well aware," Louis shot back, "Which is why I'm surprised that there are so many people here."
The rest of the boys looked sheepishly at each other, guilty that they all may have invited more people than they had originally planned. Louis rolled his eyes before turning around and walking back to where he had come from, hoping to find Elora as quickly as possible. He was relieved upon noticing her elegant figure facing the extensive bookshelf. Walking up to her quickly, he watched as she gave him a small smile before returning her attention to the books in front of her.
"Whose collection is this?" she asked with a barely concealed tone of awe.
"Harry's," he commented, "He can be quite the intellectual sometimes."
She hummed in agreement before picking up a book and looking at her friend with raised eyebrows - displaying her approval at his choice. Louis grinned happily, glad to recognise that it was actually a book he had suggested to his mate. They continued to browse through the books together, her offering commentary on ones that she had read and Louis watching in amazement as her English scholar side came to light.
"I studied this one in first year," she revealed as she showed him the thin book, "It's so interesting to see the way angsty-teenager thoughts are always so similar even though this was written about 65 years ago."
Louis had never been much of a reader, he never saw himself as any sort of academic, but listening to the tidbits that she had to say made him more interested in books than he had ever been. Despite his desire to continue soaking in all that she was saying, he was pulled away once more when he had to go and say a thank you to the guests. Elora nodded in encouragement before he walked off, hoping that he could return to her soon.
His dreams were destroyed, however, when after their brief speech to the people watching them, the lads forced him to talk to some of the other guests. He supposed that it was respectful to do so and that etiquette required him to be more sociable at a party commerating his work but he kept glancing over his shoulder, aiming to spot his companion.
At one point in the evening, Elora began getting a bit overwhelmed and decided to venture outside. Her social awkwardness prevented her from exploring the above floors and the smaller rooms but she was relieved to find a secluded balcony tucked away. It was raised only slightly above the back garden and she supposed it would rather be called a patio or veranda, but Elora didn't think much about it. She breathed in the cool air and took a moment to close her eyes, appreciating the peace of seclusion. It wasn't a secret that she wasn't one for social gatherings but she knew that she wanted to support Louis to the best of her abilities. If that meant attending a party filled with people she didn't know, she would fight through it and hide from the crowds when her friend wasn't around.
It wasn't long after she had leaned against the cold railings that she felt the presence of another being walk up behind her. Remaining quiet and hoping that the person wouldn't engage in conversation, she remained examining the immaculate garden stretching in front of her. The stranger moved to stand next to her, yet she adamantly avoiding acknowledging their presence and forced herself to not show her discomfort.
"Sorry to disrupt your peace," she baritone voice murmured and Elora couldn't help but deeply appreciate the tone in which they spoke. Her eyes flickered to her left and she caught sight of the perfect curls that rested against Harry Styles' loose blouse. Realising that it would be rude to continue ignoring him, she slowing turned her body in his direction and allowed herself the moment to examine him.
She always knew that the infamous Harry Styles was an attractive human being but as he stood beside her she couldn't help but be amazed that God had created the definition of beauty in physical form. She found it unfair that a staunchly British person could stilled be tanned, nevermind the fact that his hair was better than hers and she had spent years perfecting her hair routine. It made sense that he would have too, but still, it didn't make her feel better about herself. His lean figure was smooth and elegant in a soft way, as though he was truly a cuddly person but still had the sexual appeal that he was so well know for. The audacity of his sharp features amazed her as her eyes ran over the exquisite lines of his face. There was a deep beauty in the pale green of his eyes - they didn't stand out amongst his features in a vibrant way but rather their hue complimented the fair skin around them and contrasted artistically with the dark curls lining his face.
He was gorgeous - and the smooth smile slowly slipping onto his face didn't help. She had never seen dimples so prominent before.
"You have an unusual look in your eyes," he commented, his voice remaining deep and monotone but too melodous to be morbid.
"I just can't believe that God decided to screw us over by making someone as gorgeous as you," she revealed after deciding that being honest was the best way to navigate the situation.
The laugh that tumbled out of his lips made her smile sweetly as she remained in awe of the fact that such a gorgeous sound could exist, even if it was due to the shyness he felt.
"I'm not sure how to respond," he responded and she smiled wider as her posture relaxed.
"It's alright," she shrugged, "I just felt like it needed to be said."
He grinned brightly at her, immediately appreciating the way she verbalised the thoughts in her head. Something told him that she didn't think about things the same way other people did, and that intrigued him in much the same way poetry did.
"I don't know if I should be worried that you're standing out here when the person you came with is in there," he spoke slowly, each word carefully selected.
"You should be more worried about why you're not with your guests," she commented with a small smile.
"Fair," he looked inside briefly before deciding that she was more interesting, "I suppose I was just curious as to where the Great Mystery of tonight had gone."
She chuckled lightly at his term to describe her but remained silent for a beat before responding, "I'm not really surprised that so many people don't know why I'm here. I'm not sure either."
Harry watched her curiously, trying to read how she felt about the entire situation. She turned her gaze to his once more and he could see the content glint in her eyes.
"I've been wondering about you actually," he revealed and she raised her eyes in response, "I've been watching Louis for the past couple of weeks and I can only guess that you're the reason for his change."
Elora remained silent, waiting for him to expand because she refused to view herself so highly as to immediately agree. He moved to rest against the railing, watching her intently, "It's unavoidable to see that Louis doesn't agree with the hiatus as much as the rest of us and it's been gnawing at me for ages. I know we need it, and I think he knows it too, but I'm worried that he won't accept it and that instead he'll just turn bitter towards us."
He sighed but she could tell that he wasn't finished, so she waited a bit longer.
"However, a couple of weeks ago, I started noticing a change in him. He still wasn't as keen about everything but I could see that there was a bit of hope - a brighter light - in his eyes. He would run away every day and not tell us anything about it; the most I knew was that he just had a new friend."
Harry stared at her, the eye contact creeping up her skin and forcing her to look away before she started squirming. He murmured almost to himself, "I'm hoping that friend is you."
She exhaled lightly, trying to organise the words in her head, "I have a policy against assuming my role in other people's lives but I can tell you that I did meet Louis a couple of weeks ago and that I did promise him that I would be there to help him deal with his chaos in whatever way I could. I have seen him every day but that doesn't mean that I feel worthy of being here."
The look in the younger man's eyes was one that she didn't understand and quickly decided against trying. His silence continued for a bit longer than socially normal but Elora wasn't one to judge and promptly turned to the garden once more.
His mind swirled around her words and Harry couldn't help but struggle to understand how Louis had found someone like her at such a perfect time. She seemed normal but there was something unique about her - something so unique that you couldn't define what it was that made her different. Maybe it was the lilt in her voice or the shine in her eyes that was creatively brilliant. It could be her approach to the world or the way she carried herself - maybe it was purely that her heart was so willing to invest itself in someone with no guarantee that they would return the gesture. Harry didn't know and he so desperately desired to figure it out.
Before he could comment on his deduction, the higher voice of their shared friend reached their little hideout. Turning to face the brunet, Harry smiled widely at the shine in his eyes upon the sight of the girl. Harry was the one who kept his heart on his sleeve but Louis was the one who committed fully to those he found worthy - and Harry could see that Elora was the most worthy person to him.