Chapter 11:
Real

"Harry!"

Harry Styles snapped out of his long dream when he heard a screeching voice that sounded beautifully in his ears. Still trying to muster up his strength, Harry raised his head and tried to open his eyes fully. The first thing the young man saw when his eyes opened was the face of his sister, whom he had not seen for almost a month.

"Hey, Gemma." Harry greeted limply, before trying to change his sleeping position however, a moment later the young man realized something. Harry was dumbfounded and looked around him.

Shit. Why am I here? Shouldn't I. . . shouldn't I. . . be with. . .

Harry's eyes wandered and found what he was looking for. The mannequin is there. Standing tall, in the exact same dress last night. Harry was silent for a moment before shaking his head.

No, not anymore.

"What are you and hey, what are you doing here? Why are you staying here at the boutique?" Gemma's shrill voice drew Harry back to reality. Harry took a deep breath and sighed slowly before looking at his older sister who was still standing, looking at him questioningly.

Harry tried to smile, but Gemma knew her little brother very well. Gemma pulled out the chair directly opposite the table where Harry was asleep not long ago. Gemma looked at Harry intimidatingly. "I heard you broke up with Casey."

Gemma's words made Harry raise an eyebrow. "So?"

Slowly but surely, a smile spread across Gemma's face. Gemma smacked the table softly before saying, "Finally! Do you even know how much I despise that girl? She has no manners!"

Harry rolled his eyes. It's no secret that Gemma doesn't like Casey. No, Harry has never introduced Casey directly to his family. But Harry only told them things about her. However, Gemma knows who Casey is from Harry's friends who are also close to Gemma. What's more, Louis. Louis never liked Casey's behavior, although Louis would not deny the girl's beauty.

"I'm fine, thank you. Breaking up with her isn't a big problem for me. " Harry said casually, occasionally glancing at the mannequin that was still a puzzle in his mind.

Gemma grinned. "But you still look heartbroken, poor brother. She must've abandoned you for a much more handsome and wealthier man." Gemma arched her brow.

Harry chuckled. "Name a more handsome and richer man than me, Gem. You know what, neve mind. I have to go home and change my clothes. Tell mum that I'm going to stay at Zayn's house for tonight. " Harry got up from the chair he used to sleep and sighed, trying to get rid of the shadows of last night's events that still haunt him.

The young man was about to walk out of the room, but Gemma quickly stopped the young man by calling his name and successfully making Harry stop. Harry turned and Gemma looked at her beloved little brother.

"Mum is looking for you. See her first if you want to stay at Zayn's house." Gemma said.

Harry closed his eyes and sighed again. "Is Robin there?" Gemma nodded softly and at that moment, Harry turned around.

Before walking away, Harry had said, "I don't want to meet that man. I'll call her later."

Gemma could only sigh, already able to guess what kind of attitude Harry would show when he found out if Robin — his mother's other lover — was near his mother. Unwilling to accept that his father — Des Styles — and his mother will be separated on good terms, without blaming the presence of other people in their respective lives.

━━

"I was with her last night. How could I be in that boutique in the first place without anyone escorting me there? Besides, the location of the nightclub was not too far from my mom's boutique as well. So, in my opinion, anything is very possible at this point. "

Harry's eyes stared at his four friends in turn. His four friends seemed to be looking at Harry with confused looks evident in their faces. It's either they want to believe but it's highly impossible or they won't believe but are afraid to hurt Harry's feelings.

Niall put five pieces of French fries in his mouth before saying casually, "Are you sure? Your story sounds very strange and doesn't make sense."

The three other friends stared at Niall sharply, about to protest however, Niall only shrugged at them.

Harry squinted at Niall. "Niall, everyone knows that I am the most honest young man. I never lied to you. I'm serious about this."

"And I'm serious too. Your story is very fictional." Niall answered, without the slightest face of guilt.

The owner of the house, Zayn, began to look away, knowing what was coming. Louis and Liam also did the same. Niall is also their most honest friend. He's so honest, that's the reason why his single status hasn't been replaced until now. While other young men would brag to get the attention of the girl they wanted, all Niall did was continue to say the truth. Being honest is good, but it's better to keep your mouth shut and be quiet than say the truth that will hurt other people's feelings.

Harry closed his eyes and sighed before looking back at Niall, his gaze this time is very different. It was emotionless and flat, unlike the usual Harry. The curly-haired young man got up from the sofa and made all his attention diverted to him, but Harry's attention was only on Niall.

"Call me crazy or whatever, but one thing you should know is that, I'm the most open with you. I said everything what was on my mind. I never asked you to believe me, did I? Can't you just listen for once and stop commenting?"

Zayn, Liam and Louis sighed when they found Niall's face turning pale. Niall just understood and realized how blunt his own words were.

"Harry, I mean—"

"I should go. Excuse me."

Not allowing Niall to continue, Harry walked away from Zayn's room.

━━

This is where Harry currently is today, inside his car, lurking from afar at the Styles Boutique. Harry would do anything to prove to his friends that he wasn't going crazy, that his mother's new mannequin is indeed alive.

Harry's stakeout continued in the afternoon. The young man continued to wait with a high level of curiosity. All employees seemed to leave the boutique excitedly and the last one to come out was his mother and his sister before finally, the security guard turned off all the lights in the boutique.

After being sure that the boutique is completely empty, around seven p.m, that was when Harry stepped out of the car and crept towards the boutique, through the back door. Not many people know that Harry has the key to the back door of the boutique, which he stole from his mother. Anne has many keys to her boutique, including extras. So stealing one of her keys doesn't seem suspicious.

Harry quickly walked into the boutique and headed straight to mother's study, where the mannequin was placed. Harry has also made a duplicate of the key to his mother's room. The young man's green eyes flashed, his eyes wandering around and looking for someone with the very minimal lighting. The young man frowned. He took a breath before walking in, looking for light switch and turned it on so that the light came on and made the room looked a lot brighter.

Harry's heart skipped a beat. The mannequin wasn't in its original place beside his mother's desk. Harry held his breath, closing his eyes. Beginning to feel the oddities around him.

"Harry?"

Harry was stunned by the sound. Slowly, the young man turned around and sure enough, he saw what he was looking for, it was right in front of him. Still wearing the same dress, still looking pretty and still. . . looking very real.

Harry bit his lower lip and as he said, "B-Babe?"

The girl smiled at Harry's voice. "Yes?"

The suspicion, fear, disappointment and all the bad premonitions that were in Harry's mind vanished when he heard the girl's sweet voice. Harry wanted to ask a lot, but. . . she looked so innocent and sweet.

"I want to talk to you, can I?" Harry asked.

The girl nodded quickly with a smile that never disappeared from her red lips, her red lips that always managed to make Harry go crazy and has to refrain himself from kissing it.