Chapter 8:
Come On, Live

Harry Styles looked boredly at his four friends who seemed to be busy discussing Casey Dustin's birthday party, which was tonight. Niall, Liam and Louis kept talking about how the party would turn out, in other words, they kept teasing Harry.

"I heard Casey invited all of her model friends, so can you imagine how much fun the party will be? Damn, it's a good thing Michelle is out of town! " Liam said excitedly and looked very happy. Harry scoffed. Liam would surely die if Michelle heard or found out about all of this. Not to mention, Michelle is a black belt Taekwondo athlete, so surely Liam doesn't stand a chance when it comes to her.

"Lily doesn't like parties. She would rather stay at home than go to parties, even though I asked her to come with me." Louis snorted.

I don't understand, how could a girl as nice as Lily date someone as abstract and complicated as Louis? Harry thought to himself.

"Maybe I would consider having a girlfriend soon if Casey's model friends looked a lot better than Nandos."

Harry, Louis, Liam and Zayn stared at Niall quickly with serious faces. A few moments later, the four of them bursted out laughing.

"Finally! Are you interested in getting a real lover? I thought you weren't normal! " Liam embraced Niall who immediately pushed Liam away.

Niall snorted. "Damn it! Just because I rarely or never date like you guys, doesn't mean I'm abnormal, you idiots! "

"But what about Nandos? I thought you loved Nandos." Zayn smiled as he folded his arms on the table.

Niall rolled his eyes then, his blue eyes caught something. Niall grinned and turned his attention to Harry who still seemed to be laughing at Niall.

"Look who's coming. Prepare yourself, Styles."

Harry's laughter died down when he realized what Niall meant. The others also stopped laughing while Niall smiled mockingly.

"Hi, Zayn, Niall, Liam, Louis and. . . um. . . hi, Styles."

When she mentioned the names Zayn, Niall, Liam and Louis, her voice sounded very cheerful but, when she said Harry's name - no, she said Harry's surname - her voice turned cynical.

Harry turned his gaze the other way. Just walking over to the table of the five friends are Casey Dustin and the man rumored to be her new boyfriend, Mark Stoner. A tall, thin young man with irregular long hair.

"Looks like you guys already know about my birthday party tonight. I want to invite you in person. Invite your partners if you want. " Casey said sweetly, occasionally glancing at Harry while tightening her grip on Mark's.

Harry and Zayn were silent, trying not to be while Liam, Louis and Niall looked very excited.

"I'll come!" Liam said quickly.

"So will I!" Louis chimed in.

"As long as you prepare a lot of food, then why not?" There was another brief silence, before Casey finally chuckled with amusement at Niall's words.

Casey nodded. "Of course, Niall. I prepared a lot of food, especially for you. " Casey winked and Niall smiled broadly.

Then, Casey's gaze turned to Zayn and Harry, who didn't seem to speak at all. Casey knew that the whole cafeteria must be watching them. This is how it is. When they were dating, Casey and Harry were always the talk of the whole campus.

"How about you two? Zayn and. . . uh, Harry? "

Zayn, who initially ignored Casey and Mark's presence, turned his head, smiled faintly. "I'm sorry, it's not that I don't want to come, but there is someone I want to meet tonight."

Casey's smile vanished, which was replaced by a sigh of disappointment. Actually, it's no longer a reason if Casey likes Zayn and also Harry. The reason is, when she was dating Harry, Casey was also often hanging out with Zayn.

"Oh okay. I understand." Casey forced a smile, then her gaze turned to Harry, who had been silent, ignoring Casey's presence.

Casey smiled crookedly, raising an eyebrow and pressed herself against Mark. The girl's eyes fixed straight on Harry before asking, "You're coming, right. . . Harry?"

Harry sighed and tried to force himself to look at Casey. Inevitably, Harry hated the sight before him at this moment. Harry knew he hadn't been dating Casey for long, but still. Was it that easy for Casey to forget Harry and go out with another guy and then show off her new boyfriend to Harry? Apparently yes since she was exactly doing it right now.

A grin appeared on Harry's lips. "I like parties, so I will definitely come." Casey's face changed, her expression got tense and was no longer the smiling type. That defiant grin. . .

"Harry, may I—"

"No, Niall. Go with others. I'll come with my girlfriend." Harry interrupted Niall's words quickly, with a voice loud enough to make Casey choke.

Casey shook her head a little before putting on her sweet smile again. The girl nodded slightly. "Al-alright. I'll see you guys tonight. Excuse me. . . me and Mark. "

The girl took Mark's hand and walked away from the canteen. Harry smiled triumphantly.

"You. . . must be kidding. You don't have a new girlfriend, do you, Harry? " Harry's winning smile vanished when he heard that question from Niall.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Niall, I'm not a pathetic single like you."

"You really have a new girlfriend?" This time, it was Liam who asked, looking very curious. Louis and Zayn also looked at Harry, demanding an explanation.

Harry chuckled softly before saying calmly, "You'll see, lads."

━━

"This is a surprise! You picked me up on time. This is very unexpected. " Anne chuckled as she got into the car Harry was driving.

Harry smiled. "I won't make you wait too long, Mum. Given your unstable health condition. " Harry said with his gaze focused straight on the road.

"You're being very nice. Is there something you want?" Anne's question made Harry pause before laughing.

"Nothing, Mum, really. I just wanted to pick you up earlier because. . . well, my friend has a birthday tonight. " Harry grinned broadly at his mother before refocusing his gaze back on the road.

Anne rolled her eyes. "I knew it. There must be something, but fine. You can go and have fun. Make sure you get home before late at night. "

Harry nodded quickly. "Yes, Mum."

Actually, the real reason Harry picked up his mother early was not because he's asking Anne for permission to go to the party. But because Harry is going to meet someone without Anne's knowledge.

After driving Anne home, Harry changed his clothes and drove the car back to the boutique that looked deserted. Work hours at the boutique are at until four in the afternoon, but Harry didn't pick up Anne until half past five.

Harry's car arrived back at the boutique courtyard at six in the afternoon. Harry entered the shop, after secretly taking the key to his mother's boutique.

Arriving inside the boutique, Harry turned on each lights in the and kept calling one name. Well, it's not actually her real name, but Harry calls her that because he doesn't know her real name anyways. She didn't mind being called that at all, right?

"Babe?"

But there was no answer at all. Harry stepped into the mother's room and opened the room. Harry caught his breath, when he found his mother's favorite mannequin in the corner of the room, wearing newly designed clothes. Harry approached the mannequin and smiled faintly. His hands touched the mannequin porcelain's blushing cheeks.

"Hey, babe?"

Harry sighed, he did not find get any answers and decided to sit on his mother's work chair, eyes focused solely on the mannequin.

"I will wait until you actually become real."

Not playing around with his words, Harry really waited without wanting to move from his place. Harry held his breath, occasionally glancing at the clock hanging on the wall of his mother's room.

"Damn, why aren't you becoming alive?! Come on, live! " Harry said in annoyance however she did not move from her position.

Again, Harry glanced at the clock on the wall. The party starts at seven, and the clock struck seven just a little over ten minutes ago.

Harry folded his arms on the table, and buried his head in the folds of them. If Harry's going to be honest, waiting and doing nothing can be tiring too. And finally, the young man fell asleep.

Shortly after Harry fell asleep, a movement from the corner of the room occurred. The mannequin moved. Starting from her hands, then her eyes opened slowly. Her blue iris stared straight at the young man who was fast asleep with his head on the table.

A smile appeared on the mannequin's porcelain face. "Harry. . ."