Temporary Fix

There wasn’t anything that could have prepared me for The Pool Party Incident. Maybe my unfortunate growing attraction for Harry should have been a sign, but I had chosen to stamp that down and brush it off like it was nothing. Little did I know that it was reaching its limit, waiting for me to snap and give in.

I’d found out about the pool party while I was getting ready to have quiet night in, just like all my other nights. Dad had come downstairs to the basement and told me that Tammy Phillips, one of my oldest friends, was throwing a party at their place. I’d immediately said no since Tammy and I lost touch after high school. We simply grew apart, mainly because we wanted different things in the future. Dreaming big, I wanted to move out to LA, while Tammy wanted to stay back, go to community college, then get married to her boyfriend. I had no idea if that actually happened, but I didn’t want to go and find out either. The last thing I wanted was an awkward encounter with Tammy who probably didn’t even know I was back.

However, Dad was relentless. I couldn’t help but wonder how he even knew about the party in the first place; did he have an in with the post grad group here at Laguna? Turned out, his source was Harry, who he’d bumped into on his way home from work. Harry was headed over to Tammy’s, wearing his swimsuit and carrying bags of snacks. Apparently, it was going to be “a fun one.”

Knowing Harry was going to be in attendance was even more of a reason for me to not go. Hanging out with him at the bar the other night was more than enough fraternizing, especially since I considered him the ultimate enemy. I’d only gone to the bar because of Zayn, my only friend at the moment, a fact that Dad brought up when I refused to go to the pool party. He then launched into a whole spiel about how worried he and Mom were about me and my sudden dive into depression.

I realized then that the situation was more dire than I thought. My parents were under the impression that I was actually depressed when I wasn’t. I was more angry at the world and its recent attacks on my life, but nothing more than that. Not wanting to worry my parents anymore, I pulled on a mint green bikini under a white dress before heading over to Tammy Phillips’ house with a scowl on my face.

This was going to be so weird. Not just because Tammy and I lost touch, but because I’d be seeing everyone from high school who still lived in my hometown. It was bad enough having to see Harry on an almost daily basis. Now I had to attend this high school reunion I never signed up for with more people asking why I was back, what I’ve been up to, etc. All of which had answers that were a bit embarrassing for me to keep having to rehash.

When I arrived, I could hear laughter, music, and several voices spill onto the sidewalk. The door was unlocked when I twisted the knob and upon entering, the first thing I registered was that no one was sober. This was a good thing because less people would notice me and if they did, they’d hardly remember the conversation we were bound to have. It all seemed similar to a high school party except this time no one would be arrested for underage drinking.

I slowly moved through the crowds of people, all standing around and chatting over the stream of songs playing from the TV. When I eventually made it to the kitchen, I still hadn’t spotted Tammy. I thought it’d make sense for me to seek her out first to say hi and just let her know I was there. After all, I wasn’t invited.

Instead, I was met with the sight of Harry Styles. Just my luck. He was shirtless with only his swim trunks on, exposing his array of body tattoos, and doing shots with a couple of people who looked vaguely familiar. For some reason, I decided to stand there and observe him, watching how comfortable and happy he was. I was once again jealous of his easy going demeanor and lack of problems. He had everything going for him here and he was content with that.

“Mara!” a jovial voice greeted me.

I turned to my left to see Niall walking in through a set of glass doors that led to the backyard where the pool was. He was wet, water droplets dripping from his hair all over the kitchen floor.

“Hey Niall. Having fun?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he nodded, wiping his hand through his wet face. “Just took a dip. The water’s amazing. Tammy’s got one of those pools that lets you control the temperature.”

“Do you know where she is? I’ve been looking for her.”

“I saw her somewhere around here, but not sure where. Sorry.”

I shrugged, crossing my arms over my chest. Harry approached us then, grinning as he did. “Well look who it is. Didn’t think you’d come.”

“My dad made me,” I quickly retorted, trying to not stare at his chest. It was right there in front of my face and he had a lot on it, so it wasn’t my fault that my eyes were naturally drawn there. A set of defined abs and interesting set of tattoos could do this to anyone.

“Your dad makes you go to parties? That’s funny.”

I rolled my eyes and Harry let out a small laugh, his eyes trailing down my body as though he was inspecting my clothes. “Stop bugging me, Harry. You’re to blame since you told him all about your wild Saturday night and he thought I just had to come join the festivities.”

“Look, Debbie Downer,” he said. “You should be thanking me for improving your Saturday night.”

“Who says this improved it?”

“Now that you’ve seen me, I’m pretty sure your night got at least 50% better,” he said, a cocky expression on his face. If I could punch that annoying smirk off his face, all of my problems would disappear.

“Quite the contrary, actually,” I scowled, slightly distracted by the butterfly tattoo on his chest. “It got worse. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some people to go and greet.”

Harry widened his eyes, lifting his hand up in surrender as he backed away and went over to the group he was taking shots with. Niall laughed, amused. “You two are fucking hilarious,” he said. “Could cut the sexual tension with a knife.”

I glared at Niall, who also backed away a step after seeing my expression and walked toward the pool. I stood there a moment more, staring at all the other partygoers before following Niall out back. I couldn’t imagine that Tammy would be upstairs on the second floor when there was a party downstairs, so maybe she was outside.

The pool area was livelier than inside the house. There were people laughing while playing chicken in the pool, while a few others sat on the edges, watching on in amusement with drinks in their hands. Beside the pool was a beer pong table where a game was going on between a big group of people. What surprised me the most was that only a select few looked slightly familiar. A lot of the people there were people I didn’t know. It only occurred to me then that just because Tammy stayed back home in Laguna didn’t mean that she still hung out with those she went to high school with. She grew up and it was natural that who she was and who she hung out with changed. Same went for Niall and Harry.

I berated myself for thinking that they were the same people as I remembered them. Sure, Harry was still annoying, but there was a level of maturity he’d reached over the years. He seemed comfortable in his own skin, comfortable with who he was and where he was, which I couldn’t personally say for myself. All I did was resent myself for being back home, ignore my LA friends and only talk to Zayn, and stalk my ex-boyfriend and his current girlfriend on Instagram.

“Mara Horton, is that you?”

Tammy’s raspy voice, something that had always been comfortingly familiar, rang through the crowd and music. Standing up from her bench by the bonfire, I couldn’t help but smile, admiring how much more beautiful she’d gotten. Tammy used to be popular, always getting the attention of every boy (and girl) in our grade. I used to be so jealous of that and how easy it seemed for her, but seeing her now, all I felt was joy. It shocked me considering I was so against coming in the first place.

As soon as she reached me, we grabbed each other in a tight hug. “I’d heard you were back, but wasn’t sure when I’d see you,” she said to me, mid-hug.

“My dad told me about the party,” I told her just as we pulled away. “Figured swinging by wouldn’t hurt.”

“No,” she shook her head. “I’m glad you’re here. It’s so nice seeing you. I’ve missed you so much.”

Not being able to help myself, I pulled her into another hug, this one tighter. “Missed you, too. God, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“Too long,” she nodded as we once again pulled away to properly look at each other. Her old brown highlights were gone, now a short blond bob in place. Her face had matured a bit, but she was still pretty in that natural way she always had been. “So what are you doing back? Someone said they saw you at Tattered Cover.”

“I work there,” I told her. “Needed a job for a bit.”

“Are you not back for good then?”

I shook my head. “Hopefully not. This is temporary, but I’m not sure for how long.”

She nodded understandingly. “I get it.”

“What about you?” I asked. “Tell me about you.”

“Well, I did end up going to the community college here, but Cody and I broke up.”

Her downturned expression and flushed cheeks made me feel for her. Four years ago, I’d thought she was ridiculous, wanting to settle down for a guy, but I didn’t understand love then. I hadn’t ever been in love with anyone but Liam and for him, I would have done anything. So I understood her pain now. Understood how it felt to lose someone, which was why I reached over, holding her hand in mine.

“It’s okay, we don’t have to talk about it.”

“No, it’s just --” She paused, shaking her head with a soft laugh. “It’s still hard to swallow. I mean, we broke up a year ago, but I really thought he was it, you know?”

I nodded. “I do. Trust me. I also broke up with my boyfriend a few months ago.”

“Wow,” she breathed out. “Broken Hearts Club right here.”

I snorted. “Where we smile through our misery.”

“Yup,” she laughed. “But yeah, other than that, I still live with my parents. They’re currently at the country club, though, so figured since I’ll have the house for myself, I should invite some friends over.”

“It’s a great party,” I complimented.

“Did you see everyone? So many of our old classmates are here. Let me take you around.”

We stepped back into the kitchen where Tammy handed me a drink before reintroducing me to some of the people we went to school with. It was surreal seeing them again, but not unpleasant like I’d imagined. In fact, it was nice to see them and how they were faring. For the most part, everyone was doing pretty well.

Stacey Hanes, someone Tammy and I used to hang out with during third period in junior year, got married to a guy she’d met on Tinder. Ellie Donovan, who we’d known since 6th grade, had moved to London after her freshman year at college. She attended fashion school there and had graduated this past semester with honors. Though she came back home to see her family and old friends, she was due to go back soon because she still wanted to live and work there. Derek Rivers, a boy I once had a crush on for a few weeks back in senior year, was a father of one. He’d knocked up his girlfriend two years back, though, she was out of the picture now. Tina Gregory, someone we’d disliked for a good portion of our pre-teen years but eventually got along with, was engaged! She was set to tie the knot with her fiance this upcoming winter.

All of us, along with a few others I reconnected with, sat down by the bonfire, chatting and catching up. And for the first time since I’d been back, I was having a good time and was glad I was in Laguna.



An hour later, I carried my empty cup to the kitchen. Everyone around the fire dispersed, deciding to mingle rather than sit in one spot the entire night. We all promised to meet up for dinner soon, though, and I was actually looking forward to it. When I got to the kitchen, I found Niall making himself a drink.

“Hey,” I sidled up beside him. “Make me something too?”

He grinned, nodding his head as he took my cup. “Sure. Do you want me to surprise you?”

“I guess.”

I watched as he mixed together several different things, wondering if it was even going to taste good. Eventually, he deemed it finished, swirling a straw in the cup and mixing the liquids before handing it to me. “Have a taste and let me know what you think.”

I did as told, wincing as the strong drink slid down my throat. Fuck, this was hardcore shit. Niall looked at my expression and laughed, like this was funny, but meanwhile, I just felt like I’d gotten poisoned.

“So, are you having fun?” Niall asked me.

“Hmm?” I frowned.

“When you first walked in, you looked a bit down, so I’m asking if you’re having fun now.”

“Oh,” I said, surprised Niall had noticed my off mood as well. “Yeah, I suppose I am. It’s kind of like a glorified high school party except we’re all legal to drink, isn’t it?”

“Pretty much,” Niall chuckled.

I drifted back to the pool area with Niall in tow, but he soon got distracted by someone he knew, leaving me standing alone. That was when Harry appeared through the doorway, grinning like a madman as he screamed, running straight toward the pool and catapulting in. The water splashed everywhere, spraying those standing nearby, myself included. Many people laughed, finding his little antic funny, and it irked me how loved he was. Because I got it. I understood his charm, which was annoying to admit. He was stupid, funny, and outrageously good looking.

So much so that I found myself half ogling and half glaring at him as he swam around the pool, flirting with some of the girls who were in there. I couldn’t tear my eyes from his broad shoulders and tattoo filled muscles. At some point, he noticed my eyes and gave me a knowing smirk before slowly making his way out of the pool. I could tell he was making a show of it, acting like he was a character out of Baywatch. He ran his hands through his wet hair, letting the water droplets slide down his torso and abs, giving me that signature dimpled smirk.

“Horton,” he said upon reaching me. “You should take a picture, it’ll last longer.”

“Wow, that was so original, Harry. Honestly. Almost as original as your annoying penchant for calling me by my last name.”

“That one is original because it’s quirky.”

“No, it’s just...stupid.”

“Why are you even mad right now?” Harry asked. “I know I saw you laughing a little while ago and now you’re here glaring at me. What’s up?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s you.”

“What’d I do now?” he barked, throwing his hands up in the air, his voice going up a few pitches. “I’ve barely bothered you tonight.”

“You’re just here,” I said matter of factly, waving my hands about. “You’re here, just saying dumb things and jumping into the water and flirting with everything that has legs.”

Harry shot me a deadpanned expression, as though he was hoping I was joking. “I’m working with what I can. Not like you ever helped me get with any of your hot friends when I asked you to in high school.”

“Why in the world would I ever want any of my friends to be subjected to hooking up with you?”

“Not everyone finds me as irritating as you do, Horton. They find me rather pleasant, actually.”

“Can’t relate,” I shrugged.

“You could try.”

“Try?”

“To see that I can be pleasant and that I’m not a bad guy. Also that hooking up with me isn’t the worst thing on the planet.”

My eyes narrowed and I took a big gulp of whatever it was that Niall had made me. Instantly, I felt dizzy before it subsided. Shit, it was so strong. I almost forgot. “How would I possibly see all that?” I asked Harry, focusing on him again.

He bit his lip, eyes boring into mine as he took a step closer. Instantly, my own eyes roamed his bare body, and I was suddenly reminded of my dream. I didn’t really see his body that closely in the dream, but seeing it in front of me was making my head spin again. It was strange that the thought only had to cross my mind once before I grabbed Harry’s hand, pulling him toward the house and inside. We moved past people until we were climbing the stairs upstairs. It was relatively quiet, meaning no one was up there, and it didn’t take long before I found Tammy’s guest room and tugged Harry in there, shutting the door behind me.

Harry stared at me owlishly and I quickly grabbed him by the back of his neck and pulled him in for a hot mouthed kiss. Except -- except he wasn’t responding to it. I immediately moved back, ripping our lips apart. His eyes were still wide, blinking at me slowly, and I wondered what possessed me to do all of this in the first place. Was I going crazy? Harry was the ultimate enemy, for crying out loud. I blamed Niall’s stupid, strong drink!

Before I could run out the door, Harry grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back in, his lips on mine, moving with fervency. I let out a soft groan, hands coming up to grab him by the head so that I could tangle my fingers in his dumb, curly hair. Our heated kisses continued as he moved me until my back hit the door. While his hands trailed down my body, gripping onto my hips, I tilted my head away slightly so that we could look at each other.

“What the hell was that?” I asked him.

“Excuse me?” he sputtered. “You kissed me first!”

“Yeah, but you didn’t kiss me back!”

“It took me a minute to catch up. Cut me some slack here.”

“No, it was so humiliating. I thought I misread everything.”

Instead of answering, Harry laughed brightly, his head coming down to kiss me again, this time a little softer. Our lips brushed together, growing deeper, but slow and steady. When I felt his tongue slide into my mouth again, the taste of alcohol on them, I arched up into him, and his hands moved from my hips to the back, gripping onto my butt. He gave it a gentle squeeze and I made a noise, lifting my thigh up onto his waist. Harry grabbed my thigh and hoisted me up so that both my legs were wrapped around his waist.

I pulled away from the kiss again. “Oh my God, you’re going to drop me.”

“I won’t. Trust me.”

I hesitated for a moment, but Harry’s usual bright, green eyes were dark and his lips were bitten red. Looking at him made me want to ruin him even more. “Fine. So are we doing this?”

He grinned stupidly. “Doing what?”

“The do! Are we having sex or not?”

He raised his brows at me. “Do you want to have sex?”

I shrugged, my hands gripping tightly onto his shoulders. “I’m not up here for a PG-13 romp. I want...the whole thing.”

“Okay,” Harry settled. “Then let’s have sex, Horton.”

I wrinkled my nose at him in disgust. “Don’t ever say that to me like that ever again. Anyway, do you have a condom?”

“No,” Harry admitted, slowly letting my feet back on the ground. “But I will find one. Just give me a second.” He quickly moved past me out the door, going into the bathroom on the left.

I took a deep breath, shaking my head around to see if the desire to have sex with my childhood bully would go away, but it didn’t. This was so destructive. I hadn’t had sex with anyone since Liam and I broke up, but that was because I hadn’t really wanted to. It didn’t feel that important, but since the dream with Harry, I had been feeling an itch. It was only intensified when I saw him, but even then, I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this. Not only that, but I was asking him for it. Nearly throwing myself at him and asking for it.

Not that he was denying me. He seemed eager if his disappointed grunts from the bathroom was anything to go by. Seemed he still hadn’t found a condom. Without one, tonight wasn’t going to happen. I couldn’t tell if that thought upset me or relieved me. I really just wanted this to be a one-off thing. Something to get the itch off.

“Aha!” I heard from the bathroom.

Moments later, Harry appeared at the door, walking through and locking it behind him. “Found one. It was in the cabinet next to all of Tammy’s dad’s things.”

I gagged at the disgusting image that popped into my head of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips getting it on, but then before I could say anything, Harry slid his swim trunks and briefs off. He was already hard and I couldn’t help but stare at his long length. He pumped it a few times in his fist, sliding the condom on, and it wasn’t until he cleared his throat that I realized I’d been ogling again. Jesus Christ, this itch was bad. I closed the gap between us, kissing him again, before he once again led me back to the door where he hoisted me up on his waist again.

“Just, like, slide this off,” I told him, reaching around to pull my dress up and over my head. It fell to the floor and I was left in my bra and panties. Immediately, Harry reached forward, sliding my panties off so that he was able to easily slide in, but turned out it wasn’t that easy. It hurt a little, but also felt so good. Harry was big, about as big as Liam, and it had been such a long time. When he finally adjusted and it didn’t burn as much anymore, I locked eyes with Harry, giving him a nod.

He slowly pulled out then pushed back in again, letting out a guttural moan as he did. I tipped my head back against the door, closing my eyes shut as Harry continued to thrust in and out. Not wanting Harry to think I was actually enjoying it, I bit my lip to keep in my sounds. But I was enjoying it, unbelievably so. Harry felt good, something I didn’t want to admit, but my flushed cheeks and the coiling in my lower belly knew I’d be lying.

“Arms are tired,” Harry groaned, reaching around to grip my waist securely before pulling me away from the door and toward the bed. He quite literally dropped me, making me jump as I fell back, but he was on top of me in seconds, kissing my lips soundly. He moved back inside, his hips moving a bit rougher and quicker.

When we came, it was quiet and stifled, both of our faces hidden in the others neck. Harry pulled out slowly, rolling onto his side beside me, and we both lay there, breathing heavily for a moment. As the high wore off and neither of us made a move to do anything, I slowly sat up, getting off the bed to grab my clothes. I could tell Harry was watching me put them back on, but I only turned to face him once I was finished.

“This was fun, but I gotta go,” I said, quickly opening the door. “See ya!”

I closed the door behind me, dashing down the stairs and out the door. I’d tell Tammy, Niall, and the others that I had an emergency and had to leave. There was no way I was sticking around after what just happened.