Harry Styles: So Much More

Chapter 1

I wipped a stray hair from my face as I willed the coffee pot to hurry up. The coffee shop - however small - was busy today, and I wanted to make sure everybody got served before my shift was over. My boss, Malinda, likes to pay extra for every costumer her employs serve. It's not much of a bonus, but goodness knows I need it. 

As soon as the coffee finished brewing, I calmly offered to refill cups. Many people declined, but a few accepted my offer, earning me three extra dollars, plus a few tips left behind my customers. All together, the extra money added up to twenty-five dollars today. 

Just as I stepped back behind the counter to finish my shift, by boyfriend, Ryan, walked in, hands in his pockets. His blond hair stuck out in all directions, and his blue eyes sparlked in the sun. I smiled when I saw him and gave him a small wave.

"Hey, Ryan," I greeted as he reached the counter.

"Hello, beautiful." He leaned over to give me a quick peck on the lips. "You ready to go?"

"Almost. Just let me sign out and I'll be good to go." Smiling, I made my way to the back of the little shop, took my apron off and sighned out on a waiting sheet of paper. I slung my purse over my shoulder and walked out.

"Mind if I come on over tonight?" Ryan asked as he opened his car door for me. He dropped me off and picked me up from work every day, since I couldn't afford a car. 

I bit my lip. "Well... today isn't really a good day." I said. 

Ryan knew what I meant. Mom had been drinking again. Last night, she had thrown a vase at Zach - on of my five-year old brothers - but missed, luckily. She had also slapped Zach's twin brother, Luke. I had ushered the twins into my room, locked the door, and we had stayed there until morning.

"Okay, well-" 

Before he could continue, his phone rang. He picked it up and glanced at the screen. I noticed that his eyes grew wide ever so slightly before he hung up.

"Who was that?" I asked, starring at his phone. 

"Oh! Just... my mom."

I frowned. "You aren't going to answer that? Won't she be mad?"

Ryan laughed. "Mom? No, she won't. Whatever she needs, she can just ask Dylan to do it." Dylan was Ryan's sixteen year old brother.

I nodded, though I wasn't entirley convinced. Something felt... wrong.

I shook off the feeling as Ryan pulled into my driveway. He parked them jogged over to my side of the car to help me out. Before I walked inside, he planted his lips on mine. 

"Goodnigh, Brooklyn," he said softly. "I love you. And remember, if you need anything, just call." 

I smiled at him. "Thanks. I Addison is picking up the boys from daycare, so that's all settled."

Ryan kissed me again, then left. I waved and smiled as he drove away, but as soon as he was out of sight, my smile faded and I whirled to the door. As soon as we had stepped out of the car, I had sensed that something was wrong. It was too quite. If mom was drunk, there would mostly likely be yelling going on inside. If she wasn't drunk, and she was in a slightly better mood, she would be sitting outside on the front porch, watching the people that passed. Right now, neither of those things were happening.

Cautiously, I slid the door open. It creaked as it moved, and I winced. Stepping inside, my back to the door, I pressed it closed.

"Mom?" I called. "Mom are you here?"

I walked slowly towards the kitchen, braced for an angry attack. Nothing. I headed to the dining room. Also nothing. Finally, I stepped into the living room and a gasp escaped my lips.

Mom lay passed out on the floor, one hand wrapped around the neck of a bottle. The contents spilled across the floor.

Sighing, I walked over to her. "Mom. Mom, wake up. You're drunk and you need to go to bed." 

She didn't move. Sighing again, I nudged her with my foot. She remained still. Annoyed, I knelt down and shook her shoulder.

"Mom. Get up!" 

My stomach dropped as I shook her harder and harder to no avail.

"Mom? Mom, what's wrong?" I stopped shaking her, my breath ragged with worry. An idea hit me, and I tried to shove it away, but it wouldn't leave. Scared, I slowly reached my fingers for her neck...

Only to find no pules. 

She was dead.