The Black Swan | Reposted

Chapter 11 - A Brief History

After being out and about with Liam at the bar and running into Harry, I honestly didn't feel like going out. But, Liam loved to drink and be with his guys, anyone really. He was a social little butterfly.

We got invited out to a big party just off campus of Louis' school. Niall was coming along with Sarah, and I was with Liam. I never really went to parties, it wasn't my thing. I didn't see the point in getting drunk in a room full of people I didn't know. I didn't see the point of putting those chemicals in my body, or altering my state of mind. I could have a fun time in my own house, safe and sound, alcohol free.

I knew Liam enjoyed that, and I wanted to spend time with him. I had to be the good girlfriend, right? Make sure her guy gets his time too. I didn't want to be that girl that stomped on his life and wouldn't let him do things, be controlling. I could keep him company, that's all.

We were at the party and it was... it looked like a boy's apartment, you could tell. The walls were all dirty and stained; it smelled like alcohol and all around grossness. There wasn't a place that looked safe to sit, everything looked sticky from spilled drinks or something much worse. You could tell they probably never heard of a wonderful thing called Clorox or Lysol, hell, bleach. Liam slid a beer in my hand and I gave him a look.

"Live a little bit."

"My body is a temple, thank you," I handed it back. He smiled at me and kissed me quickly, taking a long drink. He was so handsome, I couldn't help but think so as I gazed up at him. His face had a bit of scruff to it, his muscles were straining through a navy blue button up that rolled at his elbows with a white T shirt beneath. I could see his strong frame, he made me feel safe, he was... predictable. I enjoyed that.

We danced and he drank, we laughed, it was so nice to get out of my uptight dancer shell. I spent hours a day being so tense in a way, holding my body so perfectly and trying to achieve perfection, anyone would get rigid. To go out like this, blow off steam safely, it felt so great for my mind and body.

Niall was hip hop dancing, breaking dancing, which was hysterical to watch. Louis was fluttering around, being a social butterfly, he knew everyone. He knew everyone, including...

"Harry?" I gaped. He had his hand on a beer, staring impassively at me. "What are you doing here?"

"You made it!" Louis shouted and hugged Harry, who didn't respond. "Harry, do you know Odette?"

"This is the guy I had to dance with." I stared at Louis and he smirked, and then broke out in a laugh. He knew I had been ranting about him.

"This is the asshole?" he cracked up, Harry smirked, seeming unphased by my description of him. "Figures. Have fun man, see you in a bit." He took a drink and Louis walked away, joining a herd of other people.

"You're as friendly as your mother." Harry spoke.

"Don't say a fucking word about my mom."

"Oh I couldn't ever discuss the great Mia Grace." He rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't want to talk about that bitch anyway." I grabbed the nearest red solo cup and tossed whatever contents it held onto his face.

"Screw you." I threw it to the floor and I stormed out.

I was incredibly angry. I couldn't believe that prick. I was so done. To say that to my face, to even think it was mind blowing. He was such a jerk, he was out of control and out of his mind.

"Odette!" Liam shouted. "Odette, what happened, Dot?"

"That guy is..." I let out a mangled scream. He held me, rubbing up and down my back. "Go to the party, really, I'm just going to go home."

"No way, I wanted to hang out with you it's not a big deal. We can hang at my place,"

I nodded and we did just that. I was so angry; I didn't know how to process it. He called my mom a bitch. It made me so... I couldn't even think straight. My mother was my world, and for anyone to attack her in any way filled me with so much rage.

I ended up making out with him, keeping him busy for a little bit even though I wasn't in it mentally. I just felt bad for wrecking his night. His lips were a simple distraction, that took my mind off things and I knew kissing made him happy.

I decided to stay, I wanted to wait and see if Louis came home. I wanted to learn more about that jerk, I had to. Liam crashed on my lap, and I was falling asleep at about two thirty when I heard him come in.

"Louis?"

"Hey Odette."

"I didn't think you'd come back." I whispered and carefully got up, walking into the kitchen.

He smiled. "The party kind of died, I just wanted to meet up with everyone. Nice job with Harry," he laughed.

"Seriously, what is his damage? How do you know him?"

"Harry has lived in the city on and off for years. He traveled with his mom for dance. He worked in the city a lot, Broadway shit." He shrugged. "We met at a soccer game and I admired his cynical outlook on the world, he bailed me out of jail, I bailed him out a few times and we've been friends ever since. He meets up with me whenever he's in town and I haven't seen him in a long ass time. I completely spaced that your stage name is Ricci, I couldn't believe you're the girl he's been talking about."

"What did he say?" I glared.

"Oh, nothing nice,"

"I know, what did he say?"

"Just that he hated working with... fake ass privileged little ballerinas."

"He can go fuck himself. What is his deal with my mom?"

"No idea, honestly. Harry is a really bitter guy, has been for years. I like that about him. He says it like it is."

"He's completely wrong; I have no idea why he's so against my mom. It's fucked up."

"Harry is that, he's fucked up. He's had a rough few years." He shrugged. "I'm crashing, I'll see you Dot."

"See you, thanks for letting me tag along to the party."

"Any time."

I took a breath after he left. I kissed Liam on the cheek and jotted a note down. I headed home, wanting my own bed. I sank into it like a rock, wondering what the hell was up with that guy, why he was fucked up.