A Harry Styles imagine for Emma ( Calum-1975 )
All I could do was smirk when I passed another group of girls who whispered excitedly about ‘how good I look’ and how they’d ‘hit that’. Yeah, some may call me cocky but everyone on this campus knows exactly who I am for the best reason.
“That’s Harry Styles, captain of the basketball team.” I heard a whisper behind me.
“He’s not just good looking, he’s in my biology class and he keeps the highest grade.” Another whisper swirled.
“Hey Styles!” A shout came from the campus starbucks.
“Horan!” I greeted the blonde, “Watch out for that wild bastard,” I called to his date. The red heads blush grew as Niall shot me a playful glare.
Ignoring the strangers around me I made my way into the campus library. Finding my favorite hiding spot in the oldest section of law books. Plopping my back pack down before hitting the floor myself. Foot traffic was rare in this section, only law students knew about this section.
“So what’s the deal with that Harry guy?” My concentration was broken by the voices of two girls roaming the isles.
“Oh honey, boys spread that around because they’re jealous of the attention he gets. He’s never had a girlfriend in all three years he’s been on Harding campus.”
“Nope, but rumor in the sorority house is that one lucky girl that attends the championship game will get to spend the night with him. Apparently it happens every year.”
“We better get our tickets,” I heard the girl laugh.
Checking my phone I decided to head to practice early. These damn rumors keep getting bigger. I knew the girls had seen me when I passed down the isle.
An hour into practice and we were all drenched in sweat, abandoned workout shirts scattered around the boundaries of the court.
“Take a water break,” Coach Van shouted to us.
“Man these practices just get more intense as the championship gets closer.” Liam puffed, draining his sports bottle.
“Gotta win this one,” I answered doing the same. The arena’s air unit was normally blasting during these practices but for some reason it didn’t feel like it. Looking up toward the entrance I searched for an open window but instead saw a girl sitting in the farthest row. Her hair pulled up in a sloppy bun thing on the side of her head. Her legs propped up on the row in front of her, a pen tapping on her notebook as her eyes caught mine. Not a soul would be found at our late season practices but she seemed content to watch and write. She had to be an arts major.
“Who is she?” I asked the boys, all their eyes focused on her. A chorus of I don’t knows fell from their lips before one answer pleased me.
“Her? That’s Emma. Shes in my advanced Literature class.” Niall said.
“Why? You have an interest in her?
“That’s new.” Most of the guys mumbled.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You've never shown an interest in any girl on campus since your initiation into the fraternity.”
“Oh, I remember her.” Niall smirked.
“She’s a writing major, sophomore, doubt she’d give you a second look.” Niall finally answered my request.
“She’s going to be mine.” I said mindlessly as we went back onto the court.
“Bet you $20 she’ll instantly jump at him.” Louis bet.
“$10 that she’ll blush and fangirl.” Liam countered.
“$50 she’ll reject him.” Niall added in.
“Deal.” They all agreed, knowing he’d loose.
As soon as practice was over I strode up the steps, catching her eye as she packed her bag.
“Harry,” I introduced myself, sticking out a hand.
“I know.” she said, not looking up from her bag.
“Emma.” she smiled walking past me.
“Hey, I was wondering if you’d like to catch some dinner with me.”
“I’ll pass,” she smiled walking away.
“Damn it Niall.” I heard behind me. I sent a glare as Niall collected his winnings.
“Hey you just made me $300 bucks,” He smiled before quickly exiting.
I had easily blew off the Harry Styles, and I’d been given hell for it by many of my classmates once it slipped of Niall’s lips. Dragging myself to the campus arena I planned to escape the game before he saw me. He probably thought I was just an odd girl. He’s probably never been turned down before. I shook the stupid thoughts from my mind.
I found a seat in the middle of the crowd, there was no way I’d be seen from the court. The game started and the tension built. Harding hasn't been beat in a gold ball championship in the last 5 years. And tonight Harry Styles was going to take the bison's to an unheard of 12th win. No college in the region had ever won 12 gold balls, normally there would be a new winner each year or two depending on who was coaching and who was captain. Coach Garret had won the team two balls before Coach Van had taken his place. Considering how horrid Van acts on the sidelines and how well Styles can handle the ball it was obvious that Styles was why they had won the last two so easily. Five years in a row with no loss was unreal. So the game started on a fierce jump, Payne vs #3.
I pulled out my notebook as the game continued. Jotting down ideas for new writings. Just as I looked up at the game I saw Niall slam a hard pass to Harry as two guards tried to block Niall. Harry sunk an almost too smooth three, sweat dripping down his face, muscles flexing, in an instant I saw his eyes hit mine before one dropped into a sly wink. Most of me said it was for the girls in the crowd, but a small sliver wanted it to be solely for me. God that sounded girly.
I couldn't peel my eyes off the game for the remaining quarter. I’d seen him glance my way four times in that time. I contemplated escaping now and being true to my Cinderella side. The game was tied in the last minute and I gripped on to my seat knowing I couldn't leave now. A coach called a timeout and I watched him talk to a mate before joining the group again. With forty seconds left a guy in a grey bison’s tee came over to me and dragged me toward the bench area.
“Styles want’s you for some reason.”
“What?” I accidentally said out loud.
“Hey Styles, here you go.” the kid called to the bench. His green eyes snapped up at us and within a moment he was in front of me.
“What do you need?” I called from the railing
“Help us win.” his statement was incredibly stupid.
“Say you’ll go out with me after the game.” He called up to me. The statement made my heart skip a beat. “Come on, give me a chance.” He smirked up at me.
“I’ll let you take me to my favorite dinner,” I started.
“Yes!” he threw his hands above his head, a genuine smile displaying his dimples.
“But!” I declared, catching his attention. “Only if you win tonight.” I smirked. The buzzer sounded, ending the timeout, before he could answer.
Every fan sitting in the audience held their breath as the last thirty seconds played out. Niall passed in to Liam, a guard blocked Liam’s inside shot, Liam slammed the ball to Kevin, Kevin passed hard to Jake, and Jake made a half court pass Harry. With 0.23 left on the clock Harry jumped from the three line, the ball smoothly rolling off of his fingers barley missing the opposing guard, his feet hitting the floor as the ball hit the rim, the buzzer sounding as the ball tapped the backboard and the crowd held their breath. Cheers deafening as the ball slung into the net, the bison’s had won for a fifth year in a row, twelve gold balls in the case, and Harry had made that last second shot. Looks like I’m going to have to share my favorite booth with the basketball hero.
A/N - Took me longer than expected to publish this one, but I’m really proud of it. Sorry if you find it too long....I hope you all like it!
