Just A Moment

I woke up to the sound of light guitar strumming, the smell of fried grease, and the sight of four faces hovering over me. I immediately recognized the song: it was the wake up song that Liam, Louis & Niall had sung to Harry & Zayn in the one year in the making special. It may or may not have been my alarm during my carrot days…

“We drove two miles to get it!” I heard Niall croon, followed by Liam’s “So now you get up and eat it!”

I kept my eyes closed and braced myself for the jumping and nonsense that was about to come next.

But it never came.

Instead, I felt a stirring beneath my head and realized that I was still snuggled in Zayn’s arms.

I fought the urge to open my eyes and make sure this wasn’t a dream just in time to hear Zayn’s husky morning voice protest, “Don’t you dare wake her up!” A warm fuzzy feeling erupted in my stomach as I felt his hand on my head. “She needs as much sleep as she can get if she’s going to have to deal with you oafs for the next few days!”

“Zayn! You’re awake!” Louis whispered, sounding utterly bewildered. I couldn’t help but smile into Zayn’s chest, knowing Louis was referring Zayn’s tendency to require nothing less than an airhorn to get up.

“Yes. And more importantly, Hannah’s asleep. So go away.” Zayn menaced.

“All right, no need to get so pissed off, then!” Louis scoffed before hopping away.

“I told you it was a bad idea!” I heard Niall lilt. As my heart melts into a puddle of emotions.

“Make sure you leave some for Hannah & Zayn!” I heard Liam order at the sound of a paper bag opening.

“Don’t worry, I already set Hannah’s aside!” came Niall’s reply.

That was when I realized that I had heard only three sets of footsteps make their way to the kitchen. I opened my eye ever so slightly to see Harry still leaning over me, a dreamy expression on his face.

“There something I can help you with?” Zayn asked lowly.

“Oh, I was just thinking how cute she looks when she’s sleeping…’ Harry practically whispered, his voice low and curious. I had to smile a little. “Aw, look! She’s smiling!” he chuckled in that gorgeous baritone.

“Yeah, her head’s on my chest, I really don’t think my neck is meant to bend at that angle.” I almost laughed at Zayn’s sarcasm, but bit it back subtly.

And by subtly I mean I bit my lip.

I quickly shut my eye in an effort to maintain my charade.

“Yeah, well, she did…” I heard the smile in Harry’s voice. “Kay I’m gonna go eat now.”

“Oi, save me one of those breakfast burrito things!” Zayn hissed in excitement.

“No promises!” Harry called over his shoulder. I felt Zayn huff in frustration and felt kind of bad… Until he started stroking my hair gently.

“Hannah? Hannah, darling?” He started crooning into my ear.

Ok. Time to get up.

I blinked my eyes and turned my head to look up at him.

“Well, good morning, sunshine!” He said softly with a smile.

“Morning!” I croaked.

“Haha, you have an adorable little sleepy voice, now don’t you!” He chuckled.

“Oh, shut up…” I rolled my eyes and lightly hit his chest.

A few minutes later, we were both up and making our way towards the smell of food.

“There they are!” Liam smiled as we entered the kitchen, rubbing our eyes and yawning.

“Ey! Good morning!” chorused the boys loudly.

“I saved you two breakfast burritos & some home fries or whatever they’re called!” Niall handed me a McDonald’s bag and pulled up a stool to the island for me.

“Aw, well thanks!” I smiled, my stomach rumbling in expectation. He sat on my left while Zayn took the spot on my right. Louis was sitting on the counter next to the sink while Harry & Liam sat on the other side of the island.

“Did you save me something?” Zayn eyed the circle expectantly. The boys all looked down, suddenly becoming very interested in their food. “Really. So it’s come to this then.” Zayn shook his head in mock disappointment.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, I’ll share!” I handed him one of my burritos and extended the bag of home fries.

“You don’t have to do that Hannah-” Zayn protested, only to be interrupted by a chorus of, “Yeah, you really don’t!” , “Nah, let ‘im starve!” , “He can fend for himself!” , “Don’t be so generous, love!” .

I gave them all the evil eye. “I can do with my food whatsoever I desire!” I stated, challenging them to oppose me.

“Well, if you insist…” Zayn shrugged and took the burrito hungrily.

“So what’re we doin’ today?” Harry asked through a mouthful of food.

“Don’t look at me! I’m not your cruise director!” Liam put his hands up to the four heads that turned his way. Which meant that five heads immediately turned my way.

“Oh, Hannah, dear!” Louis smiled patronizingly.

I rolled my eyes and leaned onto the counter. “Well, I could give you a tour of Kearney. There’s a ferry that we could take out to the island, too! That’s always a good time..” I suggested.

“You mean go to the beach?” Zayn’s brows drew together.

“In the middle of December?” Louis’ nose wrinkled.

“Well, that was the idea!” I smiled, shrugging.

“I say we go for it!” Niall beamed.

“Yeah, it sounds like rather good fun, as long as we dress warmly and such!” Liam agreed.

“Harry?” I turned to him solemnly. “You’re the tiebreaker. No pressure, or anything.”

He paused, thinking. He stroked an imaginary beard and squinted his eyes while saying, “I just may agree…”

“Yes!” Liam, Niall & I cheered.

“…but I have a few conditions.” Harry finished.

“Well, this ought to be good…” Zayn chuckled, returning to his food.

“First of all, I must get shotgun the entire way. You know, as an invalid and all!” He gestured to his crutches and cast.

“Well, since I’ll be driving, you got it!” I agreed.

“Wait, wait, wait, why can’t I drive?” Louis hopped off the counter and challenged me.

“Because it’s my car, my town. I drive.” I pointed out.

“Ugh, whatever…” Louis scoffed, propping himself back up on the counter in a huff.

“And-” Harry jumped back in, holding up a finger commandingly, “I’ll be needing a personal assistant to tend to my every need!”

We all groaned. “Harry, why are you such a diva?” Zayn shook his head.

“And who might this assistant be?” I eyed Harry skeptically.

“Well, anyone but you, of course!” he smiled, his dimples waking up the butterflies in my stomach.

“Oh, well, as long as it’s not me, I’m okay with it!” Zayn smiled, perking up.

“Harry you must be literally insane if you think you’re actually going to get any one of them to be your personal assistant.” I shook my head with a grin.

“Yup!” Zayn popped the ‘p’.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Niall nodded.

“Yeah, what were you thinking, mate?” Louis’ brows scrunched together.

“Alright! So we’re on, then?” Liam interrupted, trying to finalize the plans.

“Yep!” Harry quipped happily.

“I guess we are!” I agreed. “We’ll leave in an hour or so. You all need to clean this place up!” I eyed the mess around me.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m player one!” Louis jumped off the counter and raced for the play station that was set up in the living room, with Liam & Niall following close behind.

“I am going to be the responsible one and go clean up my mess- Oh, wait, I didn’t make one!” Zayn called over his shoulder, trying to send a message.

“Thanks for trying!” I patted his shoulder when the boys completely ignored him.

“Yeah, well, I’m gonna go shower.” Zayn smiled at me before walking off.

“So how you holding up, my love?” Harry smiled again, taking Niall’s place next to me.

“Actually, I feel really good! I barely remembered I was even hurt when I woke up!” I marveled at the fact that I almost felt no pain at all from my midsection. “But the real question is how are you holding up?” I eyed him curiously.

He shrugged good naturedly. “Eh, I’ve been better, but I feel pretty good.” He picked up my unfinished burrito. “Sleep well?”

“Wasn’t finished with that!” I grabbed the burrito back from his waiting lips. “And yes, I did sleep well.”

Harry leaned in closer with a smile and said, “And managed to look adorable while doing so!” in a low, sexy voice.

Ok, why am I getting turned on right now… I thought. Oh. Yeah. Because Harry fucking Styles is talking to me in a low sexy voice and smells really freaking good and those lips holy Jesus…

“Oh, did I?” I chuckled, trying to ignore the fluttering feelings happening all over.

“Yeah, but I think you already knew that…” He nudged me gently. I looked at him quizzically. “You were awake this morning. When we sang to you? It woke you up, didn’t it?”

My eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know?” I whispered.

“Hannah. You smiled at what I said and then bit your lip after Zayn’s little sarcasm bit. It wasn’t some big secret, although I guess you had Zayn fooled…” He chuckled.

I smiled bashfully. “That easy to read, huh?”

“That easy.” He nodded, still laughing at me a bit.

“Mm. I should work on that.” I nodded in resolution.

“Yeah, if you plan on keeping any secrets from us, your acting has got a lot of work to do! Like that bit you’ve got going with Niall?” Harry nodded towards the living room as he brought a glass of orange juice to his lips.

I just let my head fall into my hands. “Does everyone seriously know about that?”

“Like I said, Hannah, you’re that easy to read!”

I just shook my head.

“Alright, boys! Go get ready! If you’re not in my van in 55 minutes, I am leaving without you! And as for seats?” I looked pointedly at Harry. “First come, first serve!”

~*~

55 minutes later, I was sitting in my van. Alone.

The van was running, the heat was on, the radio was blasting, and there were still no boys in my car.

I checked the time again. Yup. Exactly 11 o’clock, when I had planned on leaving. I threw my head back and groaned. Never expect a boy band to be ready when you tell them to be…

When I brought my head back level with the real world, I noticed that a figure was approaching the van. I opened my door and hopped out gingerly with a smile, saying, “Pretty set on shotgun, eh?”

“The whole way!” Harry winked.

“Need any help getting in?” I made my way over to his side, opening the door for him. He stopped and stared at me. “What?” I asked.

“Close the door.” He said it simply.

“What?” I chuckled, bewildered by his statement.

“Close the door!”

I looked at him oddly, closing the door. “May I ask why?”

He took me by the arm and began walking me back to the driver’s side, explaining, “A girl should never open a car door for a guy. It’s just not right.” He opened my door for me with a smile. “A gentleman should always open the door for a lady, no matter what his condition.”

I think it was that moment that I fell a little bit in love with Harry Styles.

Wordlessly, I slid inside the car, a stupid smile overcoming my features. He flashed me another killer grin before closing my door and limping over to his side.

“You ok?” I asked as he opened his door.

“I think I’ll be alright!” Harry placed his crutches in the car and slid into the seat, although it wasn’t exactly graceful. He shut his door and headed back over to the driver’s side.

“I like your coat!” I nodded to Harry’s grey pea coat, trying to distract myself.

“I like yours! We match!” He smiled.

You know those moments where you know you’ve just made a complete fool of yourself and just wince internally? Those moments that you play over and over in your head and just are so embarrassed about but they never. Go. Away.

I had one of those moments.

I snapped and pointed my fingers at Harry, saying in a really strange voice, “Twinsies!”

Thank god the door behind me slid open and Zayn hopped in not a split second later.

“Am I late, love?”

“Only by a minute or two!” I shook my head, trying to shake the embarrassment from my face.

“You’re late.”

“Shut up, Styles!” Zayn smacked Harry upside the head.

“Ow!” Harry winced.

“Zayn, you know he’s-“

“Harry, why is Hannah blushing?”

“I’m here!” Niall shouted, hopping in from the other side and saving me from yet another awkward moment. “And Louis & Liam are on their way out, but I warn you-”

“FOR NARNIAAAAAAAA!” We all turned to see Louis chasing Liam down the gravel driveway with a foam sword. Where he got it? I don’t know. Should I question the situation? Nope.

“DRIVEDRIVEDRIVE!!!” Liam shouted as he jumped into the back seat.

I put the car in reverse and began to pull down the drive slowly, a ridiculous smile on all of our faces.

“Oh, you think you can leave without me, huh?” Louis yelled, beating on the windows and hood with the sword.

“Dear, God, can someone please just let him in?” Harry laughed along with the rest of us. I came to a stop and pushed a button so one of the sliding doors opened.

“Thank you!” Louis harrumphed and plopped himself next to Liam.

“So where we off to?” Zayn propped his chin up on my seat next to my face.

“Well, I thought we’d start with either a stop at the best hamburger place this side of the Mississippi or we could take the ferry over to the island, although I know you all just ate like an hour ag-”

“HAMBURGERS!” Niall.

“FOOD!” Liam.

“What’s a ferry?” Harry.

“I think it’s one of those magical flying things that dusts you with glitter…” Louis.

“Shut up, Louis!” Zayn.

“Again, I say HAMBURGERS!” Niall.

I laughed. “Alright, well, hamburgers it is!

Notes