I yawned. It had been a long day. I had lots of fun, yes, but I was quite stressed out. Gemma and I had toured the neighborhood, meeting a few of Gemma’s friends, feeding the ducks at the park’s pond, enjoyed a nice walk down the sidewalk as we talked our hearts out. I really liked Gemma. She was really nice, just like my dad had said.
It was getting dark outside and my jetlag had started kicking in. My dad hadn’t returned from work yet, so I decided to just head to bed, as the soft quilt on my bed was just the slightest bit too tempting. I kicked off my shoes and quickly changed into my pajamas before stretching out on my bed. Before I knew it, I was plunged into a fantasy dream with unicorns and rainbows all over the place, proving to provide me with a good night’s sleep.
I woke up to the sound of a bell ringing. It took me a second to adjust to the bright light shining out of all three panels of my window. Sighing, I pulled myself out of bed and stretched. The sun seemed to be pretty high up in the sky already.
The doorbell rang once again. Had my father not opened it yet? I got off the bed to go and check who it was. I scurried down the stairs and toward the entrance hall. I found my dad crashed on the couch, deep asleep. He hadn’t heard the doorbell. So I made my way to the door and pulled it open, wondering who it could be.
“Alyssa!” Gemma squealed from the doorstep, “Oh, were you asleep? I’m sorry,”
“No, no. It’s fine,” I said.
“Well, then. I wanted to get you so you could meet my brother. He just arrived a couple hours ago,” she said.
“Oh, Harry’s here!” I said.
“Yeah. Come on!”
“Wait, let me change first,” I said.
“No need for that. It’s ok. Come on!” she said, yanking my arm.
“But –“
“I said come! He won’t care what you’re wearing,” she pulled me outside and shut the door behind me.
“Gemma!” I whined. I seriously was not comfortable going to other people’s houses in my pajamas, let alone meet a celebrity in them.
Gemma pulled me across the street, barefoot, and stormed into her house. Her house had been modeled exactly like my dad’s home, just the furniture was a little different. Gemma’s mother, Anne sat on the couch with her son beside her and her husband on the armchair in front of them. I had to scream. I had to. I just had to. No. Hold it in. Don’t scream. Later. I thought to myself, trying to keep on my poker face. Harry is no special human. He’s just a normal teenage boy, just like every other boy I know. There’s no need to scream. Right?
“Harry, this is Alyssa. Alyssa, meet my annoying little brother, Harry,” Gemma introduced.
Harry got up and walked toward me. He looked exactly like the pictures I’d seen of him in the news once in a while, but a lot cuter in person. His chocolaty curls poured over his forehead in the most perfect way while his green-blue eyes sparkled in the light of the room, eyeing my outfit. I blushed. I knew I should have changed. He smiled at me, revealing his extraordinary dimples along with his perfectly outlined teeth. Ok I really needed to scream now. But I shouldn’t. It would scare the hairs off of him if I did.
“Hey, Alyssa. So you’re our new neighbor, huh?” he asked, his deep voice mesmerizing me on the spot. No wonder he had so many girls falling at his feet.
“Yeah, for the summer,” I said.
“That’s great! I’m also here just for the summer. And then I’m off on tour again,” he said, smiling.
His celebrity aroma revolved around the room, crushing me beneath it.
“Alyssa, come and have a seat,” Anne called, patting the seat next to her.
“No, it’s fine. I have to go, actually. My dad’s still asleep and I haven’t locked the door,” I said, trying to find a good excuse to escape. I didn’t want to stay too long, as I could see they wanted to catch up with Harry. He’d been away for almost a whole year and they probably had a lot of family talk to make up.
“Oh, come on! You just came. You’re dad’s going to be fine. We’ve got security. Come on,” Robin, Gemma’s step-dad said.
“No, really. I’ll come some other time,” I said, giving them a sweet smile, trying to convince them.
“Ok, fine. But how ‘bout you and your dad come over for dinner?” Gemma asked, looking intently at her parents.
“Yeah, that would be perfect. What do you say, Alyssa?” Anne asked.
“Sure, I’ll let my dad know,” I said.
“Ok, then. It was great meeting you, Alyssa,” Harry said, shooting me his dimpled smile once again.
“You too,” I said, “See you tonight, then,”
“See you,” he replied.
I rushed out the door before I could stay in the awkward situation any longer. The first time I met Harry Styles was in my pajamas. Wonderful. That was just a great way to tell my friends the story. ‘Oh yea! The first time I met my neighbor, the all time famous pop star, Harry Styles, was when I was in my pajamas! It was great!’ Yeah, they would totally believe me.
I pushed open the front door to my house and walked inside, relieved to be out of the Styles’ house. I sighed, shutting the door behind me. Assuming my dad was still asleep on the couch, I headed into the kitchen to prepare some breakfast. I blindly walked in through the kitchen door, replaying my visit to the Styles’ house in my mind.
“Alyssa, where were you?” my dad said. I guess he was no longer sleeping. He was completely dressed in his suit and tie again, preparing waffles on the stove.
“Dad! You’re up! I was at Gemma’s. Harry’s here, so she wanted me to meet him,” I explained.
“Oh, that’s great. Next time, can you please inform me before you leave the door wide open and disappear into someone else’s house… in your… night clothes,” he said, looking me up and down.
I giggled, “Yeah, sure,” I said.
“Good. Now, what do you think of the lad?” he asked.
“Lad? Oh, you mean Harry!” I was finding the British terms a bit difficult to catch on to. “He’s fine,” I said.
“Fine? That’s it?” dad asked.
“Yeah, what else should I say?”
“Alright then. Whatever you say,” he said in a sing-song voice.
“Dad! I’m not falling for him! He’s probably already got a girlfriend. I mean, he’s famous and all” I said.
“Ok, have a seat, Aly. Your waffles are ready,” he said, handing me my breakfast on a plate. “The syrup is on the table,”
I carried it over to the dining table and poured some maple syrup onto it, sitting down. I took a bite of the warm waffle and enjoyed it melt in my mouth.
“Mmm, this is delicious,” I said with my mouth full.
“Doesn’t your mother make these? It’s our special recipe. We came up with it on our honeymoon,” he said, a smile creeping up on his face.
“You did? Mom’s never made waffles before. It’s usually either cereal or a bagel from Noah’s Bagels,” I said.
“Noah’s Bagels?” he asked, confused.
“Oh, it’s this Bagel store in the US. New York Bagels. The number 1 kind,” I said.
“I see. You think so? Wait until you try our Nandos chicken. One of a kind,” he said.
“Oh! Speaking of food, we have an invitation for dinner at the Styles’,” I told him.
“Oh, they invited us, eh?” he asked.
“Yeah. I told them we’ll be there,” I said.
“Ok, then. That’s one less meal I’ve got to cook,” he said, satisfied.
I smiled, finishing up the last of my waffle.
“Done!” I said, getting up and taking my plate over to the sink.
“You’re quite a fast eater,” he said.
“Yeah, well I’ve had a lot of practice. The bus comes really early back home. I barely have two minutes to stuff a bagel in my mouth before I leave, or the bus leaves before I get there,” I said.
“That’s hectic,” he said.
I shrugged.
“So got any plans for today?” I asked.
“I’ve got work,” he said.
“Again?” I asked.
“Just this week, Aly. I’ll be all yours from next week. We can do anything you want. I promise,” he said.
“Ok, then. I’ll just stay at home, relax a bit,” I said.
“Sounds like day. If you want to go out anywhere, just be sure the lock the door. The spare key is hidden in the pot of red pansies on the front porch,” he said.
“Sure, dad,”
“Be safe, honey. I haven’t seen you in forever. I don’t want you to get lost or anything. Then I won’t be able to see you for longer, and that won’t be any fun,” he said.
“Don’t worry. I’m 18. I can handle myself. Plus, you’ve got plenty of security around here, right?” I reminded him.
“Ok. I’m going to leave you all alone, now” he said, taunting me.
“I’ll be fine! I’ve been alone before! I’m not a kid, dad,” I said.
“Ok, just keep the door locked,” he said, and headed out the door.
“Bye, dad,” I said, waving at him.
“Bye,” he waved back, heading into his car and driving off.
A day all to myself. This is perfect. I can prep myself for the dinner coming up. I don’t want to make a fool of myself in front of them, now, do I?

Notes

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