Debt To Be Paid

I really didn't want anything to do with anybody, though I still forced myself to go out in public. I hated that crummy apartment I lived in. Even with the money mother mother was so generous to leave behind for me, I didn't like to touch it much, so I didn't live outside of my means. I sat in Starbucks, reading Newsweek. I didn't really pay attention to the words, just let my eyes rest on the page, mind too busy to process.

I was so out of it I didn't even noticed the man taking a seat on the other booth in front of me. It took me a mere two minutes to realize he was there, but even then he never made a move to make himself known. I looked up, both of our eyes meeting.

I kept my composure, breathing even, barely even affected by this appearance. What were the odds of Harry Styles to ever come into my life again. I could tell from the look on his face that he didn't recognize me. He looked tired, almost sick, really. Perhaps he went to another party and got drunk again. "Sorry," he whispered, "Those girls over there won't stop bothering me, so I made up a story about coming on a blind date."

Did he honestly expect me to pretend? Hell, he doesn't even realize we slept together already. No need for acquainting, right? Wrong. "What's your name?" He asked politely, offering a dimpled smile.

"Julie." My mother's name shot out before I could stop myself. I didn't want to be acquainted with this man any more than I had to. This meeting should've never happened. Hell, I should've just stayed home.

"Harry Styles... if you didn't already know." He gave me a curious look, almost testing to see if a girl such as my age actually knew who he was.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Styles." I haven't smiled at all during this meeting. Honestly, I don't think I could bring myself to do so.

He took a drink of his coffee, waving a hand. "No, no, the pleasure's all mine, love. And call me Harry. Though I'm quite curious now, but do you know who I am?"

Should I play dumb? I decided it was best to do so. "Harry Styles, right? You just told me."

He shook his head, laughing some. Whether he found humor in this, or just making fun of my 'ignorance', I didn't know. "No, what I mean is, I'm quite popular. Typically girls your age are always after me."

"Well, you are quite handsome." I complimented. It was true, either way.

"Why, thank you. You're pretty fit yourself, you know." He seemed pretty shocked either way that I didn't know who he was. Keep on thinking that, Styles, the faster you leave and get out of my life, the better. Not just for me, but for him to.

His phone went off in his pocket and he brought it out. "Well, looks like I need to leave and head to work now."

I nodded in understanding. I offered a small smile for the first time, I was actually quite glad for him to leave. I was about to go back to 'reading' my paper, but he bent down, close enough to whisper in my ear. "Listen, um, you might want to leave. Those girls I was talking about earlier, I can already tell that once I leave, they're going to come over and harass you."

"What?" I didn't think they would. I honestly didn't care. I wanted him to leave.

Somehow he wouldn't let me go just yet. He grabbed my hand, urging me out of the booth. "Come on. Just walk with me for a bit. I'll let you go soon."

I sighed, getting out of the booth, not bothering to keep the magazine. Harry drug me out of Starbucks as much I didn't want to. We walked down the street together, heading toward where I knew as his workplace. I really didn't want to be near Simon Cowell, and I wasn't about to allow myself to be under the same roof as that bastard.

"I'm sorry, Harry, but I think I should go." I said as I forced him to stop in front of the building. I made him let go of my hand, something I've been itching to do since we left the coffee shop.

"Ah, okay." He looked a little disappointed. "I was going to show you to the lads, but if you have somewhere else to be, then..."

My heart clenched. This wasn't ending very well for me. I needed to leave. Now. "I'm sorry. It was nice meeting you though." I felt sentimental, so I touched his arm, showing my gratitude. I really need to leave. "Thank you for walking me, though."

I started to leave at a brisk pace. I felt my skin beginning to crawl and I knew I was cutting it close, whatever risk was laying there. There was too many. I heard him shouting after me, but I ignored him.

My desperation to get away caused me to be blind to my surroundings. I hit somebody, almost causing me to tumble over, but strong arms caught me before I could fall.

"I think we need to stop running into each other like this, love." A warm voice said.

No, no, no, no. I looked up, seeing Liam. Two boys in one day? No, in one hour at that! I offered a small smile. I hated to do this, but I had to pretend. "Pardon?"

"My name's Liam." He cut himself to the chase. "Liam Payne. We met the other day, though it was brief. From that building right there. From my understanding, you were meeting with Simon Cowell, correct?"

I knew I couldn't lie now, so I just nodded. "Yes, we had some personal business to speak about."

Liam's smile, it only broadened. He had a nice smile, like Harry, only Liam's smile held more warmth and less... lust. It was nice for once for a guy to look at you with genuine emotion and not be sex craved.

It actually made me feel bad for Liam.

"I know this will sound weird, but I've been wanting to talk to you for some time. I know you don't know me, nor I with you, but would you like to meet up for some coffee, or perhaps, dinner sometime."

My, he was quite nice. I hated to treat him like this, but it was part of the deal for Simon. I had no choice. I offered a polite smile. "Sure. That would be nice."

He was actually happy to hear my answer. "Really? When?"

I looked at him, seeing a pen sticking out from his pocket. Most girls would find this daring, to simply pull something out of a man's pocket, or even get their hands close in that general area, but I pulled it straight out, grabbing his hand. I gave him my number, along with the name I gave Harry. "Just text me when you're free." I offered a smile, placing the pen back in his hands.

I turned around, walking away, but paying attention this time. Harry didn't remember me, which was good, so there shouldn't be any harm in Liam knowing the same name.

Still didn't change the fact that I felt bad for doing this though.

Notes