Loose Change (Harry Styles) [BOOK 2]

I feel warm breaths hitting my face and I can't help but nuzzle my head more into the surface I'm next to. I place my hand on it as well, and I notice how the surface is lifting up and down as if it we're breathing. I ignore it and I just close my tired eyes tighter as I feel hairs touching my forehead while a beautifully calm beating sound is ringing through my right ear. Without opening my eyes, I swipe the hair away from my face, thinking it's just my own, but I notice how it isn't... I slowly open my eyes and I back my head a little, so I could get a better view of where I am and what I'm doing. My eyes land on Harry's prepossessing face that is only centimeters away from mine. His eyes are closed, his long eyelashes resting on his cheek and his lips are slightly parted, releasing small breaths. He's sleeping and I must say that it is a sight to see. He looks so relaxed and tranquil that he resembles a piece of soft white cotton, making him look absolutely heavenly. My eyes lower to my hand that is resting on his chest and then down to his arm that is snaked around my waist lazily. We're so close to each other that I feel as if I'm about to explode.
I'm laying on my left side and him on his right. His head is resting on one of the maroon colored couch pillows and I'm guessing I slept on his chest the whole time. I feel my cheeks heat at the thought and I smile slightly. I rub small circles with my thumb on his chest and I just begin to observe everything about his face. He has a very marbled looking jaw, deep pink shiny lips which he always licks when he's nervous, an adorable beauty mark right beneath his mouth to the right, dark brown eyebrows and dark brown curly hair. I feel myself smile at the sight in front of me and I decide to close my eyes again and just rest my head on his chest again as if I didn't just wake up in the first place. I want to savor this moment as much as I can.
As I feel my mind and thoughts beginning to fade away, I feel Harry's arm that is around me, moving away. I ignore it and I just continue resting next to him.
"Jane." I hear Harry whisper in a deep, raspy tone.
Maybe I should just wake up, and besides, it is inappropriate that I'm even on this couch with him in the first place.
"Ya?" I mutter back as I move my head and hand away from him, sitting up straight at the edge of the couch.
He sits up as well and scoots himself next to me.
"Good morning." He says with a lazy smile after he yawns a little.
I mirror his expression and even yawn as well, causing him to chuckle.
"You're contagious." I joke.
His smile grows and he shrugs, making me giggle.
"Good morning Harry." I add.
His eyes roam my face for a little and he rubs the back of his neck before yawning again.
"You hungry?" He asks.
I feel my belly suddenly grumble and Harry and I both laugh tiredly.
"Nah I don't think so." I say sarcastically.
He rolls his eyes with a foolish smile plastered on his face and gets up. He wraps his hand around my petite wrist and drags me to the kitchen. If I wasn't so tired, I probably would be shaking anxiously at this moment, so thank God for that.
"What would you like?" He questions as he lets go and begins to look through the fridge. I begin to brush my hair out with my fingers, trying to untangle the knots as I sit myself down on the edge of the kitchen table.
"I'm fine with toast and jelly or jam as you brits like to call it." I tease.
He peeks his head out from the fridge for a second and playfully sticks his tongue out at me before grabbing bread, orange juice, fruits, and marmalade.
"I'm more of a marmalade kind of man." He states as he places all the things down on the table.
I feel my nose scrunch up slightly as I try to hold in my laughter. I notice the sticky note that is stuck to the peach marmalade jar that reads 'Niall'.
I get off the table and I walk over to Harry's side, grabbing the jar.
"Um I don't think we're allowed to eat this." I say as I point to the name.
He looks around as if he we're seeing if anyone we're around in a childish way and takes off the small blue piece of paper and crumples it up, before throwing it in the trash.
"It doesn't have a name on it, so I think we're allowed." he plays while he takes out two knives and two white plates from a cabinet.
"I won't say anything if you don't" I mutter in his ear as I walk passed him to grab two cups from another cabinet.
I hear deep laughs escape his lips as I hold two white mugs in my hands.
When I turn around, I notice how he is now spreading the fancy peach spread on a piece of toast and I saunter next to him, grabbing a plate and placing a banana and a piece of toast on it after I place the two cups on the table.
After we prepare our plates, we both sit across from each other at the table and I can't help my laughter.
"What?" He asks before he swallows a piece of his toast.
"You don't think Niall's going to get mad do you?"
I can only imagine Niall walking in and seeing the almost empty jar and freaking out. I know my father would've freaked out, but then make a joke out of it later. I feel my happy mood fade a little at the thought of my father, but I quickly push my feelings away.
"Nah. He'll probably just make me buy another one."
I nod my head and I take a sip of my juice.
"C-can I ask you a question?" I ask as I stare down at the table.
"Um sure I guess." He says, a little surprised at my sudden comment.
I slowly look up and I feel my cheeks begin to redden as the question echoes in my mind.
"Um d-did you date Elizabeth? You know um Niall's...Niall's..."
"Niall's girlfriend." He finishes for me.
I nod my head and bite my bottom lip as I turn my attention back to my plate. Dang, I must sound so nosy and intrusive.
"Well ya I did actually. And don't feel embarrassed, one of the boys I'm guessing probably told you and you're curious. I understand."
I feel slightly calmer and I turn my gaze back to him to see a soft smile placed on his lips.
"What happened? Why'd you break up?"
He takes another bite of his toast and begins to stare at it in concentration as he chews.
"Well..." he begins before he swallows.
"I knew that she wasn't as happy with me as she would be if she we're with the person she belongs with."
"The person she belongs with? Do you mean Niall?"
He nods his head and begins to pick a little at his fingernails.
"Did you love her?" I hear myself ask.
I mentally face palm once the sentence leaves my lips. It's none of your business! You're going to make yourself sound like an envious crazy person.
He stops picking his nails and gives me his full attention.
"Ya I did. But I had to let her go, even if that meant that I would feel a little alone."
I feel my heart ache a little for him. Even though he doesn't seem that hurt about it, I can tell by the way he's staring at his food that he's remembering.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't impose-"
"What about you?" He interrupts as he stares me straight in the eye, making my stomach twist.
"What about me?"
He licks his lips.
"Have you ever you know...loved someone?"
His tone and facial features reveal his curiosity and I'm quite shocked that he even cares.
I take a big sip of my juice again and I begin to twirl a piece of my unruly hair around my index finger.
"Ya. I think I have."
He places his arms on the table completely and leans his head closer.
"You think?"
"Well I'm not really sure..."
Images and memories of my best friend and I begin to suffocate my thoughts, causing me to feel even a tiny bit dizzy. Our first kiss...well my and our first kiss in his father's apartment that me and my father lived in, the many insects and winged animals that would just fly around in my stomach, making me feel weak to the knees, the times he would hold me tight in his arms when I would be reminded of my mother, and even just simple things like his laugh and the way his eyes would sparkle under the night sky.
"Jane."
My mind goes back to my surroundings and I shake my head slightly just to make sure that I'm fully back to the present time.
"Sorry I- I was in love with him." I whisper.
I look up at Harry to see how his lips are slightly parted and his eyes narrow as he concentrates and continues to set his focus upon me.
"Who was he?" He asks, his voice barely a whisper.
"He was my best friend...his name is Aiden."
He just nods his head a little and looks back down on his food. I can tell he's thinking intensely about something and I want to know what it is, but I feel that I've already asked too many questions for the day.
"You want to do something today...with me?" I hear his voice say.
I practically choke on my own food. I didn't think he would actually want to hang with me again, especially since we practically spent the whole night with each other. I don't know if it's because of my slight exhaustion or if I'm just going crazy, but I think I notice a little vulnerability in his eyes, as if he's...nervous...
"Ya. What did you have in mind?"
"A brand new world." he mutters, sending not only a shiver but pretty much a whole bag of ice down my back.
I feel my eyes widen and my head tilt to the side in curiosity. To say that curiosity killed the cat is an understatement because right now the poor cat is being butchered by the amount of questions and assumptions forming in my brain.
He smiles, obviously finding my confusion amusing and gets out of his chair to throw his food away.
"Get dressed, I have something I want to show you." He says as he grabs my plate from in front of me.
"Let me help you first."
Before I can even grab my cup to place in the sink and wash, he snatches it and shakes his index finger.
"Leave it to me. Just go get dressed."
Before I can protest, he walks away with my dirty dishes and begins to wash.
"Okay."
...
It's ten thirty in the morning right now and Harry and I are in his car. The inside is much bigger than what I would expect. It's pretty spacious and smells like clean, new leather. I haven't smelled that in a long time.
Harry texted Niall, notifying him where we are so he won't be worried and also to let him know that a new jar of marmalade will be bought just for him.
I didn't really think that Harry would take me outside of the house since he seems so protective about the idea and right now, I feel very nervous.
"Are you okay Jane?"
I buckle my seatbelt and I intertwine my trembling hands with one another.
"Ya. I'm perfectly fine." I lie.
He places his right hand on mine and I try to ignore his stare.
"You're shaking...Maybe we shouldn't go, I mean-"
"No. It's fine. I'm just a little afraid that's all...I just...won't people chase us?"
This time I turn to him and I notice how his hand is still placed on mine. I try to avoid the fact that right when he touched me, I felt automatically calmer. I still don't understand how he does that.
"The place we're going to isn't that crowded and besides, security is already there undercover, so if anything does happen, they'll be there. And let's say something happens with the security...well I won't let anyone get near you. I swear to you."
He looks completely serious and confident in what he is saying and trust him completely. But I still don't understand why he is so 'protective' of me...Like that day at the shelter when he shielded me from the crowd or when he rescued me from the park...Would he do that for anyone?
I shake my thoughts as I feel his hand leave mine and go back to the steering wheel. He starts the car and begins to drive out of the drive way.
Where the heck is he going to take me?
...
I look out the window and I just observe the atmosphere around me. We've been driving for about fifteen minutes now and I feel more relaxed. Music from Harry's CD is playing, and the windows are rolled less than a quarter down, to let in just the right amount of air.
I hear Harry beginning to hum to the melody of one of the songs, and I must say that the CD is beautiful. Whenever I would walk around with my father to collect money, I would hear very sexual and loud music that made my ears want to vomit. The songs usually had no message, other than the message that vanity is the important key in a relationship which I find completely invalid and false. But, the music that is playing now is like an enchanting lullaby that angels would fly down from heaven just to listen to.
"Who is this?" I ask.
Harry stops his comforting humming and clears his throat.
"My buddy Ed. He's talented isn't he?"
"Ya. His voice is very beautiful."
I don't take my eyes off the window and I continue looking. Many people are just walking by on the sidewalk. Some young, some old, some happy looking, some stressed. It's crazy to think that each person has their own story and memories. I wonder if any of them over think like I do...When Harry stops at a red light, I begin to stare at a man that is wearing an oversized grey sweater and skinny black jeans. He's practically sprinting to his destination, but then I notice how he suddenly stops and bends down. I lower the window down a little more to see better. His back is turned to me and when he turns to me, he looks way more calm then he was before. He's now holding a small pink flower and he's twirling it in his right hand.
I can't help but smile.
I quickly turn to Harry and I poke his shoulder.
He glances at me quickly.
"He found a flower in the middle of the side walk." I state as I point back to the man.
Harry looks passed me to where I'm pointing and automatically smiles once he sees the man.
"Ya. He did." He simply replies as he turns his head back to the road once the light changes to a green one.
I notice how Harry's grip on the steering wheel is a little looser, in a more relaxed way.
"So tell me about this new world your taking me to." I comment.
Harry smiles wider and continues looking at the road.
"I don't want to ruin the surprise."
"Oh come one. At least give me a hint. What makes this place so unique?" I question.
"It's just spectacular. Just wait and see. I know you're going to adore it." he remarks, sounding a little excited.
I sigh at the very small amount of information he just gave me.
"Be patient." he adds.
"Okay."
I look down at my attire, which consists of a light blue v-neck shirt, a light yellow sweater, light blue jeans, and white flats.
"Am I dressed alright for this?" I ask.
If they're going to be paparazzi there, I don't want people to think that I am just a poor charity case that is following Harry around. I don't want him to feel embarrassed in any way.
"Yes, now shut your eyes because we're almost there and I don't want you to look."
I raise an eyebrow and decide to do as he says.
I giggle a little out of anticipation and I hear him chuckle beside me.
I feel him turn the car and I feel excited as well as nervous.
The car suddenly stops and I hear him put it in park.
"Can I open my eyes now?" I ask.
"No not yet."
I hear his car door open and then close.
He's not going to leave me here is he?
I hear the door on my side open and I feel sudden relief.
I unbuckle my seatbelt, with my eyes still closed and I remain seated, unsure what to do.
"Give me your hand." Harry says.
"O-okay." I whisper nervously as I hold my hand out, feeling his huge one wrap around it.
He helps me out of the car and closes the door behind me. I hear him lock it and he begins to guide me, my feet following him.
"Are we almost there?"
I feel myself walk a few more steps before I suddenly stop.
His hand releases from me and I can practically feel him towering over me as he stands in front of me.
"We're here. Open your eyes Jane."
I slowly open my eyes and I see Harry standing in front of me with a nervous smile on his face.
I begin to spin around slowly in place as my eyes roam the area.
"Woah." I blurt out.
I thought he was going to take me to the inside of an actual building, but no. We're outside in this huge, empty space surrounding by walls covered with graffiti. But it's not just any graffiti, they're actual drawings that resemble pieces of artwork that would hang in an art museum. What I'm witnessing is absolutely breath taking. I walk to one of the walls and I place my hand hesitantly on it, afraid that if I touch it, the beautiful artwork will wash away. But it didn't and I am truly grateful for that.
The mural on this wall is of two hands holding a camera and it looks as if they printed out a huge picture and pasted it on the wall. It's amazing.
The person that did this must've worked on this for days, maybe even weeks. How did they even learn how to do that? Just the thought is mesmerizing and makes me feel exhausted. I really hope this never gets washed off, but since this area seems abandoned, I think the artist got permission. At least I hope so. I would love to come here again.
I look at it one last time before turning around and facing Harry. The smile on his face is no longer nervous and more giddy looking.
I walk up to him and I wrap my arms around him. He seems a little startled at first, but I feel his arms snake around me.
The smell of cologne and detergent enter my nostrils and I smile, because it's proof that this is not a dream and that I'm actually here, enjoying this with him.
We both pull away, his hands place on my shoulders.
"Do you like it?" he questions.
"Like? I love this! How did you discover this place?"
Harry looks around for a quick second before meeting my eyes again.
"The park wasn't the only place I would escape to when...well when I didn't want to be at a certain place."
I feel my heart clench at his words.
'escape'
He went to the park to escape...
I open my mouth, about to ask him about it, but I really don't want to make him stressed by reminding him of his troubles from the past. Well at least not right now. I know I always hated it when people would ask me about mine.
"I can understand why." I simply say.
He just smiles and I can tell that he's thankful for my decision.
He places his hands on his sides and I quickly grab his wrist, dragging him to each of the walls so we can see them together.
"Which is your favorite?" I ask as we finish observing a very colorful wall that shows different silhouettes of hand gestures.
He begins to look around and stops once he sees the one on the corner. He walks up to it and I follow behind.
The wall has the word beautiful written on it and right beside it is Einstein holding a sign that says Love is the answer.
"I know that it's simple compared to the other ones, but I don't know."
"It's so simple, yet the message is so deep. Just the words love and beautiful bear so much meaning." I explain as I continue staring at the details.
I feel his eyes burning through me and I feel myself blush.
"Nah. I just like it because of Einstein." he jokes.
I narrow my eyes at him and I punch his arm playfully, causing him to laugh.
I walk closer to him, looking straight into his eyes.
"Why did you bring me here? Out of all the people you could bring...why me?" I question.
His smile falters slightly and he becomes serious once again.
He walks closer to me and his eyes begin to roam my face.
I can tell he's thinking about something. He always is, and I'm starting to realize that, that is another quality Harry and I share.
"You like art. I just thought you might enjoy it." He simply states.
I feel my hopes fall a little flat, causing me to feel confused with myself. Was I actually hoping that he would say more? He knows I like art, it makes sense. We're friends I guess you can say...this was just a friendly gesture.
"Oh. Of course." I say as I begin to walk to another wall.

Notes