Loose Change (Harry Styles) [BOOK 2]

"Which was your favorite?" Harry questions as we both enter his car.
We spent about an hour here, and it was one of the best times of my life. Just the art was intensifyingly beautiful, even if it was graffiti. No one has ever taken me to a place like this and it means a lot to me that he thought of me. The artwork felt like music to my ears and all I wanted to do was dance and just be happy. I miss my father more than anything, but he never would've taken me to a place like this and anyway it felt good to forget all my troubles for a little while. I guess Harry just has that effect on me...he makes me forget about everything stressful in my life and just makes me feel a big sense of relief.
"I quite liked the galaxy one. I know it sounds weird, but just by looking at it I felt like I could fly at that moment you know?" I say as I close the car door and buckle my seatbelt.
He closes his door and I see the glowing smile plastered on his face.
"Ya. It reminded me of when I was a kid and I would look at the stars with Ge-"
His smile almost instantly fades and he closes his eyes for a quick second before sighing and opening them again, revealing his green emerald eyes. He puts the key in the ignition and waits for the car to warm up.
"With Gemma your sister?" I ask.
I remember how at the park when we met the second time, Harry told me about his sister and their close relationship.
With his gaze on the road, he just nods his head in response.
I look down at my hands and I begin to fiddle with my fingers.
"W-what happened?"
I glance up back at him.
"You know... with your sister and your mom? I add.
I hear him put the car in drive and I can't help but sigh at his silence. What? Just because he took you to see some walls, doesn't mean that you two are best friends. Why would he tell you?
"They found out who I really am." I hear him reply unexpectedly.
His eyes still remain on the road and by the way his eyes are narrowed in concentration, I can tell he's thinking about them.
"Who you really are? What do you mean?"
He opens his mouth but quickly closes it before he licks his lips.
"I'm fucked up Jane. Really fucked up."
I feel my lips separate at his words and I don't know how to respond. He's not fucked up. I mean sometimes he can really get on my nerves, but I mean everyone has their moments, even me.
"Why would you think that? You've helped me...not everyone would do what you did. I mean you he-"
"Ya I took you in, I brought Rose, and I hung up your drawing. I get it okay. I fucking get it."
I feel my heart stop in my chest and I quickly turn my head to the right, staring at the window.
Water droplets begin to stream down the window and the sound of thunder echoes through my ears. I would usually laugh about how the weather always resembles my mood, but right now, when those words said in that hurtful tone left his lips, I felt like I just got stabbed. All the relief I felt a few minutes later has vanished and a bag full of bricks is weighing down my good attitude. All the memories of my father, Aiden, and my mother have all submerged back into my mind and this time I don't want to release them, I want to drown in it. Maybe I deserve this...to feel sad. At least just for a little while. I've been such a pest to everyone...
I feel my eyes beginning to gloss and I sniffle, trying to hold everything back.
"Shit. Jane I didn't mean to-"
"Why did you even take me in? I mean I could've stayed with Katherine. Why did my father choose you out of everyone he knew? He didn't even like you." I mutter as I wipe the liquid that is brimming in my eyes.
Silence again.
Of course. Because he has to hide everything from me.
"Whatever. I can't believe I'm crying over this anyway. J-just wake me up when we're back. Can you at least do that?" I state quite rudely before I force my eyelids shut.
My mother's face pops into my mind and it's suffocating me in a slow painful way. Her short dirty blonde hair, her thin face and always pink cheeks, her light brown eyes, her small curved nose, and her thin light brown eyebrows haunt my dreams.
I want to wake up just so I don't think of her because frankly, I hate her, but I rather deal with her than Harry's silence and guilt, so I close my eyelids even tighter and I feel my mind beginning to fuzz.
After a few minutes I'm guessing, I begin to dream of a little thin girl with strawberry blonde hair wearing a floral dress, locked in a cage. I can't see her face since she's sitting in the corner of the cage her face is in her small pale hands. She's crying and all I want to do is let her free and hug her for dear life. I feel like I have this connection with her somehow and I feel my heart beginning to shred with each sob coming from her.
I feel myself walking to the cage, my feet feeling like bricks of cement as I do so. The closer I get to the medium sized steel cage, the colder it gets. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to warm myself, but failing in doing so as my body begins to shake uncontrollably.
"L-l-little g-girl." I say between my shattering teeth as I wrap my hands around the silver bars.
Nothing.
"G-girl." I repeat.
I see her head beginning to lift up from her hands, her face smothered with tears.
"Why are yo-ou c-crying?" I ask as I see cold smoky breaths release from my mouth with each sentence.
She uses her small hand to wipe her eyes and she pulls her hair to the side.
"No one likes me." she says.
I take my right hand out and I place it in one of the spaces between two bars.
"I l-like you." I mutter as I motion her to come to me.
Her sad eyes lock on my hand as she slowly gets up from the cold looking floor.
Her features become more vivid the closer she gets to me.
Her footsteps begin to slow in pace as she walks up to me, her face looking confused and observant.
"What i-is it?" I ask as she stands right in front of me, just staring at my hand.
"Girl." I say, trying to get her attention.
She looks up at me and backs away a little in fear.
"Y-you hate me the most." she says.
What? I've never seen this girl in my life.
"What? I don't hate you! Why would I hate you?"
Tears begin to fall down her face as she walks back into the corner, into a dark shadow. I can't see her anymore. It's as if the darkness consumed her.
"Girl." I repeat, still shivering.
"My name's not girl."
I raise an eyebrow an curiosity as I notice how her voice is much older sounding and recognizable.
"I-I'm sorry. What's your n-name? Please come into the light." I plead.
"No. You h-hate me. I know you do." she replies with a voice so recognizable that I feel my body beginning to freeze from both the temperature and her.
"I...Come o-out." I mutter.
I hear her breathing heavily out of nervousness and I'm starting to get frightened myself.
I see her right foot, then her left, and then....my eyes widen as I see myself standing in front of me.
I feel myself gasp and I quickly take my hand out from the space and I cover my quivering lips with it.
"You hate me Jane. And guess what... I hate you too and no one will like us. No one. Do you hear me?"
I feel myself fall to the ground as my body begins to freeze.
She walks up to the bars, grabbing them tightly as she puts her face close to them, staring down at me.
"You're going to end up just like your mother. A little homeless and pathetic whore." She adds through angry tears.
I would cover my ears, but for some reason my whole body feels paralyzed. I don't know if it's from the freezing weather or just because I'm too astonished to move.
"S-s-stop. P-please." I whisper.
"No one cares about you Jane. And if you think they do, it's just an act they're putting on for you because well-"
She pulls me by my collar and brings my face up to hers.
"They pity you."
I feel tears beginning to fall from my eyes uncontrollably and I'm quite surprised that they're not crystallizing or freezing from the temperature, but then again I don't think that's even possible.
I shut my eyes closed and I don't know what I'm more terrified of, the fact that she's right, well myself or that I don't know what's going to happen next.
"Because I want to protect you...That's why."
I open my eyes and I notice how the cage is gone as well as my clone I guess you can say.
But wait. Who said that? It didn't sound like my voice, it sounded like a male's...like Harry's. It couldn't possibly, but then if it wasn't him, who's was it and why are flowers and sunshine beginning to appear everywhere? My body feels all warmed up and I can move again.
I feel as if something's covering me and I'm as confused as ever. What's happening?
I roam my eyes around the beautiful green scenery that is surrounded by animals and just nature in general, but I don't see anything.
"Jane. Jane."
I look around to see that no one is calling me. Who could be calling me?
"Jane. Jane." I hear repeated.
My eyes open and I realize that I'm back at my- I mean Harry and Niall's house in my bed....
I look to my left to notice a concerned looking Niall.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
I feel my chest rising up and down rapidly and I realize that I'm sweating.
"Ya. I'm fine. I just had a night mare I guess."
I sit up and I plop my legs over the white comfy comforter.
Wait...why do my calves feel bare?
I look down to see how I am now wearing plaid blue boxers and an over sized white shirt. Not again.
"Well I'm guessing it was about Harry." he says as I place my legs back under the blanket, trying to cover myself as much as I possibly can.
"Well actually no. Why do you assume that?" I ask.
He scratches the back of his neck and shrugs.
"Um you we're kinda screaming his name. If he were here, he most likely would've ran over to you, but since he's not...well I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."
I grab some of the blanket under me and I grip it in my hands slightly. Did I actually call Harry? Of course you did. He wouldn't have brought it up.
I sigh and I look back up at him.
"Well um I'm sorry for the false alarm. I'm fine. Thanks." I say awkwardly.
"Anytime." He states before he waves and turns around.
"Um Niall."
He stops automatically and turns on his heel to face me.
"Ya?"
I feel my whole face heat up and I pull the comforter closer to me.
"How did I get into these clothes?" I question even though I think I know the answer.
"Well it was pouring outside and Harry brought you inside in his arms. You both we're drenched. I guess he didn't want to wake you and you we're shivering like crazy so he changed you into dry clothes, so you wouldn't get sick."
I feel my face redden even more if that's even possible and I grab the side of my hair. It feels a little damp and even though I'm thankful I guess that Harry did that....why did he change me into his clothes? And we we're in a fight I guess you could say...why would he do that?
"Jane."
I shake my thoughts and I focus my attention on Niall who is standing near the door with both of his hands in his pockets.
"Did you say that he's gone?"
Niall nods his head.
I don't want to bother Niall with anymore of my many questions, so I leave the Harry situation alone. I'm also not clingy, so I don't need to know where Harry is 24/7.
"Thanks Niall. Um and again I'm sorry for the false alarm."
He gives me a soft smile.
"No problem. And if you need anything else just ask. Okay?"
I nod my head and I mirror his expression.
"By the way, tell Elizabeth I say hi." I add.
His smile grows even bigger at the mention of his girlfriend's name, making me feel happy myself. I want to meet this Elizabeth one day. She seems like a wonderful girl, especially since Niall can't stop gushing over her.
"You'll be able to tell her yourself soon."
I guess I'm going to get the chance.
"That's great! When is she coming?"
"In two weeks, so about thirteen days." He retorts in a giddy tone. It's odd seeing a guy with tattoos acting so love struck and child-like, but then again it's odd seeing a guy like Niall with tattoos.
"I can't wait to meet her."
His cheeks turn a little pink as his smile calms again.
"Ya me too."
"Well even though I'm going to finally have the chance to meet this Eli, I still want you to give her my greetings." I reply.
He chuckles a little and nods.
"Will do. I'm actually going to web cam with her now. Do you want to join me and talk to her or are you going to do something?"
I look around my room and my eyes land back on Niall's.
"Ya I would like that. But do you mind if I change out of these clothes first? I don't really feel comfortable wearing you know..."
To be honest, these clothes are actually very comfy and they smell like well...Harry. So I wouldn't really mind wearing them, but I don't want Niall's girlfriend to assume anything and I don't think wearing a man's shirt and undergarments makes a very good first impression, so I think my own clothes will be more suitable.
He laughs a little.
"Ya go ahead. Just meet me in my room after."
I nod my head and once he walks out, I get out of my bed, I grab some sweats and a v-neck, and I head to my bathroom.
...
"So where's the webcam?" I question as I sit next to Niall on his floor, our backs leaning on his bed's frame.
He cocks an eyebrow and grins.
"What? My homeless lifestyle didn't really come with technology. The only reason why I even know what a webcam is, is because I remember my father using one of them when he would do business meetings on the computer when I was a kid."
He chuckles and points to the very thin computer on his lap.
"The webcam is this little dot, right here. I can also use it as a camera to take selfies and stuff."
I can only imagine how confused my face looks.
"Selfie?"
He opens his mouth, but quickly closes it. He just raises both of his eyebrows and looks back at his computer or laptop as he calls it.
"Man you really need to catch up. You sound like my nan."
I roll my eyes and turn my attention to the screen as he clicks on a White S inside a blue blob thing. A white screen pops up and the word Skype appears. Is this the webcam thing?
"Here we go." He states as he fixes his white cap on his head.
Two black boxes side by side appear and a ringing sound echoes through the room. I push my hair behind me and I stare at the screen on the left that says Elizabeth Harrison on the top.
A girl with short dark brown wavy looking hair and dark brown eyes appears on the screen. She looks like the picture that Niall showed me one day of her, except now her hair is shorter.
"Hello princess." Niall says with a huge smile.
I feel my lips curve at his greeting. I can tell that he's completely head over heels over this chic and it's so cute to see. I wish Harry would call me that... I mean he called me princess Jane that night, but that was just...I don't even know. It was just a Harry like thing to say. What are you thinking Jane? Just push your feelings aside. For once, don't think about Harry.
"Hi Ni. I've missed you." Elizabeth replies with a smile on her face as well.
Her face is very close to the camera so I can't really see the background, but she is obviously in a bedroom since she's holding a checkered comforter to her chest and in the back of her there is a pillow with a matching pillow case.
"I've missed you too. And I kinda have someone that wants to say hi to you." he says.
He turns the laptop to the left, enough to show both of us.
I wave a little awkwardly.
"Hi." I state shyly.
A friendly smile appears on her face, making me feel a little more comfortable.
"Hi. You must be Jane! Harry's girl right?"
I feel my heart stop and my cheeks burn to the temperature of the sun.
"I-I um wh-"
I can't even form words. Who told her that?
"Baby um no she's not Harry's girl she's just-"
Niall turns his head to me and his eyes look apologetic.
"Her and Harry are just friends." he adds.
I nod my head with his response and she chuckles a little.
"Sorry it's just that after everything Niall has told me about you and Harry's history...I don't know it just seems like something's there. Sorry, I guess I was wrong." She apologizes obviously embarrassed.
"It's fine don't worry."
I then turn my head to Niall.
"What exactly did this one over here tell you?" I question as I raise an eyebrow at Niall.
"Just about how you actually made him laugh. Harry's been feeling iffy lately and I just think that he must really care for you after everything you guys have been through." Elizabeth says.
I look back at the screen.
"Ya I guess. He's just..."
"Secretive, mysterious, to himself?" she finishes for me.
I laugh and nod quickly.
"Exactly that." I comment causing her to laugh.
"Ya I've heard. He used to be different though." she says.
"Ya Liam told me that he used to be super funny and outgoing."
She nods again.
Elizabeth is really nice and I actually can't wait for her arrival. We talked a little more about Harry and she even told me about how he used to be when they we're together, which made Niall a little jealous. He's such a boy. She told me how he was actually kind of forward with her and how their relationship was fast. We laughed together, Niall, Eli, and I, and I've noticed how similar Niall and her are. Niall told me their 'story' and it is really a beautiful story. I now understand why Niall cares so deeply for her and I'm quite happy that they are together now. Harry was right when he told me that she belongs with Niall.
Right now Eli's talking about college or 'uni' as Niall calls it.
"Jane, Niall told me how good you are at drawing and you would just love this professor in my school. She was a professional artist and if you just heard her speak...it's just mesmerizing."
"Wow! When's the next plane to London?" I ask, causing both of them to laugh.
"But for real, everything here is just a- Calvin!"
Eli's eyes widen and she giggles as a small gray maltese appears in her arms.
She grabs its small paw and waves it.
"Say hi to Niall and Jane." She says in a baby voice as she shakes it's paw side to side.
Niall scrunches up his nose and smiles widely.
"Calvin! How are ya lad."
"Um hey." I state plainly.
Eli and Niall both burst into laughter as she places the small dog down.
"What?" I ask as I begin to laugh a little myself.
"Nothing it's just th-"
Niall interrupts himself as the house phone in his room rings.
"Hold on a second ladies." He says before he places the laptop on my lap and gets up from the floor to walk to the phone.
"Looks like it's just us two." Elis states.
I chuckle.
"Well us three. Don't forget Calvin." I remark.
She grabs Calvin again and places him in front of the camera, so all I see is the adorable little dog's face.
I can't help but giggle.
"He's not here at the moment. Would you like me to leave a message for you?" I hear Niall say from his nightstand.
Eli and I talk a little longer about Calvin before Niall returns, sitting down next to me again and placing the laptop back on his lap.
"Who was that?" I ask.
He shrugs.
"Just a guy calling for Harry."
"What's the guy's name?" Eli questions.
"He said his name's Ted."
I quickly feel my heart shatter and tears brimming in my eyes.
"It was nice to meet you Eli, but I gotta go." I mutter before I get up and begin walking towards the room door.
"Jane wait. What happened? Do you know who this Ted guy is or something?" Niall asks concerned as he walks up to me with the laptop in his hands.
I wipe my tears and I take a deep breath.
"He's my father." I reply before I run out of the room, heading to the balcony.

Notes