Loose Change (Harry Styles) [BOOK 2]

As soon as I walk into the recognizable room, I feel arms wrap around my slightly wet body.
"Where have you been? Where did you stay?! I heard what happened at the restaurant. Are you alright?!"
I pull myself out of Katherine's embrace and I give her a small forced reassuring smile, causing her to just hug me again.
"Never do that again. Alright? I was so concerned about you and I-" She interrupts herself, pulling me away from her and composing herself. She takes a deep breath and places her hands on my shoulders.
"Why don't I let you speak before I assume anything?" She jokes, me just shrugging in response.
Her smile fades as she notices my lack of happiness.
"What happened last night Jane?" She whispers.
I glance down at the floor and I sigh before shaking her hands off and leading her to the kitchen table, telling her about the waitress, the car ride, the kiss... everything.
"And he didn't say anything after? He just dropped you off?" She questions, all her attention on me.
I glance down at my hands in my lap and I just nod, now having the strength to answer.
"I-I don't know what I did Kat. I mean he and I, the kiss, like-Ugh!" I place my face in my hands and I stomp my foot, frustrated.
"He's just so arrogant and fucking confusing and he's crazy. Besides we're both so different and maybe he just- Ugh I don't know anymore. I'm so lost, with him, with my dad, with just everything. You know?"
I feel her hand place itself softly on my thigh, and I slowly glance up to see her giving me a soft reassuring smile.
"You love him don't you?"
My whole body freezes at her words and my heart stops beating for a second, feeling as if it might burst from all the emotions I'm feeling at this precise moment.
"I-I... I mean whenever I'm beginning to feel like a bright fire again, he's the water that always wipes me out, but the thing is that whenever water and fire meet, they both form steam and go off into the air together. It's as if he tears me down just so he could show me how much he cares, but then when I trust him, he tears me down again. Is that what love is Kat? Destroying each other?"
She places her wrinkled hand back on her lap, and rubs her own leg as she begins to think.
"Well Jane you always seem to forgive him, you still have hope for him, and to me...well that's love." She replies honestly.
"Then I'm helplessly ruined because I don't think I will ever not forgive him." I admit.
She scoots her chair closer to me and points my chin up with her index finger, smiling a little.
"I got to go grocery shopping today. Why don't you come with me and then after we can go get lunch or go to the theater or just anything you want? How does that sound?"
I feel myself sniffle and I just nod my head as a smile grows on my face.
"That sounds nice."
She just nods her head and I leave the room to shower, change and try to forget everything that has happened in the past twenty four hours.
...
"Should I get the double or just a single?" Katherine asks as she points to the two different paper towel rolls.
I lean my body forward on the cart and I bite my lip.
"Hm. Well the double rolls are on sale and I like the cute flower pattern on it."
Katherine grabs my suggestion and chuckles as she stares at it more.
"It is quite adorable isn't it?"
I nod my head and we both just smile widely as we walk to the next aisle.
Katherine and I are at Publix right now, and even though many people detest going grocery shopping since it's such a bore to them, I find it enjoyable. When I was little, I could never go grocery shopping with my parents like a normal child would. A maid would always buy our food so I've never had the simple experience of getting a free cookie from the bakery, getting excited over my favorite cereal, or having an cute simple conversation about paper towels with my mother or just anybody. And again, I'm glad that I'm sharing this day with Kat. Ever since she took me in, we've gotten much closer, and I feel honored to know someone such as herself with her charismatic personality and un normal looking yet very amusing cursing.
"How about I mix it up a little tonight, and make brownies instead?" She questions as she holds a red box filled with the delicious powder mix.
I glance up in a joking way, pretending to think about it before I turn my gaze back on her, seeing her laugh.
"Fine. But only if I get to bake them with you."
She bites her bottom lip and nods slowly.
"Fine. Deal."
I throw my hands up in victory, causing both of us to giggle immensely.
"So what's next on the list?"
She glances down at her new fancy smart phone.
"Hm well I need to get some peppers and toma-"
"JJ?"
Both me and Katherine's heads turn to the right in unison as I see Aiden wearing sweats, practically running towards us.
I feel my cheeks begin to hurt as I smile widely and I run into his arms like that night at his club. He places his head in the crook of my neck and wraps his arms tightly around my waist, lifting me up a little and causing me to squeal slightly.
He pushes me forward just a little, wrapping his hands around my wrists. We're both smiling like small children, and I feel all the sadness I have felt diminish as he just stares at me with the brightest glow in his light brown eyes.
"I can't believe. I mean I thought I wasn't going to see you again. I mean I-" He begins as his eyes land on my hands and he quickly lets go, sliding them into his pockets.
"Let me start again." He adds, causing me to laugh.
He turns around, his back facing me, and spins slowly.
"Oh my gosh I seriously need cat fo- Jane! Oh Jane hello there. How are you? I'm just a normal person that doesn't get overly excited and that just happened to be your old best friend and well hi."
I raise an eyebrow and just begin to laugh even more as I wrap my arms around his neck.
"I missed you so much A. And I'm not just saying that. I seriously have." I whisper, feeling him hold me closer to him.
"I know JJ. And I've missed you too."
"Um excuse me."
We both let go and I turn my head to see Katherine standing next to the cart, smiling very warmly. My eyes widen and I quickly grab Aiden's wrist and I drag him up to her.
"Katherine this is Aiden, my best friend from when I was a kid, and Aiden this is Katherine, my very good friend." I introduce both of them to one another. And like the gentlemen Aiden is, he shakes her hand and welcomes her with a pleasant grin.
"It's nice to meet you Katherine. May I ask how you know my JJ over here?"
He wraps his arm around my shoulder and I notice how Katherine's smile falters. She just stares at me, asking me if she could just tell him.
I quickly look down and just nod as I turn to face Aiden, his arm going back to his side.
"We met at a homeless shelter A. She was one of the volunteers there and well...ya." I say quite awkwardly. I'm unsure if Aiden knows about the past five years, since he had to move all of a sudden to California with his father when he was only sixteen, but by the look of the sudden diminished glow in his eyes...he didn't.
"Jane I-"
"It's okay. Um now I'm actually living with her and we're just grabbing brownie mix as you can see and ya." I interrupt, not wanting him to feel any guiltier then he already looks.
"Jane. What about your father? Where is he living? I mean is he okay I-"
The sadness comes back again, and I really wish that I was with Kat back at her apartment right now baking brownies.
"Oh geez I'm sorry. We haven't spoken in what? Five years! And I'm already interfering. I'm sorry I didn't mean to." He apologizes, placing his hand on his face, obviously embarrassed.
I give him a reassuring smile.
"Hey don't beat yourself up. It's alright. Thank you for caring. Um, my father he um well he just kind of abandoned me. I'm not even quite sure where he is or what he's even doing right now. We haven't spoken to each other in weeks." I admit, hoping that he won't pity me, because even though Aiden is probably the sweetest person my eyes have ever beheld, he pities everything. He is the king of pitying.
His mouth drops, and he looks completely amazed. His fingers begin to tangle through his hair as he just shakes his head.
"Oh Jane I me-"
A buzzing noise begins to echo through every ones ears.
"Excuse me just a second. Sorry." Aiden apologizes before he pulls out his phone and reads something.
"Shit." He blurts out.
"Is everything alright?" I ask.
He looks up at me and licks his lips, making my stomach turn, because Harry's face just popped up in my mind again. Harry always licks his lips in the most adorable way when he's nervous, making my legs feel weak as well as my whole body. Dang. Forget about him Jane. Forget.
"Yeah. Something just happened at the club and they need me an-"
His eyes meet mine and I can tell he's contemplating with himself whether or not he should just leave during our conversation, but I'm actually hoping he will because I seriously don't want to talk about my father. my heart and mind won't be able to take it.
"It's okay. Just go. They need you." I say.
He rubs the back of his neck and just nods a little.
"I'm sorry Jane. If it wasn't a major emergency I-"
He takes a deep breath.
"Can I have your number, so I can maybe call you sometime?" he adds.
I glance at Katherine and she just nods before I enter Katherine's house number into his phone and we both say our goodbyes.
As Katherine and I walk to the cash register to pay, I place my right hand on my left arm, rubbing it in a comforting way.
"Well he seems very sweet." She comments.
"Yeah. He is."
...
The car ride back to her apartment was quite depressing to me. Seeing Aiden again was very refreshing, but like everything in this world, it had its downsides. Downside? I can't stop thinking about Harry and my father again.
I can tell Katherine noticed my sudden change of behavior, but she didn't question anything the whole car ride. And I'm kind of glad. I just want to stuff myself in my room and sleep, because my dreams are better than reality.
I just finished taking the last of the grocery bags up to her apartment and now I'm placing a bag of scrumptious looking red apples in the fruit drawer of her fridge.
"So where do you want to eat? Olive garden? I know how it's your favorite." I state, trying to spark up a conversation.
I hear her close one of her cabinets, most likely putting something away as well. Katherine's never this quiet and I feel a little concerned and suspicious at the same time.
"Kat?" I question, trying to gain her attention.
I hope I didn't offend her in any way or do anything wrong, because she's really the only person I have left in my life, and I don't want to lose her. I can't... not another one.
I close the fridge door, feeling a little afraid to see Katherine's attention focused on one of the paper towel rolls, her eyes narrowed and her eyebrows downward in concentration. What is she thinking?
"Actually if you don't mind, there's this new place I heard about that I want to try. If you don't mind of course."
I let go of the breath that I've been holding and a small smile escapes my lips as I see her staring at me with a mischievous grin.
"Sure. I don't mind at all." I respond.
She places the paper towels on the counter top and chuckles.
"Well good. Because I think you'll like it. Right when were done here, we'll go."
I nod my head.
"Alright."
...
We've been driving for about half an hour and I'm starting to feel a little anxious. I didn't know this place was so far. And it doesn't help that Katherine hasn't answered any of my questions about this new restaurant.
"Kat um are we at least almost there?" I ask, beginning to un knot my hair with my fingertips, hoping that she'll actually answer me this time.
She turns into the right lane and just smiles.
"Almost."
"Katherine..."
A sign then approaches us. A recognizable sign.
Splendid Manors
I feel my eyes widen and I just stare at Katherine absolutely bewildered.
"Katherine!" I practically yell in her ear.
She stops the car right in front of his house and I feel my whole body tense. What if he sees us? What if he calls the police or something? What if-
"Jane calm down okay." She comments in a much calmer tone than my own.
"Calm down? I refuse to go talk to him if that was your intention Kat. Can we please just go. I just can't. I won't." I protest, crossing my arms to try to add to the effect when in reality I most likely look like a pouty five year old.
She places her hand on my arm in a mothering way, and I still force my serious composure.
"Jane. He left you with no answer and I know that you we're probably planning to just lock yourself in your room and sleep, and I won't have that. Jane when Carly first entered college, she couldn't visit me. So you want to know what I did? I drove all the way to New York just so I could visit her. You can't just sit around and hope that good things will happen to you, you have to make them happen. Would you be happy with him? Is he one of those good things that you want?" She inquires quite earnestly.
I feel my arms uncross and I place my hands on my lap before I nod.
"Yes. He is probably the best thing I could possibly want." I admit.
She just stares at me, a slight grin plastered on her face.
I sigh.
"You're right." I say.
She places her hand back on the steering wheel and with the other, presses a button to unlock the door.
"If anything happens, just call me and I'll come pick you up."
As I place my hand on the car handle, I look back at her scared.
"W-what? You're not going to stay here with me? But what if-"
"Jane. Even if it doesn't turn out well, which I doubt, he will still let you use his phone. Besides, this is between you and him. Not me. Now go on. I know you can do it."
I nod my head, before I get out of the car, I wave goodbye and I scurry myself to the front door.
I hear Katherine leaving the drive way from behind me, and my nerves are beginning to get the best of me as my right hand trembles.
I knock on the door in a normal manner, hoping he won't think of me as a stalker or a freak. I saw him this morning and now I'm back at his door. That seems quite stalkerish.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...I mean I've walked all the way to Katherine's apartment before. Maybe I can just run now, and he'll not never even now that I was here.
"Jane?"
I turn around to see a tired looking Niall walking up from the drive way.
"Hi Niall. Um how are you?"
I feel myself pace a little in place awkwardly as Niall rubs the back of his neck.
"I'm good I guess. What about yourself?"
I nod my head as I bite my bottom lip.
"How did you get here?" I question since I don't see any sign of another car besides Harry's.
"Paul dropped me off. Thought it would be safer than a taxi."
I nod my head again and he does the same, mirroring my expressions.
"Um do you want to come inside?" He mentions as he pulls out his keys from his pocket.
"Sure. Um yeah."
I move aside so he can unlock the door, and I begin to feel uneasy when the door clicks open.
"Well make yourself at ho-"
Niall and I both stand in the doorway, our mouths both to the floor at the sight of the sudden clutter everywhere. Many pillows are on the ground as well as pieces of shattered glass and crumpled up pieces of paper.
Niall quickly locks the door behind me and storms inside, tangling his fingers in his hair.
"Shit. Not again!"
Again?
I've never seen Niall angry before, and it's quite terrifying to see. He's usually so bubbly and can keep his calm stature, but right now he looks boiling pissed.
"Harry! HARRY!" He screams as he walks down the hall, me following awkwardly behind.
I don't know what's happening or what is to be expected, but I'm beginning to feel very afraid.
"HAR-"
"I'm hereeee. God you don't have to blow m-my fucking ears offf."
Harry walks out from his room, his body leaning against his door frame, a bottle of half empty rum in his hand.
"Harry!" I yell as he falls abruptly to the ground.
Harry's POV
Even though everything in this damn house is fucking spinning, I can still recognize her face. She looks scared shitless right now and for some reason, all I can do is laugh as her and pissed off Niall over here help pick me up.
"Fuck Harry. Why can't you just mess up your own room?" Niall complains as I feel my feet touching the floor again.
"That's noooooooo f-fun. Is it?" I sate as I take another sip of my Bacardi bottle.
As I notice his eyes rolling in a dramatic ass way, I turn my head to see the red headed angel looking as pure and innocent as she usually does, and I shake off Niall's as well as her's holds.
"I'm fine!" I yell as I feel my knees become weak again. Well that's going to hurt in the morning.
I'm lifted off the floor once again, and I feel my eye lids beginning to droop slightly.
"Let's take him to his bed." Niall says to her.
I feel her squeeze my arm as they both drag my ass to my messy ass bed.
"Okay. Well I'll get him water and you get him a warm towel." He commands and I feel myself snort. He sounds like my fucking mum. Well if she would fucking actually be here and talk to me.
My head hits the pillow and I soon hear both of them walk out.
I shake my head a little as I begin to think back to my mum. She told me once that the day she realized she was in love with my father was when he walked in from the soaking rain holding flowers. He walked three miles just to give her fucking flowers, and all she could say was "I think the tea's ready." And that's when she knew. But I guess it didn't work out since now she's married to someone else.
Niall comes back inside holding a cup of water and practically runs to my side.
"Here. Drink this." He says as he hands me the glass.
I do as he says and he just nods before walking back to my door.
"I'm going to make you some food. Help sober you up." He mentions before strolling out like the fucking leprechaun he is.
I laugh loudly as I imagine him in a green costume, holding a pot of gold. God I'm hilarious.
"Here um. How do you feel?"
I shake my head as I see her walking in, holding a small damp white towel. Her hair is on the side of her face, her light brown eyes are staring right at me, and her bottom lip is hiding under her top row of teeth. Damn she's fucking beautiful.
She sits at the edge of the bed and leans her body closer to me. She rubs the towel softly over my forehead, clearing the sweat that has formed.
"Oh Harry." She whispers after she places the towel on my nightstand and places her index finger on my forehead, moving a hair back like she always does.
I wrap my hand around her wrist as it does so, and I tangle our fingers together, resting our intertwined hands on my chest.
Her cheeks are flushed and I can see her eyes beginning to liquefy.
"You don't know what you d-do tooo me Jane." I mutter.
Her eyes stare into me, a tear streaming down her light skinned face.
"W-what?" She asks.
"I killed her Jane. I-I can't kill you too."
I already know I'm fucking going to regret this in the morning, but I'm drunk off my ass and I don't really give a shit about anything right now.
She cocks an eyebrow in confusion and her lips slightly separate.
"Kill? Who did you kill?"
I feel my eyebrows scrunch up together as the memory of that poor girl frames inside my mind.
"Skyler."
She quickly removes her hand from my hold and places it over her other arm.
"You're drunk Harry. You don't know what you're saying."
I hear myself laugh like a dumb ass as I see her bite her bottom lip again.
"Oh God when you do that... it drives me insane." I point out as I begin to trace over her lips with my thumb softly.
Her eyes widen and her cheeks turn even redder.
"And when you blush... Do you even know howwww gorgeous y-you are? I just want to kiss you all the t-time and watch the sunrise with you and-"
She moves her head back and closes her eyes before standing up.
"Stop lying Harry. You even lie when you're drunk. It's ridiculous." She states as she wipes the moisture off her face.
I sit myself up and I try to get off my bed, but Jane quickly comes back and plops my legs back over again.
"Stay here. You need to rest. Who knows what you will do next if your loose." She jokes.
I laugh and I hear her giggle a little as well before she clears her throat and becomes all serious again.
"Um I'm going to go check on Niall." she announces as she saunters to the door.
"J-jane." I state.
I see her hand grip the door frame before she slowly turns around.
"Yes?"
"I think the tea's ready." I comment.
She cocks an eyebrow.
"Is Niall making tea?"
I shake my head.
"No."
A small grin plasters on her face before she shakes her head a little.
"You're head is really going to hurt tomorrow. I hope you know that." She says as she chuckles.
I shrug and she walks out, leaving me with a damp towel and a spinning room.

Notes