Loose Change (Harry Styles) [BOOK 2]

There were some technical problems to open chapter 27, so I fixed it and the FULL chapter is there. ya.

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I feel myself running breathlessly through the forest. My chest is rising up and down right beneath my chin, and I am unsure what I'm looking for or if I'm even looking for an object that holds such importance to me.
Sweat is streaming down from the pores of my body, and I have never felt so nervous in my life.
"Wait!" I yell.
Wait... Wait for what?
There is no response and I don't see anyone in front of me, so what am I exactly doing? Have I finally reached that state of utter insanity?
The forest seems so un real since it hold no scent or even sound, besides the sound of my own voice screaming repeatedly.
"WAIT! WAIT! WAIT!"
My frustration takes hold of my body as it causes me to fall to the ground.
I tangle my fingers in the glass blades, feeling dirt beginning to stick itself under my fingernails. I just lay there in complete silence as I stare into a foggy atmosphere that my eyes have just be held. It's looks as if heaven has sunk down to earth's unworthy level, and it looks almost enchanting.
But as my heart stops and my eyes widen, I realize how I am not living in heaven but in hell.
I whimper loudly at the sight of the ten year old's deceased body covered in blood hiding behind the blanket of fog.
"Rose." I choke out, my voice cracking into unstoppable sobs.
I practically drag my own body up to hers and I rest my head on her chest. I hear a faint beating and I quickly pick up my head and begin shaking her.
"Rose stay awake. Please it's me. Stay awake."
Her eyes slowly open in a squint like manner as if she doesn't even have enough strength to look up, breaking my soul.
"Jane." She whispers.
I give a weak smile and I nod quickly as I bite my lip, trying to compose myself.
"Rose it's me. It's Jane. Who d-did this to you? Who?" I beg for her response.
Her lips are forced into a weak smile and all I want to do is hug her for dear life.
"I-I'm gonna be a bird with her." she whispers, not answering my question.
I feel my eyes widen and I just shake her even more.
"No. No. You're not, okay? Not yet. Don't go. Please."
Her eyelids begin to droop.
"Jane." she mutters for the last time before her eyes finally close completely and she stays remaining under me, lifeless.
I feel myself gasp before I rest my head softly on her little chest and cry my eyes out.
"Hmm. Messed this up too didn't you? And you wonder why everyone leaves you."
I lift up my head and I turn to the right to see a man wearing a red cloak of some sort, covering his eyes.
"W-who are you?" I breathe out.
He walks closer to me, and I just hold Rose's corpse closer to me, so he won't touch it if he dare attempts to.
He laughs again, causing me to shiver uncomfortably.
"Why, have I been gone that long for you to not even recognize me, your own father?"
I shut my eyes closed and I turn my head away, not wanting him to see me at my weakest state.
"Hush child. I'm not here to take you back if that's what you're thinking."
His hand touches my shoulder, causing me to flinch.
"Then what do you want?" I spit out, loosening my hold around Rose's hand.
He chuckles, making me open my eyes to view him.
He glances at Rose for a second before looking back at me.
"Well. It's your turn now." He whispers, a grin spread across his face.
"My turn?"
He nods before revealing a knife that was being hidden in his back pocket. It's covered in blood...
"Yes your turn!"
"AHHH!"
I scream as I feel my eyes open. I hold the girly duvet tightly in my fist as my eyes roam around, helping me realize that it was all just a dream and that I'm actually in Carly's bed.
My eyes shut closed as I try to take a deep breath.
"JANE! JANE ARE YOU OKAY?! WHAT'S GO-" Harry yells as he runs through the doorway. He instantly stops as he sees me, my face most likely soaked and red.
"Oh Jane." He whispers before walking up to me and sitting himself on the bed. His arms immediately wrap around me, bringing me close to him.
He rubs the back of my head in a comforting way as I wrap my arms loosely around him in return.
"Shhh. Everything's going to be okay. Everything's going to be alright." He says as I feel him hold me tighter in his embrace.
"How are you so sure?" I ask.
"Because I won't let anything happen to you."
...
After about twenty minutes of Harry hugging me for dear life and refusing to let me go, he finally left to allow me to shower, and so I did and even though I smell more pleasant, I still feel like a dreadful mess. I was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday and now I am in just a simple hoodie and jean shorts. I don't want to care about anything at this moment, and I don't want to feel anything, but since Harry is here, I don't really have a choice. For I can't not care or feel something when he's with me.
I smell something coming from the kitchen, and I lazily walk over there, my sock covered feet dragging themselves and my back slightly hunched over.
I step in to see the table set up with two plates each with toast, two cups filled with orange juice to the rim, two knives, one napkin folded neatly next to each, and a jar of peach marmalade in the center of the table.
"Katherine didn't have marmalade in her fridge." I say, slightly confused.
I see Harry unplugging the toaster before turning around to face me. He scratches the back of his head a little before clearing his throat.
"Um well I bought some from the store. No sticky note on it this time." He states.
I sit down in one of the chairs, him doing the same.
"Did you go while I was showering or something?" I question as I begin to twist open the top.
"No."
The top is really tight and just so it can add to this delightful week I've been having, it doesn't open. Peachy. Just peach marmalade peachy.
"Oh...Then when?"
"Two in the morning."
I feel my hand stop and I turn to Harry, staring at him confused. His eyes lock with mine before he turns his gaze to the jar and swipes it out of my hand.
"Here." He comments after he easily loosened the lid and then hands it back to me.
I grab the jar and I place it down.
"It was raining all night. Why were you out buying marmalade at two in the morning? You could've gotten into a car crash or something I me-"
"Jane it's fine. Trust me, I couldn't have possibility gotten in a car crash any way." He defends, as he smiles a little at my concerned tone.
"It was raining really hard Harry. I was surprised you could even see through your windshield."
"I didn't drive..."
My heart stops as I look at him with my eyes most likely widened.
"What? Then how did yo-"
"Walked." He interrupts.
"Walked? I much rather you have driven."
He shrugs.
"My car's back at my house."
What?
He takes a sip of his juice and I just remain in my seat frozen.
"Then how did you get here last night?" I whisper.
He couldn't have possibly...I mean it was raining so hard and....no he couldn't have.
His attention is directly upon the glass in his hand, unwilling to turn it back to me.
His playful grin has faded and he seems much more serious as he continues to stare at the orange liquid.
"As soon as I stepped off the plane, I heard your voicemail and... I mean I took a cab half way, but it was taking too long so I um ran."
"You ran through the rain...for me twice. The first to get to me and the second for marmalade..."
Is this a dream? Because if it is, then my mind is a real jerk for trying to play with my emotions like this.
He looks up at me and releases one simple chuckle before smiling softly.
"I remember how you liked it." He simply retorts before shrugging again.
I feel myself smile a little and I chuckle myself.
"Thanks."
"Of course." He replies.
I then grab my toast and begin to spread some of the peach deliciousness all over it.
"Knock Knock."
I take a bite out of the bread slice before raising an eyebrow at Harry and smiling foolishly.
"Knock Knock?" I question after I swallow.
"Knock Knock." He repeats before he takes a bite of his own toast.
"Who's there?" I play along, trying to hold back my laughter.
"Beets."
"Beets who?"
"Beets me." He answers, his teeth beginning to reveal themselves as he begins to laugh at his own horrible joke.
I can't help but join him though.
"That was really terrible." I comment, still laughing.
"Like you can do better."
I nod and I pull up the sleeves of my hoodie, cracking my fingers and stretching my neck from side to side as if I was about to do the most amazing thing. Harry is just looking at me as if I'm the stupidest thing and I can already tell that he's doing his best to hold in his own laughter since his lips are scrunched up together.
"Knock knock." I begin.
"Who's there?" He questions.
"Nobel."
"Nobel who?" He says as he brings the cup up to his lips.
"Nobel so I'll knock."
His eyes shut closed and he spits his juice back into his cup, laughing consistently soon after.
"Oh my God and you said mine was bad." He comments in between laughter.
"Just admit. Mine was way better than yours."
He glances up at the roof in thought.
"I mean yours was okay..."
"Harry." I tease.
He looks back at me, smiling widely with his dimples showing.
"Fine. I'll give this one to you."
I nod my head before I take a sip of my juice.
"I got free peach marmalade and I won a knock knock joke battle. You have been oh so generous today Styles." I joke.
Harry's lips form into a calmer smile as he just stares at me.
"I'm glad your smiling now."
My face heats at his words and I nod again.
"Yeah. I'm glad too...I actually forgot for a moment." I admit.
"Forgot about what?"
My father as well as Rose's faces both appear in my mind, causing me to lose my appetite. I guess a good thing can't last forever huh.
"I saw my father yesterday and-"
"Is that why you we're crying?" He interrupts, his face seeming more angry now. Oh no. I want happy Harry to stay a little longer.
"Yeah, well it was one of the reasons why."
His face calms a little when he notices my eyes on his hand that is now tightly gripped around his cup.
"What happened while I was gone Jane."
I took a deep breath and I told him everything. From the news of Rose's disappearance to me running away heartbroken from my non caring father. He didn't scream or do anything crazy, he didn't even interrupt. He just nodded his head and waited for me to continue. He ended up leaving in a cab back to his house to get his car so he can talk to his security team to see if they can help find Rose in any way, and contacted Louis to come and stay with me while he's gone so I won't be lonely. It's been about two hours now, and Louis and I have just been catching up. Right now he's telling me about his point of view of the trip to France, both of us plopped on the couch with the television on mute.
"The hotel we stayed at had the sickest fucking pool ever. Jane, it looked like it was Olympic sized. It was wild!" He chirps.
"That sounds so amazing. God I haven't gone swimming since I was a kid." I respond.
My legs and feet are resting on his lap, my head laying on a pillow comfortingly as he just looks at me quite amazed.
"Are you serious?"
"Yup. I think the last time was when I was seven and the maid Gretchen I think her name was, was showing me how to dive." I blurt out, not even realizing what I had just said.
"Not maid, I mean um- dang." I add, trying to cover up my remark. I place my hand over my face in disapproval with myself. God I hope he just changes the subject.
"Maid huh. Don't worry Jane Anderson, you pretty much told me some things already remember?" He says.
I grab the pillow next to me and I throw it at him.
I hear him chuckle.
"Aren't we besties? I thought besties told each other everything." He comments in a high pitched mocking girl tone.
I laugh slightly before kicking the side of his thigh with my foot.
"I know, bestie. It's just that the only person that really knows is Harry."
I hear him sigh.
"You really fancy him don't you?"
I take a deep breath and I glance up at the ceiling.
"Can I tell you a secret Lou? Do you mind if I call you that? I remember you telling Harry that you only let your friends call you that an-"
"Of course you can." I hear him whisper as I feel my toes being played with, causing me to giggle a little.
By the tone of his voice, I think he agreed to both things, so I continue.
"I love him." I mutter.
After a few seconds of silence, I begin to feel a little worried.
"Louis?"
"I said you can call me Lou, remember?"
I sit myself up slowly and I sit myself close to him.
"Okay. Than Lou... what are you thinking?" I question.
He glances at me and forces a chuckle.
"I think I need a smoke."
...
Harry's POV
I just finished telling Paul about Rose, and he told me that even though he couldn't promise me anything, he would try his best to see if him and his team are even allowed to look for her. I really hope they are because damn, Jane seemed absolutely terrified.
Right now I'm at her father's apartment again, and by the sight of all the cop cars outside, I think that Rose may be in even more trouble than I thought. I need to find her, not only for Jane, but for me as well. Even though I've only met Rose like twice and fucked up the last time, I still care about her in a way. She reminds me of Lux and even a little of Skylar. But right now I'm here to scream at Ted's dumb ass. Why the fuck couldn't he have treated her a little more polite. I mean even though he couldn't really talk to her due to the plan, he just- I don't know. Fuck he should've just been inside before she saw him.
"Oh surprise surprise." He remarks as he opens the door, me walking right passed him.
I hear him close the door behind him and he quickly checks his watch, obviously in a hurry for something.
"Can you scream at me already because Fran just called and said that they need me today at the bank. And today meaning right now." He complains, fixing the collar of his white dress shirt.
"I heard about you and Jane's reunion yesterday." I say, placing my hands in my pockets to constrain myself.
His eyes close and he just places his hand over his forehead.
"Look I wanted to say more, but what was I supposed to do? Everything would've been ruined." He states as his eyes open.
I walk closer to him and I stare him down. He is seriously short as fuck.
"You should've been inside! She fucking cried all night and even screamed in her sleep because of your dumbass!" I yell.
This time his fists clench at his sides as he begins to huff in and out dramatically. God is this really his way of 'intimidation'? He's as scary as his daughter.
"I was getting fucking groceries! And how did you know she was crying all night?! And how the fuck did you know that she screamed in her sleep?! I thought she was staying with Katherine. I swear to God if you are sleeping with my daughter I wi-"
"Calm the hell down. I am not sleeping with her. Got it?!" I defend.
He walks closer to me and pulls the collar of my shirt in his hands. Shit.
"Don't think I don't know about your past. Is this why the plan was even created huh? Is this why I fucking had to leave my daughter with the scum likes of you?!? Because you want a one night stand?!?"
"Stop! That's not the reason and that never has been!" I yell as I feel my head beginning to hurt.
His face is bright red and a vein is popping out in the middle of his forehead, showing his frustration.
"THEN FOR ONCE TELL ME THE FUCK WHY YOU DID THIS! OKAY?! WHY DID YOU MAKE ME LEAVE HER!? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THIS FOR HER?! HUH?! BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY DAMN REASON I CAN THINK OF! JUST FESS UP KID. I KNOW THAT'S WHY!"
I feel my nails ding into the center of my hand as I form them into tight fists.
"I FUCKING LOVE HER!"
I feel my lips part at the realization of my own words and I close my eyes tight, listening to the way he's just standing frozen doing nothing other than breathing heavily.
I open my eyes slightly and I run out the door, practically sprinting to my car. Once I get there I lean against the driver's door and I kick the rim of the front wheel, feeling a slight pain shoot up my leg.
"Fuck." I say. Because that's all I can really say at this moment.
Fuck.
...
Jane's POV
For some reason Louis left soon after he read a text, from Harry I'm guessing since he told me that Harry was almost here.
Louis seemed a little bit on edge after I told him about my feelings for Harry, but he soon got back to normal and we just spent the rest of the time watching soccer or 'football' as he calls it. He tried to explain to me everything that was happening, but even though I nodded, I didn't understand anything he was saying. So now I'm alone, waiting for Harry to return.
Knock Knock
"Jane it's me." I hear said through the door.
Speak of the devil.
I saunter myself up to the door with a smile evident on my face. I'm happy he's back.
"Hey Har- What's wrong?"
When I open the door, I see how tense he looks. His face is red and his hair is messy. It looks as if he's been tangling his fingers through it and screaming...
"I need to talk to you Jane." He says, his eyes looking glossy.
Oh no.
I quickly walk up to him and I place my hands on the sides of his face.
"What happened, are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?" I question as I search his face for any injuries.
He closes his eyes and takes my hands slowly off of his face.
I'm afraid.
He closes and locks the door behind him and strolls right passed me. He just begins to pace back and forth as he licks his lips.
"Harry." I say, trying to catch his attention.
He stops and turns to me, his eyes filled with regret.
"Jane, I'm not hurt. I-I have to tell you something. Something about myself." He mutters.
I walk up to him, now only inches away and he just stares into my eyes before stepping back slightly.
"Harry you can tell me anything. You're not afraid of me, are you?" I ask, wanting to hug him with all of my strength due to the amount of vulnerability he is portraying right now.
"Fuck. Why is it so hard for me to tell you. Fuck." He states to himself, not meeting my eyes.
I grab his wrist and I walk him to the couch, sitting us both down.
He finally reveals his face, showing how fresh tears have already and are currently falling. Oh my gosh. I don't think I ever have seen him this...small.
I move my hand up to his face and I pull a hair back from his forehead, before grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze.
"Harry-"
"I lied to you about Skylar, Jane." He admits.
I feel my stomach twist in the in delightful way.
"W-what?" I question, feeling my hand loosen slightly around his own.
He nods.
"She wasn't my girlfriend. She wasn't even close to my age. Skylar well- well- she was only fourteen." He begins.
I bite my bottom lip.
"Who was she?"
He swallows hard.
"Do you know what twitter is?" He asks.
I nod.
I remember Niall teaching me about all the social media websites and such, since he said that it was 'unnatural' for a girl my age to be uneducated in that area. Whatever.
"Well as you may know, all of us have millions of followers, and when we follow people they are able to message us privately. So we all receive messages from fans that we follow each day." He continues.
I squeeze his hand tighter, signaling him to continue.
"All of the people I follow, usually just ask for a follow or something like that, so I don't really reply, but then one day I decided to randomly follow fans and..."
"Skylar was one of the fans?" I finish.
He nods before sniffling.
Even though this story seems so simple, I feel like it's going to end tragically, especially since it seems as if it has been eating Harry alive for a while.
"She would message me every day. And well she was different. She never would ask for a follow or anything simple like that. She would actually have a conversation with me."
"What did you two talk about?" I ask.
He shuts his eyes tight and takes a deep breath.
"I-I would never answer her, that's the thing... It would be as if she we're talking to herself... She would always talk about her day and ask about mine. She was lonely."
"Did she tell you that?"
"Yes." He responds, his voice cracking.
"She also told me how she got bullied and would even injure herself. No one stopped it, not even her parents. But the thing is also that she would always joke around after. She would apologize for sounding depressing and then change the subject. I've never met someone...so confused with their self."
He begins to look passed me in concentration, most likely reliving everything in his mind.
"Did you respond to her then?''
His eyes then meet mine again and they begin to form liquid once again.
"No." He barely says.
I feel my heart stop.
"What happened?"
"One day I didn't get a message from her. And the day after that and the months after that...still nothing... She-she killed herself... RestInPeaceSkylar1D was trending all over twitter and I-I. It was all my fault. I killed her." He mutters the last part before taking his hand away from mine.
I remain there frozen, staring at the broken boy in front of me.
"When did this happen?"
His eyes are staring down at his lap, trying to avoid mine.
"Almost a year ago." He replies.
Everything is starting to make a little sense to me. He started drinking and becoming this 'villain' around that time. He got drunk at Louis' 'little' sister's birthday party. He screamed at his own sister and shut everyone out. Harry just wants to push people away from him so he won't hurt them. And it all started because of this poor sad little girl.
"Harry I-"
By the time my mind goes back to reality, I see how he's already heading out of the door.
"Harry wait!" I scream as I run to him, grabbing his wrist.
His eyes are puffy and red, matching his cheeks and all I want to do is hug him, and so I do. And I do it tight.
"Jane. I-I don't understand." I hear him comment.
I push away a little to see how he looks completely lost by my actions.
"After everything I just told you and...and you hug me?"
I hold his hands in mine and I rub small circles on the roofs in a comforting way, leaving small kisses on each.
"You didn't kill her Harry. It's sad for me to say this, but she killed herself." I whisper.
He closes his eyes and shakes his head.
"I could've done something. I-"
"Shh. The past is the past. And like I said before, it's none of your fault, all right?"
I wrap my arms around him again and this time he reflects my actions.
"No matter how hard you try Harry, I won't leave you." I say silently.
He pushes me away slightly and stares intensely in my eyes.
"And why is that?"
" I want to be there when you actually tell a good joke." I state.
He licks his lips.
"That may take a while. Maybe forever." He responds.
I shrug.
"I guess you're stuck with me forever then."
He chuckles a little and I the same before he leans his head closer and places his lips upon my own, causing the same old goose bumps to spread throughout my body.

Notes