Loose Change (Harry Styles) [BOOK 2]

Gemma's bluish hair begins to fall slightly in front of her face as she excitedly begins to place countless of different clothing items in my arms. She's really into this and I find it amusing as well as endearing how she's actually acting this enthusiastic about the whole ordeal. I've never been aquainted with a person that's close to my age and is from the same species since really my only friend when I was little was Aiden and my sketchbook.

But I can't help the smile on my face as she just continues chatting about the type of cotton one of the fancy shirts originates from and I just nod, not understanding anything she's saying.

"This shirt is very nice, but don't let the pattern trick you." She says as she brings the white tag of the striped fabric to my face.

"It's polyester you see." She remarks.

I scrunch up my eyebrows together as I concentrate on the word. Oh, it is polyester. How could she possibly know that without even reading it first?

"What's polyester?" I question.

"Shit. That's what it is."

An employee walks past us as she says those words, giving Gemma a scowl.

"Well it is! Who the fuck makes clothes out of polyester anyway!" She screams as the woman walks away, rolling her eyes.

I just bury my face in the pile of clothes in my hand, trying to contain my laughter, but fail in doing so as I feel Gemma nudge me in the shoulder causing both of us just to laugh.
After a few more shirts along with a skirt are added to the almost mountainous hill of clothes, Gemma and I both freeze as we begin to hear....screaming.

I turn to Gemma and Gemma turns to me. My body begins to shake causing some clothes from the bottom of the pile to fall from my hold. And then Gemma announces something that is echoing through my mind, but am not stable enough to say myself.

"Fuck. Where's Harry!" Gemma states.

My hands just begin to tremble and the memory of cameras flashing my face and people trying to touch me, brings itself forth to me and all I want to do is cradle myself into a ball and hide.
When I was little I used to get many panic attacks as well due to the huge drama that was escalating around my father and therefore me. I remember how I used to think of the paparazzi as angels and due to the constant white light presented to my face, I thought that they were trying to take me to heaven. But they definitely weren't angels and I'm still here. They used to try grabbing me, wanting to make my father tick so they could get a news story, but like the brave man he was, he never gave in and acted like the well mannered and caring person he truly is.
But now, they're after Harry and they want to make Harry tick not my father, and I have to find him quickly to make sure that no one touches him.

I take a deep breath and drop all the clothes down on the floor in a small pile before following Gemma to the front of the store.

"Lucas! Harry! Aiden!" She screams, trying to see if anyone can possibly hear her.

The sound is barbarding throughout the store and I stick my hands in my pockets, hoping it will cause them to stop shaking so much. It's not working.

I bite my lip and freeze in place when I see a crowd of bunched up girls and some guys screaming his name.

I don't know what to think of this, how to act. Everyone's acting as if they're at a zoo and they're crowding around the lonesome and vulnerable lion that so badly wants to be free, but is unable to due to its encagement. They're abusing it constantly with their camera flashes and stereotypical remarks. The lion tries to be confident, tries to show no fear, but fails as it can't take anymore of the exaggerated attention. So it just stands there, waiting to die while the people continue taking their pictures and continue judging it.

Lions may seem strong, but like in the Wizard of Oz, they're actually afraid. And Harry right now is probably terrified.

Lucas and Aiden quickly run up to us, both of them breathing heavily.

"What the fuck happened!" Gemma tries saying over the loud noise. Lucas just grabs her wrist and brings her closer to him.

"We have to move guys. More and more people are showing up and Harry didn't bring any security with him." Lucas comments.

I feel Aiden bring me close to him, his arm wrapped around my waist in a protective way and I just begin to shake my head.

"What about Harry! Where is he!?!" I scream, becoming a little more frantic as I move away from Aiden looking around for Harry.

I feel my wrist being grabbed and I quickly glance at Aiden who looks very concerned. I just begin to breathe heavily, placing my hand on my chest. No. No. No. Not now.
Aiden intertwines our fingers and I know he's trying to help, but he doesn't have the same effect Harry does on me. I'm still really worried and I just want to find him and hug him tight, making sure that no one touches him and cover his ears so he won't hear any of their harsh words.

"Where is he!" I beg someone to answer.

Lucas looks over at Gemma who looks quite worried herself before glancing behind me at the crowd, answering my question.

"We have... we have-" I let go of Aiden's hand as I feel myself beginning to wheeze. I can't breathe. I'm drowning.

"Jane! Breathe! Breathe!" Aiden yells as he quickly helps me up.

I take a deep breath and I look over at the crowd again, trying to focus on what they're saying.

"HARRY!"
"HARRY CAN I HAVE A PICTURE PLEASE!"
"HARRY I LOVE YOU!"
"HARRY IS IT TRUE THAT YOU DRINK EVERY NIGHT?!?"
"HARRY ARE YOU GOING TO GET DRUNK TODAY?"

My hands continue shaking and I just stand there a few feet away, staring as the crowd begins to consume him.

One girl actually turns around. She looks around sixteen with her expensive looking clothes and curled light brown hair. Her phone begins to lift up in her hand in my direction and she just begins to smile before motioning some other teens to come to her side.

"GUYS! GUYS! SHE CAME WITH HIM! THE HOMELESS GIRL!" One of her friend's shouts.

I want to have a panic attack right now. I want to faint. Because whenever I do, I always wake up somewhere with Harry where we're both safe and I don't want to deal with this much longer. But as Aiden tries dragging me along with Gemma and Lucas towards the back of the store where a back door is, I clench my shaking hands into fists and I pull myself out of his grasp before running forward.

My breathing is becoming more rapid, but this time it's not because of my tedious nerves, but because I'm running. Running as fast as I possibly can.

More and more people begin to turn their attention to me as well and I just ignore them. I block out all of their eyes, all of the noise, all of the flashes, and I just begin to push myself through each and every one of them. Some of them are simply innocent, just wanting a picture with him like a normal fan, but others are hurting him physically and mentally and that's why I'm practically throwing myself through all of them. Those type of people are inhumane and even though he doesn't want to admit it, Harry is very insecure and I know that their words injure him more than wounds themselves.

Muffled words coming from hundreds of people are beginning to quiet a little as I finally get to him.

"YOU'RE A PIECE OF CRAP!" A man yells as he pushes Harry down to the floor.

Everyone gasps along with many camera flashes, adding to my astonishment.
Harry pushes himself up halfway with his arms. I can't see what his facial expression is since he's looking straight at the floor with strands of his hair falling on the sides acting like a curtain by hiding his face. He's quiet and I can just imagine him staring at the white tiled floor with his eyebrows scrunched up together and his tongue going over his lips in the way he always does when he is unsure of what to do.

The bald middle aged man releases a cynical yet forced laugh before walking to him and kicking his side, causing Harry to stumble completely to the ground.

"AND THAT'S FOR FUCKING SLEEPING WITH MY DAUGHTER!" The man screams.

A groan releases itself from Harry's lips and when more and more people begin joining in abusing him physically this time, my mind goes back to this sick reality and I quickly go to the man, stopping his hand by grabbing his wrist.

"STOP!" I yell, frustrated tears threatening to release.

The man turns his attention to me and the room goes silent, practically everyone taking out their phones to record everything.

I let go of his wrist and I notice how he's just breathing heavily, staring passed me at the fallen boy behind me. Before anyone can do anything further, I turn around and I bend down to Harry's level. His knees are to his chest and his hands are over his eyes. Now Harry, well he resembles an angel and right now he resembles one that was sent by God to salvage what's left of the pure humanity of this world but becomes saddened when instead of turning to him, they turn on him.

"Harry. Come on lets go." I whisper in his ear, placing my hand on his back and rubbing small circles around it in a comforting way.

His body tenses at my touch, and I can't help but sniffle.

"Harry." I repeat.

His hands lower from his face and he begins to pick himself up slowly, the sound of camera flashes and whispers coming through.

I kind of just stay on the floor, staring at him, wanting to see what he's going to do, but when his eyes meet mine and I notice red liquid leaking from his nose, I quickly get up and join him.

"HARRY!"
"HARRY OVER HERE!"
"HARRY! HARRY! HARRY!"

The loud screams return and Harry just places his right hand over his nose and his other hand on my waist, bringing me close to him.

He looks over at the bald man that assaulted him, pulling me behind him quickly in a protective way.
"I'm sorry." He mutters in a serious tone as he just stares intensely into the man's dark brown eyes.

"Sorry isn't going to get my daughter to stop crying every night." The man responds.

Harry's eyebrows scrunch up together and he licks his lips before looking down at the floor, most likely hating himself even more.

The man just glances at him one last time before making his way out of the crowd and finally leaving.

I wrap my fingers tightly around his hand, giving him a reassuring squeeze when his attention meets mine again.

"Come on." I mouth, beginning to walk out with our hands still holding eachother.

I feel him stop and I hault, turning around to see him looking at everyone with their pleading eyes. He groans in pain a little and bends over as he places his hand over his ribs.
"Harry! We have to get you to the doctor or something, we-"
He shakes his head.

"I have to take pictures with them. They came all the way just to see me an-" He begins but is interrupted by his own outbursts of pain.

His nose begins to bleed even more and I'm just completely bewildered at the fact that he's willing to put himself through further pain just for these inconsiderate people.

"No. You're done." I whisper as I place his arm around my shoulder, helping him walk easier.

"But Ja-"

"You're done." I repeat, interrupting his frivolous pleas.
He takes a deep breath.

"Okay."

He's pretty heavy since he's practically putting all of his body weight on me, but I ignore it and I continue assisting him in walking out of here or at least to a safer place in this store.

"HARRY WHERE ARE YOU GOING!"
"OH MY GOSH DO YOU THINK THEY'RE SLEEPING TOGETHER?!"
"QUICK, TAKE A PICTURE!"

I momentarily close my eyes out of disapproval. I'm carrying an injured human being who can hardly walk and all they're focusing on is the fact that me, who happens to be a female, is walking with him. No one's even trying to help and that sickens me.
People try following us, but men in black police looking uniforms begin to show up, taking care of the situation. I'm guessing that one of the employees here called the mall security and I'm grateful for that.

I walk to the end of the store near the dressing rooms and I place Harry down slowly on the floor, his back leaning against one of the lime green walls.
He groans a little, his now bloody hand still placed over his nose. His eyes squint as they peer at me and I feel as if my chest just got struck.
I bend down in front of him and I softly push a hair that's hanging in the middle of his forehead behind his ear, his eyes watching my action observantly.

"Why didn't you go with Gemma and the others? I told them to take you with them." He speaks, obviously forcing his voice out from his lips.

I look to my left to see the woman that Gemma provoked earlier holding a first aid kit. She begins taking out a bandage, but I quickly shake my head a little.

"I can take care of it. Don't worry. I don't want to bother you any further." I say to the nice woman who by her name tag, is named Julie.
Julie gives me a soft smile as her eyes go from Harry to the kit in her hands.

"It's no bother at all."

I smile.

"It's fine. I know you must want to check the store for any further issues that may have occurred so it's fine." I comment.

She bites her lip, but then nods slowly giving in and handing me the box.

"Thank you. If you need any help with bandaging or cleaning wounds, there are instructions in the kit." she mentions.

I nod and she gives both of us an apologetic smile before finally leaving.
I quickly turn my attention back to Harry, who's eyes are closed shut. I open the kit and grab a few paper towels from inside, cleaning Harry's nose bloodied hand and using the other to place in his nostrils to help the blood from leaking any further.

"I can do it. It's fine." He states with a weak smile as he grabs the napkin from my hand and cleans the excess blood from just beneath his nose.
I nod.

"You said you would never leave me and so that means I'll never leave you either." I state, answering his question from before.
His emerald eyes reveal themselves to me again and he just continues staring at me as if I were an alien.

I grab rubbing alcohol as well as many bandages before meeting his gaze again.

"Take off your shirt." I command.

"What?" He questions.

"Take off your shirt." I repeat.

His lips separate and his eyes widen slightly.

"No no it's fine. Um, it was just my nose." He retorts quickly, too quickly.
I raise an eyebrow before placing my hands on his jacket, forcing him out of it.

"Jane please, I'm fine. You don't have to. Look." He begins to lift himself up, but quickly falls back to the floor when he releases a small scream.
I place his jacket to the side and I begin to pull his shirt up from the hem.

"Jane please don't." He chokes out.

I stop momentarily and I just stare at his worried face.

"You got kicked in the ribs. You might be bleeding and I have to bandage it up. It will only sting a little. Don't worry." I say, giving him a reassuring smile.

He takes a deep breath.

"Jane please I-"

When his shirt is completely off, I feel myself place my hand over my mouth. He has a big blue rhombus shaped bruise on his right side that's slightly bleeding, but man is it blue.

"You got kicked really hard." I state, not knowing what else I could possibly say or do.

He doesn't respond and after a few seconds of staring at the blue wound that is near the lovely butterfly tattoo he has close to his abdomen, I shake my head and I grab the rubbing alcohol in my hand.

"Okay sorry. Um I'm going to need you to lift your right arm, if you can so I can bandage you up." I say, blushing a little as I continue staring at his torso. God, he's hurt. Focus. Focus.

His eyes close once again, but this time he dangles his head down so all I can see is the top of his head.

"Harry?"

He slowly lifts up his arm and I feel myself drop the bottle when my eyes land on several scars all over the bottom part of his bicep. Some small tattoos are hiding them, which I'm guessing is the reason that he got them in that location of his body in the first place, but I can still see them. They're a bright white and due to their lightly faded color, it's obvious that they're old.

"Who did this to you?" I ask in the lowest tone I think I have ever spoken.
He tries lowering his arm, but I hold it in place, not wanting him to put it down just yet. His head goes back up, but his eyes remain closed. The only sound I can hear is the sound of the crowd and security guards that are now outside and I just want him to speak. I'll beg if I have to.

"You know who did it." He whispers, shame polluting his tone, leaving my heart to shatter.
I feel my chest rising, my body breathing and as I look at this broken human being who is portraying the shadow of himself, I begin to trace each line with my thumb, eyeing them carefully.

His eyes slowly open and he gazes at me in awe. I place my lips over almost each one, hoping that somehow I could erase them, but even though I'm failing, I continue anyway.

"Jane." He states, his voice cracking.
I place his arm down slowly before finally meeting his eyes.

"Shh. I love you. Remember?"
He swallows hard and his eyes begin to gloss.

"I-I. I think I-" He begins but stops himself as I place my hands on each side of his face. I begin to trace his eyebrows, his lips, his flushed cheeks...

His lips suddenly meet mine and I can't help but move mine with his own, witnessing his happiness replenish and his glow returning; the angel soon flying once again.
...

I just finished taking a shower in Gemma's place, feeling relieved that all this dirt as well as
snow is off of me. After the long day day we all had, I can't help but plop myself down on the couch next to Harry feeling exhausted. Gemma, Lucas, and Aiden were actually the ones that called the security and while I was bandaging Harry up, they returned all in one piece and we decided to go home. I feel bad because I can't help but think this was all my fault. Maybe if I never left Harry's sight, this never would've happened.

Aiden is now back at his own place and Lucas as well as Gemma are taking a much needed nap. They seemed emotionally exhausted as well.

"Do you need anything?" I question as I glance up at Harry who is now dressed in one of Lucas' Star Wars shirts with matching pajama pants. He looks like a small child and I can't help but giggle at the thought. Well, a small child with a huge bandage on his body, an ice pack on his elevated ankle as well as one on his head.

He smiles down at me and kisses the tip of my nose, causing me to scrunch it up.
He wraps one of his arms around me and brings me closer to him.

"I'm fine." He states, causing me to giggle.

"You know that you giggle quite adorably." He comments.

I giggle again unwillingly and I feel my cheeks turn slightly pink.

I bring my legs on top of the couch, bringing them closer to me as I continue resting on Harry. God, he's comfy.
"I don't giggle." I joke.
He raises an eyebrow and looks down at me with an evil smirk playing on his lips.

"Harry- AHH!"
I begin to giggle tremendously as he begins tickling my stomach.

"STOP OH MY GOSH I CAN'T BREATHE!" I yell as my face begins to redden due to my lack of air.

Harry just begins to laugh at my pain and I feel myself kick his side lightly.

"Fuck. That hurt." He remarks when he stops and bends over in pain. I feel my whole face lose color and I quickly get off from the couch to stand in front of him.
He's hunched over and I softly place my hands on the sides of his face, feeling terrible.

"Harry are you-"

He steals a kiss and I feel all the color return to my face before slapping his arm playfully.

"Harry you scared the heck out of me! Your sister is right, you're a twat!" I announce, laughing a little.

He smiles foolishly before wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close to him. I squeal a little at his sudden action and he then begins to leave butterfly kisses all over my face.

"Harry." I say as I begin giggling immensely.
He just laughs loudly when he pulls away, sitting me on his lap.

"I told you that you giggle." He states, twirling a strand of my hair around his index finger.

Harry is acting very different right now and I absolutely love it.
I wrap my arms around his neck and I bury my face in the crook of his neck.

"Maybe I do." I whisper.

He continues to twirl it, relaxing me and I feel my eyes begin to droop.

"Your christmas present is waiting for you in my house you know." He says in a serious tone.

"I have yours at Katherine's." I respond, my eyes now closed.

He begins to rub the small of my back as I continue being seated on his lap, my arms latched around his neck still. He smells like a mixture of detergent and mint, his smell and I just inhale it, savoring every bit of him that I possibly can.

"I-I care about you a lot..." He says in a soft tone, most likely speaking his mind.

"More than anything."
...

"Wow. This one is absolutely-"

"Breathtaking." Harry finishes for me as we both stand in awe in front of a painting that depicts a woman sitting next to a white table, reading a book with a bowl of grapes beside her. The picture sounds so boring, but when you see it in person, it's...wow. The artist got all the details and made everything look so realistic that at first I thought it was a picture.

"It's alright."

Harry and I both turn to the right to see Aiden glaring at it with boredom evident in his features.
After about two days of just staying at Gemma's place watching movies and eating pizza, we all decided to go to the Art museum Gemma and Lucas were speaking about. Lucas allowed me to invite Aiden and so far we've all been having a good time.

Harry, Aiden, and I walk together to the next painting which is just covered in several different splattered colors. I look over at Harry who is standing on the left of Aiden and I just admire how observant he is of it. His hands are shoved in the pockets of his jeans that gemma washed for him and his eyebrows are furrowed together, showing his intense gaze.
I glance down at his hands and I just wish that he would take them out of his pockets and hold my hand. I want him to stand next to me instead of standing on the other side of Aiden. I just want him and I know that my thoughts are very clingy, but I can't help it.

"I don't understand it." Aiden comments as he himself is staring at the beautiful artwork, wanting to comprehend the meaning and just plain reason for this painting's existence.

"You see the red lines." I say as I point to the canvas.

Aiden looks over at me, nodding and I narrow my eyes as I try to focus.

"You just have to take all of this into deliberation. The thick lines depict just how frustrated the artist was. It's as if it's a war between the blue paint and the red. Sadness and anger are just fighting for jurisdiction of the artist's emotions, adding to the complexity and just overall mood of this piece. But maybe they just feel at war with themselves." I whisper the last part and when I look to the side, I see how both Harry and Aiden are looking at me with small smiles on both of their faces.

"I'm sorry. Um I didn't mean to babble." I apologize as I place a strand of my hair behind my ear.
Aiden look back at the picture and nods.

"I see it now. Thank you for explaining. Now that I think about it, I've never seen such a beautiful art piece in my life." Aiden comments.

Harry's eyes don't leave me and he just smiles.

"Me neither." He adds.
...

Since this museum is very respected and high class, people have not been going up to Harry and have actually been keeping distance, being sucked in their own world.
Gemma and Lucas scurried off by themselves, most likely making out in front of another painting of Paris like how they have been doing for the passed two hours. Harry at first was very attentitive towards the pieces, but after an hour he just began roaming around the rest of the museum, leaving Aiden and I to ourselves and even though my best friend or old best friend is with me, I'm still saddened at the fact that he just left. He didn't even ask me to join him and I'm not sure why he's acting this way. I mean he did give me some look when Aiden would hold my hand by accident, but I doubt that's what it is. He knows that I love him and only him, and besides I'm not even sure if he feels strongly about me.

"Aiden, can I ask you a question?" I ask as Aiden and I both sit ourselves down on a brown bench in the middle of the place.

He smiles.

"What is it JJ? Or I mean um can I call you JJ I-"

"It's fine Aiden. To be honest, I've kind of have gotten over everything that happened." I admit.

And it's true. Sure it still stings a little, but after a few nights of thinking, I know that he only did it for my own good I guess. Aiden always has good intentions but just has horrible plans.

"Okay. Then JJ, what do you want to ask me about?" He questions, his voice sounding more hopeful and soft, reminding me of the time that he told me he loved me and I told him that I felt the same. He looked so happy that day, but that ship has sailed and even though no one forgets their first love, I just don't feel the same.

Harry is my new love, my new everything, and just my new.

"H-how can you tell if a guy you know... loves you?"

I feel my cheeks blush as the words escape my lips and as I'm about to take back my question, he scoots himself closer to me and looks down at me with his big caramel colored eyes.

"They tell you of course." He replies.

I look down at my lap and I shake my head.

"What if he hasn't really told you?"

I feel him place his hand over mine in a comforting way and I look up at him.

"Do you love this person?" He asks.

I nod.

He intertwines our fingers and I feel my eyes widen a little.

"Um yeah." I state, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"Then why don't you tell him?"

I feel my body relax a little and I take a deep breath.

"I have. That's the thing. I have many times before but I just feel that maybe he did feel the same way about me, but has lost it. You know?"

His lips separate at my words and he just begins to chuckle as he leans his face closer to mine, his eyes filled with hope.

"Aiden..."

"Shh. I'll tell you as many times as you need me to. I love you Jane Anderson. I love you. I love you."

Before I knew it, he places his lips upon my own and I quickly push him away, breaking the contact of our hands completely.

"Aiden, I don-"

"It's time to go."

Aiden and I both turn our heads towards Harry who has a blank expression on his face. Shit. Did he see everything?
I quickly get up and I hurry myself to his side, wanting to stay away from Aiden.

"Harry what you saw, I mean if you saw anything wa-"

"It's time to go." He just blandly repeats before walking off, Aiden and I following behind.

...

I feel...torn in a way. Harry has just been in Gemma's room talking on the phone the whole time and has ignored me the whole ride home. I don't know what he has been speaking about or who he's been speaking to, but all I know is that I want him to speak to me at least glance at me. I just hate how he always shuts me out when something happens to him and ignores me until I have a mental breakdown or something. Is that all I am to him? Am I just a damsel in distress?
Right now Gemma and I are sitting in the kitchen table, both of us looking at her laptop as she introduces me to online shopping.

"Gemma do you happen to know who Harry has been talking to for the past hour?" I question as I stare at the silver jewel incrested cuff that costs a wopping thirty dollars. I rather buy Mc Donalds.

She clicks on the wish list button and saves the image.

"He's been talking to some artist chick that he met at the museum." She answers.

I feel my heart stop at her words and I just shake my head. He wouldn't do that to you Jane. But then again, you aren't his and he isn't yours.

"Oh." I simply reply, not wanting to know anything else. Yes, I want to avoid my problems. Who can blame me?

After about another half hour of either nodding or shaking my head in response to Gemma's style choices, I hear Gemma's door open.

I see Harry come from the hallway and he walks up to us, ignoring Gemma completely.

"I need to talk to you Jane."

Gemma looks away from her computer and awaits for Harry's words.

"Alone." He adds, receiving a grunt and an eyeroll from Gemma.

"Fine. You're no fun. Just please don't snog all over my table." She says.

I blush slightly as she walks off, most likely going to the TV room to finish the SYFY movie marathon Lucas is watching by himself.

Harry sits himself down on the table and begins fiddling with his fingers.

"Jane."

"Harry."

He takes a deep breath.

"They found Rose."

My eyes widen completely and I can't help the huge smile on my face that begins to grow.

"Oh my gosh! Are you serious!"

"Yeah." He says bluntly, not showing any sign of happiness at all.

"When are we going back to Virginia?" I ask.

"You and Aiden are going back tomorrow."

What?

"What? Don't you mean we as well as Aiden?"

He takes a deep breath as he begins playing with a ring on his finger.

"No. You and Aiden. I'm going to stay here a few more days."

"I-I. Why won't you come with us?"

My stomach churns a little at his words and I don't know what to do, so I just begin to trace the pattern on the table nervously.

"We can't see each other anymore Jane."

My hands stop their action and all the memories of my father leaving me, my mother leaving me, and Rose leaving me all enter my mind, making me feel like glass.

"You said you would never leave me Harry." I whisper.

His eyes continue staring at me and he doesn't look one bit affected.

"I'm not going to leave you Jane. This time, you have to leave me."

Notes