Loose Change (Harry Styles) [BOOK 2]

We’ve been walking for about thirty-five minutes now and neither of us have spoken a word. His hand is still holding my wrist and I don’t want to seem awkward so I don’t say anything. To be honest, I have no idea where we are and if we are even going the right way. I quickly glance up at him and I see how his eyes are focused on the pathway in front of us. He looks so determined yet unsure.
“Are we going the right way?” I ask, breaking the silence.
He shakes his thoughts and looks down at me for a quick second. He quickly lets go of my wrist and stuffs his hand in his pocket.
“Um you said it’s called Hazelwood Homeless Shelter, right?” He asks as he continues looking forward.
My wrist is now warm and I don’t know where to place my hand, so I just cross my arms and look forward as well.
“Ya.” I reply.
He nods in response and as we continue walking down a sidewalk of an empty neighborhood, I begin to feel a little uncomfortable. It’s too silent for my liking.
“Um what did you want to tell me?” I ask.
I place my bottom lip under my top row of teeth and I bite down nervously.
“You’ll see soon.” He states.
“See?”
I feel curiosity as well as fright begin to consume me.
“Ya…Soon.”
We stop at a crosswalk and I stare at the cars that are passing.
I uncross my arms and I begin to rub my right arm with my left hand softly.
He turns his head and looks down at me in observation.
I try to ignore his gaze, but instead I stare into his eyes. I feel automatically calm as I continue to stare into his crystal greens. I feel my lips part in awe.
“How d-did you do that?” I ask.
“Do what?” He whispers a little confused.
I clear my throat and I look straight ahead again.
“N-nothing.”
He opens his mouth and is about to speak until I interrupt him.
“Look. The cars stopped. We can walk now.” I say, trying to change the subject.
I begin to cross the street, passing him.
Once I’m across the street, I notice how Harry didn’t follow. Um Okay… I turn around and I see how he’s still on the other side.
“Um are you coming?” I scream, so he can hear me.
He stands in place for a while longer, looking at me… before walking across the street.
“Are you okay?” I ask as he walks up to me.
His eyes roam my face and I can’t help but blush a little.
“Ya. Um… We’re almost there by the way.” He says as he looks away and begins to walk again.
Okay…
As we continue roaming the streets, I begin to take in the atmosphere. The air is filled with some kind of smoke and it smells like old fish. Ya, we’re close. I zip up my jacket as a breeze hits us.
“It’s getting cold.” I comment.
I glance up at Harry and see how he does not look affected at all by the change of weather.
He is wearing a short sleeved shirt, yet he doesn’t even have goose bumps.
“How are you not cold?” I ask.
He shrugs and I sigh.
Why is he so silent?
I roll my eyes a little and I wrap my arms around myself, trying to keep warm.
As we continue walking, I begin to stare at the broken down houses surrounding us. I remember Katherine telling me how years ago there was a huge fire that burnt down many houses. All the houses are abandoned and dirty looking now. I feel myself stop in my tracks as my eyes meet blue ones. They belong to a very frail looking little girl who is shaking immensely. She must be cold. She’s sitting on a half fallen porch that belongs to one of the houses.
I feel my stomach clench and my eyes begin to water. She looks so young, yet she has no one. She’s all alone. I feel a hand touch my shoulder and I look up to see Harry giving me a reassuring smile.
I look down and I shake off his hand, which startles him a little. I begin to walk away from Harry and I walk towards the girl. She scoots back and her eyes widen. She looks terrified.
“I’m not gonna hurt you.” I whisper as I bend down in front of her.
She looks unconvinced and in response shakes uncontrollably from the cold.
I quickly unzip my jacket and she flinches as I place it around her. The jacket is really big on her and fits her like a dress.
She snuggles into it and gives me a slight smile.
“T-thank you m-miss.” She says through her chattering teeth.
She gets up and begins to walk away, her bony legs shaking with each step. Her legs give out and she falls to the floor.
I run straight to her and I hold her hands. They’re freezing. That’s what stinks about Virginia. It’s not even winter yet, but it still gets cold.
Why the heck is Harry not helping me? She needs to go to the homeless shelter.
I turn my head around to see Harry just standing there…staring at us and to be honest, it’s pissing me off.
“I need help!” I yell as I wrap my arms around the girl, trying to keep her warm.
He quickly runs up to us and bends down.
“What happened?” He asks, while staring at her.
“She just fell. We need to take her to the homeless shelter. It’s warm and they have food and blankets.”
He nods and pushes me aside. Dang, he’s really strong.
He puts her in his arms and he lifts her up, holding her baby style. She wraps her arms around his neck desperately and clings on to him. She rests her head on his chest and I can already tell that she feels safe. Harry just has that effect on people I guess. Do I feel safe when I’m around him?
I notice how he is looking down on her and holding her tighter. I smile a little.
I do.
“Are you coming?” He asks.
I feel heat rise to my cheeks and I stand up. I clean the dirt off my jeans and I run to where he is.
“Sorry, I was just….sorry.” I state a little embarrassed.
He looks down for a quick second before he continues to walk.
Another breeze hits us and I can’t help but shiver. I’m freezing, but she needs my jacket more than me.
I turn my head to the left and I notice how Harry is staring at me intently.
“Do you think she’ll be alright?” I ask.
He looks down at the girl in his arms and he chuckles a little. She fell asleep.
“Ya. I do.” He responds, still looking at her.
I smile back and we continue to walk.
I feel relief spread through my body as I see the mural of angels.
“We’re here.” I whisper.
He nods his head and begins to look around nervously.
What is he looking at?
I turn my head to where he is staring and I notice how many people are staring at us wide eyed. Some of then quickly run away excited, while others just continue to stare at us.
“Keep your head down.” Harry comments.
“Wha-“
“Just keep it down Jane.” He says more stern.
I feel a little shocked by his tone, but I do as he says. I trust him a lot for some reason.
I look down and I try to hide my face from the staring people.
Is this what Harry wanted to ‘talk’ to me about?
I look up at him and I see how he is covering the side of the girl’s face with his hand.
I think it is.
When we reach the entrance of the shelter, I slowly push the doors open.
Warmth hits my body and I feel relieved and relaxed.
“JANE!”
My eyes land on a very frantic looking Katherine running towards me.
“Why the fuck where you over someone’s house?! And who we’re those guys in black shirts and-“
I chuckle a little at the fact that she cursed. She’s an old woman and it’s un natural looking.
“Why are you laughing!?” She yells, more angered.
I place my hands on her shoulder and I turn around and look at Harry and the girl before looking back at her.
“I’ll explain later. First, we found this little girl practically freezing to death. She needs food and blankets now.” I say more serious.
“We?” She asks.
Harry walks up to me and Katherine’s face turns pale.
She just stares at Harry, emotionless.
“Um Kat?”
Her eyes widen.
“Oh right. Come with me.” She states as she leads us to the room with beds.
We walk to a nicely made bed that is towards the middle of the room.
“Just rest her here.” She says.
I pull the blanket out and Harry rests the little girl in the bed. Harry then pulls the blanket over her and we all watch as the little girl burries her head into the pillow with a smile on her face.
“Poor thing. We’ll let her rest now and when she wakes up we’ll give her some soup. Was she alone when you found her?”
Harry and I both nod and she looks back at the girl.
“Where did you find her Jane?” She asks.
“Well ‘we’ found her in the abandoned neighborhood close by.” I say as I point to me and Harry.
She turns her head to us and scowls at Harry. What the heck?
Harry moves his foot around and looks down at the floor uncomfortably.
“Kat…”
She grabs my hands.
“Your hands are freezing! Why weren’t you wearing a jacket?” She asks, changing the subject.
Harry looks at the girl and then at me, which Katherine notices.
“Oh. Well that was very generous of you.”
“Thanks. Now have you seen my father? Is he freaking out?”
Her eyes widen and her lips part a little.
“Your father! Come with me. You have to tell him your back! He’s been worried sick.”
Oh no. I knew this would happen.
I begin to shake frantically as she begins to walk away.
I rub my face with my hand nervously.
“My dad… I- He must be so worried I-“
My eyes instantly dart to me and Harry’s now intertwined hands. I would usually pull my hand away, but I feel calmer.
I look up at him and he gives me a soft smile.
My lips part and I don’t know what to say.
“She was right…your hands are cold.” He whispers.
I begin to get lost in his eyes. Why does he have this comforting effect on me? I’ve never felt this safe with anyone else.
“Jane!”
My mind goes back to reality as Katherine calls my attention.
“I’m coming.”
I look back at Harry for one more quick second.
“We’re coming.” I correct myself.
We begin to follow Katherine, our hands still holding each other.
She’s leading us to the cafeteria.
“Janey?!”
I feel sudden excitement as my father runs up to me. He tries hugging me but Harry won’t let go of my hand.
He pulls away and looks down at me and Harry’s hands. He raises an eyebrow and shoots darts at Harry. Does everyone have something against him or something?
“Let go.” My dad commands.
Harry quickly let’s go of my hand and I shove mine into my pocket.
My dad then walks closer to Harry. Harry is a little taller than my father, which I find a little amusing.
“We’re you the shit that took my daughter?”
I feel my eyes widen at his language.
“Dad!”
“No I wasn’t. I actually didn’t even know she was at my house until I showed up.” Harry responds, getting a little angry himself.
My father then gets so mad that I think I even saw smoke begin to come out of his ears.
“Why the fuck was she at your house?!” He says as he grabs Harry’s collar.
“Dad. His friends we’re the ones that took me. Not him. He had no clue about this and his friends did it because they wanted me to be safe.” I quickly state as I place my hand on my dad’s shoulder, trying to calm him down.
He looks down at me and raises one eyebrow while still holding Harry. Harry doesn’t scared at all, he actually looks like he’s used to it.
“Safe? From what?” He asks.
I take a deep breath. Do I tell him the truth?
I swallow hard and right now I wish Harry was holding my hand because I feel really nervous.
“They found me sleeping in a parking lot…” I whisper.
He quickly let’s go of Harry and he turns his body to face me.
“Why we’re you at a parking lot?” He asks.
I look at Harry and I notice how he’s fixing his shirt.
“I wanted to get money…”
“I thought I told you that we we’re done doing that. I’m trying to change our life for you. Don’t you care about that at all?” He says pained.
I feel tears begin to form in my eyes and I try holding them back. I don’t’ want to cry in front of Harry again.
“No it’s not that it’s ju- Can we talk about this later? Please.” I beg.
He sighs and turns back around to face Harry who looks emotionless.
“Who are you?” My dad asks, ignoring me.
“I’m Ha-“
“Harry Styles.”
We all turn around and stare at Katherine who is walking up to us.
She looks really mad.
“This is Harry Styles. He’s from a boy band One Direction.” Katherine continues.
A boy band…
I look at Harry to see how his eyes are wide.
“Is this true?” I ask.
He looks at me and does nothing.
Katherine pushes me and my father aside and walks up to Harry.
What is she going to do?
“Get away from her. You are disgusting and she deserves much better.” She spits out.
“Katherine, leave him alone.” I state.
She turns around and faces my dad.
“He’s a womanizer Ted. All he does is sleep with women and drink. That’s all he does. He’s conniving and I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried something with poor Jane.”
I glance at Harry to see how he’s looking at the floor ashamed.
“Where d-did you hear this?” I ask.
She turns to me and all I can do is look a Harry.
“He’s always on the news and magazines. Janey, he’s bad news.” Katherine says a little calmer.
I push her aside and I walk up to Harry.
He can’t look at me.
I lift his chin up and I see how his eyes are shut closed.
“Is this true?” I whisper.
He shuts his eyes even tighter in response.
A realization then hit me.
“That’s why that blonde girl was there. You we’re going to sleep with her, weren’t you?”
He opens his eyes slowly.
“Jane…”
“Is that all I am to you? Just another girl?”
“No. You aren’t. I swear, you are more than that. I know we’ve only talked only a few times, but you’re different. Please, let me just explain.” He pleads with his eyes begging.
His eyes look so pained and needy. I feel as if he’s telling the truth. Why do I trust this guy so much? I hardly even know him. But his eyes…they just talk for him. He looks broken and for some reason, I want to know why… I want to know why he’s this way.
The whole room is silent and I don’t care about anyone else other than Harry right now. He looks vulnerable.
“Harry I-“
“Katherine we need you right now!” John, one of the volunteers says urgently.
“What happened?” she asks.
“A crowd of people are trying to come in. We can’t hold them back!”
What?
Harry slides past me and begins to pace back and forth nervously.
He turns to me with regret and guilt in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.” He whispers.
“What’s going on kid?” My dad asks, nervous himself.
He looks at my dad and then at the floor before he walks out of the room.
I quickly run out, and I follow him.
My mouth drops open as I see a crowd of screaming people little by little bursting through the entrance doors.
Harry turns around with wide eyes and he quickly runs to me, wrapping his whole body around me as if he’s shielding me.
“HARRY!” “HARRY MARRY ME!” “HARRY I AM BETTER THAN A CHEAP WHORE!” “HARRY IS IT TRUE THAT YOU SLEPT WITH THREE WOMEN?” “HARRY! HARRY!”
What’s going on?!?
Harry drags me back into the cafeteria and I hear the door close and lock.
He let’s go of me and his face is red and covered with tears.
“I’m so sorry Jane.” He whispers.
As I’m about to walk to Harry, I feel someone grab me from behind and walk me away from him.
“Dad! Let me go.” I demand.
He let’s go of me and walks up to the scared curly haired boy.
“You are to never go near her, talk to her, or even look at her again. Do I make myself clear?”
Harry wipes his face and stands up straight.
“Dad! Leave him alone!” I yell.
He ignores me completely.
“Did I stutter?” He says even more terrifyingly angry.
Harry glances at me one last time.
“I understand.” He states.
My dad nods and points to the door.
“Now leave. Be a man and deal with the consequences.” My dad spits out.
Harry nods and begins to walk towards the door.
“Harry!” I yell as I run to him. I grab his wrist and he looks down at me.
“I’m sorry Jane.” He whispers as he forcefully pulls his hand away and leaves the room.
I try to follow him, but my dad holds me back and makes sure I stay in the room.
I hear the crowd begin to get louder from outside the room and I can’t help but fall to the floor and cry.

Notes