Loose Change (Harry Styles) [BOOK 2]

The sound of very loud laughter begins to echo in my ear and I can't help but groan.
"Sorry." I hear whispered.
I hold onto my pillow tighter and I nuzzle my head into it more.
"It's okay Ni-"
I quickly open my eyes and I sit up straight to see Niall sitting in the couch chair next to the door.
I begin to rub my eyes, trying to make my sight more clear. Was I dreaming everything yesterday? Was it actually Niall instead of Harry? How could it possibly have been, I mean he was standing right in front of you...he held your hand...
I shake my thoughts and focus on Niall who is smiling widely as he types something into his phone.
"Um Niall." I say a little uncomfortable.
His smile quickly fades as his eyes meet mine. Concern meets his features and he quickly gets out of the chair and walks up to me.
"Are you okay? How's your breathing?" He asks as he begins to observe the medication surrounding me.
I quickly look down at the white comforter that is covering me and I squeeze it in my grasp.
"I'm fine don't worry. It's just....um where's Harry? He was here right?" I whisper the last part with my cheeks turning a light crimson shade.
If I imagined the whole thing than I'm going to feel very embarrassed.
I look up at the blonde boy slightly to see how he lets out a breath of relief.
"Ya he was. He just left a few hours ago and asked me to watch you." He responds.
I loosen my hands and lay them on each side of my body and I cock an eyebrow.
"Where did he go?"
Niall shrugs.
"Sorry, but I don't know."
"Well, did he say anything else?" I ask.
His eyes begin to stare at the roof. I can tell he's trying to remember.
"Nothing really. he just said he has to take care of some things."
Take care of some things....I remember Harry's words from yesterday:
'I'll take care of everything...'
'Go to sleep. I'll take care of everything. I will.'
I wonder what he meant by that... Is that what he's doing? I doubt it, but you never know what a person might do. Life is full of surprises.
"Um are you hungry?"
I feel my cheeks heat up as I realize how I zoned out completely out of reality for a second.
"Oh erm ya." I reply.
He walks around to the whole other side of the bed, walking up to the breathing machine and begins to plug it in.
What is he doing?
"Uh-"
"Before you eat, the doctors said you have to do 'this' first." He states as he points to the white machine and mask, obviously unsure what it's purpose is.
"It's to help me breathe." I say.
He looks at me and nods his head in understanding.
After he finishes plugging in the medicine, he hands me the mask and I thank him as I put it on.
To be honest, I don't know why I have to do this. I mean it was just a panic attack. I have had many before and they never took the situation this seriously.
I shrug at my own thoughts and I close my eyes as I await for the annoying machine to finish.
...
"Jane." Someone whispers in my ear.
I don't respond and continue to ignore them.
"Jane." I hear said in a louder tone while my arm begins to be shaken.
I groan a little and slowly open my eyes to see Niall, holding a small table with a plate of eggs and toast.
I quickly sit up and smile at the sight of food.
He plants the small table on my lap and then turns off the machine. I pull off the mask and I begin to stuff my face with the delicious looking scrambled eggs.
I know I'm overly excited about this, but I haven't had eggs in years.
As I place the fork in my mouth, I can't help but hum at the taste of the delicious piece of heaven that touches my tongue.
I hear Niall laugh and I open my eyes, turning a little pink.
"What? This tastes amazing!" I state.
He smiles big and sits at the edge of my bed next to me.
"They're just eggs Jane." He comments while chuckling.
"Ya...it's just...they're just really good." I say with a fake smile.
I know I may be acting a little dramatic right now, but eggs are just another simple luxury to be able to savor. They're so simple yet so hard to get in my world. it just reminds me, I guess.
His smile begins to die down and he looks a little saddened.
"I'm fine. Don't worry...Um how's your girlfriend?" I ask, trying to lighten up the mood.
His smiles comes back and his eyes begin to twinkle with excitement.
"She's doing fine. She's american like you and she's actually going to come down here at the end of the month."
I smile softly at his excitement. He looks like a happy small child...with tattoos.
"Wait, Wasn't she supposed to come last month?"
I remember Liam talking to Niall about it.
"Ya, but she suddenly got a huge exam that she had to study nonstop for so she couldn't."
I nod my head.
"What's her name?"
"Eli. Well Elizabeth but everyone calls her Eli." he beams.
"Beautiful name." I state, not really knowing what else to say.
"Ya she is. Oh I mean ya her name is." He states while blushing.
I feel my smile grow wider. Niall seems to love his girlfriend a lot. He's every girl's dream boyfriend. I wonder if a guy has ever babbled and gushed over me like that. Then again, I haven't really been acquainted with people from the male species...Well except Aiden, but that's a completely different story.
"I bet she's beautiful too." I respond, trying to make him feel less embarrassed.
He nods and quickly pulls out his phone from his front jean pocket. He begins to stare at it, as if he's looking for something.
He stops and begins to stare at his phone for a while in a sorta lovingly way.
"Um Niall..."
He quickly looks up and blushes again.
"Oh sorry... um here. This is her. Eli."
He shows me his phone, showing me a picture of a very pretty brunette looking girl with dark brown eyes and wavy hair.
Wow. She is pretty.
I give him a thumbs up like a guy usually would to another guy and he just laughs as he slips his phone back in his pocket.
"Um, do you happen to know the time?" I ask as I chew on a piece of toast.
He takes out his phone once again.
"It's 3:14 in the afternoon."
I feel my eyes widen and I quickly take the small table off of me and place it next to me as I get out of the bed. As I get out, I notice how I'm only wearing over sized boxers and a huge white shirt.
What?!
I quickly wrap my arms around myself and I walk towards the room door.
"Jane! Where are you going?" I hear Niall ask.
I stop and I turn around as I continue to cover as much of myself as I can.
"I need to get back to the shelter! My father is probably going mad! This is like the fourth time I've escaped and stayed the night at another place without notifying him. I don't know what to do and why am I wearing this?! I just-"
"Breathe Jane. Breathe. Just go back to your room and we'll figure everything out. Okay?" He says calmly.
I stare at him and begin to contemplate with myself. Should I trust him? I mean i hardly know him and i still don't even know how I got here.
"Jane..."
I take a deep breath and I nod my head as I walk back into the room.
The smell of antibiotics and eggs is welcomed into my nostrils once again.
I walk to the overpriced bed and I sit at the edge of it, as well as he.
"So tell me." I say as I cross my arms over my chest.
He sighs and begins to tap his finger on his leg in a little rhythm.
"Well first, those are Harry's clothes. He probably changed you into them or something. I'm not really sure about that."
I feel my whole face redden at the thought of Harry seeing me half naked.
"And about your father...the doctors told me to notify you that you must stay here in bed rest for a few days."
I feel anger and frustration begin to grow inside me.
"What?! I can't just stay here Niall! First, if my dad finds out that I'm at Harry's house he'll kill him and second, it was just a small panic attack! I've had many be-"
I stop myself and I sigh as I see his lips part a little at my words.
"I don't think a panic attack requires this amount of 'attention.'" I add as I point at the antibiotics on the nightstand.
He stares at me for a while longer.
"Thanks for breakfast." I whisper, while staring at the empty couch chair.
"I've had panic attacks too, you know. It's nothing to be ashamed about." he comments in a soft tone.
I sigh.
"Do you know where my sketchbook might be?" I ask, trying to change the subject. I don't like talking about my past. My past is my enemy and I just don't want to see it again.
He scratches the back of his neck.
"Um is it brown and kinda busted up looking?" he asks.
I mentally thank him for not pushing the 'panic attack' thing any further and I nod.
"Give me one minute." he says as he walks out of the room.
I begin to twirl my hair around my finger and I can't help but shut my eyes tight in frustration. Why has all these things happened to me? Why has my life come to this?
"Here you go."
I open my eyes slowly and I grab the book from his hand.
"Thank you." I retort.
He gives me a soft smile in response and begins to walk away.
"Um Niall..."
He turns around and observes my book for a little before looking back into my eyes.
"Ya?"
"Can I possibly go to the back yard, front yard, or any place outside? I kinda want to draw a tree and to be honest, just being in this room is making me feel more sick than I actually am."
He bites his bottom lip and looks down at the floor.
"I don't know..."
"Please." I whisper.
He looks back at me and nods his head slightly.
"But, you can't go to the front yard or back yard." He commands.
"Well where can I go then?" I feel a little annoyed by the fact that I have to ask permission to go outside. I feel like a child.
"We have a balcony. It's not a normal small one...it's quite big and beautiful. It has a great view and it's relaxing."
"That'll work."
He turns back around and motions me to follow him.
I'm still a little embarrassed that I'm wearing men's clothing, but it is comfortable if I do say so myself.
As I continue following Niall, I can't help but lift the collar to my nose. It smells like cologne and fancy detergent... It smells like Harry.
I blush a little at the thought and quickly stop. It's weird Jane.
After a few minutes of roaming around this massive house or shall I say mansion, Niall finally stops at a door.
He turns around to face me.
"Well this is it." he comments as he opens the door.
I feel my eyes widen and I can't help but squeeze my sketchbook from excitement. I try to hold back my giddy smile, but I fail in doing so.
"It's like a dream." I blurt out as I walk passed Niall.
"It's alright I guess. This is Harry's favorite part of the house. He's always here." I hear Niall say.
"I can see why." I reply while continuing to stare at the beautiful view of the backyard.
The sky is bright blue with a hint of white wispy clouds. I walk to the edge of the balcony and I look down to see beautiful purple and pink flowers spread all over the bright green grass. Wow.
"I'll leave you to do your thing now." I hear Niall say.
I wave goodbye and thank him. He closes the door behind him and I slide down to the ground against the brick wall on the right.
I take in a deep breath and the scent of fresh flowers and grass pollutes the air.
I love that smell.
My sketchbook is now placed on my lap and I quickly open it, flipping through pages briskly.
Once I finally find a blank page, I realize how I don't have a pen or pencil with me.
Dang.
I stare at a tree that is to the far left that has yellow flowers. I smile softly.
I look back down at the paper and I glide my index finger on it, drawing the tree. I know you can't see anything, but in my mind I see the same tree begin to appear on my paper.
Niall said that Harry loves this place...that it's his favorite. Well I have to agree with him. It's perfect and I think it's my favorite place too. I just can't help this empty void I feel in my chest...
I kind of wish he was here with me...just enjoying the atmosphere and smiling.
...
It's been two days and I'm starting to feel infuriated.
I haven't seen Harry at all and many of my questions are still unanswered.
Is he trying to avoid me or something? I don't quite know and neither do his friends.
Niall took care of me two days ago. The next day I met a black haired boy named Zayn and today a very quiet, blue eyed boy named Louis.
It's as if they're taking shifts. I'm not a pet that needs to be watched over and taken care of every second.
They all treat me very protectively, well except Louis. He has been ignoring me the whole time. He's just sitting in the couch chair staring at his phone.
Zayn was just a little overboard though. At least Niall let me go to the balcony. Zayn forbid me from leaving the room and would make sure I took my medicine at the exact time I was supposed to. I feel trapped.
It is now seven at night and I'm quite famished.
"Um, are you hungry?" I ask from my bed.
The Louis kid looks away from his phone for just a second before looking back again.
Um okay.
"Ugh-"
"If you're hungry than make yourself a sand which or something." He states as he rolls his eyes.
Um excuse me?
"Well maybe you should drop the attitude." I respond.
He looks from his phone and glares at me.
"What? Trying to think of another rude thing to say?" I add.
I am not going to let this guy I just met treat me like a piece of dirt.
He smirks and leaves the room.
Is everyone in this band insane?
I massage my temples before getting out of the bed and walking out of the room. I now know where some rooms are so I can find the kitchen easily.
I don't know where Louis is, but I could literally care less right now.
As I walk into the kitchen I notice how Louis is leaning against a counter, drinking a glass of milk.
I rapidly turn my head away, ignoring his presence and I head to the refrigerator.
Hmm turkey or ham?
"So which strip joint did Harry find you? Jarry's gentlemans club or Slutty Steves?"
I quickly close the refrigerator door angrily.
"Excuse me?" I spit out.
He drinks another sip of milk and grins.
"You heard me? Why are you here? Is he paying you or something?" He asks.
I feel my hands clench into fists at my sides and I walk up to him.
"I am not a stripper." I huff out.
"Fine, hooker. Whatever makes you happy."
I grab the stupid glass out of his hand and I place it down on the table.
"What the fu-"
"You are a pig." I state pissed off.
How does he even have the nerve to say that?
He begins to laugh cynically.
"Me? I'm just asking a simple question. Let me guess, you think Harry is this charming, sweet, passionate guy that does no harm don't you?"
I furrow my eyebrows and say nothing.
"Wow. You do. That's a great misfortune you have right there don't you."
I feel myself freeze for some reason at his words.
He leans his head, his mouth next to my ear.
"He's not who you think he is. He's a weak boy and you are just a crazy bitch for thinking otherwise." he whispers.
I push his chest forcefully and I slap the side of his face.
He shuts his eyes closed and smiles.
"I'm just warning you. I'm not the enemy here."
He opens his eyes again, revealing two bright blue marbles.
"Aren't you his friend? Why would you make these assumptions about him?"
"Assumptions? They're facts. He's trash." He replies, becoming more serious.
I clench my fists tighter, my knuckles turning white.
"Listen here I-"
Both of our gazes turn to the right at the sound of a knocking at the door.
I glance back at Louis to see how he's just standing there, uncaring.
"Are you gonna get that?" He asks.
I roll my eyes and huff as I walk out of the kitchen.
That piece of- Calm down Jane. You are classier than that.
I take a deep breath, calming myself down as I unlock the door and slowly turn the door knob.
I feel my jaw drop at the sudden sight of my father standing at the door.
"D-dad I-."
"I got a job Janey." he interrupts.
He doesn't look so happy and I'm afraid of where this conversation might lead to.
"That's um great dad." I respond.
Of course, I'm excited about him getting a job, but I'm still confused why he's here and why he looks so...regretful?
He continues looking straight into my eyes and I can't help but feel a little small.
I suddenly turn red as I realize that I'm wearing men's clothing. I cross my arms over my chest and I look down at the floor.
"Nothing happened by the way...if you're wondering about the clothe-"
"I got an apartment too."
I look back up and I cock an eyebrow at him.
"Dad I don't understand."
He shoves his hand nervously in his pockets.
"I'm going to live in there." He states.
What?
"You mean 'we' right?"
He looks down at his feet and kicks a rock to the side.
"Da-"
"Did you have a panic attack?" He asks in a low tone.
"Da-"
"Jane, I'm asking you a question."
He puts his head back up and begins to look into my eyes in complete seriousness.
I slowly nod my head and his lips separate a little before he quickly licks them.
"You're not going to live with me Jane." He whispers.
I feel my body begin to tense. What? This isn't happening...
I quickly wrap my arms around him and tears begin to roll down my cheek, wetting his shirt.
"Please dad. You can't just leave me too. Not you..." I choke out.
His trembling hand begins to rub my back softly.
"Daddy please."
"Jane. You're going to live somewhere else." His voice begins to crack a little.
Words can't come out of my mouth right now.
"You're going to live here for now on." he whispers.
I quickly push him away and I stare into his red puffy eyes.
"What!?"
"Jane ple-"
"No! You're exactly like her! Like that slut! I thought you loved me! I thought you cared about me!" I yell in between sobs.
He tries to put his hand on my arm but I step back.
"Leave." I whisper as I walk back inside the house.
"Jane..."
"Leave. It's what you and mother do best anyway. It shouldn't be a problem for you."
I hear him begin to slightly whimper and I bite my bottom lip, trying not to cry anymore.
"Good bye Ted." I say before I shut the door and fall to the floor, wrapping my arms around myself.
Why would he do this? I knew I wasn't worth anything. I knew it. No one wants me. No one.
As I continue to wet the boxer shorts beside the door, I hear the door unlocking.
I glance up slightly to see Harry walking in.
He stops in his tracks as he sees me.
"Why aren't you in your bed?" He asks.
I slowly get up and I walk up to him. He observes my every move with curiosity.
I stare into his green eyes and I sniffle.
"Jane-"
I lift my hand and slap the side of his face and I slowly turn around walking to the only place I want to be. The balcony.
As I walk down the hall, I notice Louis leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
I walk passed him with my heart feeling sore and my eyes feeling droopy.
"I told you." He whispers before uncrossing his arms and walking off.
He did. He did tell me.

Notes