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Stars & Stripes

Four months.

The last time Olivia had been to the United Kingdom was when her mother was still alive. Charles had some business so Olivia spent most of the vacation with her mother. She was six years old at the time and didn’t remember much about it. They took a trip on The Eye and all Olivia could think about was how free she felt back then. The Eye had been her favorite part of the trip. She told her mother that she felt like a bird up there. With the rare sun going down on the Thames River, everything was so perfect and beautiful that looking back now, Olivia still couldn’t believe her mother had been ripped from her only a few short months later.

Once they left Heathrow Airport, they were escorted into those conspicuous black SUVs again. Olivia found it nice that she didn’t have to drive for once. Everyone was too exhausted by the long trip and time difference to do much else but head back to their flats. Niall was heading back to Ireland for the week so he hadn’t accompanied them out.

Harry and Olivia were dropped off together, lugging their suitcases to the lift and riding up in content silence. For once, Olivia didn’t think about being trapped in an elevator. She just focused in on Harry’s face. He gave her a smile and her heart fluttered. The door popped open and they grabbed the handles of their suitcases and left the lift together.

Harry’s flat was the second apartment down. Louis lived across the way but he’d gone straight to Eleanor’s. Harry pulled out his key, pushing open the white door and revealing a space very like the ones they usually stayed in on tour. It was spacious and clean with a gorgeous view. It looked like it had hardly been lived in at all since he bought it.

“Home sweet home.” Harry opened his arms, gesturing towards the space. Olivia set down her suitcase and walked further into the flat. Harry shut the door and locked it. “Security’s pretty good but some fans are particularly persistent.” He explained at her quizzical gaze. Olivia laughed her musical laugh as Harry wrapped his arms around her waist.

“What do you feel like doing, love?” He whispered in her ear. She shivered at the touch.

“Well, I’m wide awake now.” She told him, turning around. “Can we go sight see?”

“Not what I had in mind.” Harry feigned disappointment, pressing his lips against hers for a moment. “Let me get my handy-dandy disguise.”

Harry’s handy-dandy disguise consisted of Ray bans and a beanie. Olivia laughed outright in his face at this sad attempt to hide his identity.

“How often does this actually work?” She asked of his getup.

“Four out of ten times.” Harry smirked, “I guess I’m feeling lucky.”

Harry forced her to wear another pair of Raybans and a pink beanie that Louis had given him ages ago. He took her hand as they walked along the shops nearby his flat. Harry peered through windows just to see himself with Olivia, hand in hand. He felt indescribable being able to walk around town with Olivia. He felt utterly free.

The small shops were quaint and expensive. Olivia didn’t want to go in or buy anything, she just wanted the experience. She just wanted to spend time with Harry outside a hotel room.

Harry ran to grab something to eat, leaving Olivia to her own devices for a few minutes. She didn’t stray far from where he left her. She glanced in a few stores, stopping at the high class jewelry store at the end of the street. Olivia peered in, marveling at the gorgeous jewels and accessories. Her father had given her a pair of diamond earrings when she was younger, a rite of passage into high school he had called it. Olivia didn’t even wear earrings. But, she wore those ones occasionally, just to make her father smile.

Something silver glittered on the bottom of the display case as Olivia went to turn away. She refocused her eyes on a small infinity necklace. It wasn’t gaudy or flashy, just simple and sweet. Her father had had one personally made for her mother for their tenth anniversary. She passed away before Charles could give it to her, but she was buried with it.

“Hey, whatchu lookin’ at?” Harry’s voice entered her ear. Olivia turned and smiled, taking the double scoop swirl ice cream cone.

“Ice cream in this weather?” Olivia asked. Harry stared behind her at the display window.

“I was in the mood for some ice cream. And who can turn down good street ice cream?” Harry said distractedly before turning his attention back to Olivia.

“I guess you have a good point there.” Olivia licked the treat. It tasted sweet and resfreshing, even if it was a bit chilly.

Harry pulled her into his side as they walked back down the cul-de-sac together. “Besides, now it gives me a reason to hold you, yeah?” He winked, earning a snort from Olivia.

“Since when do you need a reason?” Olivia countered. Harry gave her a strange look before bursting out into laughter. “That came out much dirtier than I anticipated…”

“It’s what I love about you, love.” Harry kissed her cheek quickly, getting chocolate ice cream over her face to distract her.

Olivia wiped it on his wool jacket, “Yuck.”

“Wanna head back now?” Harry yawned casually.

“I could use a nap.” She answered, leaning into the boy.

+ + +

There was a rapping on Harry’s front door. He groaned, looking over at the clock.

It was eleven-thirty. Harry peered over at Olivia. His thin tan sheets were covering her naked body. She looked so peaceful he decided against waking her. Harry forced himself up as the knocking went on again, pulling on a pair of sweats and padding through the apartment to the source.

Grumbling to himself, Harry forced open the door. The bright and mischievous faces of his band mates met him, much to his chagrin.

“What the bloody hell are you wankers doing here at this time of night?” Harry rubbed his sleepy eyes.

“This time of night?” Niall cackled, his breath reeking of alcohol. “Married life that rough on you, mate?”

Harry feigned a laugh and glared at the blonde. His hair was growing considerably darker now that they had been off the radar for the past few weeks. Personally, Harry thought Niall looked better with his natural hair color, but management kept asking him to do it. It ‘added’ to his image. And One Direction was all about image.

“Don’t be a twat. It’s nearly midnight.” Harry felt more awake now. “What can I do for you lads now that you’re obviously not bloody leaving?” He opened the door further so they could enter.

“Where’s Olivia?” Louis questioned, flopping down on the couch and making himself more at home. Considering until a few months ago, he and Harry had actually shared a home, it was second-nature to Louis.

Harry’s eyes widened. She was fast asleep, completely naked from their nightly festivities. “Er—”

Zayn laughed loudly and Harry had half a mind to shush him.

“I would go wake her up, but obviously we know what we’re going to find.” Liam winked, turning on the television.

“I love you lads, I really do.” Harry sighed, crossing his arms over his bare chest. “But what are you doing here?”

“Just missed ya, Haz.” Niall declared loudly. “Can’t we miss ya?”

“Yes, but it hardly makes sense to miss me when we spend three-hundred plus days together a year, and I saw you this morning.” Harry huffed in annoyance.

“Alright,” Zayn shrugged, “We came to see if it was really true.”

“If what was really true?” Harry’s patience was wearing thin. He just wanted to crawl back into bed with Olivia.

“You and Olivia, mate.” Liam answered simply, lowering the volume on the television.

Harry frowned, getting in a defensive stance. “Whattaya mean?”

“What’s it been, nearly four months?” Louis couldn’t stop the chuckle from fluttering out his thin lips.

Four months? Harry ran a hand through his messy curls. Had it really been that long? It was December now. They’d met in August, became official in September, so yeah: it had been around four months. Harry couldn’t believe it. A small smile crept upon his face, but something else was there. Something he’d known was budding in the back of his mind for awhile now but hadn’t come out to play until Louis brought it up.

Suddenly, Harry felt trapped. Four months? Harry hadn’t been with a girl for more than a night other than Caroline, and that was complicated enough. Four months? How had he done it? How had Harry survived four months with Olivia until now?

Because she was the one?

Maybe, maybe not. Harry was young. He was almost nineteen. He still had some hearts to break and birds to fuck.

Four months seemed like a criminal amount of time to spend with one person at his ripe age.

“Four months.” Harry repeated with a chuckle. “Yeah, lads. Believe it or not, Harry Styles has been forced into the cruel world of monogamy by love.” There was something tight about his smile that only Louis seemed to notice.

“Shall we have a toast to someone finally getting through to Harry?” Niall suggested brightly.

Zayn shook his head with a snort, “Nialler, you’re completely hammered already. Besides we’ve all got to get some rest. Rehearsal tomorrow!”

“Right,” Harry nodded, “Rehearsal.” The Royal Variety Performance was in two days time.

“I’ll pick you two up at five?” Louis suggested.

“Pick me up as in walk across the hall and knock on my door?” Harry scoffed sarcastically.

“Semantics.” Louis waved his hand, getting off the couch. “Night, Haz.”

“G’night.” All the boys rattled off. Harry wished them the same and shut off the television show they hadn’t even watched.

He turned off the lights the lads had switched and made his way back to bed.

Harry stared down at Olivia, that anxious monster whispered in his ear: Four months? What the fuck are you doing with your life, Harry?

Olivia mumbled lightly in her sleep and turned over; almost searching for Harry’s missing warmth.

Being happy, Harry decided, sliding back into bed with Olivia in his arms.

Notes

Two more chapters...

Comments

@realtalkproject


I can't find it on mibba did you change the name?
@realtalkproject

Could you post it on here?
@CURLY13
I apologize! I thought I had put up the first chapter! RuthlessAdandon is correct. It is up on my Mibba page.
@RuthlessAbandon
oh ok thanks :)
@CURLY13

It's on her Mibba page under the same username.