Manhattan

I wake up in a bed full of warm blankets and sheets. My clock reads 9am.

Shit! Why didn't my alarm go off? I'm going to be late on the first day of my new job.

Practically jumping out of bed I find my way to the bathroom and turn the sink on. The droplets of water feel like ice against my skin. New York is quite cold in the fall.

"Why can't you ever look pretty in the morning?" I say to my reflection in the mirror. I pull out my toothbrush and quickly brush the living hell out of my teeth. My breath smells awful in the morning and I'm not about to show the world that.

The minty toothpaste start to make my breath feel fresh and turns my sink green after I spit it out. I splash water on my face to wake me up some more and start applying my makeup.

Five minutes later after I sloppily put my hair into a bun, I throw on an oversized cardigan, some jeans, and a black t-shirt. I look at my outfit in the mirror and it looks to casual, so I add some red heels to stand out. I can't believe I'm going to be late. I just got a job working with a hairstylist named Lou Teasdale and can't afford to get fired. New York apartments aren't cheap that's for sure.

I grab my purse and phone and notice that its 9:30. Phew....don't know how I managed to get ready in thirty minutes, but I did. I bet I look like crap. Oh well, now I have enough time to get some coffee from that little cafe around the corner.

One elevator and twenty-two stories later, I finally make it into the lobby.

"Hello Carrie. You look lovely this morning." Norman the doorman says as I walk out of the building. He compliments me everytime, even when I look like death. What a sweet a old man.

"Thanks, but I know you're lying." I joke causing him to chuckle. I nod my head as a thank you when he opens the door for me.

Cars are pretty much worthless in a city like this, which is why I never bought one. My feet take me anywhere I want to go and I don't have to pay for gas.

I approach the cafe and notice that it's called The Shop Around the Corner. How cute is that?

I feel the warm immediately and the smell of coffee finds its way to my nose when I step into the store. There is no one in here so I'm not worried about being late again. I'm supposed to be meeting Lou at the Vogue building and it is across the street. I have never even heard of Lou Teasdale, but I can't wait to meet her.

I went through almost twenty interviews and security checks before I got this job and I never met my actual boss once. I bet she looks super polished and wears pantsuits with her hair in a tight bun.

"Welcome to The Shop Around the Corner, what would you like today?" The barista asks me, pulling my attention away from my imagination creating an image of Lou.

"Ummmm, can I have a Vanilla Bean Frapp?" The door dings signaling that someone just entered and I feel a gush of cold air, getting goosebumps automatically.

"That will be $3.40." the man behind the counter states. I start to dig through my purse and notice that my wallet isn't in there. Embarrassment floods throughout me. How could I forget my wallet? Idiot.

"Is there a problem?" The worker asks me. Apparently his name is Ted.

"Uh. I don't have my wallet." I feel my cheeks get red and I start to walk away, mentally adding this to the list of coffee shops that I’ve embarrassed myself in.

"How much was the bill?" A random voice says. It was the man standing in line behind me.

"$3.40" Ted gulped before he spoke and got all fidgety. Weird ass barista.

"I'll pay for it." The stranger tells me and I feel for ever thankful. I walk back to the counter and notice his facial features. He has curly locks and very attractive green eyes. I'm starting to grow fond of his amazing jawline as well.

"Thank you so much." I plead to him. "Oh! I'm Carrie by the way. Carrie Lingan." I smile a sweet smile and stick my hand out in front of me.

"No problem. I'm Harry Styles." He returns the smile and gently shakes my hand. Ted starts gawking over Harry suddenly. I give Ted a strange look and go sit down in a booth while I'm waiting for my drink.

Soon after Harry is finished ordering, he come joins me at the table.

"Hi, love." Woah. He has a british accent. So cool.

"Thank you again. I woke up late this morning and pretty much ran outta my apartment and can't believe I left my wallet and I look like crap right now and-"

"Serisously, its fine and you do not look like crap right now." I blush at his compliment and check the time. "Are you meeting someone here?" Harry asks me.

"No, I just don't want to be late for work."

"Do you want a ride? It doesn't really matter if I'm late. They can't start without me." He chuckles slightly. He must be important if they can't start without him. Harry looks like he owns a bakery for some reason. I just get that baker vibe from him.

"You've already done enough for me. I couldn't possibly ask for a ride. I just have to walk across the street anyways." I take a glance out the window and notice two black limos parked in front of the Vogue building. Someone must be doing a photo shoot today.

"Oh. Where do you work?" He looks genuinely interested so I decide to continue our conversation.

"Well I just got a new job and I'm meeting my new boss Lou Teasdale at Vogue." I reply and Harry lets out laugh. I eye him suspiciously.

“Is there something wrong with Lou?” I ask Harry, suddenly worried about my first day at work.

Harry just shakes his head no and smiles at the table. Ted then walks over, hands shaking and all.

"Harry, here are your drinks." He places the cups of coffee on the table and hands me mine. Harry ordered eight cups of various drinks. How can he even carry all that to wherever he is going?

"Can I take a quick picture with you?" Ted squeals. Why did he ask to take picture with Harry? I am so confused right now.

"Yea sure, man." They take a quick a selfie and Ted starts crying. Okay???? I am so lost. Who is this Harry Styles?

"I love you Harry. If I were a girl I’d want to have babies with you." Ted says as he walks away. Yeah that’s totally not creepy whatsoever.

"What was his deal?" I ask as I take a small sip of my vanilla frap that Harry so generously paid for.

"You don't know who I am do you?" Harry asks me. I shake my head no and this seems to make him smile a tad.

"Well, I gotta go. Gonna be late." I smile to Harry, but I am still confused as ever. He smirks at me and I can tell he isn't telling me something. I grab my purse and stand up from the booth.

“You’re going across the street, right? Mind if I walk with you? I’m headed over there too.” He shrugs and stands up, miraculously holding four coffee’s in each hand.

“Sure. Do you want me to help you?” I giggle and take a tray of coffee from him. He smiles and opens the door for me as we exit.

We walk silently to the corner of the street and I bump the walk button thingy with my hip. There are so many cars rushing back and forth all hurriedly trying to get where they need to be. I wonder if it would hurt getting hit by a car. Obviously it would.

The street sign turns green, so Harry and I make our way across. My make-up artist career is only a few feet away and I’m bubbling with excitement.

“So, Carrie, what made you want to work with Lou other than the fact that she is amazing?” He asks me breaking the silence.

“Well, I have always had this dream of doing someone’s hair and make-up since I was a little girl and this is the perfect opportunity.” I respond as he opens the door for me.

Inside is marvelous and I feel like a three year old at disneyland. There is so much going on inside that I get a tad overwhelmed. I take a deep breath and just observe the place for a good five minutes taking it all in. Eventually I snap out of my trance when I notice that Harry is staring at me and smiling widely.

“What?” I ask, clearly caught of guard.

“Nothing. I was just staring at you because you’re beautiful.” He shrugs and I know for sure my cheeks are deep red.

“Nice line, Styles. Nice line.” I eye him up and down with a smirk. I step away from him and go to the front desk and ask for directions on how to find Lou.

The security guard told me to go to the fifteenth floor for the One Direction photo shoot.

“Just follow that boy. Harry, I think his name his. All five of them look the same to me.” The security guard chuckles, pointing to Harry. Five of them?

“Ok. Thank you, sir.” I say before heading back over to Harry.

“Are you a model or something because that man told me to follow you?” Harry smiles at my question and shakes his head slowly.

“I’m something like that. Not technically a model.” And with that we headed to the fifteenth floor.

Notes

what do you think so far ?