The Notebook

When I was finally done with my load for the day it is almost 20:00 and I was ready to call it.
I gathered my things when Niall stumbled in.
“So did you find her?” He questioned.
“I’m not sure yet,” I replied.
“How can you not be sure?”
“He did find her- well, I did, gather around kids,” Rachel’s stride was fierce and I noted Niall’s gaze following her.
“Her name is Lena Robin,” Rachel snapped her fingers to get Niall’s attention.
“How do you know that?” Niall inquired, leaning over Rachel as she sat down her laptop and the photo of Lena, Nick and their other friends popped into view.
“Because I, not like you- read the comments below,” She pointed. I too leaned closer to have a better look.
Rachel pointed to the comments that were relevant to us.

Tristan Sugg: Look at Lena forever cheeky.
Nick Stone: Because of her kiss or her fingers?
Tristan Sugg: Both.

“Smart Rachel.. You looked her up in his friends list,” I smiled, nodding in approval.
“I did, and this is what came up, though other than her profile photo nothing comes up- she is blocked.”
I studied her profile photo. She is sat on a swing her hair flying back in the wind and she looked charming.
“Harry- she is far from average!” Niall pushes me slightly.
“You said this girl was average? I’m sorry I helped you now,” Rachel closed her laptop frowning at me.
“No I said she looked so at first but then changed my mind,” I corrected her and Niall.
“Well in that case, no harm telling you I found her instagram account,” Rachel smiled a crafty grin.
“She scares me,” Niall watched her in awe.
“Yes, she is the best isn’t she,” I smiled.
“Yes well you can buy me launch tomorrow, show me some gratitude,“ She decided.
“I’ll buy you supper right now,” Niall was quick to offer, which I knew he would.
I’ve been watching these two flirt back and forth for months already, and was wondering when he would finally stop playing and make his move.
“Very well, lead the way Horan.”
“After all this, how would you feel if you’ll find out she is dating that Nick?” Niall taunted me.
“If she was dating him it wouldn’t be written down in her calendar that way,” I replied.
“What do you mean?” Niall questioned.
“She wrote Nick Stone’s birthday- if they were close she would just right Nick,” I answered.
“God Niall, weren’t you first in your class? Aren’t you supposed to be smart?” Rachel rolled her eyes at him.
With a shushing sound they walked out of my office.
On my ride home I kept my eyes open for a yellow coat, however she was nowhere to be found, so I settled with her Instagram account instead.
She is one observant girl she is, her Instagram full of photos not so much of her but the little day things we usually miss. For example there is a photo of rain drops on willies in an artsy kind of way that makes you smell the rain even though it’s summer out right now. There is a photo of a boy smiling, a close up, but only half of his face is in, focusing on his dimple and smiling teeth. I can go on and on describing her photos, the way each one makes me feel differently, making me want to meet her more and more.
It downs on me that I haven’t contacted her yet about finding her diary, not sure how I want to go about it. I can contact her on facebook or Instagram however I’m not sure if that is the way I want to approach her. I’m thinking of just going Friday to ‘Little miss sushi’ though she might think I’m such a stalker.
By the time I need to get off I have my mind set with a plan, hoping it’s a good one.

When Friday came around I could barely stay in a work frame of mind thinking everything through over and over again.
It was almost five a clock when Rachel poked her head into my office a frown on her face.
“Go home,” She told me.
“I still have things I must take care of,” I raised a brow, she knew how I am with leaving things half finished on a weekend.
“You need to go home, shower change and then get back into the city for Lena, so the work can wait for Monday,” She had her hands on her waist now, standing straight with THE Rachel look on her face- the one saying ‘I know best and you better listen’.
“Fine, I’m gone,” I pushed my seat away and got up.
“When are we meeting you then?” She questioned, once I started collecting my things.
“At 8,” I answered briefly.
“Harry, don’t worry, your plan is good, you wanted to give the diary back and that is why you’re there, since she wrote her needing to be there down,” Rachel said in a soft voice, making me feel slightly better.
“Alright, I’m gone,” I passed her, my bag slung across my shoulder. I brushed her hand for gratitude, since I really do love her, I would have never been able to do a good of a job as I do without her.
I decided to drive back into the city, embracing my momentarily braveness, and knowing that I’ll look and feel much cooler showing up with my Range Rover. Lads and their cars you know?
I took a quick shower and made sure to change out of my usual suit and tie lawyer look.
I decided to go for black skinny jeans since I love my tight trousers, they add to the coolness look. However I didn’t want to look too ‘dressed to impress’ so I broke it up with a red and gray plaid button down shirt to show her I wear some bright colours too. I polish off my manly look with a dark beanie since it is cold out after all.
On my way I couldn’t help but curse the world for driving, the traffic being dreadful. I blasted ‘1975’ to help keep my mood in check, not wanting to be a grump when I get there.
I got a call from Niall letting me know him, Rachel, and Zayn are already there. I must admit I’m quite happy they were already at the restaurant, not wanting to sit and wait on my own.
I parked the car and walked swiftly over to the entrance.
It was noisy inside. I reckoned Nick’s party is already in full swing, however I didn’t glance over, to scared of what I might see.
“Styles!” Niall called over the rumbling, making some heads turn to see who entered.
“Why you’ve got to be so loud?” I asked bumping fists with Zayn, and kissing Rachel on the cheek.
“To make the party notice our dashing group sitting here, look,” Rachel nodded her head towards the table across from us. I took a deep breath and glanced over. A few of the people were staring at us, and I hurry to sit down.
“You’re girl’s not here yet mate,” Zayn pointed out, as I reach for the menu.
“They’re a good looking bunch of people over there,” Niall remarked in a low voice.
“Not as good looking as us though,” Rachel smirked giving a slight wave to one of the guys who were watching her. He winked at her before turning back to his friends.
“Oh look there she is,” Niall said in a hushed voice, and we all glanced over to the front door. Two girls and a boy walked in then.
It was her. But she wasn’t wearing her yellow coat or her red beanie. She was wearing a black dress that peeked under her gray coat and black tights, finishing her look with black ankle boots. Her hair was pulled back a strong shine to it. She had red lips and black eyeliner on, giving her such a classy and polished look.
“Look at you, blushing all over the place,” Zayn chuckled, and I immediately turned my head back to my friends.
“Eleanor! Lena! You girls are late!” Someone called out to them. My friends went quite to listen in.
“Well it’s not our fault, Louis drives so slow,” The girl who was probably Eleanor replied.
“Next time you can drive then,” The guy with them scoffed.
“Come on Lou, she’s joking,” Lena said, being the peace maker.
“He’ll cool off, he hates driving in the city,” Eleanor explained as they took their seats.
“Gosh Harry you fit right in with them,” Rachel pointed.
We ordered food, and were talking work, keeping tabs on the party table next to us.
Niall who was sitting facing them, kept giving us updates. He even said Lena looked over at us.
“Styles, this is your chance- she’s going to the toilet,” Niall was quick to say. I nodded taking the diary and getting to my feet. As I walked after her I realized what I’m about to do and take deep breaths. I wait outside leaning on the wall, thinking it’s best to get her coming out.
After a few moments she does. She noticed me and offered a slight smile before walking passed me.
“Excuse me miss,” I call, deciding not to let her know I already know her name.
She stopped and looked back at me. Then, she looked sideways making sure I called out to her.
“Yes?” She raised her brows in surprise.
“Sorry, this might sound so weird to you, but err- I umm, the other day I sat across from you on the tube, and you were reading a book, and almost missed your stop, and when you passed me you dropped this-“ I waved her diary “- and I picked it up and tried to run after you to give it back and even though your bright yellow coat I lost you- so I looked through it to get some information so I’ll know how to get it back to you, and I’m here so..” I let my race of words fade and handed over her diary. She watched me gobsmacked which made me even more embarrassed.
“I promise I’m not a stalker, I just thought you might need it back, since if you write it down you probably don’t have a copy of it,” I explained.
She slowly reached out for it and flipped through the pages. A smile finally appeared on her lips as she looked back up at me.
“I can’t believe it- I thought I lost it forever- thank you so much!” She gushed finally getting over her shock.
“Good thing you wrote the party is taking place here,” I smiled back.
“You came especially to give this back?” She inquired.
“Well no- yeah, we were going out anyway so we decided to try out this place so I could also give it back to you,” I stuttered, hoping I don’t sound like a total twat.
“I’m sorry, I don’t think I got your name,” She furrowed her brows.
“Oh It’s Harry,” I offered her my hand to shake.
“Thank you so much Harry, I’m Lena,” She shook my hand. “I had such a bad day that day, I started this book that I just couldn’t put down which made me late and I was probably such a mess,” She remembered.
“No you weren’t, that was how I noticed you- since you were so into your book it was quite endearing,” I said feeling brave.
“So it wasn’t my bright yellow coat?” She asked playfully.
“Well that or the bright red hat,” I joked, making her laugh.
“How could I repay you Harry?” She smiled.
“Let me take you out,” I replied, the words shooting out my mouth without my intentions and I just wanted to die right there and then- I mean I’m a complete stranger why on earth would she want to go out with me.
Lena studied me for a moment before the smile reappears on her face.
“Only if I can treat,” She smirked.
“We’ll need to see about that,” I smiled back, warmth filling me. I stared down at her warm smile when I remember.
“Here, can I get your number so we can, ah.. you know-“ I stuttered again ,while trying to fish my phone out of my pocket.
“Sure,” She took my phone out of my hand ready to type it in herself.
“No password to unlock it, you are brave my friend,” She remarked while saving her number.
“What do you mean?”
“People who don’t have a password on their phones are the bravest people since they aren’t scared of people finding their secrets,” She explained.
“What if I don’t have a secret? What if I’m an open book?” I challenged her.
“Everyone’s got a secret..” She started walking back to her friends. I followed after.
“I will be waiting to hear from you Harry,” She winked before turning to her table.
I walked back to mine a huge smile plastered all over my face.
“He nailed it,” Niall Noted my smug smile as I approached our table.
“I'll toast to that,” Zayn picked up his beer bottle.
Rachel and Niall followed suit, and I couldn’t help but glance back at Lena, just as she turned her head to look at our table.
Sometimes, going out of your way for someone leads to something greater. It sure did with me.

Notes

Hi guys.
So I really enjoyed writing this short story. I hope you enjoyed reading it just as much!
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