Catching Red Eyes

After what felt like a decade and a half and trying on clothes in 14 different ways, I finally decided on my go to dark jeans, a loose gray cotton V-neck shirt, and a brown leather jacket. With Laurie’s endless accessory collection, she picked a chucky turquoise necklace and gold bracelets. Laurie was wearing her usual skirt, knee highs, boots, low cut top and leather jacket.

“People are going to think you are going to the wrong concert with those clothes.”

“Yup, probably and that’s how I like it.”

Before calling it a night, I jumped in the shower. After brushing my teeth, I quickly texted Harry good night and turned my phone on silent. Even with my stomach fluttering with butterflies, I was exhausted from the ride in and unpacking and I quickly fell asleep.
I woke up the next morning with my alarm buzzing in my ear and the smell of coffee whirling in my nose. Thank God Laurie was awake and was making coffee already. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and realized I had fallen asleep with my hair wet. It was now sticking out in all directions and would need at least an hour for all the tangles. I paid no mind as I went into the kitchen.

“Well, good morning, love.”

I almost screamed because I thought someone had broken in and was using my coffee machine to make coffee. I should have picked up on his woodsy sweet smell mixed with the coffee. Harry was looking over at me from his coffee cup. He had on tight black jeans, a white button up only buttoned a few, of course, and a brown jacket over top. I could see his usual cross necklace peeking out from under his shirt in between his tattoos. I also instantly realized I had fallen asleep in only a t-shirt and no pants. His eyes racked my body up and down. I felt like jello.

“Uh-uh hi. How did you-, “I started saying before realizing someone was in the bathroom. Laurie must be up. The bathroom door opened and my very cranky roommate walked out.

“Harry, dude, next time just call her so she can answer the door. She is the heaviest sleeper you’ll ever meet.”

“Yea, I am. Nothing wakes me up. Not even a fire alarm,” I said to Harry.

Laurie went back into her room with a swift shove to her door.

“Sorry, love. I wanted to surprise you but you weren’t answering your phone.”

“Uh- you surprised me alright. I thought I wasn’t seeing you until tonight, I mean I am happy you’re here but I look like a hot mess right now.”

He laughed and his beautiful green eyes were shining. I had missed his laugh and his eyes. I wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch his face but I knew I couldn’t until I had answers. Before I could brush the hair from my eyes, Harry closed the gap between us and grabbed my hand. The electricity that I first felt so many months ago when he had pulled from the street was back. It shot through my hand to my tips of my toes. I felt a shiver go through my whole body.

“You got my ring, I see,” he said looking down at my hand in his. He brought my finger to his lips and kissed where I had placed the ring. I felt like I was going to melt right there on my kitchen floor. I needed to be strong and stand my ground.

“Y-yes,” I said, taking back my hand from his and hooking my hair behind my ears.

“Well, I’ve got to run. I just wanted to steal a minute away from getting ready to see you. I know we still need to talk and we will. I’ll see you tonight, love. But wear pants…or not,” he said with a cheeky grin and then kissed my cheek. I didn’t move from the spot as I watched him walk away and shut my front door behind me.

I leaned onto the counter for balance and felt my cheek burning where he kissed me. Every part of me wanted him so badly but I needed to keep my head on straight and focus. I needed to know what happened the night he left here in his drunken stupor.

I shook my head to clear the thoughts from my head and focused on putting the creamer into my coffee. After finally feeling like a human, I sat down in my living room and thought back on the last few months with Harry. I felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay on or get off. I thought back to what my mom said to me yesterday while twirling his ring with my thumb. She was right about needing to trust him. I realized I was developing the quintessential traits of a girl and overthinking everything but who could honestly blame me? I was debating about whether to have a relationship with a person who was famous all over the world and who already has a couple strikes against him. I didn’t want to hold that against him but in reality, I knew it would haunt me down the road if I did not address my worry.

“Ya alright over there, partner? You look in deep thought.”

I almost jumped at Laurie’s voice behind me.

“Sort of. Just thinking about what I am going to say to Harry.”

“Tell him if he ever pulls that shit again then he is dead to you and that’s it. A little fear of losing something never hurt anyone.”

“Maybe,” I said laughing.

The morning and afternoon flew by and before I knew it, I was being prodded and poked by Laurie and her tools.

“These highlights look amazing in your hair and you have your own glow right now. Ok, done. Go get changed.”

I did as I was told and changed into the outfit we picked out yesterday. Laurie had curled my hair into soft waves and my makeup was simple and pretty. I felt my stomach flutter again as I checked my reflection.

“Ok, let’s rock this shit,” said Laurie after she finished changing and finishing her makeup and hair.

“We look like complete opposites, seriously, people are going to question us,” I said while laughing, looking at her mostly black attire with bright red hair.

“That’s why this is going to be so fun.”

After checking and double checking that I had the tickets and the VIP lanyards, we were ready.

“Are all the hair tools off?” I asked Laurie before walked out the front door behind her.

“Yes, Rowan, would you stop-holy shit. Did you know about this?!”

“About what?” My eyes drifted to where she was looking and outside our apartment was a sleek, black limo. “Woah,” was all I could say. “I-I had no idea.”

“Miss Rowan, Miss Laurie,” said the driver as he opened the door.

“Dude, this is like some kind of rom com.”

I was speechless. My legs wouldn’t let me move.

“Come on!!” Thank God Laurie pulled my arm to make me move.

Notes