The Misfits

“Why do we have to leave so early?” I mumbled, leaning against Zayn’s shoulder and closing my eyes.

My father yelling that we were going to miss the plane to New York had rudely awaked us all at 4:30am. Thank goodness I had slipped out of Harry’s room at three and stuck back to Mackenzie’s and mine. Getting caught in bed with Harry would not only be mortifying, but could also lead to our early deaths.

“Don’t fall asleep T.” Zayn let out a chuckle causing his shoulders to shake and waking me up.

“I’m just resting my eyes Z.”

“Come on Tootles.” I opened my eyes at the sound of Harry’s voice. Goodness he was gorgeous. He was in his favorite raggedy jeans and white long sleeved shirt with his hair hidden beneath one of Liam’s hats that he had stolen. I took his hand as I jumped out of the large SUV and onto the runway.

“Whoa,” I breathed. I head Mackenzie let out a laugh in disbelief as we both stared up at the private jet in awe.

“Are ya just going to look at it all day or are we going to get on?” Louis asked, giving us a smirk.

“You idiots are so spoiled,” I replied. Harry took my hand and pulled me onto the plane. My mouth dropped to the floor. Plush seats, personal TVs and even a small bar made up the space.

“Time for a nap,” El said, dropping on the nearest seat and curling up. But suddenly I wasn’t tired at all.

“Holy Cannoli!” Cried Mackenzie.

“Shh, Kenz don’t scream please,” groaned Niall. The boys began to make themselves comfortable as Mackenzie and I ran around the plane firing off questions and bouncing with excitement.

“Girls will ya please sit down? We’re takin’ off soon,” My dad sighed.

Mackenzie and I reluctantly sat down, though I was still shaking with excitement. Or maybe that was nerves? Why did we have to fly so much? I noticed Zayn, Niall, and Elaine were already passed out as the plane began to move, while Louis and Sophia were beginning to doze off.

“Tootles.” I turned to see Harry watching me, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “If you grip that seat any tighter your fingers are going to fall off.”

“Why can’t we drive? Don’t you guys have a bus? I thought you had a bus. How far is Detroit from New York anyway?”

He let out a chuckle and pried my hand from the seat. He began giving me a gentle hand massage as he answered; “Would you rather get there in two hours or twelve?”

“Twelve.”

“Well the doors right there for you,” he joked, pointing to the exit. “You’re not afraid of sky diving too are you?”

“No. But I would only do it if I could use one of those glider suits with the fabric on the arms. I could be like a flying squirrel.”

Harry burst into a fit of giggles and I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. He had that effect on people - his smile was contagious. We talked for a bit longer before passing out from exhaustion, only to be rudely awoken by my father once more when we landed. We piled into another SUV and headed off again. It’s a wonder the guys manage to get any sleep at all.

"And it says welcome to New York, it's been waiting for you-"

"Noooo,” groaned Louis. "Any other song. Please."

"These streets will make you feel brand new. The lights will inspire you, let's here it for New York-"

"Kenzie!" scolded Niall, throwing his hood over his head and pulling the strings right. "Pipe down I'm tryin’ te sleep."

She let out a giggle and began rubbing his back as she gazed out at the large city, still humming lightly. I began to drown her out as I looked up at the sprawling buildings.

"If you stare up at the top of the buildings it looks like they're going to fall on you," I said with my nose pressed against the window as we sped through the city in the large SUV. I heard a few chuckles but ignored them and turned excitedly to Harry, “Do we have time to explore today?”

"That depends. Where would you like to go?" He asked, attempting not to smile at my excitement.

"Everywhere! I want to see Times Square and walk by all the shops. I want to go to Central Park. Oh! Or the museums! Or even just walk around until I get lost in the city and—"

"Yer not gettin lost in this city," my dad cut in. The guys let out chuckles and before I could protest we pulled up to the hotel. There was already some press here, which surprised me. Harry took my hand and guided me inside as I kept my eyes trained on the ground. I hated the paparazzi.

“Are we going to the top floor?" Mackenzie bounced as we entered the elevator.

I leaned gently against Harry as it began to move. I felt him shift and snake his arm lightly around my waist, not wanting to be too obvious in front of my father. We had hardly been able to keep our hands off each other since I arrived and it was becoming increasingly difficult not to kiss him in public.

But Harry and I had decided to keep our relationship private until I told my father, knowing he would be upset if he found out from anyone but us. The only problem was that I was terrified of telling him.

Would he be angry that I had gone behind his back and slept with a client? Hurt that I hadn't told him sooner? I know he loves Harry like a son, but what if he didn’t approve? The elevator chime snapped me back into reality as we reached our floor.

"Lia, Kenzie you two are the third door down. Harry you're the fourth, Niall your across the hall-" Mackenzie and I didn't wait around for my father to finish his speech; instead we ran towards our door and fell inside the large hotel room.

"Oh. My. God." Whispered Mackenzie as we both stared at the view in front of us.

We had a panoramic view of the city. I slowly walked over and looked down at the tiny people bustling down on the streets. We were high enough up that the faint sirens and car horns weren't a distraction, though I probably wouldn't have minded. I turned to look at Mackenzie and we shared a look of excitement. I wrapped my arm around her waist as we stood in silence for a moment, neither of us believing this was real.

"What do ya think?" Niall was standing in the doorway watching us, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

"This is amazing!" Mackenzie cried before falling into the bed and wiggling around in excitement. "We're in New York. NEW. YORK! Can you believe that!"

"Can we go outside?" I asked hopefully. This view was just a teaser, and now that I had a taste I wanted more.

"Yer gonna have te talk ter Pauley about tha' one," he replied. I was about to run out into the hall when Harry appeared.

“Where are you off to?” Harry laughed. He had changed into a black long sleeve and traded Liam’s cap for his own black rimmed one. Why was he so beautiful?

“Wanna go on an adventure?” I asked excitedly.

He gave me a dimpled smile and took my hand, leading me out to where my father was standing in the hallway.

"D-Paul?" I asked. We both made a face at my having to call him Paul, but it was safest since no one yet knew whom I really was. “Can we go outside and explore? Please?”

“Lia we jus’ got here. Can’t ya wait fer us te get settled?”

“Nope,” I replied. He rolled his eyes gave us both a glare, which I returned with a smile and my best puppy eyes.

“See if Max will go with ya. Be back here at 1pm. Harry, ya have an interview at 3pm,” He sighed. I kissed him on the cheek before Harry pulled me away towards the elevator.

“This is so exciting!” I said, bouncing on my toes before stepping into the elevator. “Wait, don’t we have to get Max?”

“He’s probably busy,” Harry shrugged before shooting me a wink. As the doors closed he pulled me closer and gave me a light kiss. I was unable to keep the smile from my face, as my lips seemed to go numb. “Where should we go?”

“I thought you were giving the tour?” I mumbled, my lips still brushing against his. He pulled me closer and I felt myself melting in his arms.

"I do happen to have a place in mind…"

"Lead the way tour guide."

"Did I mention how glad I am you're here?"

I smiles and gave him another quick kiss before the doors opened and we stepped out. Instead of going towards the lobby, Harry headed off towards the back and out an emergency exit. We emerged halfway down the block safely out of reach from the nosy paparazzi.

I shot him a curious look and with a shrug he said, "We've stayed at that hotel before. We learned all the tricks."

"How sneaky. I figured we'd be pulling an Annie and escaping through a laundry basket," I laughed as we headed down the street. New York was buzzing with excitement and the hustle and bustle of thousands of people going about their different lives. I was already in love with it.

"We've been smuggled out in a bakery truck before," Harry said.

"You have not."

"Yes we have! We were in Rio and like there were thousands of fans in the streets. So they put us in a bakers truck."

"That's terrifying!"

"It was quite an adventure," he smiled.

"Sounds like it." We turned and headed down the steps to the subway.

I wondered if Harry really knew where he was going or if he was just making it up as he went along. But didn't feel the need to question it. I wouldn't mind getting lost. We knew the address of the hotel and could always catch a cab if we needed. He bought two passes for us at a small machine and we passed through the gates and headed even lower towards the subway.

He looked around for a moment before seeing the sign he was looking for and pulling me towards the track. We leaned against a pillar waiting for the train and I couldn't help but notice how notice how at ease Harry looked here.

"Do you think you could ever live here?" I found myself asking.

He thought for a moment and said, "Maybe. Who knows."

"What's your favorite city in the world?"

"Tokyo. But I love nearly every place we go. There’s too much to see.”

"I don't know if I could ever leave the UK for good," I said, more to myself than to Harry. "I would love to live somewhere else, but I think I would miss home if I was gone too long."

"You don't live at home now," Harry pointed out as the train came bustling down the tracks. It was old and looked nothing like the London Tube.

"But I'm only a train ride away," I argued. He rolled his eyes as we stepped inside and sat down on the plastic seats.

"I thought you wanted to see the world?"

"I do. I want to live in a new city every month. I would just wander around and meet the locals and paint and draw to my hearts content. Think how exciting that would be! But I’d only want to do that for like a year, then go home."

We continued talking about cities for the rest of the train ride. Harry told me all about his favorite places and even invited me to visit him in Los Angeles for my next holiday. Apparently he has a home there too. This kid is so spoiled.

After emerging from the subway and walking a few more blocks Harry's step suddenly had a bounce in it. "Here we are! Come on Tootles."

"We're getting on another train?" I called out as we ran up the steps towards the elevated train track.

"It's not a train, it's a park!" He stopped at the top and spread out his arms. He was right.
We were standing on a path with plants and small trees on either side. You could still see the old train tracks in some places, but most were overgrown.

"It's called the Highline. They took out the train and turned it into a park you can walk down."

"This is awesome! Look we’re building height!”

We spent the rest of our time walking down the Highline and talking. We ran into a few fans along the way that wanted pictures with Harry, but for the most part we were left to ourselves. At one point I convinced Harry to sit and let me draw some of the beautiful buildings, plants, and people walking by. That was the only time we were quiet, and I think it was because he was letting me concentrate.

I looked over to see him watching me and broke into a smile. He moved closer so he could look over my shoulder and asked, “How did you get so good at drawing?”

“My aunt used to run an after school program for special needs students, and since I was too young to go home by myself she bring me there,” I said while I began sketching a little girl who was running nearby around picking flowers. “There was a boy there named Paul. He hardly ever talked but he was an amazing artist. I used to sit with him everyday after school and just draw with him. And I guess I just never really stopped.”

“Do you still see him?”

I shook my head as I finished the sketch. “His mom pulled him out of school in our sixth year. I never saw him again.”

“Maybe you’ll find him someday.”

“Maybe,” I smiled. “Want to grab some ice cream?”

“Psh, what kind of question is that?” He scoffed before standing and helping me up. We headed over to the small stand and waited inline under the shade.

“How long is your interview?” I asked suddenly.

“Uh, I’m not really sure. It’s and interview and performance to promote the new album. That’s why we have to get ready so early, Lou has to do hair and outfit.”

“Speaking of which, we should probably head back,” I said, checking my phone. “It’s 12:30pm now.”

“Want to go for supper after?”

“Are you asking me on a date Walt?” I asked, pointing my spoon at him.

“I am,” he smiled. “I remember something about you being an amateur at candle-lit dinners..."

I attempted to shoot him a glare, but broke into a smile when I saw his smirk. He let out a laugh at my reaction and pretty soon we were both in a fit of giggles.

“Come on, we should probably head back before my dad sends the cavalry after us,” I said with a roll of my eyes. We headed back down to street level before descending once more underground to the subway. I had no idea how Harry could decipher the confusing maps, but eventually he pulled us over to a platform.

"When are you going to tell him?" Harry asked, referring to the promise I had made him about telling my father about our relationship.

"I'm working on it."

"You should work on it faster."

"Impatient are we?" I asked as we stepped back on the subway car. It was a bit more crowded now but we still managed to find seats next to each other.

"I was a little disappointed when you left at 3am last night,” he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “But if you tell your dad then I’ll get you to myself all night long.”

"Note to self: Harry get really horny on tour," I said loud enough for only the two of us to hear. He grabbed me and began pinching my sides. "No Harry!"

We went through a silent struggle of him trying to tickle me while I attempted to defend myself. We earned a few glares from nearby passengers, but neither of us cared.

"Stop! Stop Harry I'm gonna pee my pants," I laughed. Thankfully he stopped, though we continued a small nudging war until we reached our stop. Realizing we were running late, we practically ran back to the hotel.

"Thalia Jane!"

"Uh oh," Harry and I said in unison. My father was standing in the lobby with his arms crossed over his chest and looking furious.

"Harry get you're ass upstairs now ya have an interview te get ready fer," my dad growled. Harry shot me an uneasy glance before doing as he was told. "And you. What da hell were ya thinkin Lia!"

"It's ten minutes after one, you said his interview wasn't until 3," I said in defense. But he wasn't having it.

"I told ya te be back at one."

"We took the train and it was late. I'm sorry. We didn't mean-"

"Thalia they got a schedule. This is der job they can't jus' show up a few minutes late," he yelled, causing me to jump slightly. "An' what happened te takin Max with ya? Ya can't jus' wander da city unprotected!"

"I wander around London unprotected all the time!" I argued. But that was a mistake and he grew even angrier.

"This ain't London," he growled. "An’ ya seem te forget tha’ yer out with one o’ da most famous people on da planet. What if da fans had swarmed? They won’t take kindly te ya Lia.”

“It was fine! Look, we’re fine!” I cried. He was over reacting and overprotective. “Nothing happened.”

“This time. Thalia, if ya can't follow da rules, ya can't go out. Got it?"

Instead of responding I crossed my arms and looked away, desperately trying to control my temper.

"Thalia?"

"I'm sorry we were late. And I'm sorry I scared you." I replied before turning on my heel and punching the elevator button.

For a moment I thought he was going to yell some more, but instead he headed off in another direction. Once the elevator door closed I burst into tears.

Notes

Sorry about that last update. I deleted it and redid it because I hated it so much. Please erase it from your memory and hopefully you like this one better!

I'm working on the next chapter and will have that ASAP! I promise things will be picking up!

Also I saw this picture and for a split second thought it was our handsome Harry, and it was the inspiration for this chapter. K bye.