It Started While Visting London

It wasn't my alarm clock that woke me up the next morning but rather the squeaking of my rusty door hinges. I'd asked Harry to fix them but apparently he hadn't gotten around to it yet.
"Five more minutes." I grumbled out my sleepy mind assuming it was Harry waking me up for some reason.
"What have we here?" Came the nasally voice that had megrasping at the sheets.

Louis stood in the doorway a light smirk playing on his lips. I bit my lip I should have expected this much. I heard a groan and felt a yank on the sheets which caused me to hold them tighter. Glancing over I bit back a snicker seeing Harry sprawled across the bed, from where he had lain on the pillow his curls were flattened on one side of his head making his appearance a little lopsided.

"You're such a cover hog." He mumbled nosing the crevice between my shoulder and my neck. I sent a glance from Harry to Louis standing in the doorway his arms crossed, this was more awkward than I thought. I could see the slim form of Kiera just behind him. I shrugged my shoulder to get Harry off of me. I bent down close to his ear.
"We're not alone." I whispered hoping he'd get the hint.
"Who cares." He stated pressing a gentle kiss on my lips.
I elbowed Harry in the side to try to get him out of his cuddly sleep state.Shaking his head he sat up in bed and seeing Louis let out a soft curse under his breath.

"Good morning." He stated in a cheery voice.
"Good morning." Louis stated. "I see you didn't spend the night on the couch. Is it possible that the Ice Queen has grown a heart."
"Fuck off." came my biting reply.
Harry stifled a laugh before he put his arm around my shoulders.
"Did I forget to tell you mate? I melted her heart." I could hear more than see the soft smile on his face.

Because of Louis' surprised reaction I restrained myself from turning around and smacking Harry. I wasn't an Ice Queen and I had no idea what he was talking about. I was beginning to regret not making him sleep on the couch. When Louis turned to state something to Kiera I turned to Harry a confused look on my face.
"What are you doing?"
Harry just gave me a smile before leaning in towards my ear.
"Saving your reputation."

I didn't have time to protest before my gaze caught my wall clock.
"Shit." I exclaimed earning Harry's elbow in my ribs.
"Language."
I turned to Louis who had his eyebrow raised at my outcry.
"Get out." I said slowly in a demanding way.
When he just sat there staring at me I reached down and picked up my shoe sending it at Louis' face. That did the trick causing his to close the door with a sharp creak.

Grabbing Harry's shirt I got out of bed leaving a protesting Harry. He grumbled and groaned behind me till I yelled at him about being late.My alarm hadn't gone off so I just had time to make it to class if I hurried.With another round of cursing Harry pulled himself out of bed and walked to my dresser as I scanned my closet. Turning around I quickly raised my hand to my eyes.

"Jesus Harry put some clothes on."
Turning back around I backed towards my dresser being cautious to not run into it. A pair of hands on my hips stopped me. The fingers rubbed slow circles that I could feel through his t-shirt. Pulling away I ignored Harry rummaging in my drawers for clothes. Pulling on a sundress I turned to Harry who had pulled on shirt and a pair of sweatpants, sending him a glare I grabbed my book bag on my way to my door.

"Logan." Came Harry's cry after me as I grabbed a yogurt going through my bag.
"Harry where is my essay?" I called in annoyance. He had played with my printer the day before and he always was misplacing things.
"Which one?"
"The astrophysics one?"

A stack of papers was set next to me neatly stapled and ready to go.
"Thank you." I stated in a hurried rush. Seeing Kiera in the doorway I excused myself from Harry who was still trying to get my attention.
"You're welcome to anything in my room. I'll be home late again if that one starts to drive you nuts just smack him." I stated pointing my thumb over my shoulder at Harry.
Kiera let out a small giggle and a thank you as I made my way to the door.
"Don't forget our lunch date dear." Harry called from behind me. Turning in the doorway I sent him the bird before making my way to the common garage.

It only took speeding most of the way and waiting entirely too long for a parking spot to send me running across campus to make it to class just after it started. Breathless at the door the professor and most ofthe class stopped to look at me. The professor gave me a stern glance as I slid into a seat at the end sending a smile at the girl next to me.
"Miss Price nice of you to join us."
Giving the professor a sheepish grin I got to work.

~.~.~.~.~.~.

"Remind me why I agreed to have lunch with you." I stated meeting Harry at the door to our usual café.
Harry sent me a playful glare before slinging his arm around my shoulder.
"Because you are a good girlfriend and since we have your birthday party to plan."
I ducked under Harry's arm before turning to face him while opening the door.
"Please tell me that isn't what you told Louis and Kiera." I pleaded with a tone of annoyance.
Harry just gave me a cheesy, play innocent smile leading me to smack him in the arm.
"And I don't want a birthday party."

Heading to the counter we ordered our regular before heading to a booth by the window. I stared out the window trying to ignore Harry as much as possible. I was more upset than mad Harry had told them we we were together. Harry knew my views on relationships, that they were fine for other people but weren't for me. I could see Harry out of the corner of my eye trying to get my attention but I was intent on giving him the cold shoulder. It was my way of telling him I was upset.

"Logan." Came his pleading trying to get me to look at him.
It wasn't until the food arrived I turned back to Harry.
"You know how I feel." I stated turning my attention to my food.
"I don't." Harry stated softly.
Confused I looked up. "I don't know how you feel Logan. You claim we're close friend but close friends don't spend the night together. I just thought that maybe?"
"You thought wrong." I mumbled my mouth half full.
"Could you at least pretend? I was trying to help. I know you don't get along with Louis and..."
"I don't care about Louis he will think whatever he wants." I interrupted.
Harry let out a frustrated groan.
"Logan you aren't listening to me." He stated in annoyance.
I gave him a small smile before grabbing my purse.
"If you'll excuse me I have class."

Not giving Harry the chance to protest I left the café in a downtrodden mood. My mind was whirling in circles and I couldn't get it to stop. I liked Harry, I had since the moment I saw him but this, this was over the top. Frustrated I was too distracted to properly complete the pop quiz my astrophysics teacher handed us probably bringing down my grade a couple of points. When I turned it in my teacher gave me an odd look but let me brood in silence.

Walking to my car as it seemed my day couldn't get any worse it did.
"Hello?" I asked picking up my phone before I checked the caller ID.
"Logan?"
I nearly hung up the phone then and there.
"What." I stated bitingly.
"I'm glad you picked up."
"What do you want Conner?"
"I can't just call my big sister?"
"Nope." I stated bluntly.

The only time Conner ever called me was when he wanted something and I was honestly sick of it. I was sick of his whining and complaining because that's all he did to me.
"Can you please come visit? Mom....."
"No." I said not letting him continue.
"But?"
"Bye Conner." Istated hanging up my phone before sliding down the wall closest to me. I put my head in my hands.

I tried to live in the moment. It was something that kept me sane, that kept me functioning. Every time Conner called me for something it brought that black cloud I tried to forget closer. Harry was the only one who knew part of the story but he'd still met me in high school so he didn't know all of it. I let my phone dangle between my thumb and finger trying to regain my composure. If I didn't get up soon I was going to be late for work.
"Logan?" I heard a familiar voice from above me.
"Go away Harry."
"What's wrong?"
"Go away!" I stated stronger pushing myself off the ground.

I knew the reason for his question. I probably looked like a mess right now but I had no patience for Harry or his sudden touchy feelyness. I started down the path before feeling a firm grip on my arm.
"Let go of me!" I practically screamed at Harry letting my emotions out.
I knew it wasn't fair I was upset at Harry but it was other things that had gotten me frustrated and snappy. Harry dropped his hands to his side a deflated look on his face. It would have been enough to make me apologize in a normal situation but with my confused brain I was too upset.
"I'll see you tonight I guess." He said softly.
I didn't even reply before taking off down the path.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

"Wow okay." Syd stated when the first thing I did behind the bar was pour myself a shot of something or another.
He didn't say anything else before retreating back into his room giving me space. I'd come into work upset before and Syd knew the drill, let me pour myself into working and I'd be fine. Unfortunately it was still late afternoon so the dinner crowd hadn't arrived yet. Pulling out my homework I went to start it when the bell above the door rang again. I looked up to see a man in a long coat and hat, which was uncommon for the warm weather, enter.He shrugged it off and came up to the bar practically lying cross it.

"Can I help you?"
A mumbled response was all I got but I was thankfully now an expert at translating grunts. Grabbing a large glass behind me I poured the man a draft beer before sliding it over to him.
"Hard day?" I asked as the man picked himself off the counter.

His blue eyes were the first thing I noticed. They were red and circled underneath by large dark bags but for some reason they seemed honest. Taking a long sigh he seemed to fight for words as he nestled the beer between his hands. Taking a sip he nodded.

"The worst I think I have everyone beat today."
I wasn't sure if it was his words and reflecting on how my day had gone or the funny face he made as he sipped his beer but I let out a laugh.
"Probably can't beat mine."
The man more awake after several sips of his drink raised an eyebrow before looking around the empty pub. He gestured to the seat next to him.
"Pour yourself one and try me."

I don't know what compelled me to do it. Whether it boredom or wanting to get a weight off my chest. I poured myself a glass of the same beer and perched myself on the seat. Just a nod from his head was enough of an indicator to get me started. I felt kind of bad but I kind of word vomited to him. There was something refreshing in spilling your guts to a stranger. I'm pretty sure there were times I was nearly hysterical about to laugh or cry but the man was strangely calm. It was probably the honesty in his eyes that had me telling him a lot more then how my day had gone. By the time I had calmed down people were starting to arrive for dinner.

"You win." He said with a reassuring smile laying his hand on my shoulder.
I gave him a small smile.
"We haven't established that yet." I said giving him a nod to tell me his day.
The man cast an uncomfortable glance around the pub.
"I actually have to go." He said before passing me his tab and the money.
"See you around." He stated before flashing me a smile and heading to the door.
Taking my post on the other side of the bar I stuck the receipt in my pocket before pulling on my apron. I realized I hadn't even caught his name.

The next few hours were full of serving grumpy customers and telling people when I wouldn't serve them anymore alcohol. I was tired but doing something productive felt really nice. When the bell rang again I shot a small glance towards the door that made me pause for a second. Louis, Kiera and Harry had just entered and were scanning the pub. Spotting me Harry sent me a smile and a wave rapidly pushing his way through people towards me. When he reached the bar I just raised my eyebrows at him as I pulled bottles off the counter.

"They wanted to go out to dinner but I knew you had to work. Could you come join us?" Harry asked and I could hear the undertone of pleading in his voice.
Shaking the canister on a martini I bit my lip considering. Deciding I definitely didn't want Louis butting into Harry and I's relationship problems I gave him a nod. Pouring the drink I slid it to the customer before removing the apron.

"Sid I'm heading out early can you take the bar."
"What about Lindsey."
"She's out for the week."
"Fine, Fine." He yelled back as I rounded the bar.
Harry took my arm and led me to where they were sitting. I put on a fake smile hiding everything away.
"You owe me big time." I whispered to Harry as I took my seat.

Notes

So here's the next chapter :) A little more drama in this one but it's just getting started.
I suppose most of you have guessed who the mysterious stranger is?
Let us know what you think
-Abby