Someone Like You

He laughed as he shook my hand, “I’m Harry.”

His accent seemed like a British one, which I couldn’t help but blush over. I smiled as he looked at me. I sheepishly pulled my hand away from his.

I looked down at my partially dirty dress and half-smiled. “Sorry for running you over again. I hope I didn’t hurt you in any way...” I began. Harry shook his head before replying, “No, love, I’m good,” he looked at my dress, “I hope your dress isn’t dirty.” We began to walk towards the side of the restaurant and sat on the windowsill.

I checked my phone, 8:42 pm. I looked back up and saw that Harry was staring across the street.

“So...Are you visiting New Orleans?” I asked him. He turned back to look at me before smiling, “Yeah, actually, I’m here with a couple friends.”

“That’s cool,” I remarked. Wow, I could not be more awkward. I smiled as I looked at him.
“So how come you’re dressed in such fancy clothes?” He asked as he shifted in his jacket.
“I just came from a dinner with my parents,” I replied as I tried to feel my cheeks for any makeup disaster, “It didn’t go so well.” He looked at me with his green eyes before beginning, “Do you, um, want to go get coffee?” I laughed before looking at the jazz band that had just started begun to play a couple blocks over.

“I don’t even know you that well.” I gushed. Harry laughed, “That’s a good point. But coffee is a good way to get to know each other better. Plus, it’s very cold out and you’re in a dress and heels.” I nodded, “All right. I am a bit cold. I know a good coffee shop around the corner here.” I began to get up. “Do you want my jacket?” I heard Harry ask as we walked towards the coffee shop. I looked at him before asking, “I don’t know...Is there anything dangerous inside?”

He laughed, “Just warmth.” He began to take off his jacket before draping it over me. I felt the heat immediately. “Thanks.” I murmured. I looked up at the street signs before crossing the street. Harry trailed behind me as I pulled up my dress. I looked back at him as we walked across Bourbon Street to Conti Street. He was dressed in a red sweater and black pants. His curly hair bounced off his head as he walked, the black beanie on his head moving millimeter by millimeter off his head. I looked back to the front and smiled.
“Are you sure you know where you’re going?” I heard him ask.

“Of course. We’re going to St. Pats. I go there all the time with my friends.” I remarked as I jumped over a puddle. I looked back and saw that he was smiling. I turned back around before saying, “We’re almost there. They have the best espresso in the whole town.”
Harry sighed, “I am in a great need of caffeine. I still have jet-lag.”

We crossed Conti Street until we reached the small coffeehouse. It was ugly on the outside but the atmosphere of it was great when you wanted to be alone. I came there all the time when I couldn’t deal with everything, especially during this summer. I opened the door to go inside, the smell of strong coffee pouring outside.

I looked around and saw that there was no one around besides the barista. I walked over to the counter and turned to Harry, “What do you want?”. Harry contemplated before asked for a double espresso. I turned back to the barista. “Hey Sarah, can I get two double espressos?” I asked. Sarah smiled before entering the order into the cash register.

I opened up my purse to pay her before Harry interrupted me, “I’ll pay, I asked you out for coffee” he said grinning. I smiled back before Sarah gave us the shots. We walked over to a table by the door before sitting down across from each other.

I brought the cup to my mouth before smelling it. I loved the smell of fresh coffee, especially strong ones. I swallowed the drink and could feel it’s warmth traveling around my body. I looked up and saw Harry was staring at me. I laughed before asking, “What?”

Harry looked away before confided in me, “I’m supposed to be sleeping at my friend's house right now. I expected tonight to be boring but it has been the complete opposite.” I smiled.

“So what good deed have I done tonight to make a beautiful girl like you hit me in the streets of New Orleans?” Harry confidently asked. I stopped smiling before laughing awkwardly. I didn’t know him well enough to tell him about my problems.

I looked at Harry as he sipped his coffee, still awaiting my answer. “So who are you staying with?” I asked, changing the subject, “Sorry if that’s kind of creepy.” I sheepishly laughed.
“It’s no problem, love. I’m staying with a couple guys and my friend Tristan, who lives here. We’re here looking at colleges.” Harry explained.

I nodded. Wait...Tristan? Didn’t Vivienne say her brother’s friends were living at her house this summer? I froze, espresso cup held in mid-air. Harry looked at me with a worried face, “Did I say something wrong? What’s wrong?”

I put my cup down before I positioned my purse on my thigh. “Tristan Kingsley?” I asked. Harry nodded before looking at me with a confused look on his face. “Wait, how did you know?” He asked before taking a sip of his coffee.

I laughed before beginning, “My best friend is his sister, Vivienne. She went out with you for sushi and pizza today.” I looked at my phone, 9:20 pm. Harry looked at me.

“How old are you?” He asked.

“I’m turning 17 in August,” I replied, wondering why he had asked me that.

“Oh, well I’m 17. I finished the sixth form a bit early.” He laughed as he took a sip. I took a sip of my own espresso before letting out a small burp. “Excuse me,” I said as I went to cover my mouth. Harry smiled before saying, “I love it when girls burp. It’s quite cute, actually.” I blushed as I went to fiddle with my dress.

Why am I so awkward around him? I clenched Harry’s jacket around me before I heard a ping! and went to look at my phone. I didn’t see a notification before I realized it was Harry’s phone. He looked at me and seemed a bit apologetic before beginning, “I have to go. Tristan is asking me to come back.” I nodded before I drank the rest of my coffee. “Yeah, it’s totally cool. I have to go, too.” I explained.

I got up from my seat and headed towards the door when Harry reached for my arm. Our hands brushed as he held me. “Um, may I have your number?,” He shyly asked before continuing, “For guide purposes around New Orleans.” I laughed as I reached for his phone on the table and put my number in. I waved before opening the door, “See you around, Harry.”

As I left the coffeehouse, I felt the humidity on my skin. My dress clung to my skin as I dialed my driver. “Hey, Hans. Yeah, I’m at Pat’s.” I said into my cell. Harry came out of the shop.

He stopped next to me as I talked to Hans. “Yeah, you’ll be here soon? Okay.” I turned off my phone and looked at Harry before realizing I still had his jacket.

“I’m so sorry, do you want your jacket back?” I frantically asked, pulling off the jacket. I held it out to him before he laughed and put his hands up. “No, love, you can borrow it. It’s chilly out. You can give it to me the next time we meet.” Harry chuckled, “I just wanted to say goodnight. I hope you have a drive home. I can call Uber if you want.”

I shook my head, “It’s okay, my driver’s coming in a few minutes.” I shrunk back towards the coffee shop and stood with my back against the wall. Harry followed me and smiled. “I guess I’ll wait for you then.” He said as he, too, sat against the wall.

A few minutes of silence passed before Hans came, the Mercedes SUV pulling against the curb. I looked at the car before I began, “Guess I have to go.” I said before I started to walk towards the car. Harry pulled my hand back towards him and the memories of Tommy came flooding back. I quickly pulled my hand away before muttering, “Sorry.” Harry looked a little taken aback.

“I have to go,” I said pulling up my dress before running to the car. Hans opened the door to the backseat for me and I got in, looking back at Harry who was still at the coffee shop. “Do you want me to wait for that young man?” Hans asked. “No. Let’s just go home.” I replied before Hans closed the door. He started the car and began to drive away.

I looked outside the window, thankful it was tinted and watched as St. Pat's and Harry vanished through the scenery. I clutched my phone as I thought about Alex and how no one could ever break us apart.

My phone began to ring as Hans drove out of the French quarter. I looked down at my phone and saw that it was Charles. I braced myself and then answered it.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Cilla. The dinner just ended. Mom and Dad and the Westwoods are going out for drinks so we won’t be home soon. What happened back there? Why did you leave?” Charles yelled through the phone.

I looked at Hans, knowing he would never talk about anything. “I can’t stand Tommy. He’s crazy and disgusting.”

“How? We’ve known him for years and he’s only ever been nice to us.” Charles defended.

I scoffed. “If you only knew the truth,” I said.

“Then tell me. What happened between the two of you to make you hate him?”

I could feel my throat closing, the thoughts of what happened between Tommy and me during a dinner party became clearer. “I can’t, Charlie. I can’t tell you.” I cried.

“Why not?” He asked.

“I just can’t. You wouldn’t understand!” I ended the call and looked out of the window. We were in the business district. I felt the tears run down my face as I wiped them with the back of my hand. I looked down at my phone before going to text Alex.

Me: hi. I miss you so much.

I looked back up, knowing Alex probably wouldn’t even read it until he got out of camp in a few weeks. It was July and school didn’t start until September. Even though I hung out with Charlotte and Vivienne, I felt more alone than ever. I wanted to talk to someone about Tommy but I was afraid. As I drowned in my sorrows, I decided to text Harry.

Me: sorry for pulling away like that...

I sighed as I looked out the window. I felt my phone buzz and I looked down-

Harry: It’s ok, love. Are u ok?
Me: idk. It’s complicated.
Harry: do u want to talk about it?
Me: idk.
Harry: ok...when u do, I’m here for the next two months so...

I smiled, brushing away the last of my tears. “Ms. Grey, we’re home now,” Hans said as he entered our driveway. He parked the car and opened the door for me. I cautiously pulled up my dress and got out of the car before heading inside. Hans lived across town and waited until I opened the front door before leaving in his own car.

I walked inside the house quietly, even though the maids and Hannah were probably still awake. I took off my shoes and dropped them by the front door before heading up the stairs slowly, careful not to place too much pressure on my injured foot.

I went up to my room and opened the door, turning on the light and headed towards the bathroom to change into my pajamas. I dropped my purse on my desk. I walked towards my closet to get my clothes after closing my bedroom door shut, hopeful my parents wouldn’t bother me when they got home.

I then walked to the bathroom where I washed off tonight’s makeup. I heard my phone ping with a text as I moisturized my eyes.

“Alexa, read the text,” I yelled.

In a computer-generated voice, I heard, “From Harry: I’m always here if you want to talk. Just so you know. Sweet dreams, Priscilla. Hopefully, I'll see you soon.”

I smiled as I headed out of the bathroom, closing the doors behind me. I headed towards my bed and laid down, wrapping the silk covers around my body. Asking Alexa to turn off my lights, I closed my eyes and dreamt about brown curls and green eyes.

Notes

I love Harry sm. In this chapter, I really wanted to describe the beginning of Priscilla and Harry's relationship so hopefully, I did well! Please subscribe and rate my story if you liked it! It really encourages me to write more and I, myself, want to see what happens between the two main characters.