All Again

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BECCA

Then.

I talked a lot of shit.
There was absolutely no way my parents were going to let me go to Bangkok for Spring Break. For that, I was going to have to out my friendship with Harry and it wasn’t happening.
I was living in a fairytale and I wasn’t quite ready to wake up yet.
I had a passport in the works, and I had money saved for the plane tickets but I still didn’t know what lie I could tell.
My break would be from March 14th thru the 22nd. The plan was for me to arrive late on the 15th and leave the 20th. So for five whole days I would need to come up with an excuse to where I was. If I told Kelsey the truth I was positive she would back me up, but I didn’t want anyone else involved until needed.
I began to research temporary internships in the area. If I could find one, I could stay back in New York and pretend that I was working. I could even throw in the promise of a college credit to sweeten the deal to my parents.
And as for the time zones, I could pretend to catch a cold and not be available or be super backed up with learning everything.
It could work if I planned right.
I could be a pretty smart girl when I applied myself.
By the end of February, Harry had wrapped up shows in Australia and Japan and was headed to London for a break.
He claimed he needed to spend time with his family because he hadn’t seen them in a while.
I was happy to hear it, because though he would be in London and a few hours ahead of me in time, it would probably be easier for us to talk.
So far, he had kept his promise and kept in contact. I knew he was working; performing on stage, filming commercials, and doing promotions—but he did make time for me, even if it was quite limited at times.
He hadn’t been leaving me behind.
So I was looking forward to getting more time, even though it was my midterms week.
*How do you think you did?* Harry asked me via text, after I completed my first one.
I texted him the moment I got out of class.
*Aced it I’m sure. I just had to write an essay about the one moment that changed my life and how it shifted it*
*Aww, you didn’t have to write about meeting me.* He joked.
*Very funny! I think I’m going to change your life more honesty. I should have warned you, you’ll never be the same :P*
*I believe that. Already I think too much about all of the wonderful Vampire Diaries episodes I must be missing.*
I laughed. I was obsessed with that show and never missed an episode. I even ended a phone call with him once because it was coming on. Since then, he had been butt hurt and mocking me every chance he could get!
*Lol. Don’t worry I’m going to catch you up when I come! I’ve got the seasons on DVD*
*Oh man. On second thought, I’m way too busy in a couple weeks. Lets push this back…*
*Never! You’re stuck with me ;)*
*Haha. That doesn’t sound so bad.*
I smiled as I walked in between the halls. I now understood it. I couldn’t count the many girls I passed on the daily, head down, eyes on their phone screens and smiling. I always wondered just what was behind that screen that made them so happy.
Now I knew.
For me, it was Harry.
*Can I call you?* he asked. *I’m sitting on my couch bored.*
*I thought you were in London?*
*I am. Well Cheshire. I’m at my Mum’s house, but everyone around here is sleeping*
*And why aren’t you sleeping?* I texted back.
*I’m not tired. Plus, I wanted to hear about your exams. College life intrigues me.*
*Lol. And here I thought I was the intriguing one.*
*Sorry. I’m just interested in your dorms and excessive college papers. It keeps me up at night honestly*
*Lol. Well I’m glad I can feed your obsession. :P*
*Yeah, it’s very sweet of you. So can I call you?*
*No.* I said. *I’m walking to my next class*
*Two seconds…*
*No! Go to bed!*
*Pllleeeaaassseee*
*Noooooooo*
*Fine! But don’t think I’m going to forget this Becca. It’s not good friend etiquette. *
I laughed and shook my head. As I did, I got a stare from a girl I passed. I knew the look because I had perfected it.
Yes, Ms. Judging Eyes… I have become that girl.
I turned my final hall and landed in front of my next class.
*I’m sorry. But I’m at my class. I’ll text you when I can*
*K. Good luck with your exams!*
As I sat in my next class, listening to the mindless conversations of the Canterbury Tales, Harry was on my mind.
But he was always on my mind.
By now, my friends had started noticing I was distracted and were beginning to ask questions.
I remained coy, but Kelsey was the most persistent.
She was always trying to sneak and take my phone or glance at my text messages. She knew it was a boy, but she couldn’t understand why I was being so secretive about it all.
Normally I shared the good, the bad, and the ugly.
“I just don’t know where it’s going to go.” I explained. “You know how I am. He could be gone tomorrow.”
That seemed to calm her but I realized the words were so true.
I was tittering on a tightrope with Harry. At any moment, he could get bored with me and move on.
The next day me and Harry didn’t talk much.
*I’m going to be with my Mum a bit today* he texted me early so I wouldn’t worry.
It didn’t relax me and I still needed my hit of him.
Though I was having the pleasure of talking to him, I still didn’t get what normal girls in normal situations had. I couldn’t physically see him anytime I wanted. I couldn’t watch his face pull into a smile when I told a joke, or go out to a movie.
Me and Harry were far from dating and I wasn’t even sure if there was an attraction on his end, but it would have been nice to have him physically around to do things with. It was why I had to make Bangkok happen.
As I sat in my dorm that afternoon, checking airline tickets, and the status of my passport, I found myself doing my daily check of Harryland.
I smiled when I saw that his Mother had tagged him in a picture of them drinking some type of warm liquid outside. He seemed happy and rested.
By now I was aware of the lack of rest he received on tour and was happy he was getting a break. Still, I was anxious for him to get back on tour, because then I would be there.
Hopefully.
“What are you looking at?”
I jumped as Kelsey’s voice popped up behind me. I hadn’t even heard her come in the dorm.
I quickly clicked off the picture and turned back to my word document screen where I had barely been writing.
“Was that Harry Styles?” she asked taking a seat on my bed.
“Ah yeah.” I said nervously.
She looked at me curiously. “Why are you looking at him?”
“I wasn’t.” I said quickly. “I mean, I was…but…I don’t even know how I got on that picture.” I said with a chuckle and waved her away.
She turned away from me and picked at her new acrylic nails. “Oh. So Ms. Richards is being a bitch.” She said, moving on.
I was more than relieved.
I turned back to my computer screen. “What did she do now?” I asked.
Kelsey pretty much hated all of her professors.
“She’s being totally unfair and unreasonable! I turned in my paper one day late and now she’s telling me I’m going to get an automatic C.”
“Well why did you turn it in late?” I asked picking up my phone.
I scrolled to Twitter.
“Because I have a life.” She said. “I get we’re in college, but damn, we need a life too! I mean…I don’t get the stick up her ass.”
I went to Harry’s page.
“Yeah I don’t know.” I muttered.
I was anxious and wanted to talk to him, and watching updates all day wasn’t helping.
It wasn’t healthy.
I tossed my phone on the desk. I decided to talk about him instead- at least what I could say.
“So I think I got the internship.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re such a dork. Who does an internship on their spring break?”
“Me.” I said simply.
“I think it’s a dumb idea. You should go home. Aren’t your parents going up to San Diego?”
“I can go to San Diego anytime. We live in California. “I said. “But this internship is exclusive and a one time opportunity.”
“Who is it with again?”
“Just a publishing house.” I said vaguely.
“And have Alicia and John agreed yet?”
Alicia and John; my parents.
“They will.” I said confidently.
Kelsey smiled. “Have they asked for tons of information yet?”
I shook my head no. Thankfully. “No. But it sounds like I’ve won them over. Honestly they’re both so busy with the stores that I think they’re glad they don’t have to take off and go somewhere crazy. Taylor doesn’t care either way ya know?”
“I do. Your sister has more of a life than you do.”
I chuckled. “Only when I’m in NewYork. Back in Cali, I’m fun.”
“You are.” she said. “I just don’t get why you get so boring when you get here.”
I rolled my eyes as she slid off the bed. “Well it sounds like they’ll let you do it.”
She came and wrapped her arms around me. “I’m going to miss you though!”
“It’s just a week.” I reminded her.
She unwrapped her arms from me and stood. “I know, but I was looking forward to surfing and stuff. But, I get it. You’re a nerd.”
I hit her in the stomach and she laughed.
“Stop! But seriously though Beckham… I hope it changes your life.” She said with a warm smile.
I did too.
Ten days later I was on a twenty hour plane ride to Bangkok. There was lay-over’s, but not enough to make the trip seem any less crazy.
I must have really, really, reeeaaallllly, wanted to see Harry.
In all the times I had looked up the flight prices, I had never paid much attention to the flight times.
When I did, I almost passed out.
“I can’t come Harry. It’s too long.” I said via phone. “I mean, twenty hours on a plane…there’s no way.”
“I understand.” He said. Then an hour later, he texted me a link. The link took me to first class plane tickets. They had been bought in mid February.
*Now will you reconsider?* he texted. *I promise you’ll be treated like a queen the whole trip. They have mini beds and everything.*
I argued with him the rest of the day about getting the tickets and for spending over a grand on me, but it sweetened the deal.

I got on that plane.

Two books, countless streamed songs, seven hours of sleep, three airplane movies, and countless snacks and beverages later, I landed in Bangkok. The first thing I did on the walk to grab my bags was check my phones. I had so many missed messages from my parents and Kelsey.
Since I had been in the air, I hadn’t been able to contact them.
The last one from my mom was urgent and had been sent hours earlier.
*Call me immediately or we’re going to start calling the hospitals!*
I quickly punched in her number and she answered on the second ring.
“Where the hell are you?” My mother asked when she heard my voice.
“Sorry, sorry! I was working and then I was so tired, I fell asleep and now I’m back at it again. How are you and Dad?”
“We’re bald and stressed from all the worrying. Why didn’t you just shoot us a text? Me and your dad called and tried reaching you all day-“
“I know. There is bad service in the building.”
“How the hell is there bad service? This is 2015. What is the place called again?”
“Uh…hold on.” I said. “I’m being ah…” I trailed off and dug in my purse quickly. I had wrote down all the details of my fake lie so that it could appear genuine. I quickly rattled off the name of the internship and threw out some fake first day things I did. I just really hoped they didn’t try reaching me there.
“Oh honey, it sounds like a dream. Is there a number we can reach you at when you’re working since your cell doesn’t work?”
“Um, they don’t really like me on the phone too much.” I quickly explained. “I’m suppose to be learning ya know?”
“Right. Well have fun.”
“I am.” I said.
By now I was looking up and trying to read the signs, but I was very confused.
“Mom, can I call you back? I am at work.”
“Sure, but talk to your dad first. ”
It was a request and not a question.
I rolled my eyes and held back my sigh.
I didn’t have time for this.
“Hey kiddo!” My dad said coming to the phone.
“Hi Dad.” I said. I could see an attendant and I needed to ask some questions, but I couldn’t do it with my dad on the phone. So I just stood there out of the way, waiting.
By now it was 10pm in Bangkok, and 7am in Los Angeles. They both should have been at their stores.
“How are you?”
“I’m good. You?”
“I’m pissed, but glad you’re okay. Have you spoke to Kelsey?”
“No.” I said. It was a quick reminder that I needed to probably text her next. After she had left, I had literally slipped out ten minutes later to catch my plane. I was on edge the whole time at the airport thinking I would see her.
“She got here safe. We invited her over for breakfast on Saturday after her plane got in, but she’s been blowing us off.”
I chuckled. “Sounds like her.”
“Well I’ll let you go-“ my dad began but then we were interrupted. Overhead on the speakers came some instructions in Thai.
Damn this airport!
“What was that?” My dad asked quickly.
“My computer. Youtube ads.” I said.
The speaker was still going off around me.
“Why are you on Youtube if you’re working?”
“For music dad. But I have to go, my boss is coming! Love you!” I quickly hung up the phone before he said anything or heard more.
I turned to the attendant, who luckily spoke English, and found the baggage claim area. I also found my driver.
Standing near there was a Siamese man holding a sign that read ‘Becca Johnson’.
Then it hit me.
Holy shit.
I was actually there and in a short time I would be seeing Harry.
It was unreal.
As I grabbed my bags, and headed to the black SUV that was waiting for me, my nerves were on edge. I hadn’t seen Harry physically in over a month, and by now, our relationship had progressed so much that we were pretty much old friends at this point.
Still, he hadn’t seen me and probably didn‘t even remember what I looked like.
Unlike me, he wasn’t lucky enough to have Twitter’s and Tumblr’s track my every move.
In the car, I quickly worked on my appearance though I was super jetlagged.
I applied a thin line of black eyeliner and a little gloss. Then I sprayed some hydrating spritz on my face to give myself a little color. I was sure I looked like complete death.
It was warm there so I was dressed in distressed shorts and a simple t-shirt. I didn’t want to talk about my hair. From the bun up-bun down action on the plane, it was a wavy and tousled mess.
“Ok we’re here.” The man announced once we reached the hotel. I instantly peered out of my window and took in my surroundings. Somewhere in that hotel was Harry Styles.
Hell, somewhere in that hotel was all of One Direction.
I probably needed more makeup.
As the driver pulled my bags out of the trunk, I quickly applied some blush to my face and then climbed out.
The driver wheeled my bags to me and then helped me into the hotel.
I was taken to the front desk and then I gave my name.
The hostess smiled and then picked up her phone. I had no idea who she was calling.
In her sweet accent she let someone know I had arrived and then she told me to wait.
The wait felt like hours.
It was probably minutes.
“Becca Johnson?”
I turned towards the elevator where another man was coming towards me. He had a slight accent as well, but I could tell he was possibly British or American.
“Hi.” I said.
“Hey.” He said warmly. He came and grabbed my carryon bag and began to grab for my roll on.
“Oh I can take it.” I said quickly.
I didn’t even know who this man was.
“It’s okay.” He said lifting my bag over his shoulder and beginning to pull my suitcase.
“How was your flight?” he asked.
“Long.” I said with a smile.
He laughed. “Yeah I’ve been there. I’m Dale. I’m part of the security team.” He said.
“Oh cool.”
We headed in the elevator and he stuck a key in a small slot.
“This is yours. Its for the private floors. It’s the only way you’ll get there.” He said and pushed a button.
“Wow, you even need these in Thailand?” I asked.
“We need it everywhere.” He said. “People sneak in these hotels all the time.”
I didn’t say anything. I realized I had to quickly remind myself that these were famous people.
People were going to be looking for them and curious about what they would be doing. I was actually quite surprised people weren’t already outside chanting their names.
Then, it dawned on me. What if a fan got a picture of me?
I didn’t know what me and Harry would be doing, but what if my picture was snapped and I was recognized? How would I explain that to everybody?
This lie was already getting too complicated.
The elevator dinged.
“We’re here.” Dale said with a wide smile.
I smiled back and then peered at the floor as the door opened. It didn’t seem any fancier than other hotel floors, but I knew I was in for a surprise when I saw the rooms. I was quite sure these boys weren’t packed in small hotels.
Dale led the way and I followed. My stomach was on its own personal rollercoaster and my nerves had me a bit rattled.
I didn’t know where the anxiety was coming from, especially since I had been talking to Harry for well over a month now.
We passed about three rooms before Dale stopped and knocked on a door.
My mind went into overdrive.
I’m about to see Harry, I’m about to see Harry, I’m about to see Harry…
The door didn’t open right away.
Dale chuckled. “This guy…” he mumbled.
He knocked again loudly.
“I’m coming!” I heard from a distance behind the door and I instantly knew it was Harry.
As I my mind began to process that I was about to see him, and he would be standing there, and he would be looking at me, and I would have to…. the door swung open.
I felt my heart stop.
Now standing in front of me, only a few short feet away, was Harry.
First let me say he was tall. Taller than I remembered.
“Sorry.” He said sheepishly and smiled. “I fell asleep.”
I couldn’t respond. He looked adorable.
He was in a graphic t-shirt and gym shorts and he had his pulled back in a bun off his face. His voice was thick and riddled with sleep.
However, that was only part of it.
It was the eyes, and the flush pink lips that held my gaze.
I didn’t remember him being that handsome in person.
He continued to smile back at me, with his dimple peeking through and I was mesmerized.
Why hadn’t I noticed this all at the airport or even the coffee shop?
He turned to Dale, and I finally swallowed, catching my breath.
“Thanks mate. I got it.” He said.
Dale shifted my bag off his shoulder and placed it on the floor.
“Good. I’m going to bed.”
Then Dale turned to me. “Nice meeting you Becca.”
“You too.” I said quickly, not yet ready to face Harry.
Dale handed Harry my keycard, bid him goodbye and then he was gone.
And then we were alone.
I turned back to him slowly.
He was smiling widely and now leaning against the room archway.
“Hi.” He said.
“Hi.” I said back.
“You made it.”
“I did.” I said.
He pushed his body off the door, and then awkwardly reached his arms out for a hug.
“Oh.” I said nervously and went in his arms.
He was warm and smelled incredible. I felt like I was melting as his arms wrapped around me.
Since I was much shorter than him, my head rested on his chest.
“How are you?” he asked in my ear. His voice was low and I didn’t want to pull away, but I did.
“I’m fantastic!” I said and I was. I was on my own little cloud.
I’m sure my response was too enthused and he looked at me curiously.
His smile remained and he stared back at me.
His green eyes were even more pretty in person and intense, but all I could really see was the striking dimple that rested by his lips.
He was beautiful.
“Um…you look like you had a nice nap.” I said softly.
He chuckled. “Yeah…” he drawled slowly. “Long day. I’m glad you’re here though.”
“Me too.” I said honestly.
“How was the flight? Did they treat you like royalty?”
“Completely.” I said with a warm smile.
“Good.” He said. He looked down at my bags. “Well, let me get you set up.”
He pointed behind me. “Your room is across from mine.”
I nodded okay. Though I felt a slight disappointment I wouldn’t be staying with him.
As I said before we weren’t together or anything, but I wanted to be close to him and across the hall felt like miles.
He picked up my bags and I tried to argue.
“Stop.” He said with a pout. “You just had a twenty hour flight. Let me do some work.”
I just smiled and moved out of the way.
He placed the keycard that was in his hand, in the door and it opened.
Then he turned to me. “After you…” he said gently.
I smiled again and entered the hotel room. It was dark and I looked for a light.
Harry followed behind me, and hit a switch.
My carry-on was on his shoulder and my roll-on hook in his hand.
“Thanks.” I said and he gave a polite smile.
I then turned back to my hotel room and nearly fainted. This room was bigger than my dorm, Kelsey’s dorm, Taylor’s bedroom AND my bedroom at home combined.
“Wow.” I said.
Harry shrugged me off and walked past me. “This is nothing.”
He placed my bags by the single queen size bed and turned to me.
“Let me give you the tour.”
Suddenly he began to move around the room.
“Here we have your desk, complete with full wi-fi and USB hookups.”
I giggled since he changed his voice and began to model.
“And here, you have your TV, complete with over three hundred channels-premium and American too-and the channel list.” He said waving a laminated sheet.
“Well of course.” I said.
“Then…” he moved across the room. “You have your mini bar. I won’t open it, because it’s something you have to experience for yourself.” He said with a wink. “But trust me. It’s worth it.”
“I will take your word for it.”
He smiled and headed to a small room. “Come on, let me show you your bathroom.”
I followed him and he flicked on a light.
It was unreal.
“That shower is not human.” I said quickly.
Harry chuckled. “Its not. I turned into a raisin earlier. Quite possibly the longest shower I’ve ever taken in my life.”
“I can imagine.” I said already ready to get in.
He moved to the counter. “Here are your complimentary products. Your shampoos, soaps, conditioners...all your girly things.” He teased and I just smiled.
“Oh!” he said getting suddenly very excited. “There is something else!”
I followed him as he left the bathroom. I watched him.
“You’re very good at this Harry. I think there might be a job for you in Real Estate if this doesn’t work out.” I teased.
“Oh I’d be a great state agent.” he boasted. “Nice view means it has windows. Cute would mean it’s too small-“
I chuckled. “You’ve thought about this haven’t you?”
“Yeah.” He said bashfully and I laughed. “Come see me, I’ll get you a nice deal.”
“Alright, deal.”
He smiled and turned from me. “It is great though, but I’ll let you explore it all on your own. Let you get the full experience.”
He moved towards the door.
“Are you going back to bed?” I asked.
“Probably. Not immediately. Why? Are you staying up?” he asked facing me.
“No. I can feel the jetlag already. That bed is calling.” I said looking at it.
“Well you should get some sleep. I don’t want you sleeping all day tomorrow though.”
I put my hands up in a scouts honor. “I promise I won’t.”
“Cool.” He said. He looked around. “I would keep you company…I mean, I do feel like a bad hostess already.”
“No no-“ I began to interrupt.
“It’s just, I went out last night and...my sister is here, she’s in town too so she’s been keeping me busy and ah-.”
“Your sister is here?” I asked even though he had just said that.
“Yeah. That doesn’t bother you does it?” he asked with a look of worry.
“No, I’d love to meet her.” I said honestly.
“Okay great. She probably won’t be around too much. She likes spending time with the girls, but she’ll be with us a bit.”
I smiled. “Have you got your bucket list mapped out?”
“I do actually. You’re going to be a busy woman.”
“Oh boy.”
He smiled. “There is something I didn’t tell you though,”
I looked back at him. He shuffled his feet.
“I fly out on the eighteenth to our next spot so you’ll be taking a private plane with me and then boarding back to New York from there a few days later. Is that okay?” he asked. His voice was hesitant and I could tell he was worried I would be upset.
Meanwhile I was envisioning a private plane.
“No!” I said quickly. “I mean that’s…that’s perfectly fine.”
“Good. I promise the flight isn’t as long either heading back. So that’s a plus.”
I didn’t even care. I had never flown private anything-hell, rarely first class- so I was looking forward to this.
“Um, what about my ticket though? The ticket you bought was roundtrip.”
He waved me away. “Doesn’t matter. It was cheap.”
I looked back at him in disbelief. He was so casual about money.
He’s a millionaire Becca…
“Oh.” was all I said.
He quickly revised his statement. “I mean I don’t mind. I’m just glad you’re here. I would have paid for twenty tickets.”
I smiled. “I’m glad to be here too.” I said honestly.
“Good.” He said with a wide smile and then bit his lip.
Awkwardness crept in a bit.
“Well!” he said clapping his hands together. “Get some sleep and I’ll…I’ll see you in the morning. If you need me, text me or my extension is already wrote down for you over there.” I glanced at the mantle and sure enough saw a notepad.
He continued.
“Or just get up and knock on my door.”
“Kay. I will.” I said turning back to him.
“Also…I will be gone in the morning at like six to work out, but I’ll promise I’ll be back by the time you get up hopefully.”
I waved him away and sat on my bed.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m just along for the ride. Do what you would normally do.”
“Okay…” he said and looked me over. “I never asked you, but um…do you work out?”
“You want the honest answer?”
He laughed and I smiled.
“No I do.” I said lifting my leg up and sitting on it. “Just not as regularly as I should.”
He nodded. “Well you don’t need it…I was just curious.”
“Thanks.”
I turned away to hide my blush.
“Well…um…”
I turned back around.
“Goodnight Becca.”
I smiled. “Goodnight Harry.”
He gave me a final smile, with that dimple, and then turned to leave.
I sighed and laid back on the bed as my door closed, a slow smile creeping on my face.
I was actually there. In Bangkok. Harry was here and literally across the hall from me.
“Who knew.” I whispered to myself.
I closed my eyes and felt settled.
I could feel the sleep creeping in, but I didn’t even care.
I was in bliss and a dream.
And Harry’s deep green eyes, his pink small but full lips, and that dimple were at the center of it.
For the next five days he was all mine.
And I wasn’t going to waste one moment of it.

Notes

Alright, now i'm actually done. :) Have a good one! Happy Halloween to those who celebrate.