All Again

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT
BECCA

Then.

He walked away.
Harry headed upstairs and I looked at the TV in front of me.
By his eye roll, the phone call he had just answered was some type of work.
I was a little happy for the distraction though.
As always, we were about to intensify the moment and get lost in each other again.
I didn't think I would ever say this, but we were moving too fast.
If we didn't slow down, I would be coming back pregnant. We never used condoms, and though that little birth control chip was nestled in my arm; we needed to be more careful, since we never knew what could happen.
Still, I couldn't get enough of him.
Harry Styles was walking sex.
Every smile, every word and every gesture turned me on. Every look and every touch melted me and our sexual chemistry was amazing.
As I had memories of previous experiences, I looked down. Flour was everywhere in the living room. The clumpy white powder was on his floor and couch.
I smiled to myself, and jumped up to get a towel.
I started cleaning up when Harry came back into the room minutes later.
The first thing I noticed was the keys in his hand, then the sunglasses on top of his head.
I looked up at him, meeting his eyes and reading his expression.
He was leaving.
He gave a gentle sigh as he faced me.
"I have to make a quick run. I won't be more than an hour. I promise." he said.
I stood, wiping my hands on my pants.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah." he said. "I have to sign a contract that apparently can't wait."
The disdain in his voice was clear.
"Oh okay." I said simply.
He gestured to the couch. "Thank you."
"No problem." I said looking slightly past him. "What do you want me to with the food?"
"It can sit." he said coming over to me. "I'll be really quick I promise."
I nodded okay.
He gave me a quick kiss and placed his sunglasses on.
"Don't get in any trouble."
I smiled.
"Scouts honor."
He smiled back and tapped my nose.
Then he headed for his front door, and left.
I finished cleaning the couch up, then sealed the toppings I had already pulled out so they would remain fresh.
Then I headed back to the couch.
Harry said he wouldn't be longer than an hour, so I figured I could keep myself busy with a tv show.
However as I began to flip the channels I found nothing that was interesting. Plus, I wasn't much of a TV watcher-outside of Vampire Diaries.
I had a restless spirit.
I needed to stay productive and feel like I was doing something.
So I headed to the bedroom where me and Harry's luggage sat pretty much untouched in the corner.
I looked through my bag pulling out my small pile of dirty clothes and decided to head to his laundry room.
For the majority of the month, we would be in hotels, so every chance I came into contact with a washer/dryer, I would make use.
I gathered my small load and then headed down to Harry's washroom.
Luckily, I had already noted he had a bottle of detergent and dryer sheets.
I threw my clothes in the washer, placed them on gentle and then headed upstairs.
I decided to finish unpacking/organizing the items I would need the next few days and clear up the sapce.
I was slightly OCD, and I could be a bit of a clean freak- especially when I was bored.
I liked things to be organized and have their place.
So after I dug through my things and sorted my bag where it was more accessible, I decided to head back downstairs.
I was stopped, when I looked at Harry's bag.
I felt a little bad that I had gone through all of the trouble for my things and had basically left his stuff in the bag.
I didn't feel exactly comfortable going through his things, but I knew where he kept his dirty clothes.
I sorted through them and decided to throw them in the wash as well.
Peeling his bag back, I pulled out his dirty black jeans, cotton t-shirts, used boxers and his prized Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent shirts.
How the hell was I going to wash those?
I headed down to the laundry room, and separted the small pile. Harry had two washer and dryer machines, so I began placing everything in the washer, then a thought hit me; I was going to mess some shit up.
Heading back to the kitchen for my phone, I quickly browsed the internet for instructions on how to wash the silk shirts and his prized pants.
They were already tight and I was sure he wouldn't be able to walk if they got any tighter, or shrunk.
Following the instructions, I threw in the items I could wash, and headed to a large sink to wash the rest.
About thirty minutes later, my load was finished and I was hanging Harry's shirts so they could dry.
I put all the clothes in the dryer and then waited.
Later, I had just finished folding my jeans, when I looked up, sensing a presence.
When I did, warm green eyes stared back at me.
I instantly felt myself smile.
"Hi."
"Hi." he said, a grin forming.
Then, he looked around me and the pile that surrounded me.
"Someone's been busy..."
I blushed and stood up slowly. "I hope you're not upset."
He looked back at me in interest. "Upset that you used my washer?" he questioned.
"Well yeah...and that I washed your clothes too."
His eyes trailed instantly to the washer that was going. His eyes widened.
"I didn't ruin anything, I promise!" I said quickly. "I hand washed your expensive shirts and I googled how to wash your jeans so they wouldn't shrink. Everything should be good." I assured and he looked at me with an amused expression.
"You did all that, in the hour and a half I've gone?"
"Two hours, but yes." I shuffled my feet. "I figured why not do something productive."
He smiled and came over to me pulling me in his arms.
"You constantly surprise me, you know that?" he asked.
I placed my hands around his hips. He still towered over me as our eyes locked.
"Is that a good or bad thing?"
"Good." he said and kissed my nose gently. "Are you getting hungry? We should probably finish the pizza?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Let me finishing folding these and then I'll be there to help."
"Okay." he said gently, dropping his hands away from me.
"How was work?" I asked. "The contract thing."
He rolled his eyes. "A waste of time. But it's done. They can't bother me anymore." he said and smiled.
"Good."
I pulled him back in my arms. "Because I plan on keeping you busy the next few hours."
"Oh really?" he asked, grinning widely.
"Not with that." I clarified quickly, tapping his chest. "But with cooking. I've decided I want to make you some dessert."
He smirked wider. He pulled me closer.
"You know...you could get some whipped cream and we can go in the room and that'll be like dessert."
I giggled and shook my head no.
"No, you can ravish me tomorrow."
He pouted his pink lips. "No fair. I leave for an hour and you completely change on me."
"Sorry." I said, but I wasn't. I loved teasing him.
He gave me another kiss and then headed for the kitchen.
I finished folding my clothes, and plopped his few items in the dryer before joining him.
Harry had already pulled the ingredients back out and was prepping everything.
I pulled my apron on and stood beside him.
We took turns placing the ingredients on the pizza and then popped it in the oven.
We cleaned up the kitchen and made small talk until it was ready twenty minutes later, and then we sat down and ate at the counter.
"Do you like it?" Harry asked.
"Of course. Your dough is amazing."
He smiled and grinned proudly.
"So what dessert are you making?"
"Something simple. Strawberry shortcake. It'll take me about an hour."
"Sounds good. What other wonders can you make for dessert?" he teased.
"I actually make a really good cheesecake. The cook time is just six hours. Do you like cheesecake?" I asked.
"I do."
"Well maybe I'll make it for you one day."
He smiled and took another bite of his pizza before getting up and grabbing a water bottle. He grabbed one for me as well and took a seat beside me.
"I shouldn't be eating this." he said. "I have a tour to think about."
"I know. I'm a bad influence. I'm sorry."
"It's alright." he said, his accent thick. "I like being corrupted."
We shared a smile and then a kiss.
"So how is Strawberry Shortcake going to take up my night?" he asked curiously.
I smiled again but didn't answer. His eyes on my chest telling me the real reason for his question.
"You're insatiable you know?"
He chuckled and finished up his bite.
“Seems only with you.”
Soon his plate was bare.
He leaned against the counter and watched as I settled in the kitchen making dessert. I quickly got to work separating the different ingredients I would need.
When I finished I fed him the first bite.
“Mmm. Amazing.”
“Is it?” I questioned. I really wanted him to like my cooking.
“You tell me-”
He brought his mouth to mine and I savored the sweet taste from his tongue.
When we pulled apart, we shared a small smile.
“Hmm. You’re right.”
He nodded ‘yes’, his eyes taking on a new expression.
It didn’t take long for him to lift me on the counter.
“Here.” he said taking the provided spoon and feeding me this time. A proper bite.
“Amazing.” I said mimicking his tone this time.
He moved his lips to my neck, placing gentle kisses.
“Yeah I think so,”
He moved around, planting small kisses around various areas of my neck, eventually making his way back up to my lips.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I quickly became dessert.
When he finally pulled away from me minutes later, we were both sticky from the strawberry shortcake spoon to mouth- mouth to skin game we had indulged in the last couple minutes.
We made our way to the shower, keeping it pretty PG-13, and then decided to take some time away from each other. Harry headed to his home gym, while I curled on the couch with a book.
When we came back together, about an hour later, he was energized.
“Hey you wanna run somewhere?” he asked.
“Sure. Where?”
By now, the time was approaching six in the evening. We had shared a full day.
He shrugged casually.
“I just want to show you around town.”
I smiled and quickly agreed.
I headed upstairs, throwing on some fresh jeans and a quick shirt.
Harry came upstairs behind me.
“Can you give me five minutes? I just want to touch up my hair.”
I reached in my bag for a flat iron.
He smiled.
“Sure. But it looks fine.” he said.
I pulled my hair out of its bun that it had been in all day and my hair fell in some ratty mess past my shoulder.
My layers had curled up at the ends going in different directions.
I looked at Harry.
“You sure about that?”
He kept his dimpled grin.
“Sure.”
He sat down on his bed and looked back at me.
I headed to the bathroom, and a few seconds later he was behind me again.
He sat on the closed toilet seat and watched me.
As the flat iron warmed, he just stared at me.
“What?” I asked after about 20 seconds since he was making me nervous.
“Nothing.” he said with his piercing green eyes.
“Why are you staring at me then?”
He smirked.
“I can’t look at you?”
“No.” I said with my own small smirk.
He turned from me, and sniffled.
“But I like looking at you.”
I turned away from him.
“Why?” I asked more to myself then to him. To this day I still didn’t get what he saw in me. I wasn’t a horrendous troll, but I still didn’t think I was deserving of that look he was giving me. He seemed to be in awe of my overall presence.
The intensity of his stare was unparallel.
I looked down at my flat iron and fiddled with it. It hadn’t yet beeped to let me know it was ready.
I heard him move, and soon he was behind me. His long arm wrapped around my waist just below my belly button and we looked back at each other in the mirror. My head rested near his collarbone.
He started to sway our bodies.
“Can you believe we went from the airport at Christmas to this?”
I smiled.
‘”I forgot about that. Seems like forever ago.”
“Not to me. I’ll never forget how you didn’t want my picture.”
“You’re really hurt by that aren’t you?”
“Gutted.” he said dryly and I giggled.
He rested his head on my shoulder and then leaned down. He kissed it, then moved to my neck and kissed that.
“You always smell so good.”
Then he slowly moved to my ear and kissed that.
“I really want to leave a hickey.”
“Like in high school? People still do that?” I questioned.
“I do.” he said with a wink. “But not normally where anyone sees.”
The mental image instantly sent a shiver down my spine.
Who the hell had it done it too, was my secondary thought.
He placed a final kiss on my cheek.
“I want to brand you.” he continued looking at me through the mirror. “So everyone knows you’re taken for the summer.”
I smiled and then broke from his embrace.
“They do.” I thumbed my hand over the emerald necklace he had given me a couple weeks earlier.
It hadn’t left my neck since.
I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“But you know baby…. I’ll let you. If you let me leave one on your neck too.”
“Never.” He said. “You don’t want to know the hell I’ll get from that.”
“Oh come on, live a little.” I teased. “Besides, you can cover it up with your luscious locks.”
He shook his head no playfully.
“Not going to happen.”
“What if I leave it in a place no one will see?”
“Like where?” he asked in sudden interest, when my flat iron beeped.
I pulled away.
“Guess its a conversation for another time.”
He smirked.
“Guess I’m dumped for a flat iron.”
I just smiled as I lifted the flat iron and separated the first piece of hair.
Seconds later, he left the room.
I quickly got to work, sectioning off pieces and straightening the crazy bits.
I was halfway done when Harry walked back in.
He had his phone this time, and was tapping fiercely.
It was obvious he was texting as he sat back down on the toilet seat.
“You must have a ton of friends.” I said looking between him and the mirror in front of me.
He looked up at me.
“I stay busy.” he said casually. “You have to remember I’m from here.”
“Oh, so it’s the London crew huh?”
He smiled and nodded.
“So are you going to meet them?”
“No. I told you, I’m taking you out on the town.”
“Where will we go?”
“Anywhere. Everywhere.” he said. “I’m going to be your personal chauffeur.”
I smiled in excitement.
I finished up my hair and he finished up his texting.
I grabbed my purse and he once again grabbed his keys and sunglasses.
“The sun is going down.” I reminded him.
“That’s not what I always use them for.” he said and pushed the glasses back on his head.
With his curly hair framing his shoulders, but now pushed back, he looked deliciously handsome.
I gave an appreciative smile.
Damn I was lucky.
We climbed in an SUV this time. A Dark gray Range Rover reminiscent of his one in Los Angeles.
“How many cars do you have Harry?”
He grinned.
“You don’t want to know.”
“I do.” I said.
He smiled wider.
“Well I keep three here. I have one at my mum’s house. And then I have a few spread out in California.”
“Why so many?”
He shrugged. “I like cars.”
I turned to the road.
“Don’t you love your Prius?”
“No.” I said with a quick scowl. “I want to get a different car so bad. My parents told me I could upgrade when I graduate, but it depends on my closing GPA for the kind of car I can get.”
“But they’re buying it for you?”
“That’s what they say. It’s my graduation present.”
He smiled. “You have the coolest parents ever. My mum wouldn’t have even done that, and she’s the sweetest woman I know.”
“Well don’t be fooled. Every car I’ve ever had has been a hand me down from them. This one will be mine.” I said proudly.
“What does your sister drive?” he asked staring ahead at the road in front of us.
“My dad’s old jeep that he drove for like a month. He said the car was too ‘girly’ for him, and gave it to her. The little brat got a brand new car at 15!”
Harry looked at me in interest at my obvious disdain and jealously.
“She’s the favorite.” I quickly explained.
He gave me a knowing expression.
“Sucks doesn’t it?”
“Oh you don’t share my pain, don’t pretend.”
“No,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong I’m loved. But Gemma gets away with murder.”
“Lucky bastards.“ I said and Harry laughed.
He started our trek across town with him being my personal tour guide.
We stopped and got shakes at Tinseltown, a local burger and shake joint, where I was quickly educated on the difference between Vanilla and Malt Vanilla, and then ended up in a park somewhere.
Since it was now dark, it was only us and we curled up on the hood of his large car. I sat between his legs as we watched the stars.
“If you could make a wish on any star, what would you wish for?” he asked behind me.
This. Forever.
Nestled there between his legs, with his warm scent and warm body, I could just stay there.
The whole vacation I didn’t even have to move.
There were probably a hundred mosquitoes and bugs out but I didn’t notice any of it.
I was so lost in him and everything he was giving me.
I couldn’t understand it.
How was the seemingly perfect man single?
How come none of his relationships had ever lasted longer then a couple months?
How did girls not fall madly in love with him?
He was attentive, passionate and witty.
He definitely knew how to treat a woman, and he was a complete gentleman.
Where did it go wrong with him?
“Becca?” I heard called. “You still with me?”
“Yeah.” I said quickly. “Sorry I zoned out for a bit.”
I heard his soft chuckle behind me.
“It’s okay.” he said. “You getting sleepy?”
“No I’m fine.”
“Good.” he said. “I’m not ready to head back yet.”
I tilted my head so I could face him.
“Me either.” I said before we shared a soft kiss.
Then I got lost in his eyes.
His hands traced my skin as we stared back at each other.
His green eyes were direct and green clear marbles as he looked back at me.
“Come here.” he whispered gently.
I did as he said, pulling my mouth back to his.
He was playful, pulling my face to his, and started his own little kissing game.
He kissed my nose, then a cheek, then my lips…he moved back up to my forehead, other cheek and then met my lips again.
Then he began a new game. His hand cupped my cheek and he began to place quick kisses on my lips. Perfect pouty one second pecks.
He would give me just enough so I would want more, and the moment I would go to deepen it, he would pull away.
He did this for a couple minutes and I was in complete bliss. The boys grin and charm keeping me transfixed.
When he finally finished his game, I had to tell him the truth.
“This is wonderful Harry. I could stay forever.”
The park was expanse, the weather perfect, and just being there with him…there was no better comfort.
“You’re wonderful.” he whispered back.
I smiled at his sweet words, and the way he always said the right things.
“Don’t try to butter me up.” I said back, jabbing in the ribs.
“I’m just trying to get laid later.” he said a second later, and I laughed out-loud.
His dry humor was always something else.
He chuckled behind me, and wrapped back around me.
I settled in his arms and we looked up at the stars in the sky.
“You want to know what I’d wish for?” he asked quietly behind me.
“What?”
“This.” he said and then to clarify, he said “In the future.”
I moved briefly so our eyes could meet.
“This is all I would want .” he said. “To just be with someone. No interruptions or craziness. No camera flashes and stupid rumors. Just moments like this. Out and about. Completely okay and free. ”
“You’ve never had this?” I asked. Surely he had privacy.
“I have. But it comes and goes….Sometimes I wish I did have someone.“ he said locking his eyes on mine. “The guys (of 1d)… most have someone, and its nice for them. It’s always been different for me for some reason though.”
“Well if you want it, why don’t you get it Harry?”
He looked at me in confusion.
“What’s stopping you?” I asked, continuing my thought.
He smirked.
“Have you seen my schedule?”
“They have the same schedule as you.” I argued.
“Yeah…but…I don’t know.” he said turning away from me.
I nestled my head back against his chest.
“I think you choose it.” I said. “I think secretly you like being alone.”
My tone was sincere and I didn’t mean it with any malice. It was just something I was observing.
Harry may have seemed like this widely outgoing guy, but truly he was an introvert. I think he liked to be around people, but internally he was lonely- and I think he had grown to like it.
He was quiet for a few seconds, taking in my words, before he wrapped tighter around me.
“Well…I’m not right now.”
He kissed my cheek, before we shared another smaller one against the lips.
The next morning we were up early again.
This time, we headed to the gym.
Now before I get into this, let me quickly explain.
I had seen Harry in a lot of different ways now, but nothing, nothing compared to watching him work out.
I had never seen him so focused and so motivated before.
He moved from machine to machine, lifting and running. His hair stayed pulled back and he never looked more sexy.
As I used one of the ab machines, he came to me.
“I need to box.” he said.
By then his shirt was glistened with small sweat and his skin was flushed.
“Okay?” I said since I didn’t get where he was going with his comment.
“I’ve got some gloves in my bag. You think you could help me?”
“Me?” I asked.
With one tiny punch he would knock me down.
He smiled.
“I’ll be gentle.”
I stopped my movements and stood.
We had been there about an hour, and I had worked out as well, but it was clear, I was apart of the minor leagues. I was barely sweating.
“I guess I can help.” I said. “I don’t know how much its going to help you though.”
“That’s okay.” he said. “I just need to get a few hits in. I usually box everyday.”
“Everyday?” I asked.
He nodded. “M’hmm. And its been a few days.”
We went over to his gym bag and he began to take out the necessary pieces.
As he got me equipped, he gave me reassurance.
“Let me know if I’m too rough. I promise to be gentle though.”
I nodded okay.
“Lift your hands.” he said.
I did.
“Okay, now hold them and the pad like this.”
I followed his instructions.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Kay.”
The first hit came.
Yup, confirmation.
My hands immediately pushed back.
He smiled. Through the gloves, he placed my hands back in the right position with the pad.
“Try flexing them.” he said. “So they warm up.”
Once more I did as he said.
He hit again. This time I held it.
He smiled proudly.
“Good. Just a few more.” he reminded.
He quickly gave off a few more punches and I held up on my side.
When he was finished, he looked back at me with a wide smile.
“Can you take some more?”
“Sure. Show me what you’re made of.”
He quickly began to punch more, and then it became a game.
“Harder.” I said as he began to punch. The force of his punch was getting stronger and stronger, and I could tell, he still held back so he didn’t hurt me.
I kept taunting him.
“Harder. More.” I said, ducking and quickly learning how this whole thing went.
He loved every moment of it.
When we finished he took the pads off quickly and his gloves, and lifted me.
My legs wrapped around his waist as he spun us around. He laid me on the treadmill and hovered over me.
Once more we were alone in a private gym, but at that moment, I don’t think he even cared.
“Perfect.” he said peering down at me. “You’re just perfect.”
I couldn’t do anything but smile. He gave me a long kiss and sighed when he pulled away.
“Oh Becca…”
“What?”
“You’re going to make me leave you alone.”
“Why?” I asked in alarm.
“I don’t want to like you this much.”
I giggled.
“So don’t.” I gently warned.
He pulled back on his knees and then stood. Extending a hand, he helped me out.
“I’m trying.” he said as I stood back in front of him. “But you’re making it hard.”
He looked around the gym.
“Ready to go?”
I nodded yes, and helped him gather his things.
We climbed back in his car, and then drove around looking for lunch.
“When everything dies down, do you think you’re going to live here permanently?” I asked, taking in the different sides of London.
“I don’t know. I would be comfortable with it. I wouldn’t even mind being a baker still.”
“Really?”
He shook his head.
I smiled and settled back in my seat.
I stared at the little shops we passed.
“I don’t get it.”
“Get what?” he asked.
“How your single.” I said turning to him.
He looked back at me with wide eyes.
“I mean like I said, its different if you choose to be, but…how do girls not fall in love with you?”
He blushed immediately. He looked straight. “Are you saying your in love with me?”
“Totally.” I said playfully. “I’ve been scouting wedding chapels all day.”
He grinned and continued his smirk.
“What’s your name going to be?”
“Becca Johnson- Styles.”
He smirked wider.
“Oh you’re one of those women?”
I instantly laughed.
“What the hell does that mean?”
He laughed with me.
“Well maybe I want you to have just my name….or maybe I wanted the opportunity….After all, Harry Styles- Johnson doesn’t sound too bad.”
“It sounds horrible.” I said. “Don’t ever marry a Johnson.”
He smiled and turned from me, focusing on the road.
Our conversation died down, so I figured we were moving on, but about a minute later, he surprised when he turned back to me.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said last night…about me choosing to be alone…”
I turned to him.
“I don’t know if that‘s true.” he clarified. “I don’t really get the opportunity to have this with many people.”
He turned to me as he approached a stop light, giving me his full attention.
“I’m always on the go, and I don’t get much time to kick back like this. It‘s true I‘ve ended things so I didn‘t hurt the other person or it get too hard…but I don‘t choose to be alone. Most of the time it chooses me.”
His eyes were clear as he stared back at me, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of a different Harry. This one wasn’t playful and blasé about the whole thing. This one was actually bothered his relationships hadn’t worked out- almost regretful.
“That’s because you only date famous women.” I pointed out softly. “If you dated someone out of the public eye, your girl would probably be more available to you. She could tour and stuff.”
He shook his head no. “Maybe. But it still wouldn’t work out. I’ve tried dating girls who weren’t famous and no one knew. But, it’s either my schedule or rumors…most girls don’t handle it well.”
I just looked back at him. He had me stumped. I didn’t have a response and I couldn’t argue with that. For now, things had been simple. He had been fitting me in his life, and besides that silly article about Joy Muggli, I hadn’t seen the rumors firsthand.
At this point, I had no idea that they were right around the corner and we were about to be tested for the first time.
Harry grabbed my hand from across the car.
He pulled it to his lips and kissed my hand.
“What made you say that?”
“Say what?”
“That. The love thing.” he said.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re just a really sweet guy Harry.”
He blushed again and turned from me. Playful Harry was back.
“It’s just an act.” he joked.
I leaned and kissed his cheek, starting to understand him a bit more.
All that was a simple defense mechanism.
“Well you’re a really good actor.” I said to placate him.
He smiled and kissed my hand again.
Eventually we headed to lunch and then headed back to the house. Harry’s phone had steadily been going off all day and he had been glancing at his messages but not really responding.
As we pulled in his driveway, his phone buzzed again and he glanced at the screen.
“One sec.” he said to me before pressing the phone to his ear.
“Hey Alexa.” he said. “How are you?”
My ears perked up a little bit at the female name, but I kept my eyes on his house in front of me.
He didn’t need to know I was slightly jealous.
Why- I wasn’t sure.
“No I’m out and about with a friend right now.” he said. “Can I meet you when I get back in town later in the…” his voice trailed off as he listened to her--whoever she was.
“No, but I just got back to my house…”
And then he turned to me. I already knew the look. He was giving in too someone.
I waited for the words I knew were coming.
“Hold on, let me ask her…” he said on cue a few minutes later. “Do you mind if we make a stop?”
“No.”
“Okay she said it’s fine.” he said turning back to the phone. He quickly wrapped up his conversation and began to back again out of the driveway.
“So where are we going?”
“Alexa Chung’s house.”
“That names sounds familiar to me. Did she use to have a show on MTV?”
He shrugged. “I don’t remember. She’s a good friend of mine though.”
“Oh.” I said.
“I have to get some clothes from her.”
“Your life is just a lot of running around isn’t it?”
“Kind of, but I like it that way. I like to be with my people.”
“So how come you and the boys don’t hang out when your on breaks?”
“Because I’ve spent practically everyday with them the last five years. It’s like we’re all in an extended marriage. We need a break sometimes.”
I smiled. “I really like them. They’re good guys.”
He shook his head in agreement and focused on the road.
When we got to Alexa’s house, Harry gave me an option.
“I can either run in, or you come in with me.”
“I don’t mind going in.” I said. Plus I wanted to put a face to the name.
It sounded familiar to me and I wanted to confirm she was who I was picturing.
Harry turned off his car and we climbed out.
Before we had a chance to meet her, she came out of the house.
A thin, smiley brunette woman. I recognized her instantly. She was MTV girl.
“There you are!” she rushed over. “I told you I had to leave soon.”
Harry smiled and pulled her in a hug.
“It took me literally a half hour.”
She smiled back at him and then looked at me.
“Oh hello.” she said.
Harry quickly did introductions.
“Alexa, this is Becca. Becca, this is Alexa.”
She turned to him in sudden interest.
“Oh this is-” she trailed off and gave me a quick smile. “Well cool. I might have something for you too then.” she said looking at me.
I turned to Harry in confusion and he placed his hand on my back, leading me towards her.
She began to walk back toward her house.
“She works with Vogue… she donates clothes for promotion.” he whispered in my ear.
I immediately calculated what that meant.
She would have some pretty expensive pieces she was giving away.
“Is this where all your stuff comes from?”
He shook his head no.
“But most of it, is donated.”
“And she wants to give some to me?” I asked in disbelief.
He just smiled. “Guess so.”
As we entered her house, I got lost in the décor.
“You guys want anything?” she called. “I can make some tea quick or heat something up?”
Harry waved her away.
“We won’t be here long.” he reassured. Then he turned to me. “You want anything?”
“No.” I said politely. I focused on Alexa. “You have a beautiful home.”
“It’s just a rental.” she said facing me from her foyer. “My real home is around my work.”
She led us into the living room and gestured for us to sit down.
Harry didn’t.
His eyes were on the clothing rack in the room.
“Is this it?” he asked making a motion towards it.
“Yeah. I put all of your stuff on their love.”
Then she turned to me, studying me. Her eyes trailed up and down me.
“So what about you?” she asked. “Whose your favorite designer? Are you more of a Balenciaga or Prada?”
I blinked at her foreign question.
Was I a what?
I knew the designers of course, but what was the difference?
“Umm…” I said thinking. I couldn’t even picture any of their stuff.
My favorite store was H&M and Forever 21.
Could that count?
Alexa looked back at me, waiting for an answer and Harry who was skimming the rack quickly intervened.
“She’s more of a Becca.” he said breaking the silence. “She probably doesn’t know what you’re talking about.”
The Alexa girl focused back on Harry. She seemed to read his expression.
“Oh! I’m sorry.” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean to-”
“Oh its fine.” I cut in.
“I just figured…” she said slowly and then she looked at Harry with a smirk. “Hanging with this one over here…”
Harry turned back around, looking back at us.
“You know he only hangs with models now?” she teased, bringing her eyes back to me, as if we were sharing a special secret.
“Hey?” he called from across the room. “That’s not the only people I hang out with.” he quickly argued defending his own honor. “I hang out with inquisitive hipsters from Hampshire too.”
She instantly laughed, and I figured out he was talking about her.
They shared more banter, and I just watched them in interest.
It was obvious they had been friends for a while.
Soon, the attention was back on me.
Alexa stood.
“Well Becca follow me. The good stuff is upstairs. We’ll see what we can find you.”
I stood with her.
“Oh we don’t have too.” I quickly explained. “I couldn’t-”
“You can.” she said and grabbed my hand, pulling me to her.
“Come on. I’ve got tons of stuff.”
She began to drag me away quickly. I only had time to get a quick glance back at Harry.
He was looking at us with a smile.
“Have fun babe.”
He gave me a final thumbs up and then he was gone.

Notes