A Journalist and a Singer [h.s]

4.

This one is on the shorter side, but don't worry, chapters will get longer!! The story line just has to pick up :)

Maggie's POV:

I got a phone call from an unknown number about a week later. That week was a lot busier than I thought it would be. My boss was giving me almost complete freedom with writing this article about Harry. I want to do our conversation justice, so I continue to work on it for hours every day along with my other projects, but to make it really special I needed to get his input. I got the call the next day.

I was on my way home when the phone rang. I looked to see who it was, expecting it to be my parents, but the number wasn't one that I recognized. Still, I answer it, hoping it's not another spam call.

"Hello?" I answer, taking a sip of my coffee. "

Hey, it's Harry." he says into the phone. Not expecting it to be him, I choke on my coffee, coughing like a maniac.

"Are you okay? What happened?" he asks, almost panicked.

"Yeah, fine." I say, clearing my throat. "Just inhaled a little bit of coffee."

"Oh well, I don't think that's how you're supposed to consume coffee, pretty sure you're supposed to drink it like a normal person." he jokes.

"You're just full of jokes, aren't you." I say, still recovering from choking.

"Jokes... and propositions. I'm sure you still have stuff you want to go over for the article, so I was wondering if you wanted to meet up somewhere so that you can get more information." he says, a little more serious than his normal nature.

"Does my apartment work? I still have some unpacking to do, but it should work. I can text you the address." I offer.

"Yeah, just let me know when. See you soon." he says. "See you soon." I reply and hang up the phone.

I immediately rush home, knowing good and well that there are still so many boxes unpacked. I burst through my door and immediately got unpacking. I take a break to order dinner and to text Harry the details, but then get right back to sorting through everything that hasn't been put away yet.

Right in the middle of opening all of the boxes and putting things in piles on my floor, I hear a knock at my door. I look to check the time, realizing I had completely lost track of it. I look around at the mess in front of me. I grab the sheets from my bed and throw them over the piles, not making it any less inconspicuous. I open the door to see Harry standing there, much more casual, like when we first met. I let him through the door.

"I like your place, especially the pile of boxes under the sheets." he says, walking around my living room.

"I think it adds a nice touch." I joke. "Hungry? I ordered Italian."

"Starving." he says, sitting down on the couch. "How much unpacking do you have left?"

I fix our plates and bring them over to the couch. "Too much. Work's kept me busy so I haven't really gotten around to it." I tell him.

"Alright, how's this. You get the information you need and while we do that I'll help you unpack." he offers.

"That isn't a fair trade," I say looking back at him. "But I'm desperate."

We finish our dinner and turn on some music, getting straight to work.

When you think of Harry Styles, you think of the guy who dances around on stage, talking to everyone he meets, enjoying being the life of the party, but from what I can tell so far, it goes a little deeper than that.

Sure he is fun to be around, but it's almost like he forces it. Being outgoing isn't his natural self, it's a coping mechanism, an act. It's like a barricade, protecting himself, but from what?

"Maggie?" he asked, pulling me out of my trance. 

"Oh sorry, I was just thinking. What were you saying?" I recover, rearranging the pictures on the mantle.

"Just making sure this was in the right spot." he says, showing me where he put the kitchen table and chairs.

"Yeah, that's perfect." I tell him, walking over to where he is. We both sit across from each other, looking at the progress we just made.

"Thank you again for not only helping me with the article, but also helping me with my apartment. I really appreciate it." I thank him, getting up from my seat.

I grab two wine glasses and set them on the counter heading to the fridge grabbing an unopened bottle of red wine. I bring both things back over to the table, sitting them down between us.

"It was no problem, really. It was actually pretty fun, but I should go." he says, quickly getting up from his seat.

"Oh- okay. I'll keep you updated on the article." I tell him, getting flustered. Why was he leaving?

He gives me a nod and leaves, closing the door behind him. I turn around and stare at the bottle of wine on the table, wondering where I went wrong, but then it clicks. Oh no. 

I rush out of the door, leaving it wide open behind me. I get to the elevator to see him waiting for it. He turns around, seeing me come up behind him.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea." I tell him, out of breath.

"It's okay, not many people do." He says, in a half chuckle, laughing at my awkwardness as I catch my breath.

"How long have you..." I start. 

"Been sober?" he finishes. "Four months. Not long." he says, likes he's ashamed.

"Are you kidding? Harry Styles, that's such an accomplishment. Don't belittle it!" I tell him as he steps on the elevator.

"I guess you're right." he says.

"Duh, I always am. But seriously, if you ever need someone to talk to, call me. I mean it. I don't care if it's 3:00 am. Call me, off the record of course." I tell him, giving him a little nudge.

"I just might." he says, but the act that he has put up has cracked a little, showing what is hiding underneath. He looks tired, hurt. I go to say something else that could maybe cheer him up, but the door closes before I can say another word. I turn around and walk back to my apartment, the door slamming shut behind me. I grab the bottle of wine and head back outside of my apartment, leaving the bottle of wine on my neighbors doorstep. I finally get back to the kitchen, cleaning up and putting things away. Eventually I crashed on the couch, dreading the work that occupies me for the rest of the week.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Hi! I know it's taking forever for the story line to pick up, but you guys, this is probably my favorite book that I've written so far! It took a lot of time to get the ball rolling, but you won't have to wait much longer! ;)

I updated Only the Finest Lines too so go check that out! 

I might update twice next week because I am so excited for you to actually get into the story so keep your eyes peeled!!