Derailed || Harry Styles AU

1 | The Beginning

"This is the beginning

When it all starts to work

Time we started digging

For diamonds in the dirt

And now I know

It's a long walk back from yesterday"

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A faint alarm sound goes off on my wrist. It's 1:45 a.m. The timer I had set on my pink wrist watch, nearly 24 hours previous, finally went off. The watch beeped repeatedly signalling for me to turn it off. It had officially been 24 hours since the last time I set foot in my hometown. I left with a clear mind but a guilty conscience. Leaving home was not an easy decision in any way possible. However, it was necessary.

I could dwell on the events that took place in order for me to pack up and leave. I could think about all the turmoil I caused with my disappearance. I could sit here on this ratted, old, and quite frankly smelly seat of a train, pondering how my mother felt when she heard about my leaving.

Has she even called yet? Actually, I don't want to know that answer.

This train that I boarded hours ago was a one way ticket to a small town USA. Which is exactly what I need right now. After spending a good day on this measly train I've come to terms with my current situation. I was headed towards New Orleans, with no plan on looking back or really no plan in general. I didn't plan on staying in the city, but honestly anywhere was better than home.

Glancing to the left of me was an old man, Frank, who for the past 24 hours has been nothing but comforting. His incessant snoring has not ceased to stop since he fell asleep a few hours back. He was a kind man though. When I originally boarded the train, we boarded at the same time. He flashed me an endearing smile and after that, I made sure to sit near him. Something about his smile reminded me of my grandfather. It was warm and comforting. And knowing I was going to be on a train for the next 24 hours and then some, warm and comforting sounded like a good idea.

Frank and I talked for the first couple hours. Nothing too deep, he never asked me what my 19 year old self was doing by taking a train trip across the country. Just meaningless small talk back and forth.

However, I did find out he had a daughter who lived in New Orleans. She was 46 and worked at the local hospital there. Even from our simple conversation I could tell he was quite proud of her and her accomplishments to say the least.

I took one more glance at my watch, reading the time was now 1:56 a.m. I would have roughly an hour before I would be oh so sadly, departing from this dreadful train.

Thinking that I should try and take a quick nap before the final stop. I closed my eyes and let sleep fill my senses.

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"Windsor? Windsor! Windsor, hey Miss Windsor time to wake up."

I felt a shaking of my shoulder and an old and warm voice was welcomed by my ears. Opening my eyes I could clearly see Frank was standing over me trying to wake me up.

"Windsor. Hey finally, I've been trying to wake you up for what felt like 5 minutes." He says with a sense of sarcasm. "We are in New Orleans now Dear. It's time to wake up and get up off the train."

Finally it registered with me that Frank was trying to wake me up in order for us to get off this awful train. I didn't realize I was as tired as I was. My body was begging for sleep. And not getting a blink of it for 24 hours straight might not have been the best idea.

"Oh I am so sorry Frank. I closed my eyes for a quick nap and I've clearly fallen into a dazed sleep." I rushed to stand up and grab my things but was met with an empty overhead storage box.

I looked over at Frank who was standing next to me holding my bag for me to take. That was so kind of him. He was the epitome of comfort and warmth on this dreary and cold train.

"Thank you Frank, truly." I don't know how I so quickly came to trust and appreciate Frank, it was honestly out of my character. I think he just captured how my grandfather was so much, that coming to like him was easy.

"Oh it's not sweat, Dear. Now let's hurry along. I know the both of us have been on this train for centuries. Let's get outside to the fresh air and stretch our legs"

Taking my bag from Frank's hand, I slung it on my shoulder and quickly followed in his path towards the exit of the train. I could feel the chill of the wind as we got closer to the exit. It was the early morning, mid september in New Orleans.

I was not expecting the weather to be blazing hot, especially at this hour in the morning. But to feel the breeze through the air was a pleasant surprise.

I looked at Frank with a knowing smile. We would be going our separate ways to embark on our own journeys. Him, to his daughters to visit for a few weeks. And me, well i'm not entirely sure how mine was going to pan out.

"Windsor take this." Frank said while reaching out and handing me a piece of paper. "It's my daughter's landline. If you are ever in a sticky situation while down here, don't hesitate to call us."

Yet again, Frank had graced me with such an overwhelming sense of warmth. I took the slip of paper from his hand and in turn reached forward and gave him a big hug.

"Thank you Frank. Whether you realize it or not you have been such a blessing to me over the past day. I don't take a liking to strangers very often, but I have made an exception with you."

"Windsor, wherever you are headed I'm sure my daughter would not mind giving you a ride." I gave Frank a smile that didn't reach my eyes. Because the truth of the matter was even I didn't know where I was headed. "I appreciate your offer Frank, I really do. But I will have to pass. I have a bit of a walk ahead of me but nothing I can't handle." Frank nodded understandingly.

With some more departing phrases and a promise to Frank that I would call if I ever needed anything, I turned towards the sidewalk next to the train depot and began my walk.

Another glance at my watch read the time of 3:38 a.m.

I planned on walking till sunrise and wherever I was at that point, I would assess my homeless situation then.

Up until this point, my plan had been simple. Pack, buy a train ticket, and leave. That is exactly what I did. Yesterday I was at home and today I'm walking towards what will be my new home.

Arriving in New Orleans, I did not have a single job, I didn't know a single person either, I didn't have a place to live, or plan to follow for that matter lined up for me and as of right now my life was unconventionally off the track. I decided then and there that my life could not have never been more derailed than it was before I left.

I made a mental note that when I reached the next town over I would try and find a motel so that I could get a shower and sleep.

Looking up at the long road ahead of me, I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and began the nerve wracking walk towards the first day of my new life.

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A/N: Thank you for reading! Leave any tips and comments, this is my first fic so i'm open to hearing all criticism.

Stay safe and wear a mask!!

Love,  jb