YOUTH // Harry Styles

Prologue

I don't know how long I've been running for. I just know that I was running. There's no one chasing me. I'm not in any danger, but I just keep running. My lungs burned from the lack of oxygen. I wasn't even trying to breathe. I was trying to get away. I just don't know exactly what I was running away from.

I slowed my pace down until I could easily walk. It's the middle of the night. To anyone walking, I looked like a crazed woman. I looked insane because I looked like I was running for dear life. Occasionally, I would look back as if someone was chasing me, but no one was there.

I stopped in front of a store when I saw my reflection. I looked as if I could collapse. I feel as if I could collapse. My hair is dark brown and is in a super curly fro. My brown skin a little damp from the sweat. I literally walked out of my apartment with bed hair and this metaphorical "running away" made it worse. My blue and black flannel fits me well and is very comfy. My ripped black skinny jeans fit just right. Lastly, my four inch block-heeled Chelsea boots make me feel total punk and yes, I did run in these shoes. No biggie.

I just kept staring at myself. I don't know why. That's my problem. My problem is that I don't know. Do you know of the feeling a person gets when they're at a concert or doing something thrilling? That feeling of your heart beating out of control? The feeling of feeling alive? That's the way every moment in life should be. That's what I'm missing and that's why I don't know. I looked up at the sky. The city is too bright to see the stars.

"I wish I could feel alive. I just want to live. I have no regrets. I promise not to have any. Just show me the way. I want everyday to feel like Coachella." I sighed and shook my head. No one can hear me. I don't know why I try.

"Excuse me. Who were you talking to?" I froze when I heard a silky voice. I turned around and stood in awe when I saw the man who the voice belonged to.

"I-I wasn't talking to anyone." He smiled and it it touched his eyes and reached his ears.

"Well, are you crazy then?" I shook my head.

"Not in this lifetime." He took a step forward.

"Well, you have a lot of wishes. Have you thought about trying to actually doing it yourself?" Duh.

"Yeah. It never seems to work. That's why I have so many wishes."

"Why were you running?" Oh.

"You saw that?" He nodded. "It's a metaphor."

"A metaphor for being somewhat crazy?" I giggled a bit.

"Yes and no." I kept my smile on my face. I could see he was only joking around.

"What were you running from?" I shrugged. I looked down at my feet and kicked out a bit.

"I don't know yet."

"You don't know yet?"

"No." I shrugged again and started walking off. I looked around to see where I was going, but I had no clue. I have no plans. Okay. So, maybe I'm crazy. Just maybe.

"Hey! Wait!" There's that velvet voice again.

"May I help you?" I raised my right brow.

"I was just wondering what your name is." I nodded.

"Why does it matter?" He shrugged.

"Maybe I can show you a thing or two about feeling alive." I smirked at the idea of having him help me. He's hot after all. Though this just might be the worst idea to ever cross my mind.

"What's yours?"

"Harry. Harry Styles." I smiled at him.

"Nice to meet you, Harry. Now, I must go." I waved and turned around to cross the street. I don't think Harry agreed with me. He lightly wrapped his large hand around my wrist.

"Do I get to know yours?" Maybe.

"What's it to you?"

"Well, I was graced by the presence of a beautiful girl. I just wanted to know the name of the angel that stands before me." As if.

"You're smooth with words, Styles. I'll give you that." He smiled and just like that, his dimple popped out and sent me into a daze.

Harry waved his hand in my face to get my attention.

"You've got nice dimples." His smile grew wider.

"And you're changing the subject." I know.

"I'll tell you what: there's an amazing pizza place a few blocks away from here on Union Square. Buy me a slice and I'll tell you my name." He studied my face for a bit before that smile of his returned and those dimples left me feeling like such a girl.

"Promise?" I nodded.

"Yes, Harry. I promise."

We walked side by side until we reached where I wanted to go. He bought me two slices because I am a girl with an appetite and he got himself the same.

I took a bite out of this delicious slice of pizza and groaned because it tastes so good.

"So, stranger, tell me your name." I looked away from my pizza and back to him.

"It's always nice to have a bit of a mystery. I don't see why my name is so important to you."

"Because you promised." That I did.

"My name is Rebel."

"No last name?" I shook my head.

"I promised I'd give you a name. I didn't say I'd give you both."

"Well, is your name really Rebel? You didn't say that you would give me a real name either." I laughed at his frustration. It's my name.

"Yes. That's my real name." I took a bite out of my pizza and felt the heavens open up.

"So, about your situation. I -" My what?

"My situation?" He nodded as he took a bite out his still hot pizza.

"You're alive, but you're not living. I can help you with that."

"Is that so?" Harry bit into his pizza again. He doesn't waste time. My tastebuds are dancing.

"Yes. Do you have any obligations here?" I shook my head.

"No. I just have to pay rent and go to work."

"Do you have any money saved up?"

"Are you planning on robbing me?" I heard a high pitch giggle come from him. That's literally the most adorable thing ever. He cover his mouth when he realized what he'd just done. "Don't cover your mouth. Your laugh is a lovely sound."

His dimples appeared. This time his cheeks turned pink. I guess he liked the compliment.

"I'm not trying to rob you. I want to show you a thing or two about a thing or two. I want to show you the art of living. You just need money to do certain things because everything isn't free."

"Well, Styles, to answer your question, I'm broke." I shrugged. I get paid minimum wage. What am I supposed to do with that?

"Let me see your phone." As confused as anyone could be, I unlocked my phone and gave it to him. A few moments passed before he gave it back.

Harry Styles is the name of the new contact that has just been entered into my phone. I looked up at him confused.

"Call me when you have enough cash saved. I'll show you what life is about." I looked back at my phone for a minute wondering if I'd ever actually call. Probably not. "I have to go now, Rebel. I'll see you soon."