The Things You Mean to Me // Harry Styles Series #1 - Holmes Chapel

I (Don't) Walk Alone In The Rain

Harry was under an umbrella by the wall when I came out the front door. The rain was cold and hard, and I worried aloud that Emma and her mom would come, and I wouldn't be there.

Harry had it covered. "I've told Emma. But if you'd rather not walk in the wet, I'm sure they could still come get you."

"No, I'd like some time with just you." We started down the street. "I missed you the past two weeks. It was bad judgement on my part, the whole thing. Callum's going to be an ass for a while, I think."

"That bad?"

"I called him an asshole and told him to get the fuck out of my house."

"What'd he do to deserve that?"

"He was under the impression that all pretty American girls are up for a quickie. Ugh!" My full-body shiver was visible even under the parka.

"Did he hurt you?" I saw his hand tighten on the umbrella's handle.

"No, not at all. I'm just such a dumbass. I should've known he was too perfect. The really hot ones always have some major flaw."

"What about the not as hot ones? Like me."

"Harry Styles, are you fishing for compliments?" He turned away, but I could see the edge of a dimple. "In my professional opinion, you're super cute right now, and I'd bet you're going to be crazy handsome in a couple years . Some guys take a little longer to grow into themselves. Callum's probably the best he'll ever be right now. That's kind of sad."

He smiled at the ground as he asked, "You think I'm cute?"

"I just told you so, didn't I? Do you think I'm pretty?" I couldn't believe I asked that.

"Nope." My smile sank away, but his just got bigger. "I can't believe you don't know you're beautiful."

"Oh."

No one other than my parents had ever called me beautiful, and of course I didn't really believe them. I was kind of speechless, and the rest of our walk was made in a kind of awkward silence.

~

Maths was the worst because Callum was the only person I'd ever sat with. He had already found a new table mate when I walked in the room. Thankfully Kiki was in the class too, and we shared a table.

In French, Emma and I completely ignored the teacher, not even bothering to pass notes, but having an entire whisper conversation.

I told her every detail about the evening before, including having my hand pushed around on his crotch and what I did next.

"Ick, Olivia, that's so disgusting. Don't get me wrong, touching one when you want to is fun, but not being forced to. Is that really assault?"

"I'm pretty sure it is at home. I think my foot on him probably was, too. He's just a dumb asshole guy. As long as he doesn't trash talk me and leaves me alone, it's ok. I wonder what the Heathers will have to say about it."

"Well, we'll find out soon enough. So, what are you doing this weekend?"

"I don't know. Going to the bakery on Saturday morning for sure. I missed it last weekend. How about you?"

"Going to my gran's. Maybe next weekend we can do something. One of these days my parents will let me have a party at the house."

"That would be amazing. I could go home and tell my friends that I'd been partying at Hayes Hall. Just the name would impress them."

"Americans are so obsessed with us. Or some made up version of us. It's funny. Have you got pants and trousers sorted yet?"

"Nope, but I'm not really trying. People seem to like it when I get it wrong, and you know me, I'm a people pleaser!"

Emma's laugh was loud enough to earn a sharp look from the front of the classroom, so we turned our attention to conjugating.

~

The Heathers were waiting for me on the way to the courtyard at break.

"Olivia, are you ok? Callum said something before school. What an awful thing, to break up with you just because you wouldn't..."

I didn't bother to correct her regarding who had dumped who, or why.

Sammi nodded wisely, "A girl has to set her own limits, right Imogen?"

"She certainly does." The sour redhead smiled almost kindly at me.

"I wouldn't do any of that either," Sophia squeaked from her usual spot just behind Sammi's right shoulder.

"Well that's because no one wants to do it with you, so you'll never have the chance."

Sammi talked like that to her mini me all the time, and the mousy girl took it, just happy to be in the group. It made me sad.

"Why don't you all come to my house tonight?" Sammi's voice was super perky. "The four of us can do makeup and talk boys until dawn. We're dying to know all about American boys..." All three giggled aloud. "Will you come?"

I knew it might be a very bad idea, but my curiosity exceeded my good sense, and I agreed. Morning break was almost over, so I excused myself and joined the Band Bunch, who had been watching my mean girl meeting with interest.

"What did they want?" Emma's eyes were suspicious.

"A sleepover. Tonight. At Sammi's. I'm going to go."

"Why?" Harry looked confused.

"Know thine enemy. I'll be on my guard, don't worry. I spent some time on the fringes of a similar crowd at home. As long as you don't threaten them, they're usually harmless."

"They're bad news. I know her, Olivia."

"Harry, you know her as an ex. That's different. We'd better go in before we're marked tardy."

~

I made sure to sit next to Harry and smile a lot at Callum in History. And at lunch. Emma had left school early for her trip, so in Science the Heathers invited me to their table and I accepted. Sammi made a production of looking daggers at Callum and whispering in my ear about how strong I was to have said no, and that she was amazed at how ok I seemed.

Back together in Language Arts, Harry and I sat close, knees bumping against one another under the table. The comfortable companionship was a welcome change from the past two weeks.

After class, he stood by my locker as I packed my books for the weekend.

"Will you still come to the store tomorrow?"

"Sure. I guess it'll be a little later in the morning, after I get home. Is that ok?"

"Any time is good. I won't take my break until you come. I don't like you going tonight."

"Harry, what's the worst they can do? Dip my hand in a pot of warm water to make me pee in my sleep? Put chewing gum in my hair? I've been to enough slumber parties to know that the former doesn't actually work, and the latter can be removed."

"They can be so mean. Sammi said very... private... things about me that weren't true, and it upset me quite a bit. I don't want you to be hurt."

"Harry, I can handle whatever they dish out. I've done it before."

He looked pretty gloomy, his brows lowered and a finger rubbing his bottom lip, when I turned to look back at him as I walked out to meet Sammi and the girls.