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

What A Feeling

"I have some big news."

Not exactly what I had hoped for on our first morning as a couple, but Harry rarely did or said the expected thing.

"Good morning to you, too. What's your news?"

"Do you know what the X Factor is?"

"A singing show?"

"The biggest singing show. With Simon Cowell."

"The asshole?"

"That's him. Well, the actual judges are doing auditions in Manchester in April, and I've made the cut. I'll be singing in front of the asshole."

"Seriously? That's so cool! But... if you make it, will you have to leave right away to be on the show?" May was bad enough; I really didn't want to have to give him up even sooner.

"No, if I get through I'll go back in the summer. After you leave."

"Harry, you're going to smash it. Just remember, you owe me a song when you're a star."

"I won't forget. I was wondering... would you come with us? To Manchester? Mum and Robin are coming, and Gemma's coming up from university, and my aunt and cousin will be there. I'd really like it if you came as well."

"Of course. Harry?"

"Yes?"

"I think you're going to be a big deal."

As we walked in the main entrance of school, hand in hand, no one noticed. When we stood in the courtyard at morning break, Harry behind me, his chin on my head and our hands fiddling a bit in front of my waist, no one noticed. When we whispered in each other's ears at lunch and I fed him a satsuma, which is a mandarin orange, with my fingers, no one noticed. Neither of us wanted to cross the line to public snogging, so we stopped our experiment there.

We didn't bother to tell anyone. Evidently they had all known long before we did.

We didn't see much more sun over the next two weeks, but we saw less rain and the temperatures rose. A blanket of golden green began to creep over the fields and trees. Spring was imminent.

~

We had a little spring fever ourselves. I hate to admit it, but we turned into one of those couples who sneak behind the outbuildings to snog during lunch. We were in good company, though, since Emma and Haydn were usually right around the corner.

Harry and I had to be careful, because things seemed to get really intense, really fast, any time our mouths came in contact. That electricity thing only seemed to get stronger in me. And Harry... well, sometimes it was pretty obvious how he felt.

~

On a Saturday in the middle of March I was in my usual spot in Mandeville's break room, waiting for Harry to finish with a customer.

"Hello beautiful."

"Hello handsome."

"I have a surprise for you. Can you come to my house tomorrow, around one o'clock?"

"Sure. Any special occasion?"

"Yes. Mum and Robin are going to Manchester for the afternoon, to see a film I've no interest in, and I'll be home alone. And no one has said that you can't come over."

"I see..."

"I need to practice for the audition. What better audience than you?"

"I'd be honored to help you on your path to stardom, Mr. Styles. Especially in an empty house." I think I may have batted my eyelashes at him.