Scared Of Heights | Harry Edward Styles

15: The Book Shop

"Zahra? Zahra are you alright?"

I snapped out of my daydream to see Harry looking concerned.
"What?" I'd completely forgotten what was going on.
"You...kinda zoned out"
"Oh, I do that"  I snatched the Gracie vinyl off him and grinned.
"Wh-mother fucker"
"Haaahaaaaa" I teased him, praying he forgot about my little freak out.

We left eventually and headed to the bookshop nearby, giggling.
"So...do you like my music?"
"Of course I do. Who doesn't? I'm not tasteless"
"Right okay" He chuckled, his cheeks tinting red. "What's your favourite song then?"
"I can't pick just one" I reasoned.
"Tough" He teased me. I scoffed playfully at what he said.
"Only Angel"
"Really!? Not many people pick that one"
"That and Sign of The Times, Golden and Sunflower"
"Uh uh uh, I said one!"
"Okay I like Only Sign of the Golden Sunflower"
"Wh-nice fucking try!"
"Oh please! What's your favourite then?"
"It hasn't been released yet" He grinned cheekily.

I CANT BELIEVE HE JUST DID THAT.

"You...you did this for what!?"
"Why not?" He giggled
"Okay, songs that are released?"
"Cherry"
"Ahhh, taste"
"Why thank you. I wrote it myself"
"Liar" I teased him.
"Okay, I didn't but I was having a moment"
"As you should though"
"Whats your least favourite song then?"
"Uhhhh..." I knew I couldn't say it. I didn't want to offend him.
"You have a least favourite!"
"Pfft what?"
"Tell me!" He pleaded me.
"I don't wanna upset you"
"I wont be upset! I like hearing about this stuff"

"Okay...I dont hate it I just...I skip it because...too much repetition. Drives me insane"
"Watermelon Sugar?"
"I would never slander Watermelon Sugar. Ever Since New York however..."
"What!?"
"I'm sorry! I don't hate it I just...I skip it when I can..."
"Youre tasteless"
"Hey, I don't hate it! I just listen to it the least...oh we're here!"

We entered the shop to see it was quiet and empty - did no one come here!?"
"Ah, here it is" Harry picked up a copy of Notes On Camp which was on display at the front whilst I was staring in awe at the dusty shelves. Dark academia vibes much? I was too busy looking around to notice Harry nudging me again. I snapped out of my daydream and picked up a random book to cover it up.
"Oh, I-i've always wanted to read this"
"Zahra, that's a dictionary"

For fuck sake.

"And? You never wanted to read every single word in an Oxford Dictionary?" I asked him.
"Well...no..." He admitted.
"Boring"
"Hey!"
"Only joking" I put the dictionary down before telling him I was going to look around but he followed. "Hey, gimmie that book" I said, referring to Notes On Camp.
"Uh uh! It's my gift to you!"
"Wh-Harry enough with this...oh look!" I pulled a copy of Love Is A Dog off the shelf.
"Such a good read honestly"
"It better be or I'm suing"
"With what money?"
"Harry, I'm not that broke thank you very much!"
"A-are you...Harry Styles?" We looked up to see a young girl in her early twenties wearing a lanyard - ah, she worked here.
"I'm gonna go look for other stuff" I said to Harry as I knew fans valued their time with their stans.
"Sure! I'll be here" We fist bumped before I sauntered off, letting them be alone.

Yeah, I'd had my fair share meeting famous people so I knew time was valuable. I skimmed every single shelf, desperate to find something interesting. It was empty so of course I could hear Harry talking to the fan who seemed shy but they were talking about books and seemed to be getting on.

I eventually returned to Harry who was holding five books whilst I had about ten. Yeah, the obsession was real.
"Wow. You had fun" He chuckled.
"It would seem so" I responded as I put them all on the counter as the girl rushed to the counter.
"You need a bag?" she asked.
"Uh no" I replied awkwardly.
"Twelve pounds please" Gotta love independent book shops. I tapped my card on the reader while Harry stood next to me in a protective way - yeah, you heard right. I shrugged it off and put my books in my tote bag.
"Can I come back for these?" He gabbled.
"Sure! I can keep them aside for a day or two" Claire replied - I read her lanyard.
"Thank you. Pleasure to meet you. C'mon Zahra" He tucked his hand into mind and pulled me out of the shop quickly.
"Uhhhh..." I was so confused.

"Why're you being weird?" I asked him.
"Uhh...some guy came into the shop and was staring at you" He replied.
"What!?"
"I didn't wanna say anything incase it made you feel uncomfortable so I just stood closer to you"
"I hate men...except you, you're nice"
"An behalf of all men, I apologise"
"It's fine. One day I'll be rich and dismantle the patriarchy and marry Elizabeth Gillies"

Did I just make a gay joke!?

"Uh...w-what d'you wanna do now?" I stammered, letting go of his hand.
"What about we get food and go back to yours?" He suggested.
"You just gave me the best idea!" I looked up at him, stars in my eyes.
"I did?"
"Yes, yes you did. D'you mind if I do this?" I slid my arm through his.
"Not at all. Uhh...what's your idea though?"
"You'll see. C'mon, we're going Sainsburys!"