DEVOTION

chapter two -

A/N : I said it last chapter but I'll say it again... it's a bit of a slow burn at first but I PROMISE... it's gonna get wild.

Have you seen the video where the guy says he feels "pretty glonky"? I don't know what that means but same.

EDEN'S POV -

My flight home wasn't long, three hours, maybe. My dad picked me up from the airport, only being in Chicago because he knew I'd want to see him after touring. He came to multiple shows and has been nothing but supportive, always getting emotional and saying mom would be proud... I know he misses her more than anything.

So I just relaxed for a week. You'd be surprised how long a person can sleep after touring... And to think I was only with the crew for a few months. I can't imagine a full world tour, although it's definitely been a dream.

After two solid days of just vegging out and binging New Girl, I went to Riverwalk with my dad to fish while he was still in Chicago, before he flew back home to France and wished me luck and love, as always.

"Eden?" I hear the front door of my apartment open and close, turning down Hand Jive by Total Novajo. I won't lie, Mitch makes some pretty damn good music.

"I'm in the kitchen!" I shout back, still working on my apple turnovers from about an hour ago. "How was your day, babe?" I feel arms wrap around my waist, my boyfriend's head burrowing into my shoulder. "Just relaxed all day... How were the entrance exams?" I hum back, focusing on pinching the edges of the dough together with a fork, gently. It's one of my favorite desserts to bake, although it can be frustrating and time consuming.

Pensive baking... It distracts me.

"Good I'm hoping... when are you taking yours?" He pushes on the same topic of question he's asked since I told him I'd be home from tour. "Aaron, I told you..." I set down the fork, spinning to face him and slipping out of arm's reach, sliding the baking sheets into the oven. I set the timer for thirty minutes and start moving dishes to the sink.

"You've gotta start thinking about the future, Eden... You know what it means to me." He argues, sitting himself on the counter and stealing one of the pitted cherries I didn't use. "And you know how important touring is to me..." I level with him, dusting off my hands and hearing my phone vibrate on the counter, Aaron checking it before I reach.

"Who's Mitch?" He furrows his brows, still chewing, and I halt my actions for a second. I still haven't told him about the fact that I got flowers from Harry Styles.. Or the fact that I'm meeting two parts of his band for dinner. "He's a guitarist friend, what'd he say?"

"Hey Eden, finally have a day off. Diner at mine tonight?" He recites, seemingly unbothered. We've been planning to hang out this week but I've been catching up on my own errands and I assume he's busy... being a guitarist and all.

"Umm... Would you text him back that I'll be there?." I avoid eye contact, cleaning up the leftover scraps of dough and remnants of flour on the kitchen counter. "What's he want?" Aaron pushes, jumping down from the counter to stand next to me at the sink. At this moment, I would get down on my knees and thank whatever powers be that he didn't say something like "Hey Eden. Harry Styles guitarist here."

"Just to hang out... s'that alright?" I scrub probably harder than necessary, more nervous now. "I've got some school party shit to go to tonight anyway. Do what you want." I watch him set my phone down, still unlocked and on messages as he walks off.

"Cool! See you at 4... oh, and bring some turnovers." Mitch texts back and I smile, excited and nervous.

I got ready a bit early, deciding to dress casual but still put together. After a few minutes of deciding and a few piles of clothing I got angry with, I put on the final outfit, settling with the look. I picked a fuzzy, black cardigan and some green trousers, partnering the look with some jewelry and a thick black belt. Mitch sent me his address while I worked on taming my hair and applying some light makeup.