When I met Harry

Chapter 6

I exit the shop holding Jasmines hand, while chatting away to Kathy.

‘So you and Harry?’ I groan in response. ‘Told ya Jas.’ I straighten my leather jacket, over my jeans and vest top. Jasmine pulls me to the front of a second hand shop, interested in one of the items in the window.

‘Can we go in there please?’ She asks. I nod and pull her in Kathy on my tail. Kathy takes her scarf off, and puts it in her bag. I told her not to wear so many layers. Her top layer is similar to my own. I scan the shop looking for the owner while Jas searches the store herself. Her blonde hair straight down her back, contrasting to her pink outfit. I freeze at the sight of Harry, and - Taylor Swift. I freeze and watch Kathy go after Jasmine, not wanting the 6 year old to be lost. Small store or not I know full well Kathy doesn’t want her to be running around causing havoc. I search the shop myself, scanning racks of clothing. I’ve always loved these kinds of shops, the kind that sells whatever is given. Vintage pieces of clothing, has always been a favourite of my own.

‘Avery!’ I hear a squeal. I turn to see Taylor and Harry approach me. Taylor’s jumper and jeans make her look too innocent to be the bitch she is. She pulls me into a hug and when I don’t respond she pulls back, her smile not faltering. ‘Hey Harry, this is Avery.’

‘I know.’ He grins. I nod, trying to think of some kind of plan to escape.

‘You’re playing at Madison too right?’ Taylor asks.

‘Yeah.’ I reply, bluntly.

‘Well that’s cool.’ She replies, taking hold of Harry’s hand. I swallow down vile, and walk away, trying to find Jasmine and Kathy. They are at the till paying for the doll Jas saw.

‘I could have paid for that.’ I nod towards the doll.

‘Don’t be silly!’ Kathy says shaking her head. I turn to see Harry and Taylor hugging. Her head is looking over his shoulder, eyeing me. I give her the finger, making her gasp. Harry pulls back, and I turn eyeing a piece of jewelry in a glass cabinet. A simple silver chain with swallow on it.

‘That’s beautiful.’ I point to it, the shopkeeper agreeing. The middle aged women, takes it out, placing it in my palm, I admire it and ask for a price.

‘Five dollars.’ I pay, and place the necklace round my neck, the swallow lying on my chest. We start walking out of the shop when Taylor grabs my arm, turning me. I shove her away.

‘Don’t touch me.’ I say with as much venom as possible.

‘What is your problem?’ She asks innocently.

‘You know full well what happened. Remember Damian?’ Her face pales, and I know she remembers.

‘You were only friends.’ She says quietly.

‘You knew full well I loved him, you knew it. You were one of my best friends until you stabbed me in the back. And then after you rid of him what did you do? Wrote a God damn song about him!’ I turn, taking hold of Jasmines hand once again. We walk down the street, going into a Starbucks. We order hot drinks and sit in a corner. Jas infatuated with her new toy, and Kathy eyeing me.

How could Harry be with her? He should know better, is her reputation not enough? Harry should know better, I repeat.

‘Stop thinking about it.’ Kathy says, flicking her brown hair off her shoulders.

‘What?’ I ask, sipping my gingerbread latte.

‘Him.’ I open my mouth to protest but close it, knowing I was more or less thinking of him. I pull out my phone, texting Eleanor.

Harry and Taylor? – A

She’s really nice – E

Yeah right – A

I put my phone away, cursing Eleanor’s naïve nature. If only she knew.

She is – E

I call Harry straight away, needing to speak to him. He answers after the first few rings.

‘Harry please don’t go there.’ I say straight away. ‘Leave her.’

‘I’m sorry, what?’ An annoying American accent replies.

‘Taylor?’ I ask disbelief obvious in my voice.

‘Yeah, Harrys with Louis making me and Eleanor some tea. Oh it’s here. Have to run. Mwah.’ I hang up, and down my drink. I lean my head on my hands.

‘Avery?’ I lift my head up, and look to Jasmine at my side.

‘Yes princess?’ I ask.

‘Can we go back to the hotel now?’ I grin.

‘Jasmine I do love you.’ I kiss her head.

We enter my hotel room and Jasmine runs for my bed, instantly shedding her coat and jumping in. She falls to sleep quickly, Kathy following suit.

‘Tired?’ I muse.

‘Very.’ Kathy yawns, falling asleep next to my sister. I leave a note telling them where I’ve gone, leaving it on the bedside table. I shut the door on my way out, making sure to be quiet. I dart to the elevator and take the journey, playing with my fingers the whole way. I knock on the door of the suite, Louis opening the door a second later.

‘Hey Avery.’ He smiles warmly, allowing me to enter. I smile, and he takes my coat, telling me to go straight in. I walk in to the living room, trying to smile as warmly as I can.

‘Avery!’ Eleanor says, catching Harry and Taylor’s attention. She jumps up and walks over to me, pulling me in for a hug. I hug her back, her black jumper and jeans contrasting to my light wash jeans and white vest top.

‘Hey.’ I turn to Taylor, my smile wiped off my face. Harrys arm is draped around her shoulders, as she traces his ‘won’t stop till we surrender’ tattoo.  I clench my fists by my side and politely nod at her, while mentally punching her in the nose. I take a seat next to Eleanor, engaging in the current flow of conversation. I lose interest after a while, and start to day dream. Dream as if you’ll live forever. I stand up and make my way to Taylor. I punch her square in the nose, blood flowing straight after the crack. I smirk and walk out making sure to slam the door before exiting.

‘Avery.’ I come back to reality and rest my eyes on Harry.

‘What?’ I ask, slightly annoyed.

‘I was saying about your necklace.’ He nods towards my chest. I nod, and play with the swallow.

‘I got it today at the second hand shop.’ Taylor instantly stiffens at my comment. ‘Something wrong?’ I smirk. She shakes her head looking at the ground. Harry lifts her head up using his finger, and places a soft kiss on her lips. Making me gag. I make a run for the toilet and throw up my lunch from earlier. I flush the chain and wash my face, drying it with a hand towel. Eleanor comes in asking if I was OK, and I nod, walking back out into the living room. I check the time and excuse myself, just as Harry does. We both have rehearsals at Madison Square Garden, Taylors are after, and she’s going out to dinner with her family.

‘Want a lift?’ Harry asks.

‘Yeah but I have to bring two extra people – you mind?’ He shakes his head, and I pull out my phone texting Kathy. He collects our coats as I say bye to Eleanor, and give a nod to Taylor. Louis pulls me into a hug, surprising me, until he whispers in his ear.

‘Please make them stop.’ He whispers. I pull back and nod, knowing full well what he means. Harry helps me put my leather jacket on, and I make my way to my hotel room, Harry on my tail. The journey down the elevator is quick and awkward. Something I anticipated. The door opens, and Kathy and Jasmine walk in, Jasmine instantly at Harrys side, asking questions. He doesn’t seem to mind answering them, and when out of the elevator he even picks her up, taking her to the car. Kathy pulls me back, watching them from behind.

‘What’s going on?’ She asks.

‘He’s taking us.’ I state, following Harry.