Dear Iris [h.s]

chapter thirty four.

Harry Styles

Iris had to rush away this morning because turns out lying in each other's company actually makes time pass really quickly. I was going to make her breakfast and a tea or coffee, but we blinked and  it was 10.30 and Iris was practically sprinting down to her studio.

I woke up before she did, and she was so peacefully lying with her head on the pillow next to me, her hair fanned out on my pillow and her hand flat on my chest. It made me feel all warm inside, I woke up with an immediate smile on my face for the first time in so long.

Last night was really nice. I really enjoyed her company and looking back now, if it wasn't for the two bottles of wine we had we wouldn't have been dancing around my living room, but I'm glad we did. I liked how she smiled when I made her dance. I guess that was me making up for the times I've wanted to dance with her at the town hall but couldn't.

Then when she stayed, fell asleep with her head on my chest and played with my hair, I felt something I never have before. She was surpised I wanted her to stay here after we had sex, and that's partially my fault as last time we did, I freaked and ran out. Whilst that was absolutely awful of me, knowing what I know now about her last guy, I doubt he was the nicest man ever. It was sad seeing how she didn't believe I wanted her to stay with me, it was really sad.

Nobody ever has stayed at mine overnight before after sex though. Nobody has made me smile as much as Iris does. Nobody has ever sat with me and listened to me talk about my books, or cared enough to ask about my favourites. Nobody has stayed long enough to deal with me forcing them to dance in my kitchen.

Nobody has ever played with my hair before.

She rushed out this morning and kissed me on the cheek, I don't think I've ever blushed so hard in my life. Thank god she wasn't here to see it. I ran around my kitchen like a fucking idiot because I was so giddy that a woman had shown me the slightest bit of affection.

I spent the day working, writing the article I planned on writing last night before I went against my plans. I finished that and wrote a short story to sell to that publisher who publishes his weekly short story collection too. It was a productive day, but I really did have to focus so I didn't sit thinking about Iris for hours.

Suddenly it was 2.45 and I was rushing out the door to pick Harper up form school like I promised I would. I walked so quickly, paranoid I'd miss the school bell and she'd be standing waiting for me with her arms crossed. She wouldn't be upset, shed just tell me my timing skills are shocking and that's extremely dehumanising when it comes from your six year old sister.

Nevertheless, I made it to her school at 2.58 and had a whole two minutes to collect myself so I didn't look like I had just ran here, so Harper didn't make fun of me for leaving too late.

There were a group of mums standing together, some of them had familiar faces, probably because it's a small town and I've seen them at the town hall, but they wouldn't stop staring at me. Usually my mum picks Harper up, but I do it every once in a while, and every single time I always feel like such an idiot standing here.

Thankfully the bell rang and the doors opened, kids came rushing out the door and I stood with my hands in my pockets waiting for Harper. There she was, her pigtails falling out and her jacket in her hands, because apparently she doesn't wear a jacket unless it's -500 degrees.

"Hey Haps," I exclaimed, crouching down to see her as she skipped forwards, throwing her arms round me like we had gone days without seeing each other. "I made it."

"Yay," She smiled, hands in the air.

I took her school bag for her, her bright pink school bag and put it over my shoulders, "Not wearing the jacket?"