The Opening Act (H.S) {Completed - Editing}

Hat Shops in LA

We'd arrived in LA in the afternoon, being greeted by my aunt as soon as we were in the driveway of her house. While my mom grabbed her bags, I went over to give my aunt a hug.

"Ava you look so beautiful. What a lovely dress," she smiles.

"Thank you, Aunt Kayleigh. I missed you."

My mom greets her sister while I get my bags and lock up the car. We all head inside and my cousin Raina tackles me in a hug.

"John, our famous cousin is here!"

Raina's brother comes down the stairs with a smile. "Why is she famous again?"

"Because she's totally dating Harry Styles, duh."

I look at her funny and she giggles evilly. "Still with Cole, Raina. Also since when is somebody following me and tweeting me the equivalent of dating?"

She pouts and John comes over and helps me with my bags. I follow him up the stairs and he drops my bags in the room I stay in when we visit. He sits in the beanbag chair in the corner and watches me as I unzip my suitcase and pull out my phone.

"You're really still with Cole?"

I look over at him with furrowed eyebrows. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I dunno, Ava. It just seems like you're always so worried about if he's happy and you never worry about if you're happy. Also, he really gives me bad vibes. Seems like a major fuckboy."

I frown. "I am happy. Also weirded out that you just said the word fuckboy, but that's not the point."

He sighs, looking at me with a frown. "Your voice says you're not happy and so do your eyes. I've known you your whole life, I know you better than that Ava."

John has always been really close to me. He's more of a brother figure than a cousin most days. "He's been getting on my nerves the past few days, but that happens sometimes."

"Just remember that you've been in this relationship for a long time, don't be blind to his rudeness. He's kind of a major dick sometimes. Be smart. Okay?"

I nod and he gets up. He gives me a hug before he walks out of the room. Raina comes in and helps me unpack until our moms inform us that we're all heading out for dinner since my uncle is back from work.

We go out to eat and spend at least two hours eating and catching up from not seeing each other for a few months.

Raina and I are talking about school when a tall guy brushes past our table, a couple behind him. I think I recognise him just from seeing him for a second, so I try to watch as he leaves the restaurant. Flashes go off in the corner of my eyes and it dawns on me. I grab Raina's arm in surprise and she looks over where I am.

"Harry! Harry! Over here!"

"Harry! Is it true that you've been hooking up with multiple different girls since flying in a few weeks ago?"

"Harry! Are you aware Ava Gonzalez is in town?"

"Are you hooking up with Ava Gonzalez behind her boyfriends back?"

My eyes widen and I turn back to the table quickly. I don't want the paparazzi to see me, that'll make the rumours worse than they already are. All he did was tweet me!

Also, it was weird that they knew I was in LA. I tweeted that I was, but it was odd that they cared enough.

What the hell is going on right now?

"Ava, honey, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost," my mom grabs my hand from across the table.

"Yeah, m'fine. I need to use the restroom. Raina, come with me."

I snatch her hand in mine and run off to the restroom. After a minute of panic, Raina talks me into going back out to the table. I take a few deep breaths and Raina guides me back to our family. That situation really freaked me out. This whole having Harry situations pop up in my life was freaking me out. Never in my life did I ever think he would know who I am, let alone see him in real life.

After we return, the bill has been paid and everybody is ready to go. Raina and I bid them goodbye and start our walk to the shops. We wanted some time together; so shopping time came to be.

My phone dinged as we walked. It wasn't a text, but I pulled it out anyway.

Twitter
Direct Message from Harry Styles

My eyes widened and my feet halted on the sidewalk. Raina snatched my phone and a small shriek came from her lips. I was so stunned that I was speechless.

Again: what is going on?

She dragged me over to the side so we weren't blocking the walkway and I unlocked my phone urgently.

Hiiii. I know you were at the restaurant and I'm sorry you had to hear all of that shouting about the rumours involving you. Hope you're well. All the love x

Holy shit. He actually saw me before he left. What would have happened if he would have talked to me? This is too much.

I start up a reply and end up deleting multiple messages and restarting before I finally send one.

It's alright! Didn't know one tweet would cause this much drama. It's not your fault at all x

He doesn't reply until I'm inside a store with Raina, looking for a Christmas gift for John. I'm also vlogging with my phone, so when the notification pops up I ignore it and continue talking. We're in the middle of trying on hats in front of my phone camera when another DM shows up. This time I stop the recording and open Twitter.

Hopefully they don't bother you. Be safe x

Do you always record yourself while trying on hats?

I read the last one sent and my eyebrows furrow in confusion. "How does he-?"

Raina turns me around and I'm about a foot away from a smirking Harry Styles.

I repeat: WHAT IS GOING ON?

"Hi, I'm Harry. Have I seen you before?"

I laugh and step forward to hug him. I was absolutely screaming inside but somehow kept my cool. "Oh my god. Hi! What are you doing here?"

"Well I came to get a new hat for my sister Gemma, actually. Whenever she visits one of mine mysteriously goes missing."

"I mean, you've got some nice hats."

"Speaking of hats, that one suits you," he smiles, his eyes traveling up to the hat on my head.

I blush and remove the hat from my head. I had completely forgotten about it. Raina takes it from my hand and puts it back where we found it. Harry asks if we can help him, which is surprising to me. We help him find a hat that Gemma might like and I find a Christmas gift for John in the process of wandering around the store.

He pays and before he leaves I ask him for a picture. He agrees and I wrap my arm around his back. He wraps his around my shoulders and leans down to press his lips to my cheek, which takes me by surprise. I smile widely and Raina snaps the picture.

"Thank you for your help," he smiles.

"Of course!"

He starts to say goodbye but he clamps his mouth shut for a second. "Can I get your number so I can meet up with you later? I want to discuss something with you."

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion but nod my head. He hands me his phone and I add my contact as Ava Mae. I hand it back after my number is in it and he smiles in thanks.

"I'll call you soon. It was lovely meeting you, Ava Mae. You as well Raina."

He gives us hugs before stepping back. "Goodbye."

I smile and wave goodbye. "Bye, Harry."