LOVE AT THE FORUM

Chapter 8: Love Actually

Anita and I waited for enough people to drive out of the open parking lot before she turned to me and basically yelled, "So when are you buying me drinks!!!"

I covered my face, shaking my head, "Anita what is going on?"

"You tell me, cause all I saw was adorableness happening from across the table."

"Oh my gosh do you think everyone noticed?" I uncovered my face, my eyes wide.

Anita laughed and shook her head, "Besides myself, and Charles maybe, everyone is too in their own thing. It wasn't obvious. I just knew to look."

I took a deep breath biting my lip, "What if he's just friendly? Isn't he dating the Booksmart lady?"

"Olivia Wilde? Everyone thinks it's PR."

"So he is dating her then?"

Anita bites her lip, "I actually don't know Mags. They haven't been spotted together in a while, and she hasn't been at his shows here so far."

I leaned against my car, chewing on my lip, "I'm having dinner with him tomorrow." I said it quickly, avoiding her eyes.

"Excuse me?! Since when?"

"Earlier, on the stage, we were sitting playing tic tac toe, he said loser bought lunch. I won, and just now, he said something came up and asked if we could have dinner instead. I told him I technically can't, because I mean I can't it's against the rules. He said that I could think it was just business, if it makes me feel better."

Anita smiled at me, an annoying proud of herself smile, "He's obviously just trying not to freak you out Maggie. Not trying to push. I say just go, breathe, have fun. Just make sure he knows, that no one can know."

I nodded, "But what if he is dating Olivia?"

Anita rolled her eyes, a habit she was getting from me, "Then he was just trying to be your friend, and that's okay too. The point is, it's Harry Styles, and I know that means nothing to you, but it's Harry Styles. And he cleaned your face."

I felt my cheeks turning red, "Okay, okay. Can you do me a favor though?"

"Anything!"

"Come get me ready tomorrow, please?"

She clapped her hands and nodded, "Yes yes yes!"

—

By the time I got home it was 3am and all I wanted was to crawl into my bed, but I needed a shower. I spent the whole car drive home overthinking everything that happened tonight and my muscles were tense.

I walked over to my bathroom and turned on the shower to as hot as it would go. I walked back to my room, slipping off the blazer and laying it on my bed. I took off my jewelry and tied my hair up in a high bun to not wet it.

I reached my hand in and the water was perfect. I stepped in and let the water hit my neck and my back as I stretched out against it. I couldn't help but ponder over the possibility that Harry and Olivia were dating. I decided that I would just ask him tomorrow night. I wasn't expecting anything romantic, nor did I know if I wanted it. I was fine with just his friendship. This week, he had been so kind to me, he was funny, and overall just a fun energy to be around. I turned to face the shower head and let it hit over my face. I washed away the little makeup I had on, before washing the rest of my body and getting out of the shower.

As I wrapped myself up in a towel I heard my phone going off. I quickly poured some toner on a cotton pad, walking over to my phone as I rubbed it on my face.

Harry Styles

The screen flashed at me, "What in the world?"

I slid the answer button and placed the phone on speaker, "Harry? Is everything okay?"