birds // hs

23. D.C.

PSA: I CHANGED HARRY'S AGE FROM 24 to 27

DON'T FORGET!!!!!!!!!

Four hours. We drove for four hours before Harry decided that it was time to fill up the cars and stop for a bathroom and stretch break.

"Where are we?" I grumbled as I stumbled out of the car and stretched my arms above my head, making a very inappropriate noise in the process.

"Orlando," Zayn grinned, ruffling my already messy hair. "The girls here have tits like you wouldn't believe."

I scrunched up my nose and he laughed, then slapped my butt and went inside to buy some food. I was actually starving too but he was gone before I could say anything, so I started to go in after him.

It was only nine o'clock in the morning but already ninety degrees, and the sun felt amazing on my skin after a full morning of being in the car.

The door dinged loudly as I pushed it open, and the cold air conditioning hit me like a ton of bricks.

"Morning," the old lady at the register smiled, showing off the few teeth she had left to me as I looked around the small gas station.

"Good morning," I smiled back at her. "Where are the restrooms?"

"Just down that hall, ladies are on the left."

"Thank you."

After I finished my business and thoroughly washed my hands, I went back to find Zayn and convince him to buy me some food.

But someone else beat me to it.

"Hey there, sunshine," Harry greeted warmly as his arm slid around my waist. "Did you sleep alright in the car?"

"Um, yeah," I lied. Well, it was partly true. I had fallen asleep quickly but I missed Harry's presence next to me, his strong arms around me and his warm cheek pressed to my shoulder. I just liked sleeping next to him. It made me feel whole.

"I can hear your tummy rumbling," he whispered as his chin rested on my shoulder. "Find something to eat and I'll buy it for you, alright? Anything you want."

I ended up settling on a big bottle of water and a bag of chips, with a Snickers for dessert. He did say anything I wanted.

I slid the food and water onto the counter and Harry paid for everything, including his own two bags of trail mix and a huge cup of diet coke.

"Hey mate, I'm riding with Liam for a couple hours," Zayn said suddenly as he came up behind us and clapped Harry on the shoulder. "He's tired and wants me to drive while he sleeps."

"Oh," I frowned slightly. "Okay."

"Alright. See you guys later."

"Later."

Harry kept his hand on my lower back the whole way back to the car, which was strangely comforting. It made me feel safe, and loved.

I climbed into the front seat and snuggled down into my little nest of blankets, leaving only my head poking out as Harry turned on the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

"Can I ask you something?"

He looked over at me and grinned. "Yeah, sure."

"Why do you like spending time with someone who's ten years younger than you?"

"Ah," he replied lightly. "Well, I don't know. You're just so...bright. All my friends are so cranky all the time, and all they seem to talk about is taxes and jobs and getting married. I guess you just remind me of being happy and young."