Gotta Get Better

- out and about -

I lived near this record store in downtown New York. No one was ever there, except for that one worker. I went there whenever I got my paycheck for the week. The guy there knew me by name and always hid records for me. Today he saved me an album from The Smiths, "Hatful of Hollow." I payed for it, and just stayed in that little record store.

As I was talking to that guy the little bell that signals someone came inside plays that nasty tune. It was a very rare occurrence. I look over, no longer listening to the guy behind the counter. I was memorized by this stranger in front of me. He was tall, and handsome, and quite literally perfect. He smiled at me, I smiled back.

He is absolutely beautiful.

He looked at the record in my hand, "I see you have good taste."

I felt my heart shoot up to my throat. I let out a nervous giggle, "Smiths fan?"

No shit he was, why else would he say that.

He smirked, "Definitely."

I felt my knees shake, like I could fall. I smiled and looked back at the guy behind the counter and nodded and went on my way. I left that gentleman alone in there. Fuck.

<*>

My friends persuaded me to finally leave my small apartment and go out to a club in the city. I liked getting ready for clubs and parties. I liked doing my makeup and wearing dresses. Looking perfect. I hated alcohol and anything that had to do with it. The flashbacks I get make my entire body shiver.

I called me and my friends a cab and they say there talking about how much action they were going to get tonight. I didn't bother joining their conversation, I wasn't planning on doing anything with anyone. I didn't have any desire too either. I've held onto my virginity for 23 years, I wasn't going to waste it on some stupid one-night stand.

The minute the cab stops in front of the club, my friends and I practically pushed each other out. I shut the door behind me as I watched my friends rush inside. I felt a shadow behind me, assuming that it was just a streetlight or a building.

"Hello again. I didn't know you would be here too." That was a familiar voice, and it definitely wasn't from far away, I felt his breath on my ear. I turned to face him.

"It's a Friday night... I decided to have some fun for a change." I admitted to the stranger I met in a record store.

He nods, "Resonable." He pauses, "Why'd your friends run off like that?"

I shrug, "They're going to 'get action' tonight. That's what they were saying in the car at least. I don't plan on joining them in that."

He tilts his head, he looked confused.

"Was that too much to say?"

He chuckled and shook his head, "No, no, not at all. I just assumed that you are used to getting some validation from others."

The wind blows my hair in my face and I cross my arms to make myself feel a bit warmer, "Oh no, I'm not really that kind of girl."

I knew he would pick up on my shivering and he immediately took his suit jacket off. I opened my mouth to say something but he cut me off, "Don't worry about it."

I nodded. Was he flirting with me? Probably. How would I flirt back? HOW DO I FLIRT!

"What's your name by the way, love?" His Birtish accent was heavy. I couldn't really tell if he said love to try and woo me, or if he just calls everyone love. I mean, he's British.

"Mathilde... but everyone calls me-"

My friends screamed and cut me off, "TILLY, COME ON!"

I sighed and held my pointer finger up at them to wait. I watched them leave me again, clearly they didn't care all that much if I was coming or not.

"Tilly... everyone calls me Tilly."

"I'm Harry.. Harry Styles."

Oh my Goodness.

I stood there, trying not to freak out. There's no way. He, Harry Styles, talked to me.

"I assume you come to New York a lot?" I said with a hint of curiosity. I knew that was the stupidest sentence I could've asked him, but part of me knew he comes across nervous wrecks all the time.

"Yeah, I do. Why, you live around here?"

Was I about to tell him where I live? Fuck yes. I needed a bit of enjoyment in my life, and I knew he could make me feel good about being me for once in my life.

"I live in those apartments down the street."

He nodded, "I surmise you don't enjoy parties."

This man was reading me like a book, I was actually a bit frightened by it. "No, not at all."

"Well, neither do I." He paused and held out his hand to me, "Would you like to come over to mine for tonight?"

Normally, I would run from a situation like this, but I felt this was an opportunity I would never get again. An opportunity that no one gets. So, I took his hand and smiled, "I'd love that."