Everything's Changed. Harry Styles.

14

October 2010

Harper

I had myself locked in my room the past couple days, sending my teachers a fake note about how I was sick, with my dad's signature at the bottom. I've gotten good at forging my dad's signature throughout the years.

Thankfully dad was packing up to go on another trip to god knows where for god knows how long. I didn't even care.

With Harry being gone the past couple months I've been at home and interacting with my dad more than usual. Instead of hiding out at his house or keeping myself busy hanging out with him during the day. And for some reason my dad seemed to be around more this past month, causing me more anxiety that I've felt in a long time.

I flinched when I heard the front door slam, then crawled over to my window and moved my curtain enough to see out to the front lawn. I watched as my dad loaded his bags into a cab, then I watched as he got into the backseat and the cab drove off.

I slumped down on the ground, breathing out a sigh of relief. I remained on the floor for a few minutes until my phone started to ring. I flinched and felt my stomach drop as I looked at the caller ID until I saw that it wasn't my dad.

"Sunshine." I breathed out, relieved.

"Hi flower." His end was loud, voices laughing and talking somewhere in the background. I stood up and went to sit on my bed, flopping down on my comforter.

I let out a little yelp, wincing as I landed on my ribs wrong. I rolled over, gently grabbing my ribs while I sucked in a breath.

"Are you okay?" I heard Harry speak over the phone that I had dropped next to me on the bed. I quickly and carefully grabbed it, brining it back to my ear.

"Yeah, just stubbed my toe." I forced my voice to not waver, trying to sound as normal as possible. I heard him laugh over the speaker.

"Man, I'm gonna have to put you in a bubble when I get home. I feel like you've gotten clumsier lately."

"Yeah." I laughed lightly, touching a finger to my tender cheek. I forced myself to push away any hurt at the moment, wanting to relish the limited time I have to talk to Harry nowadays.

"How's it been? You guys are getting pretty popular now. I feel like every girl our age is talking about you guys."

"It's been so good. I'm having a lot of fun with everyone."

"That's good. Got a girlfriend yet?" I smirked to myself, picking at a loose thread on my shirt.

"Of course not." I heard him scoff and laugh. I heard someone say his name and then he muttered something about being quiet back to them. Then I heard the other person's voice more clearly.

"Is that her? Let me talk to her."

"No, go away." I laughed to myself, hearing some shuffling in the background, then I heard some grunting and arguing.

"Hey! It's Louis. Harry will not stop talking about you. You would think he's in love with you or some shit." His voice cut off suddenly with a groan and then it sounded like the phone fell and then some more shuffling while someone continued to groan.

"Ignore him, he's an idiot." Harry was back and it sounded like he was slightly out of breath. I was laughing throughout the whole exchange. "Anyway, have you been watching the show?"

"Mhmm, every single one. Been voting for you guys the whole way through"

"Really?"

"Of course. I usually go over to your house and watch it with Anne and Gemma."

"Good, I'm glad you're going over there." He paused as someone said his name again, except this time nobody interrupted him. "How's your dad? Is he home now?"

"He just left for another trip. He was home for a few days though." I purposely avoided the question about how my dad was doing.

"I hate that he leaves you all the time." I heard him sigh through the phone, a hint of anger in his voice.

"I know. I'm fine though. I can always go to your house if I need anything."

"I know you're fine, you're always fine. Doesn't mean I have to like it though." I smiled at his grumpy tone. I always appreciated how protective he got over me, how he actually cared about how I was doing, especially when I was alone.

"I know, I know."

"Okay, new topic." I think he sensed I didn't want to talk about my dad or my home life anymore. "How's working at the bakery?" I smiled, telling him about the old ladies who are devastated he's gone.

We spoke for probably a half hour until the sun went down and I was curled up in my bed, feeling my eyes get heavy. I tend to not sleep when my dad's home so I've been awake for the better part of the past couple days. I yawned as he was telling me about their upcoming episode and what song they were performing.

"Am I boring you?" He laughed through the phone.

"No! It's just been a long week."

"I know, same here." We both went quiet, just existing on the phone with each other. It was silent in my house while it still sounded rowdy on Harry's end. I yawned again, my eyes fluttering as I grabbed my throw blanket to toss over myself.

"I'll let you go. You should get some sleep." I nodded even though he couldn't see me.

"Okay." I moved some hair out of my face, "I miss you."

"I miss you too. I'll talk to you next time?"

"Yeah... love you."

"Love you too flower." The dial tone sounded and I turned my phone off, setting it on the bed next to me.

And for the first time in three days I slept soundly though the night.