Natalie

Chapter 12

Four hours... four hours of designated writing. One and a half hours of pondering and two and a half hours of actual writing.

My hand still cramped after leaving the exam room.

"How was it?" Shiam asked. Her long hair whipping across her face. It was a windy day and I hadn't even realised my own hair was flying around my head just as wildly.

"It was okay, I guess... I could have used more time though," I smiled meekly.

"Really? I thought you'd say you want some food, your stomach was really making some moves on me in there," she laughed.

"Oh my goodness, you heard it?" I felt my cheeks flush, I'd been hungry the entire exam. If I wasn't busy wondering about what to do about Ashton or writing the exam, I was doing my utmost to quiet my outspoken stomach.

"First I thought there was an injured cat in the room... then I thought you ate it. But then I realised it was just you."

I burst out laughing, she was the first person in a while to make me genuinely laugh.

We parted ways as we got to the parking lot. The wind had really picked up and made me shiver. I could hardly open my eyes from the dust.

"Need a lift?" I heard someone shout from next to me.

I squinted to see who it was. Through the dust I could see a black shirt and someone stamping on what looked like a cigarette.
I knew who it was, and I made my way to the car without hesitation.

Once comfortably seated inside I looked at my driver properly. Nothing special, just the average Harry Styles watching me smooth my hair down.

Once I felt it was decent enough, I spoke.

"Harry...?" I asked, he was still watching me closely with a smirk. I felt the hairs rise on my neck, it had been the first time he ever made me feel... shy.

"Yes?" He answered smoothly.

I had to regain myself, "Are we just going to sit here or do you plan on moving?"

He laughed at my sudden impatience, then turned to switch on the car.

"Away we go, Captain," he reversed and made his way to the highway.

We drove in silence for a while, I watched as clouds took cover and rain started drizzling down slightly, the wind still picking up speed.
It was only after we stopped in traffic did I realise I didn't know where he was taking me.

"Harry, where are we going?" I sat up nervously.

"Spring Valley," he answered simply. I frowned, I didn't know of anything significant in Spring Valley. I just knew it was a very expensive area.

"What's in Spring Valley?"

"Oh you'll see."

Somehow I knew I wouldn't get anything more from him.

"Okay..." I couldn't stay in silence anymore, "how was your exam?" It was all I could think of.

"It was okay, I guess," I laughed at his response being the exact same one I'd given Shiam. Midway through my giggle I remembered he did the same course as Aurora.

I couldn't stop my mouth from spilling out the words I eagerly wanted to say.

"Tell me about Amitabh," I winced at my own question.
He looked at me surprised.

"What do you know about Amitabh?"

"Nothing really, Aurora mentioned her once and she sounded interesting but Aurora gets off track really easily and I never got a chance..." I forcefully shut my mouth before I over-explained.