Spare Change [h.s au]

Ch 1

Ugh, my mom was talking so long in the grocery store. I was bored out of my mind following her around, pretending to listen to why she thought one cereal was healthier than the other.

"Just take the keys and go sit in the car, Jordi," She spoke, bringing me back to reality, "you're no help here anyway." She said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh my gosh, finally. Thanks mom, I'll be in the car, call me if you need me, you know I love you!" I called over my shoulder as I walked toward the exit. I heard her chuckle, but I was too busy scrolling through my Instagram feed to say anything.

As I spotted my moms car from the corner of my eye, I clicked the button on the key and went to open the door. Still scrolling through my feed, I made myself comfortable in the passenger seat. My laugh filled the car when I saw a video of that small child covered in peanut butter, but that laugh died when a heard a knock on the drivers side window.

"Uh, yeah I don't have any spare change, you'll have to wait for my mom to get back." I said to the tall stranger, looking through the window with cupped hands. I slipped my phone under my legs, unsure of what to think of this person peeping in. He had long, brown, curly hair, and it was put up into a bun. His phone and his keys were in one hand, and his shopping in the other. His breath fogged up the window, but I could just make out his defined jaw line. Not bad looking for a creepy stranger.

"I don't want any of your spare change, thanks," he chuckled. "But I would like to know why you're sitting in my car."

"Your car? Nah man, this is my moms car," I looked at him with disbelief. I could see the amusement in his eyes through the tinted glass. "See look, I'll press the button, the car will lock, and then you'll go bother someone else." I spoke slowly, lifting the keys to show him. I pressed the button, but instead of locking the doors to the car I was in, it locked the doors to the car next to it. Shit.

"I would go bother someone else, but you're in my car." He laughed, clearly amused by my humiliation. I scrambled out the car, red faced, trying to hurry into the car I was supposed to be in. I mumbled a few apologies, as I tried to pull the door open, forgetting that I just locked the car. Cursing under my breath, I fumbled with the keys and eventually opened the door, all the while this idiot laughed at me.
"Hey wait," he said in his British accent, grabbing my arm and stopping me from climbing in, "what's your name?" I gave him a skeptical look, unsure if it was a good decision to trust this stranger. His smile was warm and genuine, and his eyes were bright. This was probably a bad idea, he could be an axe murderer who uses his model like features to lure in innocent young girls like myself.

Screw it.

"Jordi. Jordi Graham."

"Nice to meet you Jordi Graham, I'm Harry." He said, getting into his car, and after a brief smile, the tinted glass separated us again.

I was intrigued by the way he said my name. I'd never liked the sound of it on someone else's tongue, but the way his pink lips formed the word made my cheeks flush. Maybe it was the accent. I watched him drive away, still unsure of what to make of our encounter. I was so embarrassed. Why do these things happen in front of cute boys? On the bright side, he didn't kidnap me, which he had plenty opportunity to do.

Whatever, I'd probably never see him again. I sighed at the thought. If only I'd met him under different circumstances, maybe he wouldn't think I was such a weirdo then. What's meant to be will be, I guess. And making out with that gorgeous slice of hottie pie doesn't look like it's meant to be.

***

"My brothers having a friend over tonight, said he feels left out when we have sleep overs. Olivia is at a friend, and Mom and Dad have date night." Candice informed me as she opened the door.

"Hey Candi! I'm great thanks, how are you? Thanks for such a warm welcome into your lovely home!" I said in a sickly sweet voice, using over exaggerated hand gestures. She rolled her eyes as I walked in, shoving me slightly for laughing. "Is Lexi here yet?"

"Yeah, she's upstairs, we were just waiting for your late ass. "

"Gosh, sorry, I got distracted."

"Whatever. Anyway, my brother is having a friend over, and if he's cute then whoever gets his number first, wins, and the other two have to buy her lunch everyday for the next week!" She said excitedly. "So you better start saving girl!" With a slap on my butt, Candice walked ahead of me and into her room.

"Hey, what makes you think I won't get this guys number first? " I protested with faux offence.

"Like Jason would let any guy flirt with you," Lexi added, "that boy has wanted you since you were sixteen."

"Jason has a girlfriend." I reminded them, although what Lexi said was true. Candice's brother has tried and tried again to get me to go out with him. He's sent me flowers, used the cheesiest pick up lines I've ever heard, bought me food, and he even bought me a teddy bear once. He still flirts, even though he has a girlfriend, and for that, she despises me. I don't see how I'm a threat though, I've told Jason no multiple times, saying that he's like a big brother to me. Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped him, and I don't see what the fascination with me is, Lexi is way more attractive than me, but he never gives her a second glance.

"Yeah, like that's ever stopped him before. Remember when Christie dumped him because he bought you a Valentine's Day gift, and not her?" Candi laughed.

"Or the time Jasmine slapped him because he changed his Facebook profile picture to the only selfie he ever had with you, on the 3 month mark of their relationship." Lexi added, both of them giggling like school girls.

"Well when I win, and you guys have to buy me lunch, you won't be laughing anymore."

"Yeah, right. You'll see Jordi, it's not possible for you to win this." Lexi said, a smirk on her face.

We proposed the terms of the deal, which included no interference with another's flirting, no embarrassing stories, and he has to ask for the number. After shaking hands, we got into pjs and went downstairs to set up for a movie night - featuring potential cutie and idiot brother.

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A/N: Thank you so much for reading chapter one of Spare Change. I hope you liked it, and continue onto chapter two! I'd love it so much if you could comment and vote and spread the love if you enjoyed it, and I'd love to hear your constructive criticism! All the love, A x