Second Chances (Harry Styles)

P r o l o g u e

 “Can’t I find anything which doesn’t have coffee in it?”

I saw Dan smile and took the book out of my grasp “Better to take it away before you rip it.”

Coffee is over rated.

Every teen romance book has a café or coffee in it, what is so romantic about black coffee anyways? It’s murky and just horrible.

“Alright, here is a good book.” I said turning to the next shelf and neatly taking out a book with an extremely pretty cover. “Lock & Key. Sounds cool,” turning towards Dan, who was busily cleaning a shelf, “And it doesn’t include coffee, perfect.”

“What has coffee ever done to you?” he asked, a confused expression on his face. Really he is just a clueless adorable puppy who also happens to be one of my best friend.

“It’s horrible.” I stated plainly.

“That..that is all?” He spluttered.

“Gross Dan, your spit is on me!” I squealed, hurriedly wiping my bare arm where Dan’s spit had landed.

He laughed. “Okay you are mean, so I am just going to buy this book and leave you to your shift.” I added and walked away leaving him laughing.

What was so funny anyways?

Making my way through the various shelves I reached the counter where I paid for my book and got it in a Liberty red shopping bag, and then leaving Dan to his shift in liberty, I walked out of the shop and made my way to my car when my eyes caught sight of this huge classy looking place.

The sign read: Ally & Jane’s Café.

Considering it was a café the first thing that pops into my mind is coffee, but then café’s also have iced tea and I am quite thirsty. After the mental debate I started towards the café and noticed that it was actually a really pretty and comfortable place.

The café’s inside had a lot of wood work in it, and it was really relaxing, at the back you could hear Already Gone by Kelly Clarkson playing softly, it was a magical environment.

Noticing the counter at the backside I made my way towards it, the barista was a young looking girl with a head of fiery red. Studying her tag I got to know that her name was Clara.

“Hi, how may I help you?” She said in a low voice.

Smiling in a response, I asked for a menu which she supplied instantly.

“Um, I’ll have the lemon and lychee iced tea with extra crushed ice and make it medium.” I ordered after a moment of indecision.

“Alright, you take a seat and a waiter will bring it up to you. Have a good day!” she called.

“Thanks. You too.” I reply and look for an empty place, after much searching I come across an empty couch right in the corner.

Taking out the book from the bag, I placed it on the table and continued to my cherry red backpack which slung on my left arm, rummaging in it for a while I found out a gel pen, placing the bag down, on the floor, I proceded to write on the first page of my book.

Eleanor C. Taylor, 8/18/13.

It was a habit I had from the very start, when I first started reading books, my dad would always scribble his name and the date he had bought and I guess he always taught me to do the same.

“A cappuccino, medium please.”

I heard a guy, from the sound of it, ordering. I reckon he was from here because his accent was most definetly British.

Looking around the room I realized that I had been the lucky customer, I had the last seat to myself-

“Excuse me, do you mind if I take a seat?” I heard the same voice that I had heard ordering, except it was much closer now, and it was only my dignity that stopped me from jumping up and down and scream.

“Only if you agree to a picture and autograph.” I replied and then got to Harry Styles dimples, and I swear I died right there.

“It’s a deal.” He said and sat down in front me.

To say I was hyperventilating inside was an understatement, I loved these guys since the X-factor days and I just- I was fangirling inside.

“Your iced tea, miss.” A well dressed waiter said, putting the frosted glass in front me.

“Thanks.” I smiled and pushed the straw in the glass and took a sip. If heaven was food it would taste like lemon and lychee iced tea.

The waiter placed his coffee in front of him and the smell wafted into my nostrils and I cringed.

“Anything wrong?- wait I didn’t catch your name.” Harry asked me, confusion apparent on his face.

“Ahem.” I bit my lip slightly, “I kind of hate coffee with a burning passion.” I answered timidly. “It’s Eleanor, my name.”

“You hate coffee? It is only the most wonderful thing ever!” Harry replied indigantly.

Shrugging, I replied “Well, I reckon that this iced tea is what heaven would taste like.” Harry’s expression changed and he looked with disbelief at me.

His green eyes were so deep that you could easily get lost in them, and that said my inside fangirl.

“That..that…shit?” he spluttered. What is with guys spluttering these days?

“Hey, you’ll offend it!” I defended my precious iced tea knowing it was kind of stupid, but who can leave a friendly banter? Not me.

“Psht.” Harry waved his hand.

“Anyways…about the autograph and picture you owe me.” I added slowly, dragging each word.

“Okay. What want your arm signed or your leg?” he asked with quite an honest face, whereas mine was horrified.

“Fans…make you sign there?” I whispered in absolute shock and ridicule.

Harry let out a laugh, which sounded so amazing. Like chimes but hoarser.

I cleared my throat, “I am absolutely fine with the book here.” I said and pushed the book which was lying on the table and handed him the pen.

“Okay, okay.” He said as if surrendering.

He quickly scribbled something and handed me the book back, standing up he beckoned for me to stand up as well, I did and pulled out my iPhone and selected the camera icon.

“Say Cheese, Styles!” I called out, once I had positioned myself besides him, I felt him leaning over my shoulder and his curls came in contact with my face once. The famous curls! And I tapped the take picture button.

Snap.

“Thank you!” I squealed, clutching the phone with both hands.

“No problem.” He replied and drowned the rest of his-cringe-coffee, “I got to be off Eleanor, thanks for the chair, Bye!” he called.

“Bye.” I replied as he walked towards the doors and soon exited.

Opening the book I saw his untidy scrawl.

Eleanor,

       Thanks for sharing the table, always remember you misguided soul that coffee rules over all. Other than that, Love you x

And underneath it he had signed his name with a flourish.

Coffee doesn’t rule over all, Styles!