life as we know it || harry styles au

Chapter 1- Rough is an Understatement

I sat at my vanity checking my makeup one last time, carefully touching up each of my features. I applied another coat of red to my lips and a swipe of mascara to each of my eyes.

I then rose and flattened out the skirt of my dress, only slightly. I turned to admire my dress in the mirror, pleased with the reflection I gazed back at.

My black skater dress had a rounded neckline and a small cap sleeve. It fell gracefully from my waist to just above my knee, around mid thigh. I paired it with nude heels and my studded black clutch.

I was never one for blind dates, but my closest friend Elizabeth insisted I went on this one.

They called us Lottie and Liz. We've been best friends since we were in the sandbox. Through the early days of elementary school, through college and up to the current moment the two of us have been inseparable. We even have matching bracelets with the letter 'L' hanging as a charm.

Elizabeth had always been one to push me into the dating world, especially after my recent break up with my now ex-boyfriend. We'd been dating three years, and somehow I could have sworn he was the one. The romance ended tragically and it's not something I often like to talk about, so I tend to avoid it at all costs.

The break up with my former beau really took a toll on me; I haven't really had any serious relationship in the past six months because of it.

I was always the type of girl who had everything for my future planned out since I was a little girl. I had my ideal man, the perfect wedding, the perfect house, the perfect kids, everything to perfection.

I was always waiting for my prince charming to come along on his horse and sweep me off into the sunset. Through a few bumps in the road I have been quite unsuccessful in finding such romance, but one thing I have always had a grasp on was my career.

From days playing with my dolls in my room I knew I was destined to be a fashion designer. I pictured my own collection being shown at New York Fashion Week, my latest styles hitting the runway.

I had gone to the Fashion Institute of Merchandising soon after graduating high school, and with my degree in Fashion Design I have been fortunate enough to work under one of the most famous brands in the nation-Michael Kors.

Once I turned 24 I branched off into my own clothing line, opening my own small boutique on the busy streets of New York City. I dreamed of the day where I'd cut the ribbon to the opening of my own boutique, and that day had finally come.

My business was sufficient, and those dreams only expanded to not one boutique, but rather a chain of stores in the entire state of New York. Having experience in the field, I was anticipating the expansion in the near future, but I was still weary of the financial aspects.

I had a strong business, a great best friend, not to mention a modern home just outside of the city, all I needed was a man in my life.

I had always admired Elizabeth's relationship with her husband, so much so I prayed and wished I had one of her own. They had the most adorable daughter together, Isabella, nearly a year ago. She was the absolute light of her life, and I was the obsessive god mother I always pictured I'd become.

From my past experiences with blind dates Elizabeth had set her up on, I didn't consider this one different than ones in the past. I expected some cheesy dinner and a movie with a guy wearing his father's dress shirt and too much cologne.

I reached on the dresser for my pearl drop earrings and fluffed my hair one last time in the mirror. Even if I probably wasn't going to have a meaningful relationship with this guy, I still wanted to make a good first impression.