The Story // Harry Styles AU

Part 6

The next time I see Harry, it’s on Thursday.  I texted him the morning after we hung out to see if he’d like to meet up to grab his jacket but he said he didn’t need it too badly and that I can hang onto it until Friday.  I have to admit, I wore it out to pick up some dinner with my roommate Tuesday night but then I got worried that Harry might see me out wearing it so I haven’t worn it since. 

So, late Thursday morning, I’m standing at the till, ringing up customers- mainly college students who are on their way to class and are grabbing a bite to eat for an early lunch.  It’s nearing noon when Harry steps up to the counter.  I hadn’t even noticed he was in line.

“What time do you have class?” he asks, leaning close to me.

“1:30.  Why?” I wonder aloud.  Harry just shrugs, looking up at the menu, pulling his bottom lip into his mouth and chewing on it.

“What would you recommend?  What’s your favorite?” he questions and I stare at him but he just waits.

“I like hot chocolate and a roasted chicken sandwich,” I admit.

“Alright then,” Harry opens his wallet. “I will have a roasted chicken sandwich, a Tall hot chocolate, and a Grande chai latte, and a New York Deli sandwich,”

“What are you doing?” I ask skeptically while I ring in the order.

“Join me when you’re off,” is all Harry says while handing over a 20 pound note.  I hand over Harry’s change and he moves over to pick up his order when it’s ready. 

I finish ringing up the short line then head to the back where I re-stock a bit then hang up my apron and punch out.  I grab my bag and walk out to front, slipping through the employee gate.  I quickly scan the seating area and find Harry at a table for two, looking at his phone.  I walk over, hanging my bag on the chair and I sit down, causing Harry to look up from his phone.

“You didn’t have to wait for me,” I tell him and he shrugs, shoving his phone into his backpack.

“It’s no problem,” he assures me before taking a sip of his latte.  I dig into my sandwich, definitely hungry, and Harry starts rummaging through his bag. “I’ve got something for you,” I put my sandwich down and look over at him skeptically.  He places two items on the table and I slide them towards me, looking closer. “This one’s for the front door of the building.  You just scan it like a card for the tube and then the key is for my door,”

“Oh my god,” I breathe, smiling slightly. “I didn’t think you meant it,” I look back at him.

“It’s not a big deal.  Just text me or something before you go over,” he shrugs again.

“Wow, thank you,” I move to put them in a pocket of my bag, mentally reminding myself to attach them to my keys later.

“So, have you picked out something nice for tomorrow?” Harry questions.

“I have a few things in mind that will work,” I say, sipping my hot chocolate that has cooled off to the perfect temperature. 

Harry nods before speaking again, “The show opens at 5 but I wasn’t going to go around till 6ish.  Um…you can go anytime,” he tells me.

“Okay,”

“And I’ll text you where it is.  You can walk there; it’s like 5 minutes away,” Harry explains. “The gallery closes at 9, but I don’t need to be there the whole time so maybe we could, uh, get some food after or something?” he offers, rubbing his nose.

“Yeah, that sounds good,” I agree, picking my sandwich up again and taking a bite. “How did you even get a piece in this show anyway?” I question after a minute of eating.

“The curator was putting together a local-artist show and she came to a show at the school that I had quite a few works in and she contacted me and asked if I would contribute a piece,” Harry explains slowly.

“That’s wicked,” I smile.

“Yeah, it’s been stressful though,” he runs his fingers through his hair. “I’m kind of glad it’s finally going up tomorrow and I can relax,” I laugh lightly.

“That’s understandable,” I say.

We talk over the rest of our meal then it’s getting close to 1:15 and I find myself hurrying to gather my things to leave.

“Thanks for buying me lunch,” I say, putting my bag on my shoulder.

“It’s nothing,” Harry waves it off and stands up, pulling his backpack on and following me out of Starbucks. “Mind if I walk with you?”

“Do you have class?”

“I do,” Harry nods, smiling.

“Okay, I just have to stop by my dorm,” I tell him and he shrugs, letting me lead the way.

It’s a very short walk to my building and I let Harry follow me inside and up to my room “I’m just going to change real quickly,” I say, going into my room and shutting the door.  I change out of my work clothes and into some jeans and a hoodie.  I grab my bag and go back out to find Harry talking with my roommate.

“Regan,” I say. “Did you just get in?”

“Yeah, class got out early,” she answers in her thick Irish accent.

“Oh,” I swallow. “Well, um, Harry, this is my roommate Regan.  Regan, this is Harry,” I introduce them.

“I know who you are,” Regan smiles knowingly.

“Do you?” Harry looks between the two of us.

“Oh yeah.  Poppy never shuts-“

“Regan took Watercolor with you last year!” I interrupt quickly.

“Yeah, I thought I recognized you,” Harry points out and I let out a breath of relief.

“Mhmm,” my roommate crosses her arms, glancing at me and I mouth the words ‘fuck you’ to her and it’s quiet for a minute.

“Well, I need to get to class,” I say. “I won’t be around for a while tomorrow night,”

This catches Regan’s attention. “Matt is coming over then.  I’ll text you details,”

“Please, don’t,” I grimace.

“Not those details!” Regan mutters and Harry stifles a laugh.

“I’ll see you later,” I tell her, leading Harry out.