The Story // Harry Styles AU

Part 7

I was buzzing all during work the next morning, ready to be out of here and closer to tonight. 

“What are you all happy about?” Leia asks me while I’m washing the last of the dishes.  I shrug. “You know, I saw you yesterday after your shift, sitting with that Harry boy that you’ve been drooling over for the past few months,”

“And?”

“Does that have anything to do with the grin you haven’t taken off your face?” Leia points while I rinse the last mug.

“Maybe,” I bite my lip, fighting the smile. 

“Tell me everything!” she insists.

“We’re just…going to an art thing then having dinner tonight,” I explain quickly.

“POPPY ROBINSON.  Why haven’t you told me?!” Leia hits my shoulder lightly.

“I just didn’t think you cared,” I whisper, drying off my hands and turning to face her.

“Of course I care.  I’ve watched you stare at him long enough and things are happening!” Leia rejoices and I giggle. “I know you’re rushing to get out of here but let me just give you the lecture since your mom isn’t around to do it,” she rushes.

“My mom is around,” I defend.

“Yeah, but she’s not here in front of you at this very moment, now is she?” Leia looks around before staring back at me. “Okay, no more than four drinks, stay away from the blue cheese, wear sensible shoes, bring a bag big enough for extra clothes so you don’t go through the walk of shame, bring a jacket, and the most important one, use a condom,” Leia pats my shoulder.

“Leia!” I whisper harshly, glancing around to make sure none of our co-workers heard.

“My little girl, all grown up,” she wipes a fake tear from her eye and I roll mine.

“Can I go now?” I urge, already reaching behind me to pull off the apron around my waist.

“Yes, I want the details on Sunday,” Leia calls after me.  I punch out and grab my bag and make my way to my dorm room.

Luckily, Regan is still in class so I have the place to myself for a little while.  I have some lunch and then I take a long shower.  I put on some sweatpants and a t-shirt while I look through my clothes.  I had a few outfits picked but I still need to decide.

“I’m home!” Regan calls, dragging her portfolio through the front door. “What’s wrong?” she breathes when she looks up at me.

“I don’t know what to wear tonight,” I say with a sigh.

Regan groans. “You have an endless supply of clothes,”

“Yeah, but-“

“No buts!” Regan marches past me and into my room and I follow her, leaning in the doorway. “These are your choices?” she asks and I nod. “What are you doing tonight?” I watch as she touches the clothes that are hanging on the rack.

“I’m, um, going to an art gallery thing then out to dinner,” I mumble.

“With Harry Styles?” Regan turns to me.

“Erm, yeah,” I say.

“Poppy!  How long have you had a crush on him!?” she screeches.

“Since the beginning of the school year,” I look down at my fingers.

“This is huge!” she shouts, happy for me. “Okay, well, are you planning to get laid tonight?” Regan asks.

“REGAN,” I yell. “I’ve only just met him,”

“Don’t get your knickers in a bunch,” she rolls her eyes and opens my closet, ignoring the clothes I had picked out. “I think…you should wear…this,” I watch Regan pull my royal blue peplum dress from the closet.

“You think so?” I bite my lip.

“Of course!  You look so good in it,” she insists.

“Alright,” I agree quietly.  Regan lays the dress on my messy bed then goes to my dresser drawers.  She rifles through them for a minute, mumbling to herself before chucking some lingerie over her shoulder, causing the lacey underwear to land on the bed.

“You’ll need that,” Regan mutters before going back to my closet. “And these,” she pulls out some black stilettos. 

“Of course,” I roll my eyes.

“Let me curl your hair and do your make-up, please?!” Regan begs and I give in. 

I sit patiently while she curls my hair and puts some light make-up on my eyes.  After, I change into the bra and panties she picked out then I pull on my dress, getting Regan to zip it up. 

“You look amazing!” she gushes.

“Thanks,” I say, slipping on my black heels.  There’s a knock at the door and Regan rushes out of the room.  It’s probably Matt.  I start filling my black purse with the essentials.  I think about what Leia had said about bringing clothes with me.  Do I really think I’ll stay over at Harry’s place tonight?  I shove a pair of shorts and a tank top in my bag, seeing as that’s all I have room for.  I also make sure to put in a phone charger, breath mints, my wallet, and lip balm.

“Hey, good luck tonight,” Regan says, poking her head in my room with Matt behind her.  I give him a slight wave and he smiles.

“Thanks for helping me,” I tell Regan.  She stares at me for a second then turns to talk to Matt.  He disappears and Regan comes to sit beside me on my bed.

“What’s wrong?  Why are you so nervous?” she wonders.

“I don’t know,” I shrug. “I really like him and I always seem to mess things up with boys,”

“You don’t mess things up with them,” Regan tells me.

“Then why do they all leave?” I ask.

“Because it’s not meant to be,” she insists. “Listen, I know you’ve been through more boys than there are seasons of X Factor but if you had pursued a relationship with any of them, you wouldn’t be here tonight, going out with Harry,” Regan explains to me and I nod. “Just do me a favor and have fun tonight.  Don’t stress,”

“Thanks,” I smile and she gives me a hug before getting up and leaving my room.  I zip up my bag and grab Harry’s jacket that’s hanging on my door.  He was here yesterday but I couldn’t bring myself to hand it over just yet.  I sling the jacket over my arm and make my way out of our dorm and down the elevator to the lobby.  I look at my phone and follow the directions Harry had texted me.  It was a bit of a walk to the gallery but heels are a staple in my wardrobe and I’m used to walking in them.  The gallery show is free so I just walk right inside.

“May I take your jacket?” a man offers me.  I look down and then I realize he’s talking about Harry’s coat, hanging over my arms.

“Sure,” I hold it out to him and he hands me a ticket with a number on it that probably corresponds with the coat hook or something.  I look at my phone and see that it’s getting close to 6pm, when Harry said he would arrive, but I don’t see him in this front room and I decide to go ahead and start looking around.