The Story // Harry Styles AU

Part 9

Poppy’s POV

“What do you want to do?” Harry asks me, taking my hand in his.  He’s been doing this all night and it sends tingles up my arm.

“Well, Matt and Regan are at my place so maybe we could go to yours?” I suggest quietly, not wanting him to think I’m expecting anything tonight.  Harry nods and starts leading the way.  It’s a quick walk to his complex and we go inside and up to his flat. 

“Starting another drawing already?” I wonder, seeing some papers and an open sketchbook scattered on the drop cloth where Harry’s large drawing used to sit against the wall.

“Nah, just dreaded homework,” Harry answers, hanging up the jacket I returned to him.  I step out of my heels, sighing when my feet rest flat on the floor. “I don’t know how you survived tonight,” he shakes his head, looking at my heels.

“It’s not too bad,” I smile a little, setting my purse down on a barstool.

“Do you want a drink or anything?” Harry asks me as I hoist myself onto his counter.

“Um, yeah, whatever you’ve got,” I say.  I watch Harry open the fridge, pulling out two beers.  He sets one down then pops the top off the other with a bottle opener.

“If you don’t like it, be honest,” he says, holding the open bottle out to me.  I take the beer from him and take a sip before reading the label.

“This is good,” I tell him after a moment.

“You like it?” Harry checks and I nod quickly. “Wicked.  I’m putting lime in mine, you want some too?” he offers.

“Sure,” I hand my bottle back over and I watch him pull out a lime and a little knife.  Harry skillfully cuts two wedges from the lime, sticking them in the necks of the beer bottles.  He hands mine back and I sip it slowly and look at Harry, leaning against the counter across from me.  He unbuttons his cuffs and rolls them up to his elbows before unbuttoning the first few buttons on his shirt.  I quickly look away before he can see me staring.

“Thanks for, um, letting me come tonight,” I say quietly, putting my beer down beside me.  Harry looks at me over his bottle.  He comes over stand in front of me, setting his drink on the counter to my left. “And thank you…for dinner,” I add slowly as he comes closer. “And thanks for saving me…” Harry gently puts one hand on my knee. “From my roommate and her…boyfriend,” I whisper, my eyes locked with Harry’s. “Thank yo-“

“Shh,” Harry hushes me, pressing his lips to mine.  I reach up to wrap my hands around Harry’s neck, tangling my fingers in his curls.  Harry starts kissing me deeper as his hands slide around my waist.  He pulls me off the counter, my feet landing on the floor, and he presses his body against mine. “Thank you for coming out with me tonight,” Harry whispers against my lips. “And thank you for helping me with my drawing,”

I smile and kiss Harry again, loving the tingling feeling running through my body.  Kissing him is everything I imagined it would be.  When Harry pulls away, he takes his beer in one hand and my hand in the other.  I barely have time to grab my drink off the counter before he starts pulling me towards what I am assuming is his bedroom.  My palm starts to sweat but I try to remain calm.  Harry leads me in and sets his beer down on his cluttered dresser.

“I’m just going to change then we can watch a movie or something,” Harry suggests and I nod, breathing a sigh of relief. “Do want a jumper or a hoodie or anything?” he offers.

“Uh, yeah, that’d be great,” I accept.  He goes over to his closet and starts rummaging around before tossing me a maroon jumper. “Thanks,” Harry nods and gathers a few pieces of clothing and then slips into the bathroom.  I quickly manage to unzip my dress and pull on the jumper.  I scoop up my discarded dress and carry it out to where I set my bag on the barstool.  I pull out the shorts I had stuffed in there and I swiftly slip them on, balling my dress up and shoving it in my purse.  I pull out my phone and check my messages when I hear Harry behind me.

“What do you wanna watch?” he asks.

“Um, something classic,” I say, dropping my phone in my bag and turning around.  Harry is setting our beers on the coffee table, wearing a simple t-shirt and sweatpants.  I walk over, climbing onto the couch, moving a sketchbook and a couple pencils out of the way.  He digs through his collection before holding up ‘Grease.’  I quickly agree and he puts in the movie, pressing play.  Harry comes and sits beside me on the couch and we drink the rest of our beers and sing along to all the songs.  About halfway through, Harry leans forward and grabs the sketchbook I had put aside, pulling it into his lap along with the pencils.  I try to watch the movie but out of the corner of my eye, I can tell Harry has stopped paying attention because his pencil is moving over the paper in his lap.

“What are you doing?” I ask as we’re nearing the last 15 minutes of the movie.

“Uh uh, look back at the tv,” Harry directs the second I look towards him.  I face the screen again, a small smile on my lips.

“You’re drawing me,” I say quietly.

“Yeah, so keep still,” he chuckles.  My cheeks burn red and I try to focus on the rest of the movie but I feel very self-aware now that I know he’s looking at me. 

Finally, the end credits are rolling and I relax a little. “Can I look now?” I ask impatiently.

“Yeah,” Harry answers.  I turn, angling myself to face him on the couch, and I see that he’s still working at shading some parts.  I lean closer and see the drawing is just a simple profile of me watching the movie.

“It looks good,” I bite my lip. “But-“

“It could use darker darks, I know,” Harry mocks and leans forward, kissing me gently. 

The next week flew by.  Harry and I are having so much fun together.  He still likes to come into Starbucks and do homework while I’m working and then we’ll walk to campus together and go our separate ways for class.  Harry helps me with some of my photography assignments and I critique his projects for him.

Saturday came around and Matt is coming around so I immediately texted Harry, asking if I could go over.

“You’re leaving?” Regan pouts, leaning in my doorway.

“Yeah,” I shrug.

“But you can stay and have dinner with me and Matt.  I’m cooking,” she explains.  I pull a duffel bag from my closet and set it on my bed.

“That does sound tempting,” I mutter.  Regan is actually a really good cook.

“I’m making spaghetti Bolognese,” she begs and my phone dings.

“I don’t want to be a third wheel,” I say quickly, looking down at the text from Harry.

Harry- Sure.  Come on over.  I am out but I will pick some stuff up and make dinner for us :)

“Besides, Harry is going to cook for the two of us,” I smile and Regan huffs.  She watches me while I pack a bag to spend the night. “I don’t understand why you want me to stay,” I finally say while pulling on a light jacket. “I thought you’d jump at the alone time.”

“Yeah but you’ve been spending so much time with Harry,” Regan mumbles.

“You think I’m going to replace you?” I gasp quietly, smirking at her insecurity.  She just grumbles in response, suddenly becoming very interested in her jumper. “I won’t replace you, Regs,” I assure her, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “I’ll be home tomorrow night after work.  Make me something good,” I wink at her and she smiles slightly.