Free (featuring Harry Styles and Liam Payne)

Chapter 3

“Charlotte, don’t you have a skirt that’s a bit shorter?”

I scowled at Claire in the mirror as we finished doing our hair and makeup.  I turned to assess my outfit and I don’t think I look that bad – I’m wearing a long black skirt that’s sheer about halfway down and  a blue crop top which meets the top of my skirt.  My hair is how I usually wear it – wavy and out, skimming the middle of my back.

“We can’t all have legs as good as yours ,” I retort, pretending to check her out to make her laugh.

“I’m just kidding Charlotte, you look hot!  Those American boys don’t stand a chance.  Or maybe it’s a certain British boy you’re looking to catch the eye of…”  Claire looks pointedly at me and raises her eyebrows.  After Claire and I had discussed party options, she continued to grill me for details about Harry and asked whether I wanted to see him tonight.   I had already told her that I had no idea what Harry was doing tonight but she continued to fill my head with hopeful scenarios.

“Don’t give me any more ideas Claire, I want to have fun on our first night, not keep thinking about some guy who I may not see again!”

“Fine, fine. But I still think we should invite him. I bet he would love to make some friends here. In fact, it would almost be cruel not to invite him.”

I sighed.  I could sense that Claire was not likely to abandon this idea anytime soon. “I’ll knock on his door once, but I bet he won’t even answer.  And then you have to promise not to mention him again tonight, ok?”

Claire practically squealed, “Yay! Are you ready? Let’s go now!”  I grabbed my bag as Claire effectively dragged me through the door, leading me to stand outside Harry’s room.  I moved my fist up to knock the door and hesitated.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”  I asked, not knowing what I dreaded more – if Harry was there and answered, would he even want to come with us?  And what if he’s not there, maybe he already has plans with someone?

“Just do it Charlotte, you didn’t come half way around the world to be a chicken!”  She was right.  I wanted this trip to be about taking chances and letting myself be free.  Maybe I’m brave and I never knew it.  So I sucked in a breath and knocked on his door.

In 3 seconds, the door opened.  But it wasn’t Harry.  Before me stood an Asian boy of no more than 18, with a laptop tucked under his arm and a video game in his hand.  He looked at me strangely for a second, and then I remembered I knocked on his door.  “Oh sorry to bother you, I was just wondering if Harry was here.”  My voice faltered slightly as I said his name and I wiped my palms on my skirt as I waited for his answer.

“Yeah he’s in his room, I’ll tell him you’re here.  What’s your name?”

He’s here.

“I’m Charlotte.”

As the guy went to get Harry I glanced behind me at Claire.  She was smiling and gave me a quick thumbs-up while I nervously laughed.  And then he was there.  Harry was wearing the same black skinny jeans from earlier today but this time his top half was covered with a white V-neck t-shirt.  His brown hair was pushed of his face, a few stray curls framing his face.  He rubbed his green eyes with the back of his hand – he must have been having a nap like I was this afternoon.  A smile crossed his lips as he said, “Hey Charlotte, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

My stomach fluttered as I tried to comprehend how his accent made those words sound so much more exciting and musical than they were.

“Well my friend Claire,” I turned and pointed to Claire who smiled warmly and waved at Harry, “and I were invited to a few parties tonight and I was, well we were, wondering if you maybe wanted to um, come with us?  You know if you didn’t have any plans already?”  I stood there with my heart in my throat, hoping that the words came out ok.