Harry Styles Imagines

#78 I've Got It

Summary: One act of kindness can make a world of a difference because life isn't unicorns and rainbows for everybody.

I'VE GOT IT

There was both Campbell's and Progresso that had a variety of soups to choose from. The problem lied between which brand to buy to help with Gemma's throat. Neither claimed to have soothing powers, but surely there was a better of the duo. Or, at least, the commercials make it seem.

The feeling of a hand tapping his thigh almost makes him jolt to attention, if it hadn't been for the fact that it was too light of hit to haves belonged to an adult. Upon looking down, a pair of wide, hazel eyes were staring back. They belonged to a small boy, no younger than six or seven. His hair was a mess on top of his head, and a blue jacket hung loosely on his body. He was a very handsome little boy.

"Oh, hey buddy," Harry says.

The boy tries to give him a friendly smile, but it ends up being an uneasy one. "My mommy, sir. She's crying," he says. He then points a finger to the shelf Harry had been browsing moments ago. "She's on the aisle over." There's a small quiver in his voice at the end. It was due to fear, but only a little of it.

Involuntarily, Harry's jaw tightens and he straightens his stance some. "Did someone do something to her? Do you know what happened?" Before his brain has the chance can catch up, his feet are carrying him to her.

Despite knowing nothing about this boy, nor his mother, for that matter, something within him felt the urge to help if he could. For all he knows, it could be a set up for one of those hidden camera TV shows. Then again, it could be real.

If it's one thing his dad stressed, it was always to treat women with respect. Whether it be with words, or actions. It never really crossed his mind before, but maybe being there for a woman when she needs you fits into the actions category. Even it wasn't necessarily, quote, respectful, the term heroic was awfully cheesy, but seemed like more of a fit.

With the boy in tow like a car, he rounds onto the next aisle, where he finds a woman standing with her back to them. A cart is in front of her, she's leaning on it, and only a few items have been placed in it. The boy scurries ahead of him to get to her first. She doesn't notice him at first.

His arm reaches up to gently pat her back. "Mommy, you can stop crying now. I got someone," he says.

The woman immediately straightens herself, and Harry watches as she swiftly wipes at her eyes with the backs of her hands. Just as he slows to a stop, she turns herself around. The attempt she had made at drying her tears had failed; her cheeks were still wet and flushed. Even if it had've worked, her puffy eyes would've given it away.

Helplessness and horror wash over her face as if it was the shoreline of a flooded lake. It was so evident, it practically radiated from her. It was a silent plea her lips didn't want to speak. Harry was sure he could almost feel it in his chest.

Her hands reach for the boy's shoulders and she pulls him closer to her body. "Isaac, baby, I told you everything was fine." She says it more to herself than her son, who's face was now slightly confused.

"What's wrong?" Harry says. The lack of information he had was starting to suck.

Her eyes flicker to the tile floor beneath them. For a few moments, the distant sound of cart wheels and quite music solely fills the air. Taking advantage of her silence, he looks over her body for any hints. There's not much to work with. She's wearing a blouse with jeans and short suede boots. In all honesty, she looked fine. Shaken, but normal.

"We—" She shakes her head as small tears begin to roll down her cheeks like the last droplets left in a water bottle. She sniffs and tries again. "We can't get this stuff. I can't get this for us." Her hands come up to shield her face from his concerned eyes.

As Issac frowns, an arrow pierces through the bullseye on Harry's heart. Those words really hit home. Fortunately, neither of his parents ever had to say them, but from friends' experiences, he knows what it's like to not be able to afford certain things. He's heard stories. All of which were incredible, and grounding. That's part of the reason he never takes anything for granted. Not even the people this life has given him.

His natural response is to step forward some and envelope her into a hug, making sure not to bump Isaac in the process. They may be total strangers, but life is full of people with the same story, yet different faces. At some point, everyone will endure hardships. Whether it be physically, mentally, or both. It's just the way things are. But if you have the chance to make someone's life better, you have nothing to lose by taking it.

Her arms don't wrap around him in return because she's far too shocked and embarrassed. He understands that. After a few seconds pass, he pulls away and looks into her eyes. Neither of them knew they had caught the attention of a few wandering eyes.

"Mommy?" Issac says, voice small." Her eyes immediately look down to him.

"It's okay, baby. Mommy's just thinking about some bad things. Everything will be okay," she says. "This nice man is helping." She looks back at Harry, quickly wiping her cheeks as if her tears were poison to her face.

"I've got it," Harry says.

"I'm sorry?" She nearly chokes on her own breath.

"Whatever you're buying. I'll get it. It's no big deal," he says. Compared to the "x" amount of people in the world, he wasn't the most well-to-do person. Not money wise, anyways. But what he did have was a heart too big for his chest. It instead rests on his sleeve like a badge of honor.

"That's amazing! Does that mean I can get Captain Crunch cereal?" Isaac is beaming up at Harry in total innocence.

"Isaac!" She says.

"No, no, it's fine. Really. That's probably the first thing I would've said if I was his age. It's a very tasty choice. I'm Harry by the way. My manners must've disappeared." He offers his big hand and she quickly takes it. Her smaller hand feels cold in his.

A shaky breath leaves her mouth. "Mine must've too. I'm Y/N. I-I don't know how to thank you enough for this, Harry. You really don't have to. Nobody's ever offered to do something this nice for us before. I feel like such a burden. Gosh. Thank you so much," she says.

Harry smiles at her, making his dimples indent on his cheeks. This time, she smiles. It's a very pretty smile, Harry thinks to himself. "It's no problem at all," he says.

"I'll find a way to repay you, I promise."

Little did she know, Harry liked giving a heck of a lot more than receiving.

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A/N

+I've never written Y/N as a single mom before, so this was something new. Hopefully you enjoyed it!

++Today is Mental Health Awareness Day (10/10/16), so always make sure to continue spreading good vibes because you'll never know who'll need them. <3

Love you!

-Nic 🎃