Collide // Harry Styles

Chapter 9. Her

Chapter 9. Her

Elizabeth's POV. (Ava's Mother)

19 and a half years. That's how long we've been together, and I still remember the first day we met. It was on the seventeenth of March, I was working then at a local coffee shop as a barista. It was a rainy day and late at night too. My shift was almost over and I was already on my last customer. Quickly making her drink, I finish the order and right when I was about to leave the counter, the door barges open.

A man, with dark brown hair, which you could say is wet due to the weather, hurriedly walks in. His entrance caught the attention of a few customers, but they soon didn't mind. With curiousity, I cautiously walk over to him and examine his current state.

"Sir, are you alright?" I ask and he looks up to me, while patting his soaky jeans.

"Oh, y-yeah." He stutters and straightens up as his eyes lays on mine.

He had such graceful blue eyes, it was rather relaxing for me. Not having to realize that I've been staring at him a bit too long until I heard his soft chuckle that makes me smile.

"Would you like a drink?" I wonder as we both walk towards the cashier.

"A cappuccino, please." He answers.

"Sure thing." I say and he pays, right after I repeat his order.

"I'm William, by the way." He gives a small smile.

"Elizabeth, but you can call me Liz." I shrug my shoulders.

"Well, Liz, would you like some coffee?" He asks and I shake my head.

"No, Sir, it's fine-"

"First of all, I am not twenty years older than you, so would you please call me by my name?" I giggle at his humor. "And secondly, my treat." He grins.

"If you say so, William." I emphasize his name and he laughs; a sweet, harmonizing laugh.

Then every moment came by in a flash. We were talking together in a booth, we were laughing, we were interacting, we were sharing memories and ideas. He was telling me corny jokes, and I was telling him much worse ones.

I liked it. I enjoyed every second of it. And later on, he asked me to meet up with him once again. And the second time we hung out, that's when we clicked.

Our dreams together were endless, it was almost perfect. And it became better when we had our first born daughter, our little Ava. She was so beautiful. We gave her everything she needed to grow in a way, where in all the parents in the world would love. Years came by so quick and she was too, but my own relationship with my husband has changed.

By a young age, Ava had an interest in art. She drew, and drew until she had gotten tired. Each day, she would draw a rose. A white rose. Then before I knew it, she was able to draw anything she wanted. She was amazing.

When she reached the age of fifteen to sixteen, William has been acting different. He wasn't his old, sweet self, he was becoming more serious and it frightened me. I spoke to him and he explained how stressed he was about work that he didn't even notice that he was letting out his anger to me. I understood him and we were okay. Just, okay.

But it happened again, then months came by, we were arguing more and more. I didn't know what was going with our relationship, and what feared me was, where it could possibly result into.

Taking a break from all my thoughts, I wondered up the stairs to check what my daughter's been up to. I had work tonight, but I still have an hour to spare before I leave. Gently knocking on her door, I hear her footsteps and she opens up.