How To Break The Rules (Harry Styles)

Lesson Two: Know Who You're Learning From

“Are you sure about doing that to your cello?” A deep voice asked.

“I’m pretty sure.” I answered. I turned to whoever spoke and realized who it was. I’m so glad my mom isn’t home this morning. I’ve only gotten at least 5 feet away from my house in the last three minutes because of this cello. “Mariana?” He asked. “Um, no?” I replied, of course he’d know it was me. We’re neighbours. “I knew there’s something different about you but I didn’t expect this much difference.” He said. “What do you mean?” I asked, kind of offended by the way he’s stating I changed. Excuse him but I grew up learning from my mom.

Well, I'm pretty sure that's a good thing, right?

My mom taught me how to be a real lady as I grew up and he was a troublemaker back then, so was I, but that’s the past and a lady is not a troublemaker, that’s what mom said.

“You changed…a lot.” He said. “Of course, Harry, we all went through puberty or are you stuck in ten years old to notice?” I quickly covered my mouth. “I’m sorry.” I quickly said. “Why should you be? I don’t take any offence anyway.” He said. Oh.

“How so do you think I “changed”? You barely knew me back then to even know who I really was.” I said. “You weren’t very guarded back then. I’d say, you slouch, you cackle when you laugh and you’re very outspoken…about a lot of things. You still are, I guess, you just hold back.” He said. “Those aren’t very many and so what if there are changes? It’s for the better.” I said.

“No, no it’s not.” He said.

“I know that you watch us a lot.” He said. He glanced at my window which faces his house. I have a good view of his house, especially, their backyard.

“I don’t.” I lied.

“Lie.” He said.

I eyed him. He changed a lot, physically. His once straight hair now turned into a mop of curls, well, I did notice his physical changes since, I will admit, I watch them from my window most of the time.

It’s just that there’s something about the Styles’ family that fascinates me. It doesn’t disobey my mom’s orders. I don’t talk to them, not until now.

“I see it in your eyes.” He said and narrowed his eyes to observe me. “Did you just quote a song?” I asked. “Maybe.” He said.

This is not good. I am having a casual conversation with a Styles! If my mom was here, I would already be pounded by one big mallet or worse. Well, I have nothing much against the Styles. Maybe Harry got me in trouble back then but it was my fault too and that was in the past, it’s history now.

The only thing is, I’m disobeying my mom and I never do that.

I notice that he’s wearing some sort of uniform. “What are you wearing?” I asked. “Work uniform.” He answered. “You work?”

Well, of course, he has work uniform.

“Well, for a stalker, you’re bad at it.” He said. “I may watch you but I am not a stalker.” I said. “Oops, caught red handed.” He said. I stared at him with a blank expression. He just made me confess. That was absentmindedly stupid of me to do. How does he do that?

“A magician never shares his secret.” Harry said. “I wasn’t…”

This boy is making me confused of myself.

“Why, Harry?” I asked. “Why what?” He asked. “Why…this?” I gestured to everything. I didn’t want to offend him by asking him why he was here or why he was talking to me.