Summer Styles (Harry Styles)

Prepare

I wake up and the world around me is silent. There is no screaming mother, no barking father, and no whining brother. What is going on?

I get myself out of the warm bed and stretch every part of my body. There are popping noises all over. It just so happens to feel wonderful. My workouts lately have been more intense, and I don't think I've pushed myself harder than I have now.

This is all because I'm supposed to go to London soon. Very soon. Today is the 15th of June and I leave on the 17th. My parents were not too thrilled about me going to a foreign country with only a friend, but I'll be 19 soon and, when I'm in college, they won't have much power to dictate my life.

The campus of Duke University is beyond gorgeous. It has these old buildings that look like they're out if a fairytale and gardens that would suit a queen. I can't help but grin at the thought of calling that my home for four years.

As I make my way to the bathroom in a groggy state, I grab a towel and clothes for the day. My closet is a disaster; miniature tornados flew through it at some point this summer. I decide on some running shorts, a Nike t-shirt and my favorite tennis shoes. This is what I normally wear all summer. It's comfortable and I have nobody to impress.

My boyfriend is nonexistent. I've never had one, either. Hopefully college will change that. I'm not sure why I never had a guy in my life, but it's probably better that I didn't. Graduating high school with a 4.0 GPA and a scholarship to an ivy league school is all I could ever hope for.

After hopping in the shower, the hot water begins to relax my overused muscles. I can't help but think about all the things I can do in London that I've never done here, including going to a club and dancing the night away. I'm supposed to be the quiet introvert who never did anything fun or exciting. Nobody knows about my upcoming venture except for my family and Payson' family. Payson is going with me on this venture. We're supposed to meet today to discuss how things were going to work on Friday.

Leaving the heated water was so much harder than I thought it would be. I wipe the now steamed up mirror and start getting ready. Usually I wear a little make up, but today, no make up is preferable. My light brown hair is all wavy. It looks like I've been in the ocean all day, which is my favorite look.

Now dressed and ready, I head to Payson's house. Wait. I haven't even checked the clock. I look over and the bright red numbers say 9:54 AM. The house is still silent. It should not be.

I grab my keys and bag off the old dresser and head down stairs. In the kitchen, there is a note

"Hadley,

We have gone to see grandma and Kenneth. We won't be back until nightfall. Take care of yourself.

Love, Mom"

Of course. They left early this morning without a goodbye. Go figure. Grandma lives about 4 hours away with her boyfriend Kenneth. My grandfather died about 8 years ago because of cancer. That was the hardest time in my life. He was always there for me and I was always his little girl.

The pantry is full of all my favorite foods, but I only grab a protein bar before I leave for Payson's.

My cute, little black Civic comes to life with the turn of a key. I roll all the windows down and open the sunroof and begin blasting One Direction.

I wouldn't call myself an insane, crazy fan who stalks the boys. No. I enjoy their music. It's so relatable. Out of all of them, Harry is my least favorite. He seems extremely immature and, oh my gosh, he has been in more relationships in one year than I will have my whole life.

The only thing I can see that he can have going for him is those beautiful eyes, along with those to-die-for curly locks and his body.... Okay, so basically everything is going for him except for his personality. Maybe that's why he dates people older than him. Perhaps he is trying to mature.

Payson's house is only 5 minutes away. We have known each other since 7th grade. On the first day, I had a bad reaction to some makeup I tried. Everybody made fun of me, except her. She took me to the bathroom and helped me clean my face and put some medicine around my swollen eyes. We've been friends ever since and I cannot imagine my life without her.

Before I can reach her house, the door opens, and I'm greeted by my bestfriend. Her light blond hair falls in soft curls around her round face. Her blue eyes sparkle. They are a far contrast to my muddy eyes.

"Had! Oh my gosh, in just 2 days, we will be going to London! AHHH! I'm so excited!" Pay shrieked. She gets so excited over everything. One time, we had chicken for lunch on pork day. She went on and on about it until she was blue in the face.

"Yeah. I'm really excited. We are going to have so much fun!" I tried to match her excitement, but failed. She is way more perky than I will ever be. "We need to plan our days. I know we only have two weeks to see all of London, but I think we can do it."

She frowned. Payson isn't exactly the type of person who liked to have things scheduled and planned out. I, on the other hand, had to plan things. It was embedded I'm my head that there has to be a schedule, or else, we would wonder around with nothing to do.

Over the next four hours, Payson and I figured out what we were going to do every moment in London. Of course, shopping was at the top of her list. I don't think she understands how expensive everything is over there. I mean, I spent 2 years saving for this trip. Finally, I saved 10 thousand dollars, so that better be enough. Pay is a daddy's girl. He hands her a limitless credit card, and off she goes. Poor man. He will regret that move in about 5 days.

- - - - - - - - - -

The noise. Where is it coming from? Ugh. Flipping over, I see my clock and realize that the flashing red numbers that say 4:30 AM mean that it's time for me to get up and head to London. I'm really excited, but it's just so early.

I run to the bathroom and turn on the shower, getting in before the water heats up. The cold water wakes me up then the hot water relaxes me completely. After washing and shaving, I get out and wipe the now steamed up mirror. I can't decide if I want to look good today or settle for athletic wear. I choose to pick a happy medium.

Still slightly groggy, in wonder to my closet and pick out some high wasted jean shorts and a black tank top with a red plaid button down to go over it.

Finally, after putting on a little bit of make up and fixing my hair, it's time to go. Lifting my purse in one arm and my overstuffed suitcase in the other, I trot down the wooded staircase.

In the kitchen stands my mom. She is dressed in sweats and drinking coffee. Obviously she doesn't agree with the early morning.

"Hey," I hum, not wanting to be too cheerful towards the sleepy woman.

"Hey," she mumbles. "Are you sure you want to go? You can always just go later in life when you're not fresh out of high school and have the world in front of you."

I roll my eyes and nod. Since the day I told her I was going to London, she has been sore about the whole subject. I was extremely surprised that she volunteered to take me this morning. I think she though she could scare me last minute into not going, but that's not going to work.

She makes a noise that sounds like a grunt and sigh mixed together and picks up her keys. I follow slowly behind her, staying a few feet behind her incase she decides to stop all of a sudden.

She acts like this will be my last time leaving this old country house. It's only two weeks. After lifting my bag in the car and jumping in myself, mom turns the car on, and we head to the airport.