Project: CA, U.S.A. | Harry Styles AU

Chapter 4

A/N: gif of Leah on the sidebar (:

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As I had gotten my food, I looked around, trying to figure out where Charlie and Leah have been gone. A few moments later, I spotted them, sitting exactly on the other side of the cafeteria. So I had to make my way through the crowded place, careful, not to spill all of my food and/or drink over someone's shoes, clothes or whatever. Unfortunately, I had to pass a table on my way to my friends, which I'd rather avoided. Because out of the corners of my eyes, I saw a familiar neon-colored beanie, along with some other dudes. There were also some overly tanned girls with some cleavages and mini skirts or shorts, that must've made out of less material than my bikini. Well okay, I don't want to exaggerate - but it was just a tiny little bit less material than the public comfort zone-level, I guess. Anyways, I just chose to ignore them and continued, heading towards Leah and Charlie. But just as I was about to go past them, I heard one of the girls chuckling.

"Well, look who decided to sew a dress out of her grandma's curtain."  She mumbled under her breath as the other girls joined her, snickering and batting their fake lashes towards the slightly smirking boys.

I stopped dead and eyed her up and down, eyebrows raised.

"At least I don't have to wear stuff that's two sizes to small, at the instance of being unable to buy real clothes." I smiled innocently while I heard them gasp. They looked as surprised as I felt about that sudden boost of confidence I never thought I had.  

"Oh no she didn't." One girl whispered bewildered. My grin increased, but as I heard a low chuckle -barely hearable- I turned a little, just to be staring right into a pair of piercing green eyes, making me shift and slightly uncomfortable. My smile faded. Reality hit me. So much about just leaving him and his friends alone to avoid unintended drama. Great way to just ignore them, Ali. Well done.

"Excuse me? Who do you think you are?" The first girl spat, interrupting my thoughts and turning my head over to her again. Again, my mouth opened before my brain could work out the possible aftereffects.

"I am none of your business, gladly."

Walking away, I heard the boys now laugh loudly as the girl told them to 'shut the fuck up'.

Arriving at the desired table, I took a seat next to a oblivious looking Leah, who laughed about something Charlie had said. They greeted me happily and I just chose to not mention the previous incident as they soon chatted along with me. But then at some time, I felt Charlie nudging my right shin with his foot.

"My dearest Ali, would you possibly explain to us, why this one particular, rude, curly haired senior is staring at you the whole time?" He asked, looking over my shoulder, eyes narrowed. Leah and I turned around with surprise, just to see Harry's gaze shift swiftly away, back to his mates. I looked back over to my company, both of them had their eyebrows raised. So I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"I...uhm. Actually I may or may not have been talking to them a few minutes ago." I explained awkwardly.

"What? Spit everything out!" Leah whisper-yelled.

After I had retold the little encounter, both of them stared at me, as if I was an undiscovered sort of animal. Which was why a slight blush crept onto my face.

"Oh, snap girl. They'll be thinking twice now, insulting someone they don't know." Leah stated, chuckling slightly.

"Would have never thought you had the guts to do something like this. I'm proud of you!" Charlie added, laughing and patting my shoulder. I just huffed.

"Or they'll lie for me -behind the school gates- and then, when nobody's watching, they'll rip me into pieces with their newly manicured nails which I bet are sharp as fuck." I answered dryly. They nodded and laughed in response.

"Well," Leah began, breathlessly "at least I got your address, so I can send the leftover bits to your mom. Don't worry, I'll tell her it was some sort of wild animal, just to reduce the embarrassment of actually being murdered by some hormonal, stuck-up bitches." She snickered again and I just rolled my eyes, joining their laughter.

**

The rest of the day went by quite quickly. Fortunately, the last period, PE, was canceled, as the teacher was already ill or something like that. That's why, after the bell released us into our free time, Leah and I said goodbye to Charlie and made our way over to the little Italian ice café, that we had already visited yesterday. As it was a sunny day, we decided to take a seat on one of the benches in front of the café, enjoying the gentle warmth that was surrounding us and eating our amazing food. I had just finished my ice cream and leaned at the backrest, as I felt a little hand pulling slightly at the skirt of my dress. I opened my eyes and looked at a little boy with tousled brown hair, smiling sheepishly at me.

"Heyha little buddy. What's up?" I grinned down at him. You must know that toddlers are just my weakness. 

"I just uhmm.. wondered, uhm,  if you could get me an ice cream? The blue one, with the colored crumbles inside?" He asked me quietly with big green eyes on full display. I looked confused around, then to Leah, who just shrugged her shoulders, as clueless as me.

"Well, are you alone here, little man?" I asked friendly. He shook his head.

"No, mummy is over there with her friend. But I asked her, and she doesn't want to buy me one." As if on cue, a middle aged woman hurried towards our bench, a worried look on her face.

"Eddie, what are you doing? What did I tell you about not going away without telling me." she ranted. "C'mere sweety, don't harass these poor girls. We'll go home, okay?" The boy looked very unpleased as she grabbed his little hand.

"I'm sorry." The woman told us.

"No no it's okay, don't worry." I stated. "He just asked for a little ice cream, if you're okay with that?" I asked her. She sighed and nodded. Mumbling something like "..puppy eyes....get everyone.." and laughing lightly. I smiled and turned back to the boy.

"Well, what did you have on your mind, that I was getting out of this deal, Eddie?" He looked at me with big eyes and shrugged his shoulders, as if he had not expected any payment-wishes. "Mhhm, let me think, maybe I get a little smile of yours?" I asked, eyebrows raised questioningly. And I soon got my prize as he first grinned relieved and then started to giggle. I joined him and stood up.

"You coming, little buddy?" I bent down slightly, holding out my hand, which he grabbed eagerly. Together we made our way back to the counter, and I bought him his desired sweet. He shyly thanked me and stumbled back to his mom, a wide grin on his face. I walked out after him and was greeted by his smiling mother.

"You hadn't had to do this, but thank you, though. I'm surprised he even had the courage to ask a stranger. Maybe he likes you." she looked at her son, who didn't pay attention, occupied with licking his food eagerly. 

"Or his need for ice cream was just too much to handle." I added and she joined my laughter. Then we silently watched the tiny toddler.

"Thank you again, you seem very nice. Would you like to tell me your name? I'm Anne, by the way." the mother spoke again.

"I'm Aliyah." I smiled.

"Well, Aliyah, I was wondering," Anne started "if you would maybe like to babysit Ed some time?...I mean, we could get to know each other a bit more first, but...he seems to like you, and I've looked for a good babysitter for a long time now, because of work and stuff." she offered nervously and I smiled widely. A few more bucks in my pocket surely wouldn't be bad and Ed seems like a really cute and fun kid to be around.

"I'd love to."

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Well, what do you guys think? Please comment and vote, it would mean very much to me (:
Do you think I should continue the story or don't you like it at all? 

I hope y'all have a nice day (:

Sarah xx