Broken Things

Chapter 2

HPOV:

I found it funny that I had just met this girl, of who I only knew her name, and yet I was letting her pull me through the crowded kitchen of the club. We weaved in and out of racks and cooks.

"I hope your security doesn't freak out," she said over her shoulder.

"Knowing Paul, he's probably having a coronary."

She laughed, "Lovely." I found myself smiling at her laugh. It wasn't reserved like I've heard from most girls. It was loud and I could tell she meant it.  I liked hearing it. 

Finally, we reached the back door and burst through the exit. The spring breeze was warm as it hit my face. I took in a deep breath to refresh my senses. The smell of rain was in the air.

"This is my favorite season," I said as I exhaled. She nodded in agreement as we began to walk down the back alley. 

We came out to the busy street. Cars zoomed past us as we walked along the sidewalk. People walked by us without a second glance and a wave of relief washed over me. I looked down at Stevie. She was looking through windows of the shops we were passing and a slight smile was laced over her lips. She seemed unfazed about everything which gave her a cool appearance. She combed her dark hair to the side with her fingers. She caught me staring at her and a smirk turned up the corner of her mouth. 

"Well I guess you're free now. Have a good night. I would suggest putting yourself in a disguise or something first. It might help," she said, looking up at me. 

My smile dropped slowly and realized she was leaving. She recognized the disappointment in my face because she furrowed her brows in concern. Clearing her throat, she looked down at the concrete. 

"I thought maybe, um, that we could..." I trailed off. I didn't know what I was saying. It was weird for me to be walking with a total stranger. Normally, I would have bowed out and let her go on her command but I didn't want her to leave. My palms started to sweat. I shoved them into my pockets and desperately tried to think of something to say that would make her stay. 

SPOV:

I could tell he was uncomfortable about something but I couldn't really tell what. It was probably me and the fact that I minorly kidnapped him but I had told him that he was free to go. It wasn't like I was forcing him to stay, I just wanted to help him out of that madness back at the club.

"Don't you have, like, some party or something you could be? I wouldn't want to keep you from it." I honestly didn't know what to do. I was just casually walking with Harry Styles and I really wasn't thinking anything of it. The only thing I was thinking about was how awkward this was getting. I know every other normal person would have probably died in the hallway at the club but I didn't want to be that person. It was overly neurotic. Granted, I would have done the same thing in the presence of Kurt Cobain; that I couldn't deny and I smiled at myself.

I looked up at Harry and I realized he hadn't answered me. He shrugged and shook his head.

"I like what we're doing now," he said finally. He fidgeted with his necklace and then moved his hand to rub the back of his neck. I bit the inside of my lip.

"Well trust me, I'm not that exciting. I had just planned on going back to my place and curling up with a bottle of wine," I laughed and thought about how pathetic I sounded. Outside of my job, I had no life but I didn't mind. It was quiet and I was content. 

His long fingers ran through his hair and his eyes met mine. They were kind and nervous, that was even possible. I was just trying to read what I saw. I was photographer; I saw emotion in everything.

"I could join you, I mean, if you don't mind. I understand if you don't want me to." He lowered his eyes and bit his bottom lip. I raised my eyebrows in shock. 

"What?" I didn't mean to verbalize my response. It just slipped out and I immediately regretted it because a small flash of what looked like hurt ran through his face.

I mean no, of course I don't mind," I said quickly as I placed my hand lightly on his shoulder.

"I wouldn't mind if you joined me. I had just assumed that you would have something better to do." His face lit up and he shook his head.

"Nope."

I laughed, "Well alright, it isn't too far from here but we'll have to hail a cab. We'll be walking through some crowded places and I wouldn't want you to, you know, have to go through that again."

Harry grinned. "Thanks. Your concern is greatly appriciated. Believe me."

"I do," I said with a wink and started looking for an available cab.