Playing For Keeps (Harry Styles)

Chapter 4

The trip up four flights of stairs was an adventure, to say the least.  

We found out the elevator located in the building's deserted lobby was out of order after a frenzied looking girl flew down the last flight of stairs and slammed through the door, where she abruptly stopped in her tracks to bend over and catch her breath. Letting out a loud PHEW, she threw up her head and caught sight of us and our amused faces.

"Oh, hi!" she blushed a bit breathlessly, accompanying her smile with a small wave. My mother and I smiled back, returning her quiet hellos.

She stood there a bit awkwardly, rocking back and forth on her heels and chewing the inside of her cheek. I took this time to take in her appearance, her blonde hair pulled back in a slightly messy ponytail and vibrant, lively green eyes. She looked quite familiar...

She cleared her throat lightly, smiling. "I'm Gemma," she spoke again, with a British lilt to her voice. "Are you waiting for the elevator?" she asked, gesturing toward the elevator bank with an inquisitively raised eyebrow. I nodded, offering an identical smile. "You won't get very far then," she laughed. "They still haven't fixed them all summer." She rolled her eyes to show her annoyance. "What floor are you on?"

"Fifth," I answer, slouching my shoulders to show my exasperation. My mom mimicked my posture.

"Hmmm..." Gemma hummed to herself before turning back to us. "I don't have anywhere I need to be right now, I'm just waiting for someone to get here... I could help you if you'd like?"

My mother and I looked at eachother before I turned back to answer, "Sure! If it wouldn't be too much trouble!"

"Great! Okay," Gemma said, striding closer towards us across the lobby. "Let's divy this stuff up...Hey! You're here to play hockey?!" She exclaimed excitedly, pointing at my stick. I nod with a giggle. "That's why you're here three weeks early. Preseason." She adds a knowing nod. "Hey, we're teammates!" She grinned widely.

...

The three of us have finally made it to the landing of the fifth floor. Gemma and I lean against the railing to try and catch our breaths, my mom against the wall opposite us. Once we are all able to stand up again, we look at eachother and share a laugh. "Now that was a workout. Maybe Coach will let us sleep through the first practice!" Gemma winked and giggled at me.

"Alright," she claps after we managed to get through to the floor lounge. "What room, m'dear?" "Room 504," I reply, smiling at her enthusiasm.

Her eyes widen and her mouth forms into an 'O'. "No way!" She shrieks, jumping up and down in excitement. "You must be Isabella!" She brings her hands together, looking at me expectantly. "Um, yeah...How'd you know?" I raise my eyebrow quizzically.

"I'm your hockey team big sis! I was running down the stairs to meet you!" She laughs, and I join her as she pulls me in for a hug. As an afterthought, she sends a warm "Hello, Mrs. Carter!" to my mother. 

Bending down to grab my duffle and a box, she says, "We're almost there, ladies! Hustle!" I laugh at the hockey related pep talk, and my mother and I follow in her suit.

...

The three of us are now sitting side by side by side on my elevated bed, staring at the pile of stuff staring up at us from the floor. My roommate has yet to arrive. We stay like that, resting, for a while before my mom pats my knee. "Izzy, you know I love you baby, but it's getting late and you know how long the drive home is. You're a big girl now, right? You can take care of yourself, yeah?"

My heart sinks a little that she won't stay and help, but I quickly pull up my usual front. "Yeah, of course mom. I wouldn't want you to mess up my stuff anyway," I playfully roll my eyes.

"Oh good, sweetie," she says as she pulls herself off of the bed, rubbing her lower back. "Wow, that stuff was a lot heavier than I remebered it to be this morning!" My mother, Gemma, and I share a laugh at my mother's joke before Gemma, too, pulled herself to her feet. "It was great meeting you Isabella, and you too Mrs. Carter. I'm gonna pop back over to my room now, but I'll be back tonight to help you settle in and see how you're doing," she leans back in for a quick hug, which I appreciate. "See you later!" she finishes while prancing out my door and down the hall.

"She is so sweet," my mom turns to me. I nod tartly in agreement before finally rising to my feet. "Alright, mom, I'll walk you out if you're eager to get home," I say, placing my hands on her shoulders. We share a small smile before following Gemma's footsteps down the hall.

...

I lean against the jeep's driver door, saying my goodbyes to my mom through the open window. Now she's getting all teary.

"Baby, I'm so proud of you. Are you sure you'll be alright? You have to call me tonight, and everyday! Three times a day! Oh, I love you so much, so so mu-" she gushes before I cut her off with my raised hands. "Ma, I'm fine. I'll call you. I love you too. Don't worry," I pause. "Now, like you said, you have a long drive ahead of you. You better get going." I step away from the car after patting the door. My mom gives me a last loving glance before starting to roll the window up.

"Wait!" I remember something. She stops rolling the window. "Yes sweetie?" She asks a bit worriedly.

I grin. "Toss me a KitKat."

My mom smiles a small, teary smile before complying. I swiftly catch the flying sweet before crossing my arms back over my chest. "Love you, mom." I say a final time.

She responds with a honk of the horn and a grin matching mine, and she continues to honk as she drives away, out of sight.

Left standing alone in the dorm parking lot, something between a laugh and a sigh falls from my lips. As I turn and reach the building's front doors, I can't help but remember the boy I'd bumped into earlier. I liked the way he called me "Free Spirit."