After three and a half hours of driving into the city and navigating my way around, I finally found myself in the parking lot of Juilliard. I stepped out of my Honda and locked it, heading towards the large entrance.
I suddenly felt underdressed as I passed through the threshold and saw the many fashionable people, in clothes that I swear came straight off of a magazine page.
I approached the desk to speak to the receptionist. I placed my hands on the countertop and smiled at the tiny woman sitting in an office chair, her hair an ocean blue. She beamed up at me, her face captivatingly beautiful.
"How may I help you?" She stood to her full height, which was well below mine, the top of her head reaching my nose.
"Hi, I'm here to check in and get keys to my dorm."
She nodded and pulled out a wireless keyboard, putting it on the counter in between us and turning the computer screen to face me. "If you'll just fill out this quick information form, I can get you all set up."
I began to type in my information, basically an about me sheet. I finished and handed the woman the keyboard again.
"Okay, Kalli, give me one sec." She chewed on her cheek and clicked the mouse as her eyes scanned over the screen. "Alright, well, it says here that you haven't been placed into a dorm, you've been assigned to off campus living." She eyed me worriedly, before clicking around some more.
"Oh, that can't be correct. I don't have a place off campus." I laughed, hoping she could easily fix the issue.
"Okay, um. I'm going to go talk to the housing manager, just wait right here." She scurried away, disappearing behind the door.
I placed my head in my hands and sighed. Problems were starting and I hadn't even begun classes yet. Suddenly there was a hand on my shoulder and I spun around, ready to slap whoever had grabbed me.
I stopped my hand midair, realizing it was none other than Harry. "Nice to see you again too, Kalli." He laughed as I put my hand down and turned towards the counter again.
"Likewise. Why didn't you tell me you were coming here too?" I spoke in a monotone voice, trying to appear uninterested.
"I wanted to surprise you." He chuckled, pushing his RayBans up onto his head, holding back his large curls.
"I'm definitely surprised." I traced the small swirls in the countertop with my fingertip, hoping the small blue haired woman would come back.
"Did I do something to make you dislike me?" He leaned on the counter, trying to put himself in my field of vision.
"Not necessarily. I lived across the courtyard from you though, you should really learn how to shut your curtains."
"Oh, OH!!! That's why you don't like me, you've seen me naked too many times. I knew it." He threw his hands up in the air out of mock defeat and turned to face backwards.
"Uh." I blushed, giggling a little at his behavior. "I've luckily never seen you naked, but it's come close."
He opened his mouth to retort but the small woman returned, carrying a small piece of paper in her hand.
"Okay so um, we don't have any empty dorms right now. Something happened and they gave someone else your spot, but," she took a deep breath, "here is a list of hotels in the area, they're all very close to us." She gave me a sympathetic smile and I plucked the list from her outstretched hand.
"Excuse me, what happened?" Harry spoke up and the small woman widened her eyes surprisedly.
"Oh hello, are you two together? Well see, Kalli's dorm was accidentally given away and-"
"We're not together." I spoke quickly, folding the piece of paper and placing it in my pocket. "Thank you so much."
"My name is Sea." She smiled.
"Thank you so much, Sea." I smiled, "The name fits you." As I turned to leave, she called out to me again.
"Here, take this." She quickly scribbled something on a post it note and handed it to me. "In case you need anything else."
I smiled and thanked her, walking towards the door. I blinked back tears as I shoved my way outside. I was about to step off the curb when I heard a voice calling my name.
"Kalli!!" Harry and his dumb smirk made their way towards me, hugging his jacket tightly around his body.
"What Harry?" I snapped, chilling wind whipping my hair across my face.
"I can't let you stay in a hotel. Everything around here is fucking expensive." He jammed his hands into his pockets and shifted his weight in front of me, looking around awkwardly.
"So, what are you proposing?" I asked impatiently.
"You can stay with me?" He smiled and pushed his beanie back up his head a little further.
"I barely know you. I don't even know your last name." I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to hide the fact that I was shivering.
He smiled brightly and laughed slightly as he stuck out his hand. "Styles, Harold Styles."
I grinned a little and let my hand reach his, shaking it. "Kalli Brooks."
"Kalli isn't short for anything?" He jammed his hand back into his pocket and began to walk towards the parking lot again.
"Kallista." I sighed, playing with the car keys in my hand.
"What, you don't like it?"
I shrugged, "A bit overbearing for me I guess."
"So now that you know my last name, is it fit for you to stay with me?"
"Do you ever give up?" I giggled as we reached my car.
"Not until I get what I want, usually." His hooded eyes reflected vibrantly in the pale daylight, and his dimples caving in deeply.
I stared at the beautiful man before me, astonished I was thinking these things about him. I glanced at my feet and sighed deeply.
"You could at least take me out for dinner or something before you try to pull moves, buddy." I grinned, attempting to lighten the mood.
His smile faltered for a second and I swear I thought I saw him blush while he laughed my comment off.
"So lunch, then you stay with me?" He nudged me with his shoulder as he spoke.
"Okay." My mouth spoke before my brain had time to catch up. Fuck.
"Great, I know this great diner just a few blocks away, we could walk?" He grinned and stepped off the curb so that we were closer.
"Okay." I repeated, mirroring his expression as we walked down the sidewalk and towards the Main Street.
Okay hi!!! I haven't updated this story in so long but I'm getting back into the rhythm of writing again and am excited to post this chapter finally. Please leave any feedback or anything, I love getting comments (: also, please vote and recommend this book to your friends!!!
Thanks!!!
Kourtni
