1 in 7 Billion (Harry Styles)

Chapter 1

"Taxi!" I yelled as I held my fingers high and snapped. I hopped into the yellow cab, trying not slip on the February ice, and said to the driver, "620 8th Avenue please." The driver replied with a nod as I pulled my phone out. This is my first day out in the real world in 2 years.

Ever since my parents died in a car accident, I've been living with my older sister in Jersey. I finally got my shit together and moved to New York. I received a load of inheritance from my parents, considering both my dad and my mom were surgeons. I had enough to get me along for a couple years, maybe even more.

"Thank you." I said as I paid the cab driver.

"Sure thing, sweetheart." The greasy middle-aged man said as he took my money.

I stood on the sidewalk and looked up at the huge skyscraper. Today is my first day working at the New York Times. I'm not a writer, just a receptionist for now. Although, I want to become an editor.

I walk in and am immediately greeted by a professional looking woman who's dressed in a classy pant suit.

"Hello, you must be Hayley. I'm Jane, and I will be showing you the ropes today."

I smile at her as I shake her hand, also noticing her fire-engine red nails that look like they could claw me to death. I was nervous, and apparently had the feeling that everyone in this city had it out for me.

"Let's get started. Follow me."

The day consisted of me learning where everything was, how to use the computer, how to use the fax machine, and how to answer phone calls. After the long day, I went home to my 12th floor studio apartment, and made myself Mac & Cheese as I cuddled up on my couch and watched Friends reruns.

I had one friend in the city and her name was Leila. We weren't close. We met in the airport and she happens to be a writer for The Times. She got me the job.
She was currently calling me, and I know what she's going to say. She probably wants me to go out, but I just wasn't feeling it.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Get ready, I'll be there in 10."

And with that she hung up the phone. Classic Leila. Assertive and to the point. I didn't feel like fighting this one, so I walked to my closet and slipped on my Rolling Stones tshirt.

I didn't have a door to the apartment, an elevator took the place of that. I buzzed her up and five minutes later heard a ding and Leila walked right through it.

"Ready?" She asked with a mischievous smirk. Her shiny black hair was glimmering in the dim lights of my apartment and I couldn't help, but envy it. My blonde hair was straggly and was ridiculously hard to brush though.

"This is as good as it's going to get." I said sarcastically.

"I'm determined to have a good time tonight, and so are you. I've arranged a double date with Chris and his friend, Will, from work."

Chris was her cocky boyfriend that I didn't fancy too much. I've only hung out with him once, but I feel like I've known the guy my whole life considering he wouldn't stop talking about himself. Then I gave her the 'Are you kidding me?' look. She just smiled as she grabbed my purse and forced me into the elevator.

I hated dating. None of it ever worked out obviously, so I decided it wasn't worth my time. If it was meant to be, it would happen. Even if it meant I wasn't going to find "the one". I didn't care. I was 20 years old -- I don't need a boyfriend or anything for that matter.

We ended up at a hole in the wall pizza place. I did not want to be here. Chris's friend wasn't even cute, and chewed with his mouth open, and that was a definite deal breaker. Plus, Chris wouldn't shut up about his 'glory days' back when he played football for some community college. I have no idea what Leila saw in him, because he was far from charming, and she was way too hot for him.