Evening the Score // Book One

Chapter 30

"And while we're on the subject of love this broadcast, the entire world is anxiously awaiting the arrival of one Harry Styles along with his girlfriend and United States soccer star Elena Bennett to make their red carpet debut tomorrow night at his Another Man magazine release party."

"Rumor has it the lovely couple will both be matching in Armani from head to toe while they dance and mingle with some of the industry's most prolific and respected artists."

"The couple set the world abuzz with speculation when they showed up a few weeks ago to his CD release party and then ducked out from the cameras and left early. No doubt to spend some time alone as insiders tell us their romance is barely months old but boiling hot."

"The young popstar and his star athlete girlfriend have been more open with their relationship than in previous tries at love. Frequently showing up on each other's Instagrams."

"Stay tuned to Entertainment Tonight where we'll bring you the very latest on the lovebirds and their whirlwind love affair as well as who was at the party."

"What they were wearing."

"And who arrived on whose arm."

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"Hi."

"Good morning."

"I get to see you in 24 hours."

Elena smiled as she stretched in her bed. It had been quite awhile since she'd heard Harry's voice first thing in the morning. It was a nice reminder of their time together after her injury,

"Less than 24 hours."

"You ready for your meeting today?"

Elena's smile faded slowly. She wasn't really prone to nervousness. She usually just kind of buried it under her determination and went about doing her duty. But this meeting...she was nervous.

She bit her lip while she contemplated whether or not she should tell him she was nervous. She released her lip when she finally decided against it,

"Yeah, I've been ready for this for over two months."

Harry pulled his feet up onto the chair he was sitting on and balanced his arms on his knees,

"We've only been together for two months...can you believe that?"

Elena rolled onto her side, staring out the window to the sun that had already risen into the light blue sky,

"No. It feels like we're an old married couple. You've gone off to war and I'm here alone...waiting for your return."

Harry dropped his forehead to lean against his forearm. He never imagined missing her would feel like this. Since leaving her in New York it was like a switch inside of him had been flipped. The emptiness was so much worse now than it ever had been,

"I can't wait to see you. Mum is excited to meet you."

"What'd you tell her about me?"

"Wasn't me really. Gem mostly. She came home raving about you and now my mum is cleaning her house with a fine tooth comb in anticipation for your arrival."
Elena furrowed her brow,

"Cleaning? Why?"
Harry shrugged,

"Who knows? It's best not to ask."

"So we're in a hotel for the first night right? Then we head to Holmes Chapel?"
"Yeah, why?"

Elena giggled, a slow smile creeping up on her cheeks,

"Just making sure I should pack some of that lingerie."