Between the Pages

three

(A)

"I'm home," My bag collides with the floor, causing a thud to echo through the house. I wait for a response but I get nothing. Guess she's out again. Shrugging it off, I plop down on my bed listening to the hollow silence of the house. Thoughts trample over each other in my head, fighting to be heard. Not being able to take the suffocating quiet I decide to go show myself around town.

Holmes Chapel is small but, very cute with its quaint and homey feel. I can't help comparing it to my hometown, thinking of what I would be doing if I were sitting in my former beachside home. I shake off the thoughts, pushing them to the corners of my mind where they belong. I realize I haven't really been paying attention to where I was going. Focusing on my surroundings, I see a small shopping center ahead so I settle on going there. I park my car close to the front of the shop hoping to avoid walking in the chilly autumn weather for longer than I have to. I let out a sigh running my hands through my hair, slightly frustrated at the lack of familiar stores. I decide to go to a small boutique with a name I can't pronounce and some sundresses in the display window. A few receipts later I find myself walking into a bakery. The smell of cinnamon greets me as I step inside. Looking around I find a familiar green eyed, curly haired boy at the register. Harry.

When he turns his attention to the door his eyes widen almost comically, "Um welcome to Barbra's bakery?" His voice is unsure making him sound like he's asking a question. I notice the slight tremor of his hands and the blush on his cheeks; I can't help but laugh at how nervous he is. Looking at Harry in his apron, a beanie covering his curls, and an uncomfortable smile on his face, I decide to have a little fun with him.

"Hey Harry I didn't know you worked here,"

"Well um yes yeah I do," He looks down at his shoes, then the wall. Anywhere but me.

"I'll have to come here more often then," Harry audibly gulps and I bite my lip to keep a laugh from escaping.

"Why would you want to do that?" I'm surprised by the straightforward question. Harry hesitantly brings his eyes up to meet mine.

Flashing him my signature smirk, I keep my eyes on him as I answer him, "I like you Harry, now can I get two cinnamon rolls please?"

"Yeah I'll go grab those um now," Harry walks into the back leaving me alone. I let my eyes wander around the quaint little bakery and it isn't hard to imagine why Harry works here. It's so small not many people would know about it, especially the ones I assume he's avoiding.

"Here you go," His low voice startles me making the corner of his lip curve up. I realize this is the closet to him smiling I've seen.

"Thank you," As I reach the door I turn around, "See you tomorrow Harry," I wink and laugh as his face goes bright red.

Outside is a lot colder than the bakery, my shivering uncontrollable. English weather isn't really my cup of tea. I almost giggle at my own joke but, a familiar raven haired boy walk towards me, cigarette in hand.

"Smoking is a nasty habit, didn't anyone ever tell you that?" Zayn takes another drag from the white stick before blowing the smoke directly in my face. Coughing, I shoot him an irritated glare.

"I don't pay much attention to what people tell me," He smirks before dropping the cigarette to the ground, stomping it out with his foot. "Except you,"

"That's nice," My body involuntarily shivers again.

"Cold babe?"

"How could you tell?" Zayn laughs obviously amused by my sarcasm.

"Here," He shrugs off his leather jacket, holding it out to me expectantly.

Putting it on I'm enveloped in warmth and the scent of tobacco. "Such a gentleman,"

"Don't get used to it,"

"And why shouldn't I?"

"Haven't you heard about my reputation sweetheart?"

"I think the better question is have you heard of mine?" His raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Nice running into you again Zayn, thanks for the jacket," With a wink I walk away.

"Wait how did you get here? Did you walk?" Zayn calls after me.

"No, I drove,"

"You have a car? Why did you need a ride earlier?"

I laugh lightly, "I didn't,"

Zayn shakes his head in disbelief before smiling, "Andy Richardson, you're trouble - exactly what this town needs," Well, Zayn is right I'm trouble but, I'm the last thing anyone needs.

A/N: So do you guys like Andy or nah? And Harry is such a cutie pie I just wanna hug him. So I normally listen to playlists from 8tracks when I write so would you guys like me to post what playlist I was listening to for each chapter? Tell me what you think! Remember to vote and comment!