The Run Away Girl || Harry Styles

Chapter 12

Alice's POV

That next morning, I wake up just like I fell asleep- with Harry on my mind.

Today I would get to see Harry again, and I couldn't wait. I was sad to have to say goodbye to the grey shirt I had become so attached to, but if returning it meant another afternoon with Harry, I was more than willing.

I got ready in record time, wiggling into a pair of running leggings and throwing on the first t-shirt I saw in my dresser drawer. I wind my tangled brown hair into a messy bun and quickly swipe on some mascara. With Harry's shirt in one hand and my cell phone in the other, I slide out of my hotel room and make my way to the lobby of the hotel.

 "Morning, Alice," Paul greets me, tipping his hat like usual.

"Hi, Paul!" I cheerily reply. It's way too early for me to be this happy, and Paul notices.

"Ah, you must be on your way to see that silly boy," he smirks.

"Maybe." I reply coolly. "But maybe I'm just really excited to be going on my daily run." I laugh and grab a muffin on the way out the lobby doors. "Bye, Paul! I'll be back soon if my parents ask!"

The old man chuckles and nods his head. "Well then, in that case, have fun on your run, young lady. Don't make a habit of this."

"Thank you," I mouth to Paul as I walk inside the revolving door.

Once outside, I tuck Harry's shirt under my arm and pinch off a bite of my muffin. The time on my phone read 9:00, so I figure I would have half an hour, give or take, to spend with Harry this morning before my parents would get suspicious. It wasn't out of the ordinary for me to wake up and go on morning runs, so I know my parents wouldn't suspect anything, especially with Paul covering for me.

After a few minutes, I turn onto the street where I first ran into Harry. A few houses down, and I am in front of the same house from yesterday. I run up the stairs with Harry’s shirt in one hand, and giddily knock on the door with the other. To my surprise, not Harry, but Liam opens the door.

Liam looks half awake and completely surprised at my unannounced appearance. I'm sure he thinks I am some crazed fan who has managed to find his house. Thankfully, It occurs to Liam who I am right away, and his sense of worry evaporates.

"Harry's not here, if that's who you are looking for," he says, kindly smiling, not mentioning the fact that I was knocking on his door at 9 o’clock in the morning.

Harry wasn’t here. I'm hugely disappointed.

"Oh, no, it's fine, I was just-" I say before Liam interrupts me.

"Shit," he mumbles, gently grabbing my arm. "Hurry, get inside. I think I see some paps around the corner." He pulls me in the house and locks the door behind him. "Those unrelenting bastards," he mumbles. He quietly continues to rant as he shuts off the inside of the house to the outside world. "They have been hounding us ever since they figured out that me and Harry are renting a place on this street."

I totally understand the situation and Liam's extreme reaction. I smile and nod in an attempt to offer my understanding, "No, don't be sorry. I understand"

"Thank you." He politely returns my smile. "It's just- they know we're rented a house, they just haven't figured out where we are yet, which we really like. It's the idea of having some normalcy in our life that I'm protecting, I think," he adds.

"No, no, I get it. Anyone would do that." I reassure him. "Although, I can't imagine why you wouldn't want even more cameras in your face," I tease.