The City's Going To Save Her [A Harry Styles Fanfic]

I'm Sorry, But We're Closed

 

         “Thanks for coming in tonight Alix, you’re a real life saver!” Henley had to raise her voice over the sound of the milk steamer in order to be heard.

            “Oh it’s not a problem” I replied just as loudly while walking around the counter to clear some coffee mugs from a recently vacated table. It had been a really busy night but I didn’t mind, I preferred to keep busy.

            “So you nervous?” I asked Henley, she was going out on a date with this cutie who was a regular at the Cafe. It was actually adorable how he’d asked her out, he had left a handwritten note folded in the shape of a heart on his table the last time he was at the Cafe asking Henley if she’d go on a proper date with him. I have to admit, I fangirl over the accents here on a daily basis and I would literally faint if a boy asked me to go on a “proper” date with him.

            “Ugh you have no idea! I’ve had butterflies in my stomach all day” she said “By the way thanks for closing for me, I know that’s not usually expected of you”

            “Anything for true love” I said batting my lashes and swooning, being completely dramatic, making Henley laugh. “But seriously, I think it’s adorable that he’s taking you ice skating.”

            “That’s part of the reason I’m so nervous, I can’t skate remember. I wasn’t raised in Canada like you, where kids learn to skate before they learn to walk!”

            “Hey that’s a total stereotype girlie!” I said as I whipped my tea towel playfully in her direction. “It really isn’t that difficult Henley, it’s just like walking, except for it’s on ice and you have skates strapped to your feet, and it’s actually more of a gliding motion than walking really.”

            “So nothing at all like walking you mean” Henley said.

            “Okay so it’s not like walking, but if he knows how to skate then think of how adorable it will be when he’s teaching you how to skate. He’ll hold your hand and maybe even put one hand on your waist to help steady you. It’s like the perfect scenario” I said totally jealous of the adorableness of it all.

            “And what if he can’t skate, then what genius?” Henley said just being completely difficult.

            “Henley then it’s still perfectly adorable.” I said utterly exasperated. “You’ll both be holding onto each other, stumbling around trying not to fall. And if you fall then it’s the perfect first kiss! I’m telling you either way you’re golden. Skating is the perfect first date trust me.”

            “Gosh you’re such a hopeless romantic you know that? But it does make me feel a little more at ease with tonight” She did sound a little more confident, but she was still pulling nervously at her hair.

            “Why don’t you leave a little early Henley. You’ve been toying with your hair all night and I know you want to go home and get dressed and everything” you offered

            “No I don’t want to leave you here all alone Alix!” Henley protested.

            “Your shift is almost over, I think I can hold down the fort for less than two hours.” I could tell Henley really wanted to take me up on the offer. “Go” I said as I threw her jacket at her “But you have to promise to tell me all about it tomorrow” I said pointing my finger threateningly at her.

            Henley was already putting on her scarf and mitts and was half way to the door, “I promise!” She shouted,

            “Have fun!” I yelled as she left the Cafe. She smiled and waved at me through the window as she walked away.

            The remaining hour and a half was relatively quiet, mostly customers getting drinks to go.  The whole while I couldn’t stop thinking about how Henley called me a hopeless romantic. On the one hand she was totally right, I loved anything to do with love and if we were being honest, I was the queen of all things adorable. But at the same time I was so completely afraid of the whole prospect of love. Being able to be so close to someone and trusting them with your heart, the thought terrified me. I guess that’s why I’ve never really had a serious relationship, I’d never let my walls down enough to let someone in. These thoughts consumed me as I closed up the Cafe, locking the front door but remaining inside to put the chairs up on the tables. I was just about to turn off the lights to leave when I heard knocking on the front door.

             I looked up to see a boy banging on your front door with a frantic look on his face. I walked over to the door and pointed to the closed sign, but as I did, I saw that this boy was seriously cute. Not only that but those dimples were unmistakable, I unlocked the door and the curly haired boy stumbled through.

                “I’m sorry but we’re closed.” Were the first words I ever spoke to Harry Styles.

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