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

87 Notting Hill Gate

 

            At 7:00pm, after about two (okay three) hours fussing over what to wear, I arrived at 87, Notting Hill Gate which appeared to be a cinema, one that looked quite familiar despite the fact that I had never been there before. The note said to meet inside, so I walked through the revolving doors to reveal a gorgeous lobby of a cinema. The walls were draped in red velvet and a chandelier was hanging in the center of the room. I had never seen anything so extravagant.

              After picking up my jaw off the floor, I realized that there were no other people in the lobby. Maybe they were all in the viewing area already? That’s what the rational part of me suggested, but the stronger, more paranoid side of me said this is how horror movies start. 

            Just as I was about to run, a hand came down on my shoulder. I of course screamed, flailed, and then ducked down, crouching with my hands over my head.

            “Well if this was a horror movie, I’m sorry to say, I think you’d be one of the first to go” Came the familiar voice of the boy who invited me here. Harry crouched down beside me and as I peered through my cocoon of embarrassment. I said in an exasperated tone, “We have to stop meeting like this.” Harry chuckled and reached out his hand for me to take. He helped me up, and to my surprise and delight, he didn’t let go.

            “Where is everybody?” I asked. “It literally feels like a horror movie in here.”

            “I rented the cinema for the evening” Harry said nonchalantly, as if it was totally normal to rent an entire cinema.

            “Tell me how did you manage to rent an entire cinema?”

            “The perks of being rich and famous,” he said grinning.

            “And he’s humble ladies and gentlemen!” I said sarcastically. Harry chuckled and said, “C’mon, I want to show you something.” He led me into the viewing room which held about 100 empty velvet seats. Instantly I knew why everything seemed so familiar to me. “This is the theatre from Notting Hill!” I exclaimed. “It’s in that scene where Hugh Grant wears his scuba goggles because he couldn’t find his glasses. I love that scene!” I was amazed.

            “The very one.” Harry looked pleased to see that I was excited.

            “Care to be my date to the movies?” Harry asked just as the lights began to dim. “Well I can’t very well say no at this point can I?” I said. “I’ll take it!” Harry said as we took our seats.

            As we settled in and the movie began, I realized the irony of our movie selection. Notting Hill is a story about an ordinary man who falls in love with a mega hot superstar. Ring any bells? I couldn’t help but compare the relationship onscreen to the maybe relationship I was entering into off-screen. I mean the characters in the story end up with a happy ending (spoiler alert!), but all I could think about was whether or not my story would be the same. I had never even been in a relationship before, so then how was I supposed to be enough for Harry. I was just an ordinary girl. 

            I was so deep into my thoughts that I hadn’t realized Harry had slipped his hand out of mine. I looked over at him, wanting to decipher if any of these thoughts were running through his mind only to find that he had donned a pair of scuba goggles and was staring intently at me waiting for me to notice. I burst out laughing and shoved him in the shoulder.  “You’re such a goof!” I said still laughing.

                                                                ***

            “It’s so quiet here” I said taking in the peacefulness of our surroundings. After the movie, Harry and I went to a park on the east side. It was a private park, relatives of his lived nearby and had keys to the park. It was nice because we got to be alone, but I couldn’t help but think if Harry and I continued to be friends, we’d always have to meet in such private places.