The Plot Twist ➳ l.t. au

Three

Hayden

"So, you're an author?" Harry says as he was flipping over the pages of my resume.

"Technically," I felt my palms getting clammy, "I'm not exactly an author yet."

"Hm," He studied my face before looking through my papers and standing up, "You do know that this is a luxurious salon, don't you? We are the best of the best!"

Best would be an overstatement. This wasn't actually a luxurious salon. It was just a salon that had overpriced services. I remembered what the blonde girl had told me and kept these thoughts to myself.

"Yeah," I agreed, hoping he got the sense of encouragement.

"What?"

"What?"

"Why did you say?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"I said, 'Yeah'?" It came off more like a question rather than a statement.

He laughed humorlessly, "Do I sense monotone?"

"M-monotone?" I tried to control my breath and searched for strength to move my limbs.

"Yes!" He fumed as he waved his hands frantically in the air that caused me to jump, "You should be willing to sacrifice your life for this job. I don't need some mono toned enthusiasm. I need aggression, sweat, blood and tears..."

He walked over to the huge window displayed on the side of his office and stared out into the streets of London.

He placed one hand on the glass and rambled, "There's going to be pain. A whole set of heart-tearing and bone-wrenching pain like when a boy named, I don't know, an Ethan maybe, will leave you because you don't want an open relationship and doesn't answer your calls for three weeks so you go to his house and found out he left for Nebraska..."

There was nothing but silence in the room, aside from my internal screaming. So far, I was getting the impression Harry was a bloody psycho and was fresh out of a problematic relationship. Two things I didn't want to handle.

"Alright..." I broke the silence, "I think that I'm not cut out for this after all. Thank you for your patience anyway." I quickly stood up and went over to the door.

"Hayden."

I stopped my tracks and slowly turned around, "Yes?"

"Come here tomorrow at 6 am with two cinnamon soy lattes and extra sugar. Appreciate it, babe." He plopped himself on his chair and kicked up his feet on his desk.

Was this guy not on the verge of tears just ten seconds ago?

"I'm hired?" My hands tightened the strap of my messenger bag that was across my chest.

"Yes, you are. And I expect you to be early." Harry pointed at me with warning.

"But why?"

Harry laughed, "Because every person who applied here were so confident in themselves, they actually think they can handle the job. You, on the other hand, are like... a self-deprecating and anxiously frail flower."

"Um... thanks?"

"You may not know this about me but I don't fancy people who have high self-esteem. It gives me allergies." He made a face of disgust.

"Well, that's ironic." I muttered.

"In short, I need an assistant who thinks I'm the best and they're the worst." He smiled cheekily like I wasn't a feeling human.

"Wow, that's... that's a lot to take in." My mind was still trying to recall why I opted for this kind of job.

"You're welcome," He looked rather pleased with himself, "I'll see you tomorrow then, doll."

*

I was so glad to finally be out of that place.

As I walked home, I came across the Doncaster Public Library which was basically my second home as a child. I remember going there whenever I would run out of books and had no money to buy more.

The Adventure Begins book was still on my mind and I hoped that there was a complete copy of the story so that the dreamy Louis Tomlinson would get the ending he deserved.

The brown and wooden doors delightedly greeted my presence and I entered the library before a wave of memories came flooding back from my childhood. The books that filled a great percentage of the space looked ethereal and tempted me to pull each one out of the shelves for me to devour.

I stumbled upon a blonde lad with glasses stacking books on a shelf beside me while I was wandering around the library. Assuming he worked there, I approached him, "Hello, sorry to bother you. I'm looking for a book called The Adventure Begins. I forgot the author's name."

His blue eyes met mine and he smiled, "I don't recall any books with that name but I'll be happy to look at the back or ask Madam Ferna." He spoke in the thickest Irish accent.

His face looked vaguely familiar like someone I knew.

I smiled back and decided to test my theory, "Thanks, but I don't think you'll have a chance at finding this book."

"Hey," he said reassuringly, "don't worry. We'll find that book if we take a chonce."

His accent. His hair. His eyes. That word. Wait, was this-

"Niall?" I hesitantly asked, still not sure if it was really him.

He furrowed his brows in confusion, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"

I laughed and crossed my arms, "Never in my life did I think I would meet you again, Nerdy Niall."

His face slowly morphed to having eyes the size of a platter and a mouth that hung open, "Hayden?"

I rolled my eyes and opened my arms. He ran over to me and clutched me into a big hug. Niall must have been working out because he lift me off the ground and twirled me around like I was weightless.

He finally put me down and breathed, "I can't believe your back. After all these years. How was America? I noticed your accent is wearing off."

"Believe me; I can't believe I'm back either." I smiled, "America was great... most of the time and I noticed your Irish accent is still heavier than ever."

"Well, I can never forget me roots." His face suddenly fell into a concerned look,"I heard what happened. How are you holding up?"

"Honestly, I don't know," I shrugged, "It's one of those things that you thought would never happen to you, you know? One second, life is perfect then suddenly it's not anymore."

"Hayden, you used to read books every day when we were kids, how could you still not be used to problematic situations?" Niall scoffed and we both chuckled.

He continued, "Don't think about how things used to be. Maybe it's time for a new chapter."

I looked him in the eyes and grinned, "A new chapter."

I went home with a big, ugly smile, even without a book.

-

yoo, it's been a darn long time since i've updated. i won't waste you're time on my excuses but it's hard juggling your tasks when you're graduating from high school.

and i know, i know, louis' ass ain't here yet but you'll see him eventually. or read him..?

btw, the picture above is how depict harry hahaha. i honestly love his character

-softielou