Words (Harry Styles AU)

01

Ella's POV

The first thing that registered in my mind when I regained consciousness was the annoying ringing of my alarm. I sleepily reached for the snooze button before I jolted awake, realizing that today was going to be my first real day in New York City by myself. I had moved into my small one-bedroom apartment yesterday with the help of my parents and some furniture movers. It was located on the top floor of a two story building that was conveniently right across from campus, while a flower shop occupied the first floor.

I quickly called my parents to make sure that their flight arrived home safely last night, and they wished me good luck on my first day at college, which officially started tomorrow. I thanked them through a mouth full of toothpaste and hung up after we exchanged goodbyes. I was heading out to get last-minute school supplies and food for the rest of the week.

I didn't know anyone in this city, and I had ignored my mother's pleas and chosen to live alone off-campus in order to avoid being stuck with an unwanted roommate - my mom wanted me to have someone to keep me company, but I preferred the freedom that comes with being solitary.

After I locked my door and went downstairs, I was greeted by the loud noises and chatter of the city. There were people and skyscrapers everywhere, a huge contrast to the small town I grew up in. I turned left and passed various restaurants, cafes, and bars, until I arrived at a large convenience store. After buying a few notebooks and enough ramen noodles to last me at least a month, I headed back in the direction of my apartment.

I passed a quaint cafe with glass walls on the side facing the street, dark interiors and strong scent of coffee, which practically begged me to go inside. I had a brief internal debate, but eventually sighed as I succumbed to my coffee addiction and approached the glass door. Just as I touched the handle, it jingled as it opened from the inside and a tall male, who I assumed was a student since he carried a backpack, pushed his way out. He held the door open for me and I hastily walked inside, uttering a quiet "Thanks."

He nodded in return and brought his pale eyes to mine before quickly turning his head and walking away, my eyes trailing after his long legs and narrow hips.

I walked up to the counter and ordered an iced coffee with a doughnut and turned to observe my surroundings. The coffee shop was fairly vacant, and there were charming candles on every table, though they weren't lit since it was still daytime and light outside.

I chose a wooden two-person table in the corner to sit down at. As I set my coffee and doughnut on the table and my bags on the floor, a flash of color caught my eye. There was a tattered book lying open on the ground under the chair opposite mine, as if it had fallen from the table without the owner noticing. I picked it up and after examining it, realized that it was a journal. It was a worn leather that had numerous stains, doodles, water damage and random phrases all over its frayed pages. I raised my eyebrows in shock as I tightly held the new discovery in my hands. Who even keeps a journal nowadays? It was pleasantly surprising to find such an old custom in a world that was centered around electronics.

I undid the leather strap that held the thick journal together and opened to the first page, where it said 'This journal belongs to: H.S.'

I squinted at the two initials that were messily written across the page in black ink. How would this person expect their journal to be returned to them if they didn't even write their full name in it? I flipped through the pages, trying to find clues as to whom this journal belonged to but with no luck. I moved to close it, but some sloppily written words on second page caught my eye. The first entry was dated to around a year ago, and consisted of song lyrics that I recognized to be from "Empire State of Mind".

New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There's nothing you can't do

Now you're in New York

These streets will make you feel brand new

Big lights will inspire you

Let's hear it for New York

There was a small drawing of skyscrapers underneath the lyrics, and then 'This city is my escape.' was scribbled next to it. What is this person escaping from?

The bell signalled the door being opened, and I swiftly closed the soft cover as two girls walked by, already feeling protective over the journal. I desperately wanted to read more, but I felt guilty invading the owner's privacy by going through such a personal item.

I finished up my doughnut and stuffed the journal into my bag while I collected the rest of my bags. I would either have to come back to the shop tomorrow or find the mysterious H.S. person on campus, if they attended NYU. A smart idea would've been to turn it in to an employee, but I couldn't help but selfishly take the treasured journal home with me in fear that if I did turn it in, I would never see it again.

~

{ a/n } this is a fictional alternate universe story, meaning that harry is not in one direction. all of these ideas are original, so any similarities in plot to other stories are purely coincidental. please do not steal any parts from my publication - it's protected under copyright. vote, comment, and i hope you enjoy! -rachel