Saving Styles (H.S. Fan Fiction)

01.

The freezing November wind nipped at my cheeks as I hastily made my way into the welcoming warmth of the small boutique. For once I decided not to procrastinate Christmas shopping like always and have been out looking for gifts since the crack of dawn. I awkwardly stood in the middle of the store, unsure of where to start. I made my way to the closest rack of clothes and did a quick scan through them. I frowned a little when I realized that she wouldn't like any of these clothes. I pulled out my phone and dialed my best friend's number. After a few rings, I smiled at the sound of her chirpy voice.

"Mona Lisa!"

I groaned at the fact that she still called me the same horrible nickname she did since we were little.

"Melanie, I will leave this store right now and you will not get a single gift from me this Christmas if you continue to call me that," I replied as a necklace across the store caught my attention.

"Okay, okay," she said in between laughs, "I'm sorry, but Ramona just sounds so...old."

I didn't have to be with her to know that she was scrunching up her nose at the sound of my name. I examined the necklace, pleased with the fact that I may have just found the perfect gift for her.

"I'm sorry that my parents decided to name me Ramona." I smiled once more at the necklace before bringing it to the cashier to ring it up, feeling quite satisfied with myself.

"Speaking of your parents, how are Spencer and Olivia? I haven't spoken to them in a while." 

I smiled at the fact that my parents practically saw Melanie as a second child.

"They're fine, I'm not sure if I'll be spending Christmas with them this year." I waved goodbye to the cashier before leaving the store with my gift in hand.

"Aw, why not? I was looking forward to your moms cooking, no offense Mona, but your cooking makes me depressed."

I let out a cheerful laugh, I couldn't even by upset at her seeing as how her comment held some truth.

"You're right, but I promise I'll learn one d-"

My sentence was cut short when I was forcefully bumped into. I stumbled back a little before landing hard on my butt, my phone falling just as hard.

"Ah crap!" I quickly scrambled to my feet as I picked up my phone, silently praying it was okay. All hope was lost when I caught a peek at the huge crack that was now covering my screen. This is why I hate Christmas shopping, it's way too hectic. What's worse is that instead of being kind and helping me up, everyone just continued to pass by me. Damn New Yorkers. I pushed myself off the ground, taking a moment to brush off any dirt from my clothes, before checking to see if Mel was still on the line. To my dismay the line cut, but on the bright side my phone still worked. I put the phone in my pocket before picking up my gift from the floor and making my way towards my car. I spotted a homeless man sitting near a trash can and out of habit I walked over to him and offered him my change from the store. He didn't bother looking up at me, he simply dismissed me with a wave of his hand. Confused, I put the money closer to him and once again he tried to wave me away. A little irritated now, I pushed the money as close to his face as I could. He quickly snapped his head up, my eyes making contact with his menacing jade ones.

"I don't want your fucking pity."

A little taken back by the hostility in his voice, I took a moment to recompose myself.

"It's not pity, it's kindness." I responded, still holding the money out to him.

I sighed, "Look, it's almost sunset and you probably haven't eaten anything all day. Take the money and buy some dinner or something."

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Do I look like a damn charity case to you?"

I flinched at the venom in his voice but held my ground, "I'm just trying to help."

"Look, princess, why don't you hop into your fancy little car, drive to your fancy little house, hop into your fancy little princess bed, and have your butler bring you up a glass of warm milk so you can fall asleep into your fancy, little dream that involves you saving the world one homeless man at a time."

I stared at him with shock, but didn't say anything. He took my silence as the opportunity to continue his banter.

"I've come across your type too many times. You're a spoiled little rich girl who feel it's her duty to go around and do good deeds. Here's a little wake up call- not everyone wants your fucking help. So why don't you hop into your extravagant car," he pointed to the car behind me, which to my surprise was my car, "and go live your perfect life?"

I shoved my keys further into my pocket before clearing my throat, "That's not my car...I actually don't have one." I looked up at him, taking in his disheveled head of curls and ragged facial hair.

He pursed his lips together, and I could tell he didn't believe me, but he said nothing more. I slowly bent down and dropped the money in front of him. He remained silent, but pushed the money away with his foot. Opting to avoid another confrontation, I made my way across the street, my eyes focused on a nearby streetlight. I needed to be somewhere well lit, in case he decided to try something. Once safely under the street light I pulled out my phone, grimacing as I looked at the screen again, and dialed Melanie. Balancing my phone between my shoulder and the crook of the neck, I blew into my hands in an effort to stay warm. After the third ring Melanie answered.

"Gosh, I know I'm boring sometimes, but you didn't have to hang up on me."

Ignoring her dramatic statement, I stole a glance at the homeless man. I couldn't see well enough to know if he was looking back at me, but something told me he was.

"Could you pick me up, please? I'm on 34th and 8th."

"I thought you went with your car?"

I looked over at my car and back and the homeless man.

"I did, I'll explain when you pick me up."

A/N: Thanks so much for reading, this is my first story and I just want to thank you for taking the time to read it. I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. The story gets better, I promise.