KIWI | Harry Styles AU

9. Carolina - Anna

It had been no more than three weeks since everything with Harry started happening. I can honestly say I didn't see something like this happening, but I also wasn't upset about it. It was Halloween week, and everything was starting to feel hectic. We had a lot going on school wise and greek life wise, not to mention things with my family had seemed tense for a reason I had yet to learn. I knew Harry was getting his frustrations out with me in bed, and I was doing the same.

At first, it had felt like I was taking advantage of his vulnerable state, but that didn't last long. It was kind of a mutually beneficial agreement. That didn't stop me from thinking about the possibility of us being something more.

It was the Thursday before our big Halloween bash. Things were great, Harry had just texted me to come over and I'd agreed because classes were canceled for Friday and partying didn't seem like something I wanted to do that night, Harry on the other hand was. I smiled to myself as I made my way over to his room. The door was unlocked, so I was able to just walk right in.

"Hey," I smiled as I walked towards him.

"Hi," he smiled back, wrapping his arms around me. The vibe he was giving off was different from what it usually was when we met up late at night. He led me to his bed and we sat on the edge. "I talked to my mum earlier today and she said she wanted me to come visit for Thanksgiving," he said excitedly.

"That's great Harry!" I smiled, "How has she been dealing with, you know..."

"I actually think she's been doing a whole lot better than me to be honest," he said shyly, "She's always been one of the strongest people in my life."

I smiled at him and he continued telling me about his conversation with his mom. He seemed so happy and I found myself getting lost in the conversation. The plans and expectations I'd had for that night quickly vanishing.

"Anna," he said after a short moment of silence.

"Yeah?" I responded.

"Why don't you ever talk about your family?" he asked, "I mean, you know so much about mine, but I feel like I know nothing about yours.

"I guess it's not really something I like to talk about too much," I admitted, "Plus, I usually assume people know enough from what comes out in the media and things like that."

"And is that stuff accurate?" he asked. I frowned and shrugged.

"I guess to a certain extent," I answered, "Although they do make it seem like I love New York and that's never been the case."

"And why not?" he questioned.

"It's just never really felt like home," I told him. "The only place that has ever felt that way to me is North Carolina," I smiled to myself for a moment, "That's where my grandma lives, and she's literally my favorite person on this planet. She's always urged me to get away from my dad's side of the family, says they're toxic and I'm 'too pure for any of that.' I believe her exact words were, 'Towns you gotta swim before you drown.'"

"Towns?" he asked.

"Anna Towns Westwood," I told him, "She picked my middle name though, and she's called me that since I was little."

"Hmm, I like it," he smiled, "Towns... has a nice ring to it."

"You remind me a lot of her, actually," I admitted, "And of home." He smiled at me and pecked my lips, which made my heart flutter. It was in that moment that I knew I was falling for him. Hard.

We stayed up talking for hours on end. The more I learned about him, the more I felt like I liked him. I could only hope that he felt the same way about me. I was letting him in in a way that I don't think I'd ever let anyone else in.

I was all smiles during that whole night, and in the morning, I was even happier because he called me over for something that wasn't just hooking up. That night made me feel like he actually wanted to be with me for me and because he enjoyed my company. I woke up before him the next morning and left before he got up because I knew I was going to be late to a sorority meeting. I left him a note and I was on my way.