Mixed Up // Harry Styles

Eleven

                                             CHAPTER ELEVEN

     “Why didn’t you answer my phone call last night?” Felicity queries the moment I take a seat at the table situated outside of the small café.

     “Why are you sitting outside in the middle of winter?” I mutter and take hold of the cup of coffee she’s forcefully pressing into my open hand.

     “Because I can, and it’s spring now.” She answers stubbornly and corrects me then shakes her head and scolds herself under her breath. “You never answered my question.”

     “I was busy and had a lot on my mind.”

     “Like what?” She interrogates further.

     “Just, stuff.” I tell her without giving anything away or making her more suspicious than what she already is.

     “Go on…tell good friend, Felicity, all about it,” She urges and takes a quick swig of her coffee.

     “Harry came round,” I begin only to be interrupted by one of her thought outbursts.

     “Oh god, this can’t be good.” She rolls her eyes and motions for me to continue.

     “This is why I don’t tell you anything,” I grumble and hang my head.

     “No! Please, go on,” She insists and sits back in her chair.

     I take a deep breath and look back up at her, “He kissed me.”

     “He did what?” She utters without thinking, her eyes becoming wider and sitting forward in her seat. “But he’s…”

     “I know.”

     “Well did he say anything afterwards?”

     “I didn’t give him a chance to,” I tell her.

     “Oh,” Is all she can say in response, the both of us taking a sip of our coffee.

                                                               *

     “I’m just going to go and get a drink, do you want anything?” Felicity questions from the doorway of the small news agents.

     I shake my head and watch as she disappears into the small shop. My eyes scan over the different newspapers outside of the shop, many of them with Harrys face in the top right corner, all apart from one that has his face blown up on the front. I pick it out from the rest, careful not to rip it and read over the text.

HARRY STYLES BRINGS WEDDING FORWARD…A MONTH?

     “That dirty scumbag,” Felicity speaks through gritted teeth, the sudden sound of her voice startling me a little.

     “It’s nothing, they’re probably just excited,” I mutter and cover up for him once again.

     “No, that is a sigh he is into you and wants to get over you by distracting himself, but he can’t.” She states confidently and opens a packet of polo’s, popping one in her mouth then offering me one which I politely refuse.

     “He doesn’t like me like the way I like him,” I roll my eyes and sigh, pushing the newspaper back into its rightful place.

     We continue our casual stroll down the street talking about anything and everything, stopping every so often to go into a clothes shop that sold wacky items that Felicity has her close eye on. My attention turns from the outfit she’s twirling round in and to my phone vibrating in my pocket.

FROM: AARON

Still up for our date tonight? Xx

     “Who’s that?” Felicity asks, curiosity getting the best of her as she peers over my shoulder to take a look.

     “Aaron.” I sigh and put my phone back into my pocket, completely ignoring the message.

     “What does he want?”

     “A date,” I inform her and her face instantly lights up with happiness.

     “Well…are you going to go?” She asks hopefully.

     “I don’t know, I don’t have anything to wear and I’ve never been-“

     She cuts me off mid-sentence. “Perfect, let’s go get you an outfit then!” She cheers, tugging at my hand and pulling me towards the changing room exit but then suddenly stopping.

     “Right after I get changed though.”

                                                               *

     “I look stupid,” I complain and tug at the top of the dress Felicity forced me into buying.

     She slaps my hands away and smooths down the hem of the dress for me.

     “You look beautiful, and I think the work I did on your hair completes the look,” She compliments herself and smiles proudly.

     “But I-“

     “He’s here!” She whispers loud enough for me to hear as the knock at the door echoes through the hallway of my flat.

     She dashes for my wardrobe, opening it and pushing the clothes aside to make room for her to climb in.

     “What are you doing?” I stare at her in disbelief and watch as she leans out a little to pull the doors shut again.

     “Hiding, now go open the door you idiot!” She yells through the oak of the wardrobe, “Preferably before I die of lack of oxygen thanks.”

     I shake my head and roll my eyes, looking myself up and down in the mirror once more before taking the short walk down the hall towards the front door. Taking a deep breath, I unlock the door and open it wide enough to see Aaron nervously waiting.

     “Wow, you look…wow.” He says, sounding breathless and his voice shaky.

     I giggle gently and thank him, collecting my bag from beside the front door and stepping out, closing the door behind me yet leaving it unlocked for Felicity to still get out.

     “So what are we doing tonight?” I ask, taking hold of his hand as we make our way down the stairwell.

      “Now that’s a surprise.” He chuckles to himself, sending a wink in my direction.