Morning Walks & Winter Coats // h.s. au

I

Talia walked down the streets, glove clad hands wrapped around her coffee from Tim Hortons. Talia shifted the laptop bag strapped across her body, her mind occupied from her latest writing assignment she got from work. Talia worked at a local publishing house as her internship for her English degree. She had one semester left before she graduated from university. She hoped by the end of her internship she'd have a permanent job as an editor in training. 

"Excuse me!" A deep, British voice spoke and snapped Talia from her thoughts. "Do you know what bus station leads to the apartments on Fifth Avenue? I've just moved here and don't know my way around yet." 

Talia looked over to see who was speaking to her. Next to her stood a man with curly brown hair and green eyes, his olive skin slightly tanned. He was a few inches taller than her, Talia's head reaching his shoulder.

"The station is a few blocks down, across from king's bookstore. I'm on my way there now, if you'd like to walk with me?" Talia offered, looking up into the stranger's eyes. Normally, Talia would never let an unknown man walk with her. But there was something about him that made him seem trustworthy. He gave off an aura that made Talia feel she could be around him and not worry about her safety. The fact that he was attractive also helped immensely. 

"Oh, thank you! I'd be beyond grateful," the unnamed man spoke. "I'm Harry, by the way. Harry Styles."

"Well, Harry, Harry Styles," Talia smiled, "The bus leaves in twenty minutes, and it's a ten minute walk. Follow me," Talia started to walk off, her pace going to normal when she knew Harry was walking with her. 

"Thank you again. I finished moving in this morning, my sister took us out for lunch when we finished. I told her i could find my way back, but my sense of direction is clearly worse than I thought it was," Harry rambled as the pair walked, causing Talia to grin as she took a sip of her coffee. 

"You're talkative, aren't you?" Talia giggled at Harry's blush. "It's fine, Harry. I'd rather you talk than be silent."

"And why is that, Miss?" Harry trailed off, not knowing her name. 

"Talia. Talia Stott," Talia paused. "I prefer you talking because it would be creepy if you followed me silently.

"As if a stranger walking with you wasn't already creepy?" Harry smiled, Talia smiling as well when she saw his dimple. What can she say? He had a contagious smile. 

"It'd be creepy if you didn't ask. But you asked, so it's okay." Talia drank the rest of her coffee and tossed the cup into a trash can that they passed. "What did you move here for?"

"I've always lived in England, moved to London for university. I'm taking a year off before I start law school in the United States. I came here for the first time two years ago and I fell in love with the city so I decided to return," Harry hummed as he took in the sights of his home for the year. 

"Law school, huh? Didn't peg you as a future lawyer if we're being honest. You seem more of the creative type than the practical type," Talia looked at Harry again, taking in his outfit. "Maybe a businessman of a music company." He had on a white shirt with a black blazer, a tattoo peeking out but not enough for Talia to tell what it was. He was dressed in black trousers with cream loafers on his feet. Talia giggled when she saw the pink socks he had on, only visible every few steps. 

"Music is a passion of mine, but I couldn't imagine it being a steady career," Harry spoke and looked down at Talia. "What about you? What is there to know about Talia Stott?"

"I was born and raised in Toronto. Have only left Canada once, to visit family that moved to Seattle. I'm finishing my last year of university, I'm an English student." Talia stopped walking when they got to a crosswalk, Harry stopping as well. "Once I finish in June, the dream is to work at a publishing house." When the light signaled that it was their turn to walk, the crowd started to cross the street with Talia and Harry following behind. 

"Strangely enough, I do see you as someone working in the writing field," Harry said with a soft smile, "but I see you as the writer instead of the editor. I feel like you have many stories just waiting to be put in the world."

"And that's where you're mistaken." Talia chuckled. "But here we are! King's Bookstore and across from it, King's Station. At gate five, you'll have a direct path to Fifth Avenue. It's where I live as well." Talia smiled, walking with Harry to the station. 

"Well, how convenient." Harry followed Talia with a small smile, scared to lose her. Talia and Harry walked to gate five and the pair used their bus passes before boarding. "Lead the way, you're the tour guide." Talia rolled her eyes at Harry's teasing then walked towards the middle of the bus. 

"Here, have the window seat," Talia hummed as Harry sat beside the window, Talia seated beside him. "I've enjoyed showing you around, Harry," Talia spoke with a smile. 

"I've enjoyed you showing me around, Talia." Harry smiled, his green eyes meeting Talia's brown ones. "Maybe we could do it again?"

"We will." Talia smiled as she leaned back in her seat. The two exchanged light conversation, getting to know each other. The rest of the bus didn't seem to exist during their conversation. To the other passengers, it looked like two friends having a conversation. And that's what Harry and Talia would call it- neither of them knowing something greater would come from this short time together. 

-----

"And here we are. Fifth Avenue." Talia stepped off the bus, adjusting her bag. 

"And here's my apartment," Harry said softly. "Where are you going?" 

"You see the coffee shop there?" Talia points to a small building, a sign that reads "Moe's Coffee Shop" with small bulbs lit up the darkened sky. "Right beside that is my apartment." Harry nodded as his hand brushed his hair back, a nervous habit he developed.

"I guess this is where we part ways." Harry offered a small smile to Talia which she returned. 

"Wait," Talia grabbed his hand, giving Harry butterflies, "Maybe we could exchange numbers?" Talia's cheeks were tinged pink and Harry smiled. "In case you need someone to show you around while you settle in. Or, you know, if you need a friend," Talia spoke quietly, eyes not meeting Harry's.

"Of course, Talia. Here." Harry took his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Talia. Talia smiled and took her phone out of her pocket and handed it to Harry. After the two put each other's numbers in their phones, they traded phones again. "Be careful walking home."

"Thank you, Harry." Talia smiled and spun the ring on her finger. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?"

"I hope you will," Harry said with a shy smile. The pair said goodbye to each other before they headed separate ways. But what neither of them noticed was the smile on each of their faces, both of them already planning to meet again tomorrow. 

Author Note

And that's the first chapter! I hope you've enjoyed what I've written so far and I hope you come back for more. I plan to update on Monday's and Thursday's! If you have any comments, please leave them below. This is my first time writing in this style (third person and past tense) so bear with me while I adjust to this style please :)  I'm very excited to see where this goes and I will release chapter two on Thursday, May 9th at 2:00 P.M. Central Standard Time! 

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