video games // h.s. au

chapter one

        Harry

        "Mum! I'm going out, okay?" I shouted from the hallway, hoping she was home and I wasn't just yelling at nobody. After a few silent seconds, my mother's voice echoed from somewhere in the house. "Okay, be safe!"

        I took her blessing, even though I was twenty and technically I could do whatever I pleased, and with one last look in the mirror, began my journey into London. My goal today was to find a job, fingers crossed it was at Louise's in Mayfair, a quaint music shop with occasional live gigs by up-and-coming indie bands and a huge guitar section for people like me. The main reason I wanted the job, even though it was so far away (I lived in Brixton, which was on the opposite side of London), was because I'd gotten my first six-string from there, and whenever I needed an upgrade or some CDs I'd have a 20% employee discount.

        The rush to the train was just like any other day, stressful and ridiculously packed. The pavement was so jammed with pedestrians that I had to walk on the side of the road, praying I wouldn't get hit by the insane drivers of the city. It wasn't usually this busy in Brixton, but I figured it was Monday morning and everyone was rushing to get to work. I was rushing to find a job.

        It took about half an hour just to get to the center of London, and after that all the trains were too full for comfort and I had a weird thing about cabbies. So I walked to Mayfair, which from the center of London was about a 20 minute walk. Since it was almost 11am, the streets had cleared some and I could actually walk on the pavement.

        My phone pulsed in my pocket, and then again, and another time until I realized I was getting a call and not multiple texts in a row. In the midst of London, where there was shouting and honks and street music, it was important to have your phone on vibrate. I pulled it out and looked at the caller ID: Liam Payne. "Hello?"

        "Hey mate, you almost here?" he spoke, his voice breaking up through the speaker. I nodded before realizing he couldn't see me, "Yeah, five minutes. I gotta go, see ya in a few." I hung up and continued my walk, popping my earbuds in to drown out the obnoxious honking of mid-day traffic.

        Within 5 minutes I was on the street the music shop was located on, and I could see Liam standing in front, impatiently tapping his foot. "Finally!" he exclaimed, opening his arms to engulf me in a bear-hug as I approached him. Even though I was significantly taller than him, Liam was much stronger than me, able to lift me off the ground in his hug and squeeze the air from my lungs. "Lee-" I huffed before he set me down, laughing.

        "Sorry, mate. You ready to go in?" I bit my lip, nodding and opening to door. I let LIam in first, following after him and keeping my head low. The woman at the counter smiled at me, "Can I help you boys with anything?"

_________________________

        Louise's didn't have any jobs available, and neither did the four other shops on the block. The only option left was a video games store called Game Buddy, which had a Help Wanted sign in the window. I sighed, turning to Liam. "We could always get jobs there, Li."

        He nodded, then decided against it and spoke, "No, Harry, you don't even know anything about video games." I shrugged, turning away from him and making my way towards the crosswalk. "Yeah, but I need a job, so it'll have to do."

        A bell rung when I opened the door, making the two employee's heads shoot up. When they realized I'm not here to buy, a short woman with choppy red and orange hair grins at me. "You two here about the jobs available?"

        At the end of it all, I have a job. 2pm to 10pm. Liam has the shift before me, 7am to 2pm. He offers to share his limited knowledge on video games, but I decline. I'll learn enough eventually, and if I don't I'll lose the job. "I'm only here until Louise's has some openings," I told Liam, punching his arm lightly. He laughed, shoving me harder than I expected.

        "I'll see you tomorrow, then?" Liam asked, standing on my doorstep. He lives not too far from me, so he drove me home. I sigh, nodding. "Yeah. Mum's expecting me to make supper, so I've gotta go. Later, Liam."

        "Bye, Harry."

a/n: this is so bAD but idc