The Boy From the Bar (h.s.)

Chapter 7

“I’m making a Dunkin’s run. I need coffee. What do you want?” I ask Becky, shoving my feet into my sneakers.

“Need caffeine to make sure you can stay up late enough to hear Harry sing?” she replies.

“Oh, you didn’t want a drink. Kay, bye!” I respond, headed to the door and completely ignoring her sarcastic question.

“No! Stop! I love you! I was kidding, obviously, but not really. Get me a coffee, please,” I hear Becky yell as I shut the door behind me.

I get in my car and turn out of the school parking lot, on my way to the coffee shop. More than a coffee, I needed a chance to clear my mind and make a decision about tonight. I still wasn’t sure whether or not I was going to the bar. I didn’t want it to seem like I was only there for Harry. Niall was playing the guitar tonight too, so I wanted to go watch him perform, plus hang out with him and Becky. I also had a ton of stuff I needed to do before classes started. I also really wanted to see Harry again. But my excitement about the potential with Harry was matched with a growing fear of rejection. As much as I hated to admit it to myself, I was deathly afraid that I was reading too far into Harry’s advancements and interest in me. I’d never really been in the situation where someone was actively attracted to me. I never knew heartbreak, and I wasn’t sure I was willing to let my guard down for the boy from the bar.

I arrive at the coffee shop to see a long line at the drive-thru. I decide to go in, despite the fact that I look like a slob. Leggings and a ratty sweatshirt, which happens to be the comfiest one I own. Basically, what I slept in last night. Oops. Hey, at least my flip flops match.

I walk up to the counter and order two hazelnut iced coffees. I know that it’s not Becky’s usual flavor, but it’s payback for her bratty comments. Even though she’s right. The line inside is just as long as the drive-thru, and the place is pretty crowded. There’s even a wait for a coffee, when it usually takes less than a minute. I decide to occupy my time by checking facebook on my phone. As I’m scrolling through my newsfeed, I hear my order being called out. Without paying much attention, I grab the tray of two coffees. At the same time, another hand grabs the other side of the tray.

“Uh, I think this is my order, I got two-,” I begin, looking upward towards my coffee competition. I’m stopped midsentence by Harry.

“Hazelnut iced coffees?” he finishes. I swear it feels like hours pass as we both stand there stupidly with our hands on the coffee tray. He was wearing what looked like makeshift pajamas too: black baggy sweatpants, a loose white long-sleeved shirt, and a dark beanie. Still crazy hot.

“Yeah. You can take them, I’ll wait for the second order,” I reply. I just want to see him walk away.

“Here,” he says, handing me one of the coffees and a straw. “We’ll wait together for the other ones. The second is just for Niall, and I don’t even think he drinks hazelnut. Whoops.”

“Same about Becky. That’s who my other one is for,” I explain, realizing he probably doesn’t care.

“I swear sometimes they’re the same person,” he responds, sipping on his straw. I can’t believe I’m actually jealous of a straw.

“I say exactly the same thing!” I agree. A worker produces another set of coffees with a confused look on his face. We thank him at the same time, each taking one coffee. Damn it, man, couldn’t you have taken a few more minutes, or hours, so I could keep talking to Harry.

“So, are you coming tonight?”

“I’m not sure yet. I have a lot to do before classes start, and-,” I begin.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, let me stop you right there, mam,” Harry interrupts as he holds the door open for me.  “You have to come.”

“Why?”

“Because if you don’t I’ll just be up there on stage, like, crying my eyes out while Niall plays the guitar beside me,” he replies jokingly. I can’t help but laugh. “Are you laughing at the thought of me crying on stage?”

“I have to admit the mental image is hilarious.”

“You, Lisa, are mean.”

“I am not!” I defend, stuck with a smile on my face that I just can’t seem to wipe off.

“Please come,” he says, puckering his bottom lip. Yum.

“We shall see, crybaby,” I retort, walking towards my car. I can hear fake cries from behind me. I glance back at him, shaking my head and releasing a giggle.

“Wait. Did you just call me baby?” Harry half yells from his car, a few spots away from mine. I whip my head towards him, feeling my face heating in embarrassment.

“No,” I begin, but he just laughs. Harry gives me a quick wink and ducks into his car. I turn back around and I jump into mine, nearly spilling both coffees.

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“What flavor is this?” Becky asks me after taking a sip of her coffee.

“Hazelnut. I order it every time, Bec. You know this; you’ve ordered my coffee a million times.”

“French vanilla next time please, my love.”

“You know, I don’t complain about the drinks you order me at the bar.”

“That’s because they’re delicious. Speaking of the bar, what are you wearing tonight?”

“How do you even know if I’m going?” I ask.

“For one, you’re obviously going. Second, Niall texted me and told me about your run in with Mr. Styles earlier,” she answers, with a smirk on her face.

“What? How did Niall know?”

“I guess Harry told him he saw you earlier and that you promised him you were coming.”

“I did not,” I reply.

“I don’t know, that’s just what I was told.”

“Why was he even talking about me to Niall?” I ask. I assume he was telling him what a mess I was and how I stole his coffees.

“Duh, Lis, because he likes you,” Becky tells me. “And you like him. So, what are we wearing?” I guess my decision was made.

--------------------------------------------author's note----------------------------------------

hello! some eye candy on the side>>> (: let me know what you think of the story so far! Thanks for reading loves!