Room 301 [Zarry]

debuts and coastal drives

I have no words, I'm so stunned. There are happy tears welling in my eyes, heart thudding in my chest. Kit turns up the radio dial, shouting out the lyrics as she rolls the windows down. We're carefree and happy, roadtripping along the PCH. We wave farewell to the iconic Hollywood sign and the scenic foothills, journey over five hours North until we reach Monterey. There are so many scenic stops along the way, we snap pictures of everything and munch on snacks with the roof down, pulled over on the side of the highway.

Big Sur is the the most beautiful stretch of the Golden State, left completely untouched by man. The Santa Lucia Mountains are to our East, the frothy Pacific Ocean to our West. We take winding curves down the narrow two-lane highway, chasing freedom, chasing summer. The seaside cliffs and misty ocean view is breathtaking. We stop at the Bixby Bridge to take a million more pictures before planning out a hike. I think we get lost a million times on a well-marked trail, can't stop laughing as we bump into a bunch of other tourists, eventually following them back to the head of the trail.

There are endless rocky beaches, waterfalls and meandering trails. We settle on Pfeiffer Beach, stunned by the beauty of the landmark keyhole arch. There are endless activities in Monterey so we check into a seaside hotel after sunset, worn out from the sun and sweaty from our afternoon hike. My nose is buried in a map and Kit flips through a tourism book, rattling off a list of things to try. I don't care if we visit all of them. Frankly, I don't care if we don't leave our room. It's nice to get away from the bustle of LA and to explore nature and all of its wonders.

The love of my life is stretched out across the bed, giggling as I tickle her sides.

We're caught up in our young, endless love, no nagging pull of responsibilities as I push the final release of the album far from my mind. My lead single was a huge success which makes my heart so incredibly happy. Kit is giddy as she unwraps some chocolate, lets it melt on her tongue. I wrap my arms around her neck, crashing my lips against hers. We mimic the crashing of the waves upon the jagged rocks, window open to catch the sea breeze. The sun retires in the sky and her eyes light up, taking it's place as I rest my hands on her tiny waist.

She shows off her pretty lavender lingerie, spills out of her top as she leans in closer. Our bodies mold together, in all the places I'm awkward somehow fits. There it is again, that puzzle piece motif. The butterfly necklace glints in the dim lamplight.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking," I bite back a smile. "About us, about my music, about everything. This is the best summer I can remember. My heart doesn't feel miles away from home when I'm with you. You're home to me now."

"That's a lot of thinking," she jokes, lips teasing a trail along my neck. She still smells like sunshine somehow, like fresh daisies and sun-tan lotion. "I know you have funneled so much into your music these past few months and I'm really proud of you. The critical reception has already been so positive. The smile on your face when your voice filtered through the speakers today...it was priceless Harry."

"I couldn't have done it without you and I honestly mean that." I take her hand in mine, press a kiss to each of her fingertips before kissing her bare ring finger again. "You know when I was thinking, I just couldn't get over how much you mean to me and how my life flipped upside when I met you. I never expected to settle down and fall in love when I moved out here. I was focused on my musical journey and building my image. I simply wanted to put my name out there. Now I can't remember what things were like without you, without that dazzling smile and your infectious laughter and that adorable way you scrunch up your nose when you're confused. I love all the parts of you that you're insecure about."

My heart won't stop expanding. She's been tugging at my heartstrings since day one. She plays my heart like I play my guitar, softly and carefully but full of passion. I channel our love in everything I do, include the way she makes me feel in the crafting of chords. Music has always given me meaning but now I can feel her presence behind it, between every line and every breath and every grand crescendo.

"I love the way you explain your thoughts," she whispers. "There's always something magic behind your words Harry."

"Yeah?" I guide her hand over my heart, cover it with my own. "Do you hear that sound," I ask, voice a mere whisper. "Do you hear the way my heart beats for you?"

There's a beautiful blush on her cheeks, tears in her eyes. "I can feel the butterflies. I always feel them when I'm with you."

"I think," my voice is so hushed. There's a pause as I search her ocean blue eyes. "You should marry me."

"Oh my God," tears stream down her face. "Oh my God Harry," her breath hitches as I slide the ring onto her finger, mesmerized as it glints and sparkles against her skin. It's a perfect fit on her narrow little finger. "Yes! A million times yes. Oh my-"

"I know it's been a little under four months and it's insane how fast I'm falling and I'm completely out of my mind but I'm crazy about you Kit. Why should I wait any longer? There's no one else I'd commit myself to, vow to spend the rest of my life with. You'll always be the reason for that flutter inside my heart."

"Your butterfly," she whispers, quiver in her voice.

Our little pink bungalow seems millions of miles away. Those weeks I spent in room 301 are all a haze, it seems like years ago. I'm so caught up in the moment, the promise of our future together.

We usually talk, huddled beneath the sheets but Kit grows tired, falls asleep in my arms . I'm too excited to sleep. The anticipation of dropping another track and finalizing touches on the album keeps me up. Her ring is safe on the bedside table on top of our tacky tourist map.

Scribbled writing on the corner of the map catches my attention. I wonder what Kit wrote, pick it up and read it slowly, heart pounding.

Congratulations Harry

x Zayn