02. Watch Where You're Going
EMBER
I could tell Kev had a lot of people in mind, and, actually so did I. I'm not saying this because I'm mean and think of myself as a bloody Victoria's Secret model, but I knew a few people that just weren't ugly nor were they off-the-charts gorgeous either. I irritatedly tapped my foot on the carpet floor.
There was Yna, but then there was Loretta, Camille, Jen, and there's Wendy too... and technically, I was on that list too.
Ugh.
"Michael, sir," Kevin said from beside me. "I have many people who fit that role...I could get back to you as soon as one of them respond to the offer."
Michael smiled appreciatively and it sent an unwanted shiver down my spine again.
"Thank you -" he pulled out a card from the pocket of his suit "- get in touch with me as soon as you do."
Kevin politely nodded and shook Michael's hand as a farewell.
"Ember." He acknowledged my presence, smiling for the last time before he turned his perfectly-postured-self away and walked out the theatre.
"I don't like him," I instantly said to Kevin. I honestly didn't. I didn't even have a real reason to not like him. There was just this vibe that radiated off of him that screamed trouble.
Kevin laughed at my statement and shook his head.
"When you're in this business, Em," he wrapped an arm around my waist and started leading me out of the dim room as well, "you get used to it."
After Kevin told me to come back to the theatre next week, I got into my car and drove to the park.
It was two o'clock now and I was sitting outside a cafe, tapping a bored rhythm as I impatiently waited for my late lunch to arrive at my table. I was starving. I felt my stomach rumble, but I forced myself to not get up and leave. I needed food, like, right now.
A waiter with exactly what I ordered passed my table, and I rolled my eyes.
So much for their five-star service.
I brought out my notebook. It wasn't much. A watercolor otter filled the entire cover in its dark hue while it played with a bubble of air.
Flipping to the next clean page, I began writing - my views on the world, newfound quotes, books to buy.
I remember the first journal I'd ever received. It was from Santa according to my mum, but of course, I figured out it was from my dad since he kept smiling in the corner whenever I wrote. I became so engrossed in writing that it formed into a habit. I always wrote when I didn't have anyone to talk to - to confide in - which meant I wrote quite often.
I didn't have many friends back in high-school. Most of them were Alex's...
Images of desperate deep green eyes pleading to me flashed in my mind.
I shut my eyes briefly, the pen in my hand shaking. I felt a tear escape from my eye, but I quickly wiped it away as well as the memory when I saw my food arriving. Stop it, I chided myself.
"Here you go, ma'am," the young waiter said cheerily. He smiled down at me, and I forced one on my lips as well. Yet I felt them quiver. He frowned, "Ma'am, are you all right?"
I sighed. "Yes, thank you -" I glanced at his name tag "- Dominic."
He nodded sympathetically, turning back to the cafe's doors.
I looked down at my leafy sandwich. I was a vegetarian; I became one very recently, at that, especially after what Eric had told me...
I shivered in my seat. Nasty thoughts, away. I dug into the whole wheat, tuna and lettuce combo, taking some sips of the strawberry smoothie once in a while.
Things to buy:
- Bell's gift
- Eric's socks
- Chinese takeout
- Flowe-
I squealed and gasped simultaneously as some horrid bloke bumped into the corner of my table, spilling his hot coffee onto the pages of my notebook.
He wore a black coat over a plain maroon tee, dark jeans, aviators, and a grey beanie that covered what seemed to be brown curls while his mouth was agape, staring at the mess he'd caused.
Months of memories...ruined in just mere seconds.
I felt hot tears start stinging in my eyes. I refused to let them fall.
"Look what you did," I glared at the tall figure that towered over my table.
"I am so sorry." He started pulling tissues from the dispenser and pressing them against the drenched pages, but I stopped him with a flick from my index finger.
The last thing I needed was some stranger catching a glimpse of what's going on in my mind.
He looked down at me and I shook my head, taking the tissues from his large hands and dabbing the notebook myself.
"I'm trying to he-" He tried to protest but I shushed him.
"Just-just watch where you're going next time," I said a little more sharply than I intended. I stared down at my hands that were focused on a futile attempt to dry the cover page. I saw him quietly nod, in my peripheral vision, get up and walk away.
HARRY
I wanted to help. I really did, and she looked like she needed the help too. Yet, she gently stole the tissues with her smooth hand from my rather calloused one and did the drying herself.
"Just-just watch where you're going next time," she whispered harshly.
It was cute - her trying to be mad but she simply couldn't let herself be. What was even cuter was that she didn't recognize me.
It's easier to admire someone when they aren't squealing in your ear.
I stopped a laugh that was climbing up my throat, nodding at her and then continuing my walk back to my flat.
Fuck it, if I didn't have much coffee left; the line was too long to get another. That, and more people that looked like they could be fans were showing up by the minute. I lowered my head and brought my beanie down lower as I passed a suspicious group of teenage girls.
I avoided their gazes as Michael had said. Don't look any of them in the eye. I distracted myself by thinking back to the blonde from earlier.
One of her written thoughts stuck to me though, for in my thoughts, they were the complete opposite.
Man loves in as vague ways as love at first sight is real.
I shook my head, shoving my hands into the pockets of my coat. The girl is naïve. Love at first sight isn't real. Not for me.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
I suck for doing this. I haven't updated for what, a month? I am quite literally the worst author ever. I'm sorry for updating late. (I suuuuuck.) BUT Harry and Ember did meet already. Like, before Michael called him, so...
idk haha. Love you all!
Z
YOU ARE READING
The Pretenders
Fanfiction{Harry Styles fanfiction} "Ember," his warm, minty breath fanned onto my face, making me close my eyes. The January air was cold against my arms; I shivered, but still backed away from the warmth of his body. I felt his index finger sweep across my...
