There's Us

The Middle...

"Mom, I have to go." It had been the third time I'd said it. My hopes were dashed that the third time would be the charm when she continued talking.

"Are you getting enough sun, Meagan? I've heard it's dark and dreary over there." She prattled on about the weather for a few more moments before I interrupted her.

"Mom, the weather here is fine. Great even. I walk to my classes and I've met some friends. We get out a lot on the weekends."

She sighed and I honestly couldn't tell if she was happy to hear it or disappointed,

"Well, alright then. I should go so I can figure out dinner for your father."

"Tell him I'm sorry I missed him."

"I will. Be good." She said as she hung up.

I had to shake my head. My mother was never going to be ok with the fact that I was thousands of miles away as well as an entire ocean. She had fought me tooth and nail when I said I wanted to go to London, only relenting when she and my father had a long talk about it. My father wasn't exactly thrilled, but he at least understood. Because if there was going to be any way to get him to understand, the idea that I would get a better job due to my more well-rounded education was it. My dad was all about getting a job, contributing to society and doing your part. He raised me with those beliefs as well.

I turned and headed towards my apartment. It was Friday and the campus was clearing for the weekend. Honestly, I had to keep myself from skipping I was so filled with happiness.

Three months into my trip and I couldn't believe how well things had gone. Gemma and I had become closer than I ever expected. She was so much fun and so easy to talk to that I found myself telling her things that took me years to tell anyone else. She introduced me to her friends who welcomed me into their group with open arms. There was rarely an evening or weekend where I didn't have something to do.

My job was a dream come true. I got to sit around and talk about my other passion, books, all day with customers. My parents sent me extra money and with the stipend I got from school I had come to realize that I didn't really need the job, but I kept it anyway. For 20 hours a week I got to discuss all the books I'd read with people who actually wanted to hear my opinions about them.

My classes and professors were exactly what I needed to supplement my education. I knew coming here to study would give me experience I wouldn't get anywhere else but I never realized just how true that would be until I got here.

And then there was the best part. The most shocking part. The one part I could have never seen coming no matter how much I'd prepared.

I rounded the corner to my street. I bit my lip to try to dim the wide, bright smile on my face. But it was no use. I couldn't have dimmed this smile no matter how hard I'd tried. I woke up with that smile, I walked around all day with that smile and I went to bed with that smile. It was just my default now.   

My smile grew wider, if it was possible, when I saw a tall form leaning against the same fence he was leaning against every day so he could walk me home. He looked up from his phone, the same baseball hat disguising him well enough that we didn't get mobbed. And a blinding smile that matched my own prominently displayed on his face. He quickly clicked his phone off and shoved it in his pocket as he walked forward.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, Harry Styles came to walk me home from school every day.

We reached our hands out for each other's, threading our fingers together. I reached over to grasp his forearm with my other hand,