Project: CA, U.S.A. | Harry Styles AU

Chapter 22

Helloo guys :) It's me, I'm back. I cannot start to say how sorry I am for not uploading, for like, a whole year. But what can I say? I just somehow lost inspiration and had a lot to do in my real life! I hope there are still some of you out there who want to continue reading my story, since I have put a lot of time and work into this chapter to make it extra long and just how I wanted it to be. I'm sorry if it's maybe a little rusty, but I do try my best to get back into my writing style. So, actually, the story is at a point I was incredibly excited about, because the actual love story is about to begin. So everyone who likes it a little bit more cheesy - lean back and enjoy.

Lots of love, Sarah x

Lull. A temporary calm, quiet, or stillness.

I took a glance at my daily-word-calendar (farewell gift from my mother - don't even ask), which is hanging on the backside of my locker door, and stopped in my tracks. Actually, that's not such a bad idea. Yeah, I guess that's exactly what I need right now. Lull. Just to get me out of this everyday struggle of getting all the pieces of my seemingly endless homework right until they're due, of making some time for Leah and Charlie and hanging out with them, of keeping in contact with my family and my old friends back home, of babysitting Ed and of course of not getting my hopes crushed because Harry hasn't made a move since he bade me goodnight in the backyard of the Colins' home. Right.

I don't want to jump on conclusions, he sounded so sincere when he told me that he wants to start something serious. Maybe he just has a lot to do too. But on the other hand, it has been a whole week since that encounter. A whole week of not talking and just exchanging kind of little smiles during PE or if we happened to walk past in the hallways. I mean, it's better than going back to ignoring or scowling at each other, right? But still..

Who am I kidding. I can't deny that I feel like he's letting me down again. Probably changed his mind after I didn't let him kiss me. Jerk.

I tried not to sulk, but I did.

I stuffed my books into the overfilled locker. Did I really believe him when he said I'm different? The only thing I'm different in is probably the fact that I'm naive enough to fall for his tricks and charm again and again.

My particularly large history book didn't want to fit in. I narrowed my eyes, growled slightly and gave it an extra forceful push. Suddenly it fit. Thought so.

Nevertheless, even if I am aware of my stupidity, I can't turn it off. There was still that one little voice in my head that told me he has a good reason for his lack of attention. Sadly, this little voice slowly drowned in the mind-numbing everyday noise of 1000 teens at high school and in the silence of me, alone in my room, doing homework or watching chick flicks that are just a little bit too romantic for me to not get depressed about.

Okay. Here's the plan. I told myself. Just three more classes: Art, English, PE. Manageable. After that: go home, don't worry about homework, don't worry about boys and their actions (or rather their nonexistent actions), get a blanket, lie in the sun, do nothing, get a grip on yourself. Or in short form: put yourself in a lull.

Sounded good to me. I smiled to myself, already feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.

But life had other plans. Like getting me to have a heart attack as I slammed my locker shut by revealing a person behind it. Not just any person. Harry. Leaning against the next locker and studying a book that he held in front of his face.

Short silence, during which I tried to recover while trying not to look like I would even have anything to recover from at all, and during which Harry put his book down and studied me instead, clearly noticing my flustered state.