Still - Larry Stylinson

chapter 3

chapter 3

Niall comes back home at 9. He decides to change out of his work clothes which leaves me sitting in his car for a half hour before he comes back.

"You're wearing my shirt," I say.

"You have better clothes than me," he shrugs and starts on the drive to the city.

We drive down the freeway and I open the window and lean my head out slightly. I begin to appreciate the feeling of the wind and the glow of the city lights. All I feel is free. And I guess that is what I am in this moment. No matter how much it hurts to be alone, I'm free, and goddammit, I will meet some other guy who will treat me maybe as good as he did. Maybe I will tonight.

But that's when it happens. His song plays on the radio.

"Next up, we have 'Sweet Creature' by Harry Styles," The radio host states.

I freeze and Niall notices my discomfort.

"Lou, we can change the station if you'd like," he offers.

Saying yes would've been the obvious answer and it's probably what I would've said earlier today, but that want for feeling free comes back. Maybe I really should get over him and maybe listening to this song will give me closure.

"No, it's fine."

"Are you sure?" Niall looks at me skeptically.

"Closure and that shit, right?" I say.

He nods and shifts his eyes towards the road again. I lean my head back out of the window and let the crisp winter air swallow me whole. Harry begins to sing.

"Sweet creature, had another talk about where it's going wrong. And we're still young. Don't know where we're going but I know where we belong."

I wonder who he's written this song for. Perhaps he's already moved on and started a new life. And I guess I'm okay with that. Yeah, I should be okay with that.

Niall looks at me consolingly, "Tommo?"

"Mhm?"

"You okay, lad?"

"Yeah, yeah, why?"

And then I realize it. I'm crying. I'm crying and sniffling and I probably look a mess but for some reason I can't get myself to stop.

Niall turns off the radio and gets off the freeway, "We can just go home if you'd like." He stops the car by the bar we had planned to go to.

I can't just tell him to drive back, we already came all this way.

"No, it's fine," I say, trying my best to collect myself and wiping the tears on my jumper.

Niall gives me a 'really?' look. I shoot back with a 'you heard what I said' look. He gives up and gets out of the car and I follow him. We order our drinks and look for a place to sit, to no avail, so we stand awkwardly by the front door.

"So," I say, "how's work?"

Niall laughs at my attempt at small talk. "It's quite alright," he says "I met a girl today."

I nod and smile, "What's she like?"

He continues talking but I find myself distracted. A tall, curly haired man walks through the door. He holds himself with exhausted pride, as he looks tired, but still trying to look lively. But for who? And then I see her. A blonde french lady following him closely behind talking to him loudly. But not loud enough for me to hear.

I don't realize I'm staring until I lock eyes with the blonde. She nudges the man in the arm and his gorgeous green eyes meet mine.

Harry.