Chapter 6

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Harry and I chanted out the lyrics to California Girls at the top of our lungs. The roads were deserted and so we had the windows down and were blaring music.

"One day, I want to live in California" Harry said as the song came to a close.

"You don't want to live in London?" I asked him in my best British accent.

"You're too good at that, you've been here too long. By the time you get home you'll be having an identity crisis" he replied.

He reached into a bag and handed me some food which I happily munched on as we drove. "You have to save a strawberry tart though, when we get home I'll show you the bakery I worked in and Mary- one of the ladies I worked with- will die when she realizes these are better then hers" he told me.

When we get home.

That sounded awfully odd. I had no clue what waited for me at his house. Would his parents like me? Would his sister like me? What about his friends? The old ladies at the bakery? People tended to think I was a problem child the second they heard my moms story.

I nervously tapped my fingers on the steering wheel.

"Don't be worried Noelle, they'll love you they really will" Harry said. Somehow he had read my mind.

"Oh!" I exclaimed as we passed the sign to Holmes Chapel. I gripped the steering wheel tighter now, we were almost there.

With a shake of his brown hair Harry turned up the music again to ease my nerves. Both of us started singing again to Forget You, and I focused on the words rather then my anxiety.

"Just pull in here" Harry announced as we pulled up to a small house. It was charming and situated on a quiet street.

My mom and I had lived in an old ladies basement when I was little in a house that looked similar.

I turned off the radio. "So what do I do? What do I say? Is there any last words of advice?" I asked him. He thought I was joking but I was serious.

"Noelle, be yourself. I know you don't know it but your quite charming" he assured me. I helped him get his bags and we walked up to the house where he rang the doorbell.

"You don't have a house key?" I pestered him. He shrugged, "I kept losing it, and I didn't have a need for one in Chesire"

"You kept losing your key? How many people in this town have a random key to this house?" I asked him.

He humphed, "we changed the locks! And now I'm not allowed a key unless everybody is out of the house"

The door swung open just as I was laughing at his lack of organization and he was crossing his arms in mock anger.

"Hi" I squeaked out. A pretty brunette with a large smile on her face welcomed me back and slapped Harry as he walked in.

"You must be Noelle, Harry's friend- MOM THEY'RE HERE- I'm Gemma, the better Styles" she said offering me her hand.

I set down a few bags and shook it with a smile.

"And you made her carry your stuff in, so not gentlemanly" Gemma tsked.

"Aren't you the one who is all about equality?" Harry asked her raising his eyebrows. She stuck out her tongue and him and darted away.

"Harry!" a lady called from the top of the stairs. A kind looking woman started walking down with a warm smile. She was really pretty actually and I could see the resemblance to Harry.

Harry hugged her tightly and then Anne brought me in for a surprising hug.

"Welcome Noelle, Harry's told us all about you" she said a bright smile on her face.

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