Red String [h.s] (Completed)

Chapter 60

"Do ya, do you think about me at all?
And do you, do you feel the same way
Oh tell me, babe
And do ya, do you remember how it felt?
'Cause I do, so listen to me now"

Amy's short flight from Paris to Manchester lands and she's off the plane and out to the pick-up area quickly because she has no checked luggage. She walks outside and recognizes Harry's car and as she approaches, Harry jumps out to greet her.

"Hey!" he says and grabs her luggage while giving her a half-hug with his other arm.

He opens the passenger door for her and she gets in. She quickly hears a few people exclaim, "That's Harry Styles!" before her door shuts. She watches Harry give them a polite wave as he puts her bag in the trunk and walks to his side to get in. She sees people rushing to approach the car and Harry drives away before they get any closer.

"Sorry! I wanted to meet you inside but..." he stops and gestures to the fans behind them.

"I didn't expect you to pick me up at all so this is a nice surprise," she says honestly.

Harry smiles at her admission and is tempted to reach over and take her hand but he holds back not knowing how she'll react. At the same time, Amy thinks about how strange it is to be in a car with Harry and not have him touch her in some way. She hates admitting to herself that she wish he would.

"How was the flight?"

"Easy, compared to what I'm used to. Barely had time to put my headphones in before we were landing again."

Harry takes a closer look at Amy and realizes something.

"You brought your camera!" he says, shocked.

"I thought it might be nice to take some photos of the party for your family."

Harry beams at her, "They would love that."

Harry and Amy keep their conversation light for the rest of the drive. Amy talks about how she is excited for school to start and she picked up her textbooks this week. She tells Harry she painted a lot this week but didn't disclose that she had started painting portraits again. She's not sure if she'll stick with it so she is holding back getting him too excited.

Harry tells Amy about putting the finishing touches on the album. He feels like it's still missing one song but he is not quite sure what.

They both don't realize that coming in contact with each other again has reignited all their greatest strengths. The unconditional support they have for one another gives them them the confidence they need to aim higher than they would apart. They feel safe outside their comfort zones when they know that the other person will be there to catch them if they fall or celebrate them if they succeed.

"Are you going to let me listen to it?"

"Maybe," he answers her smirking but Amy can see the nervousness behind the expression.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," she reassures him.

"You're going to hear it eventually. It probably should be around me so I can explain things if needed."

This worries Amy. She wonders what parts of it would need explaining? She thinks it might be better to hear it when the rest of the world does. No added pressure of responding appropriately. She really can't be sure how she'll react. She just knows she wouldn't want to hurt Harry's feelings with the wrong reaction.

They drive straight to Harry's aunt and uncle's place which isn't too far from the airport. Amy asks Harry to open the trunk so she can get something from her suitcase, and when she pulls out a beautifully wrapped birthday gift Harry is stunned.