Offbeat || Harry Styles

Chapter 2

Tim.

   I couldn't help but blush when his colored eyes poured into mine. I don't really see boys that often. The only man I see is Dave, and I tend to avoid any other human being. The mop of curls look so soft, and I almost reach out and poke them. Wake up,Tim.

His eyes return to his book, and I notice that his palm is covering the book's cover. Hm. Debating if I should sit next to him or not, I finally give in and sit on the edge of the couch. This is my spot after all. If anyone should leave, it should be him.

He visibly tenses when I sit, and I smirk to myself. I don't know why, but I enjoyed it. I flip through the pages, reaching the page I had put a mark on. This is probably my eighth time reading Romeo and Juliet but I didn't mind. I don't think I will ever get bored of their forbidden love. I could relate to it. I could relate to it in so many different way. Whenever I open this book, I imagine what it would be like if the world isn't the way it is. Women wouldn't marry women, but men. What would it feel to sit with the opposite sex without arguing about rights and who rules who. This book or any book of that sort should'nt be present in any library, but I guess they forgot to burn these, or they were here for a reason. Maybe it's for people like me, who are attracted to the opposite sex. I don't think something's wrong with me. In fact, I believe what I do is right. But it's not like I actually do something about it, but it's the thought that counts.

How can people consider what I believe in a sin? Isn't it what they do to people who are just like a sin? It's still illegal. I remember when I was about twelve, our neighbors were sent to prison because they eventually got caught. I used to spend my afternoons with them. They were kind people and I didn't view them as bad people. If anything, they were the best people I've ever known. They didn't anything of what people claimed they do, which was worshipping the devil. I remember seeing a few Bibles around the house, and they would go to church every Sunday. People only notice negative things.

The boy coughs loudly, startling me. Alarmed, I glance at him with wide eyes. He continues to cough, his fist balled at his mouth. ''A-are you okay?''

He nods,''A cold, is all,''

''Oh, okay.''

I ignore the chills I got from his incredibly deep voice. But I liked it. It suites him. I look at him one more time before returning to my book.

Why, such is love's transgression.--
Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast;
Which thou wilt propagate, to have it prest
With more of thine: this love that thou hast shown
Doth add more grief to too much of mine own.
Love is a smoke rais'd with the fume of sighs;
Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;
Being vex'd, a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears:
What is it else? a madness most discreet,
A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.--
Farewell, my coz.

''What are you reading?'' the boy asks. I close my book, hiding it behind my back.

''Uh,The Hunger Games.''

''Is that Romeo and Juliet?'' He raises an eyebrow at me. I bite my lip and look away, my heart beating heavily in my chest.

''That's non of your business, okay?'' I snap at him. What if he tells someone? If my mums knew about this, they would never let me touch another book again. Oh my God.

Surprisingly, the boy smiles at me. I notice the dimples decorating his cheeks.''I'm Harry,''

''I didn't ask for your name,''

''I know.'' he smiles wider. What the hell?

''You can't tell anyone about this, okay?'' I gush, holding the book to my chest. My fingers grip the book tightly, my knuckles turning white.

''I'll tell you a secret,'' He whispers and nears me. I automatically shift away from him. He chuckles and holds up his book, revealing it's title. My eyes widen, and I swear my heart could burst at any second now.
He was reading Romeo and Juliet too.

I sigh in relief, closing my eyes. I feel like crying. I was terrified.

''I'm Tim,'' I say.

''Tim? Isn't that a boy's name?'' He furrows his eyebrows at me. I shurgged.

''I like it. It's unique.''

''Tim,'' he pronounces the name again. He nods before smiling at me.

''How long have you been reading the book?'' he questioned, flipping through the pages of his.

''Years,'' I admit, feeling slightly embarrassed. Why was I even talking to him? I'm not allowed to. This isn't right.

''Me too,'' he says. ''I know it by heart.''

His green eyes sparkle under the dim light, as his grin grows. I feel myself smiling but I quickly stop myself. This isn't right. This isn't right,Tim. Wake up.

''Could you stop talking? I'm trying to read my book.'' Surprised by my sudden change of mode, he nods. I blink a few times before opening my book again. I read the words again and again, but I couldn't focus. Why can't I focus?!

''You alright there?''

''I said stop talking, Harry.'' I snap at him.

''Geez, stop being mean. I'm just asking if you're alright. You've been on the same page for the past ten minutes.'' He frowns at me, making me feel bad for snapping at him. However, I don't apologize. In fact, I don't say another word. I quickly grab my purse and leave my spot. I could almost feel his gaze burning the back of my head as I leave the library, but I don't dare and turn.

I run home, locking the door behind me as Harry was actually following me. I puff out deep breaths, resting my palms on my knees. ''Shit,''

''Timmy?'' Linda frowns at me, placing her hand on the small of my back.

''It's Tim, mum! T I M, okay? My name is Tim.'' I shout at her. She flinches, as if I actually slapped her. Guilt immediately rushes through me, but my tongue is tied. She stares at me with glossy eyes, the sides of the mouth pulled downwards. Oh no.

''I'm sorry,'' I whisper and run up the stairs to my room. I lock the door behind me, wanting to stay alone. My heart is beating heavily again, just like when I was with Harry. I was scared. Terrified, actually.

I had felt something when I was around Harry, and it was unusual. Was that even possible? I don't even know him.