One Thing (One Direction) [On Hold]

Chapter Eleven

 “The way you move is like a full on rainstorm

And I'm a house of cards

You're the kind of reckless

That should send me runnin'

But I kinda know that I won't get far” - Sparks Fly, Taylor Swift

Ashtyn

“Are you alright?” asks Harry. He sets me back on my feet, and I have to wrench my gaze away from his eyes.

“Fine” I say, brushing myself off. Not that there's anything to brush off. “I'm really sorry about Miles. He can be rude-” Harry puts a finger to my lips.

“I get it” he says. “Don't worry.”

“So” I say. “Ah . . . where are we going?”

“It's a surprise” Harry says, grinning. It's a bit unsettling. He grabs my hand, a bit suddenly, and drags me down the hall. I have to run a bit to catch up. But then we fall into pace together, and it just feels . . . right. He doesn't let go of my hand, even when I'm keeping up with him. I don't mind. In fact, I think I like it.

“You're really not going to tell me?” I ask.

“Nope” says Harry, grinning a bit cheekily. “You'll just have to trust me.”

“Right, then” I say. “We'd better call this off, in that case.” He mock gasps, with a fake shocked face to boot.

“You can't mean it?” he asks.

“Course not” I tell him, grinning. The look on his face is too cute. “I trust you.”

“Great” he says, and then we reach the elevator. We both reach to hit the button with our free hands, and they collide. Harry laughs, and so do I. I don't know why it's so funny, but it is. The doors slide open immediately, and Harry pulls me into the elevator.

“You aren't going to blindfold me or anything, are you?” I ask him apprehensively. He snaps his fingers.

“Great idea” he says. “Shame I don't have a blindfold.”

“I'm glad you forgot” I tell him seriously. The elevator opens at the bottom floor. Harry pulls me out.

“We're going to my car” he says, and he takes me out back.

“Hey, no reporters” I remark.

“No kidding” he says. “For some reason, they don't know that buildings have back doors.” I laugh.

“I'm going to have to remember that” I tell him. We arrive at a very expensive looking car. “Won't this attract attention?” I ask.

“Yeah” he says. “That's sort of the point.” That comment doesn't quite . . . I don't know. It unsettles me slightly. But I shrug it off and climb into the passenger's side. I have to let go of Harry's hand, and I swear he looks sad for a moment. Then it passes.

“So” I say. “Where are we going?”

“Nice try” he replies, grinning. He pulls out of the parking lot, and like I predicted, we attract some stares. Especially the reporters.

“Do they ever leave you alone?” I ask him. “The reporters, I mean. Does it ever get easier?”

“You get used to it” Harry says. “Even if you don't want to.”

“It sucks” I say matter-of-factly.

“That it does” Harry replies. I hear the smile in his voice.