Carolina and The Fan Non-fiction | H.S

Four

And to add to the list of things I wish I didn't say tonight, I welcome those words. Did I sound too eager?

Asking someone to tell me something I don't know that way could mean a lot of misinterpretations on their end. Much to my surprise, however, Harry seemed to know something when he said,

"Actually," he said, "I have a plan."

I looked at him, confused.

"But I won't tell, more like show. I'll show you something you don't already know. If you'd like," he finished.

"Okay," I acquiesced, smirking, "have it your way Harry. I'm intrigued."

"It's a place."

He gestured for the nearest waiter, asking for our bill. I put my post-it notepad and school stuff inside the outer pocket of my backpack, taking his request for the bill as signal that we would be leaving the place soon. Together.

"First, let me begin by paying what we both have on the table," he added, reaching for his wallet from the pocket of his skinny jeans.

"Uh, I'd like to object," I spoke.

"But you know I'll be insistent," he continued, "so let me."

I let out a playful huff. "I had another coffee order before you came. And it's not on the table anymore so I think that should be on me."

He raises an eyebrow.

"Or maybe not," I surrendered. "Thank you by the way, you didn't have to."

"Not a problem Viv," he said and I feel my stomach turn over the nickname. The last time I heard it, was over a Skype call with Jas in September. With both of us so busy, our communication is now reduced to chat messages.

After the bill's been settled and Harry had snuck in a tip, he stood up. He reached for his shearling suede brown jacket laid on the back of the chair and wears it.

"Come on," he invited, hand reaching out to me. "I hope you're okay with this?"

I gulped, trying to ease the lump of anticipation that's in my throat. With that, I gathered the courage stand up without melting over the fast-paced spinning of things around me and inside my mind. I placed my backpack behind my back. Then I let my sage green corduroy jacket drape on my arm. The other stretched to take his hand as answer to his chivalrous question.

I feel his fingers interlock with mine. The warmth of his soft grasp sending waves through my arm. The sensation was almost intimidating and I was scared my palms would begin to sweat because of it.

I don't know what the hell is going on but I may have abandoned my sensible self in Sillons.

We stepped out of the cafe. Hands held. I impulsively looked down while he put his aviator sunnies on. The cold seeped a little through my striped turtleneck top. I was regretting not putting on my jacket.

It, however, did nothing to kill the warm fuzz in my stomach or the impulse that led me to go along with the flow of whatever Harry was planning. I didn't even argue with myself if I trusted him already or not. This is what's happening and I'm just taking it for what it is.

Sillons concealed the busy streets well. The night was just as hectic as the day outside. There are people going to their homes or to work or to celebrate that it's Friday. Harry and I joined the walking crowd.

"You up for a ten or fifteen-minute drive?" he asked.

I glanced up at him. Right now, my emotions make my thoughts completely treacherous. I don't trust myself being admittedly dumbfounded by the turn of events. But tonight was nothing dreary like I have expected it to be. Maybe this was a long time coming for putting off exploring and building my new life around here.

"Bring it on Styles," I said, giggling.

"Oh, I will..." he drawled.

I scrunched up my face over the odd way he ended the sentence.

"Uh, now would be the time for you to tell me your last name maybe?" he clarified.

"Oh, oh, uh Townes," I said.

"Okay," he said, "I will bring it on, Townes."

a/n:

Hello everyone, I knoooow a certain Townes has been linked to Harry irl, but that townes was the person's first name. Here, Vivien's Townes is a last name. Thank you. The ship's being set up. Hmm.