I woke up to a loud beeping coming from outside. I always left my windows open in my bedroom; I loved the fresh air. I stood up from my bed and went to the window. My bedroom was at the front of my house and overlooked the street. I had a large walk in closet and my own ensuite bathroom. I liked it because it meant I could avoid my parents as much as possible. I looked out the window to see a moving truck backing into a driveway across the road. The house one over from the one across from me had been empty for about a month. Now it seemed we were getting new neighbours. A lot of my friends lived in this neighbourhood. Maybe it was someone else from my school.

I was about to make my way to the bathroom when some brown curly hair caught my eye. It couldn't be. Could it? I put my hands on the window and stared, hoping the person would turn around so I could see who it was. He turned towards my house, taking a look around.

Harry Styles.

This was just my luck. Of course the one guy in school that didn't want to talk to me moved in right across the street. Just great.

I was still contemplating my bad luck and just staring out the window when I realized he was looking at me. I gasped and ducked down. How embarrassing. I practically had my face pressed up against the window, just looking at him. I'm sure I had my mouth hanging open or something. After a few minutes I sat up to look out again, and he was still looking up at me, now smiling. Probably laughing at me. I couldn't help but notice the adorable dimples that formed in his cheeks before I stood up and ran away from the window.

I went downstairs to get a snack and make myself some tea. I heard my mom's car pull up. Fantastic. Exactly what I need today. I'm grateful she seems to be taking her time coming inside. I try and hurry myself along so I don't have to talk to her, but she walks in while I'm still preparing my tea.

"Oh, hi darling. I didn't think you'd be home already. How was school?" She asked, seemingly in a good mood.

"Not that great. I have homework, though. When's dinner?" I ask, wanting to keep this exchange short.

"Around 7. Oh, and dress nice. I invited the new neighbours across the street to come over for dinner."

I stop dead in my tracks. "You did what?" I ask, hoping I heard her wrong.

"I just went over and met them. Anne and her husband, Robin, just moved in. Oh, and they have a son. He looks to be about your age. They're still getting settled and would probably have just ordered in, so I invited them over for a nice home-cooked meal," she explained, dumping her bags on the counter.

"Mom, why would you do that? It'll be so awkward! Can I just stay in my room?"

"Nice try, Langley. They'll be over at around 6:30. Make sure you're ready for then."

I sulked as I walked up to my room. This is just great. Another chance for my parents to try and show what a perfect family we are. All the money and the nice house and cars, and of course the perfect daughter. I hated that. No one knew that we were all miserable. I hated it when I was home. There was always fighting. My parents should just get divorced to be honest. It would make everyone happier. But they would never do it. My dad like that he had a trophy wife. My mother was gorgeous, and that made him proud despite the fact that she only stayed for the money. My mom liked the stability. I, clearly, had no choice in the matter.

I didn't know Harry. I didn't want him to see my home life. I just hoped my parents would behave. I went upstairs and did some of my homework, then started getting ready for dinner.

At exactly 6:30 I exited my room in a simple black ensemble http://www.polyvore.com/black/set?id=100040778. I got to the top of the stairs and heard my mom talking with another woman. Must be Anne, I thought. I started walking downstairs and went towards the kitchen, where the talking was coming from. As I turned the corner, I bumped into Harry. Again.

Normally, this small impact wouldn't have phased me. But now I was wearing heels, and I teetered over, despite myself. Harry, once again, caught me before I could fall. I quickly stood up, but did not take a step back this time. He was tall. I never noticed before. Even in my heels, he was still a good three inches taller than me.

"We've got to stop meeting like this," he said, smirking.

"Maybe you should watch where you're walking," I countered.

He leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest. "So, you think these little collisions are my fault? That's interesting."

"Well I've never collided with anyone like this before, so, yes. I have come to the conclusion that you are to blame."

He chuckled softly before standing up straight again. "Whatever you say, love. Where's your bathroom?"

I pointed down the hall to our main floor powder room. I watched him walk away and he turned and smirked at me again before going in and closing the door. I suddenly noticed how my heart rate had quickened. Strange.

I went into the kitchen and saw my mom talking to two people, who I assumed were Anne and Robin. I went over and my mom introduced me when she saw I was there.

"This is my daughter, Langley. Langley, this is Robin and Anne," she said, gesturing to each of them. I shook each of their hands, saying it was nice to meet them.

"Langley is an unusaual name. I like it, it's very unique," Anne said, sincerely.

"Thanks," I said awkwardly, "but please, call me Lana."

She smiled and my mother continued whatever conversation they were having before. I leaned against the counter, not paying attention. Harry came into back into the room and stood beside me, also leaning on the counter. I looked at him. He was standing quite close. His cologne smelled incredible. Just then, the timer on the over went off as the phone started to ring.

My mom asked me to pick it up as she went to get the food out of the oven. I looked at the caller ID and clicked the answer button.

"Hi, dad. Where are you?"

"Hi Lan, listen I have an emergency at work and I can't get home. Tell mom I'm sorry I'm missing dinner with the neighbours. I have to go."

And with that he hung up. Not even a goodbye. Nice.

"Mom, Dad says he's stuck at the office. He can't come home yet."

"Well, then we'll just have to eat without him! Sorry Robin, Looks like you boys will be outnumbered," she said with a laugh. She didn't act like she was upset, but I knew there would be yelling later when my dad finally came home. I sighed and went to sit down.

Harry sat right next to me, and smiled as he sat down. My mom raised an eyebrow at me, but didn't say anything. I pretended not to notice. I stayed pretty quiet all through dinner, until Anne asked me a question.

"So, Lana, Harry tells me you two are lab partners in biology? So kind of you to put up with him for the whole semester. He can be quite the pain!" she said, laughing and winking at Harry. He rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything.

"Yea, we were actually the only people without partners. So it just kinda happened," I said, shrugging.

"Well, feel free to study with him at our place anytime you need to. Harry also said you have stats with him?" She asked. Harry suddenly looked up, blushing.

"Mum!" he exclaimed, clearly embarrassed she was repeating what he'd said. I looked at him questioningly. He told his mom about me? I thought he didn't like me at all. He barely looked at me.

Harry's POV

I groaned internally when my mom kept telling Lana what I'd said about her. Why did she always embarrass me! I specifically told her not to say anything about it when we got to the Foresters. She just looked at me in a "oh don't be so dramatic" kind of way. I rolled my eyes. I could feel my cheeks turning red. Fantastic. I could feel Lana looking at me, but I didn't meet her eyes. She was clearly surprised I had mentioned her to my mother. Truth was, I was intrigued by her. But after our first encounter in the cafeteria, some guy came up to me and told me to stay away from her. He was threatening me, but I wasn't worried. Even so, I didn't want any drama. I learned throughout the day that Lana was one of the popular girls. Ugh. I hated that crowd. But then again, she seemed different. I thought I would end up doing all the work for our lab, but she actually knew what she was doing. Not a bimbo, apparently.

I didn't really talk to her throughout the day because I was sure she was one of those typical bitchy populars. But she seemed, I don't know, different for some reason. Even still, I was not interested in being with the "in crowd". Not my kind of people. My mom changed the subject, thankfully, sensing my discomfort. I relaxed in my seat once again. I had to admit, Lana was hot. Not in the typical barbie kind of way. She was beautiful. Soft features, slim, but the right amount of curve. And she had the most beautiful eyes.

Suddenly I realized it was extremely quiet. And that I was staring at her.

"Harry, are you okay?" Lana asked.

"What? Er...um...yea..I just..." I felt my face flush and saw her cheeks get red. We both looked down. I could feel all the parents just smirking at us. Smooth, Harry.

Lana's POV

I continued staring at my plate through the rest of dinner. Why was he staring at me like that? So intensely. It scared me a little. And he didn't even look away when I looked at him. What was that? I didn't dare look at him after that.

Dinner ended and my mom served desert. Anne and my mom started cleaning up, but my mom said Harry and i didn't have to help. I walked out of the dining room and headed towards the living room, desperate to get away.

"Are you okay?"

I turned around and jumped. I hadn't realized Harry had followed me. He chuckled when he realized that he'd startled me.

"Don't do that!" I half yelled.

"You were awfully quite at dinner. I just wanted to see if something was wrong," he said, staring into my eyes.

I was never uncomfortable around boys. Never. They were intimidated by me, and I liked that I held that power. This boy, though, didn't seem phased by me. And I wasn't sure how to handle that.

"Oh, yea. I'm just...tired I guess." I said, unconvincingly.

He started walking towards me, slowly closing the distance between us.

"Have I mentioned how amazing you look in that dress?" He said, smirking again. Holy shit, did I love that smirk.

I shook my head, not moving as he got closer and closer to me. He stopped when his face was about three inches from mine. He leaned in close to my ear.

"Well you do," he whispered, his warm breath on my neck.

He pulled back slowly, looking me in the eyes. What was happening?

"Harry! Let's go, darling! you've got school tomorrow!" Anne yelled from the kitchen.

His eyes never left mine. "Okay," he said back. He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek. "See you at school, love," he said, walking away from me.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding in when I heard the front door shut. I collapsed on the couch and realized I was shaking. What just happened?

Notes

And so it begins. rate and subscribe please! and comment!
thanks :)