The Cafe Girl
Look like a One Direction girlfriend
Jess’ POV
As far as first dates go, this would probably be the most unromantic one in history. Especially since it’s a job rather than a date. I couldn’t even get excited too much because I kept getting reminded that none of this is real. Alice texted me saying that Harry was picking me up at 7 and that he was taking me out for dinner. I asked her where we were going so I would know what to wear but all she told me was to “look nice and be yourself”.
I was starting to panic. Sven sure knows his timing. Of course my first public date with Harry would be on the day where I am hungover as fuck – face puffy, tired eyes, dehydrated skin, and looking bloated.
Desperate times call for desperate measure so I hurriedly got dressed after Alice and Sven left and headed to the shops. I was prepared to go through great lengths to make sure that I looked my absolute best tonight. I was ready to buy the fanciest, most expensive outfit and to get my hair and make-up done professionally.
But then, who was I kidding?
Why would I go through all of that, not to mention spend a crapload of money I didn’t have, for a date that wasn’t even real? It’s not like I was hoping to “wow” Harry anyway when we already know that we would eventually end up “together”.
I went inside Topshop to try and cheer myself up. Who cares about looking good for Harry when I can just buy stuff that I want to wear for me? With this new disposition, I found myself excitedly scouring the shelves for an outfit. The seasons latest trends adored the mannequins and I found myself wishing I had the body to wear cute cropped tops and dungarees.
I thought clothes shopping would cheer me up but I was wrong. It was hard not to feel insecure as I struggled to find clothes that would flatter me. I always find myself in this situation wherein I imagine all these beautiful clothes and how I would wear them, and then I try them and on realise that I’m me.
My dress size range from a 12 to 18 depending on the shop, and even finding a shop that carries the stuff I would wear is hard. I know I’m a bigger girl than the rest of them, but I like clothes too.
Feeling deflated and stressed out from all the shopping I didn’t do, I walked away from Topshop empty-handed. I decided to give up completely and seek comfort in the best way I knew how – food!
I was walking towards my favourite Asian restaurant when I walked past a magazine stand. One cover in particular caught my eye. It was a local magazine Tabloid with Little Mix on the cover. The thing that stood out for me, though, was a headline that said “Exclusive fashion special: Look like a 1D girlfriend”! I slowly made my way towards the magazine stand, aware that what I was about to do was ridiculous. I paid for the magazine and hurriedly stuffed it in my bag before anyone could see.
Once safely hidden away in the restaurant, I took the magazine out. I cringe at how ridiculous I was being. I mean, buying a magazine with tips on how to look like a One Direction girlfriend? You have got to be kidding me. But I was dead serious on finding out how exactly do I look like one? I needed answers. Fast.
I browsed through the magazine in between bites of my delicious meal. I finally got to the fashion spread that was the reason I bought this in the first place.
“Have you ever wanted to look like a One Direction girlfriend?” read the opening paragraph. Umm yes I do that’s why I bought this bloody magazine in the first place, “then look no further! We give you a complete how-to guide based on the lads’ current and past girlfriends!”
The first girlfriend pictured was none other than Perrie Edwards. She was wearing some sort of cropped top and a high-low skirt. I flipped past her feature on to the next girl. The photo in front of me was of Louis Tomlinson with girlfriend Eleanor Calder. The blurb said that Eleanor was a University student and even though she’s known purely for being Louis’ girlfriend, there were hundreds of blogs dedicated to her style. One of the photos have her wearing simple black skinnies and army green type of sleeveless button up with sandals.
I turned the page to the one that said “Harry” and was confronted by a photo of him and some of the women he’s been linked to. Caroline, Taylor, and Cara to be exact. The article talked about each of the women briefly and had suggestions on the type of stuff they wore.
It suddenly hit me that I was about to join this Harry Styles’ girlfriend club. Me. Like seriously he would be dating me after all these perfect girls. Chubby, black haired, glasses-wearing me. There was no way in hell that the public would really believe that he would pick me? What was Sven thinking?
I would have cried in my wonton soup right then and there except I had no time to do so. I had to be perfect for the date. I shut the magazine, partly embarrassed at myself for buying into this load of crap. I don’t want to look like the rest of them. Heck, I still don’t know how you could even look like a 1D girlfriend! But one thing’s for sure: I wouldn’t want to be a cheap copy of someone else. The girl Harry is taking out tonight, even if just on a fake date, is going to be herself.
-
I heard the doorbell ring at 7 pm sharp. He was right on time.
I hurriedly grabbed my little clutch and my house keys before shutting the door to my room. I was a nervous wreck the whole time I was getting ready, but as I was making my way down the stairs to get the door, I could feel my heart palpitate.
I checked myself in the mirror again. I think I cleaned up quite nicely considering how today started and how the last 24 hours has been completely depressing. Earlier this afternoon after I read that article, I was feeling very confident in my own skin and with who I was in general. I skipped shopping and just went straight home to plan my outfit. If I was being myself completely, what’s the point of buying something new right?
I was so sure of my outfit then but looking at the mirror now made me feel like I had it wrong. Was this too flashy? Should I not have worn the red lipstick at all? Especially since the last time he’s seen me, I was wearing this exact shade. I adjusted the dress I was wearing, worried that maybe it was too short. I know I wear too much black but this is my go-to dress. The one I pull out in times of wardrobe crisis because it has never failed me before. The long bell-like sleeves hid my flabby arms but the lace in it showed a bit off skin. It hugged me right where I want it to and showed off my (ehem) slightly full breast and my legs. Those are my best assets I’d say.
I know I was making him wait but I was freaking out! The only thing that separated Harry and I now was my front door and I knew that as soon as I opened it, my heart could potentially explode.
And I was right. Good god he was beautiful.
He had his hands in the pockets of his jeans and he greeted me with a sheepish smile. “Hey, Jess!”
“Hi.” That was all I could manage. If I was a nervous wreck just a few moments ago, by now I was quite stunned.
He was dressed in a plain white shirt, black jeans, a navy jacket, and suede boots. He looked so simple yet I swear he made the outfit seem like the sexiest thing ever.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked politely.
“Yeah. . umm, yes. Let’s go,” I said as I fumbled with my keys locking the door. My heart activity was increasing at an alarming rate and our “date” hasn’t even really started yet.
“You look nice,” he said as he ushered me out of my front door to his car.
“You’re only saying that because Sven told you to,”
I don’t know why I just said that and I don’t know why it sounded so bitter. I have never been good in dealing with nerves. I was never good around boys either. I would always say the wrong thing at the wrong time. So nerves and a boy (Harry Styles at that!!!) is really the worst combination.
I could tell that really got to him because he suddenly stopped and faced me when we were at the end of my front yard.
“Jess, before we go, can I just talk to you for a second?”
“Shoot,” I tried to act cool. But seriously, shoot?
“I know you think I’m only being nice because Sven told me to, but I ju –“
“You don’t have to explain to me, Harry. Sorry about that comment, that was really rude of me.”
“I just don’t want you to think that I’m a horrible person because I haven’t exactly been the nicest since we met.”
“It’s fine. I get it. I would be pissed too and would act the same way if I was in your situation.”
“It’s just not fair,” he shook his head, “but I shouldn’t take it out on you. Can we at least try and be civilised colleagues and make this evening less awful than it already is?”
I didn’t miss the way he threw in the insult in there so I raised my eyebrows at him. He must have realised what he said because he just looked at me with a guilty expression and mouthed “sorry”.
“Alright, let’s do that,” I said.
He opened the door to his Range Rover for me which I thought was commendable given that he was admittedly making an effort to be nicer to me. He got into the drivers seat, and he said something in passing that made my heart drop as he started the engine.
“You shouldn’t have worn red lipstick tonight,” he said.
I was annoyed. So him being “nicer” to me lasted a good 5 minutes. Fucking hell. I am getting a bit over this rollercoaster and we are barely a month into our arrangement.
“Okay, so much for even trying to be friends! 5 minutes into this and you’re already at it again.” I said, not even bothering to hide my annoyance anymore.
“I’m just saying, you shouldn’t have worn red lipstick for this.”
“Why’s that?” I asked but before he could even answer I had a go at him already, “I’ll wear red lipstick when I want to wear red lipstick, okay?”
“Everyone knows I kiss on the first date,” he said it so nonchalantly, his eyes never leaving the road while driving for even just a second, that I almost missed what he said.
Wait, what?!
As far as first dates go, this would probably be the most unromantic one in history. Especially since it’s a job rather than a date. I couldn’t even get excited too much because I kept getting reminded that none of this is real. Alice texted me saying that Harry was picking me up at 7 and that he was taking me out for dinner. I asked her where we were going so I would know what to wear but all she told me was to “look nice and be yourself”.
I was starting to panic. Sven sure knows his timing. Of course my first public date with Harry would be on the day where I am hungover as fuck – face puffy, tired eyes, dehydrated skin, and looking bloated.
Desperate times call for desperate measure so I hurriedly got dressed after Alice and Sven left and headed to the shops. I was prepared to go through great lengths to make sure that I looked my absolute best tonight. I was ready to buy the fanciest, most expensive outfit and to get my hair and make-up done professionally.
But then, who was I kidding?
Why would I go through all of that, not to mention spend a crapload of money I didn’t have, for a date that wasn’t even real? It’s not like I was hoping to “wow” Harry anyway when we already know that we would eventually end up “together”.
I went inside Topshop to try and cheer myself up. Who cares about looking good for Harry when I can just buy stuff that I want to wear for me? With this new disposition, I found myself excitedly scouring the shelves for an outfit. The seasons latest trends adored the mannequins and I found myself wishing I had the body to wear cute cropped tops and dungarees.
I thought clothes shopping would cheer me up but I was wrong. It was hard not to feel insecure as I struggled to find clothes that would flatter me. I always find myself in this situation wherein I imagine all these beautiful clothes and how I would wear them, and then I try them and on realise that I’m me.
My dress size range from a 12 to 18 depending on the shop, and even finding a shop that carries the stuff I would wear is hard. I know I’m a bigger girl than the rest of them, but I like clothes too.
Feeling deflated and stressed out from all the shopping I didn’t do, I walked away from Topshop empty-handed. I decided to give up completely and seek comfort in the best way I knew how – food!
I was walking towards my favourite Asian restaurant when I walked past a magazine stand. One cover in particular caught my eye. It was a local magazine Tabloid with Little Mix on the cover. The thing that stood out for me, though, was a headline that said “Exclusive fashion special: Look like a 1D girlfriend”! I slowly made my way towards the magazine stand, aware that what I was about to do was ridiculous. I paid for the magazine and hurriedly stuffed it in my bag before anyone could see.
Once safely hidden away in the restaurant, I took the magazine out. I cringe at how ridiculous I was being. I mean, buying a magazine with tips on how to look like a One Direction girlfriend? You have got to be kidding me. But I was dead serious on finding out how exactly do I look like one? I needed answers. Fast.
I browsed through the magazine in between bites of my delicious meal. I finally got to the fashion spread that was the reason I bought this in the first place.
“Have you ever wanted to look like a One Direction girlfriend?” read the opening paragraph. Umm yes I do that’s why I bought this bloody magazine in the first place, “then look no further! We give you a complete how-to guide based on the lads’ current and past girlfriends!”
The first girlfriend pictured was none other than Perrie Edwards. She was wearing some sort of cropped top and a high-low skirt. I flipped past her feature on to the next girl. The photo in front of me was of Louis Tomlinson with girlfriend Eleanor Calder. The blurb said that Eleanor was a University student and even though she’s known purely for being Louis’ girlfriend, there were hundreds of blogs dedicated to her style. One of the photos have her wearing simple black skinnies and army green type of sleeveless button up with sandals.
I turned the page to the one that said “Harry” and was confronted by a photo of him and some of the women he’s been linked to. Caroline, Taylor, and Cara to be exact. The article talked about each of the women briefly and had suggestions on the type of stuff they wore.
It suddenly hit me that I was about to join this Harry Styles’ girlfriend club. Me. Like seriously he would be dating me after all these perfect girls. Chubby, black haired, glasses-wearing me. There was no way in hell that the public would really believe that he would pick me? What was Sven thinking?
I would have cried in my wonton soup right then and there except I had no time to do so. I had to be perfect for the date. I shut the magazine, partly embarrassed at myself for buying into this load of crap. I don’t want to look like the rest of them. Heck, I still don’t know how you could even look like a 1D girlfriend! But one thing’s for sure: I wouldn’t want to be a cheap copy of someone else. The girl Harry is taking out tonight, even if just on a fake date, is going to be herself.
-
I heard the doorbell ring at 7 pm sharp. He was right on time.
I hurriedly grabbed my little clutch and my house keys before shutting the door to my room. I was a nervous wreck the whole time I was getting ready, but as I was making my way down the stairs to get the door, I could feel my heart palpitate.
I checked myself in the mirror again. I think I cleaned up quite nicely considering how today started and how the last 24 hours has been completely depressing. Earlier this afternoon after I read that article, I was feeling very confident in my own skin and with who I was in general. I skipped shopping and just went straight home to plan my outfit. If I was being myself completely, what’s the point of buying something new right?
I was so sure of my outfit then but looking at the mirror now made me feel like I had it wrong. Was this too flashy? Should I not have worn the red lipstick at all? Especially since the last time he’s seen me, I was wearing this exact shade. I adjusted the dress I was wearing, worried that maybe it was too short. I know I wear too much black but this is my go-to dress. The one I pull out in times of wardrobe crisis because it has never failed me before. The long bell-like sleeves hid my flabby arms but the lace in it showed a bit off skin. It hugged me right where I want it to and showed off my (ehem) slightly full breast and my legs. Those are my best assets I’d say.
I know I was making him wait but I was freaking out! The only thing that separated Harry and I now was my front door and I knew that as soon as I opened it, my heart could potentially explode.
And I was right. Good god he was beautiful.
He had his hands in the pockets of his jeans and he greeted me with a sheepish smile. “Hey, Jess!”
“Hi.” That was all I could manage. If I was a nervous wreck just a few moments ago, by now I was quite stunned.
He was dressed in a plain white shirt, black jeans, a navy jacket, and suede boots. He looked so simple yet I swear he made the outfit seem like the sexiest thing ever.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked politely.
“Yeah. . umm, yes. Let’s go,” I said as I fumbled with my keys locking the door. My heart activity was increasing at an alarming rate and our “date” hasn’t even really started yet.
“You look nice,” he said as he ushered me out of my front door to his car.
“You’re only saying that because Sven told you to,”
I don’t know why I just said that and I don’t know why it sounded so bitter. I have never been good in dealing with nerves. I was never good around boys either. I would always say the wrong thing at the wrong time. So nerves and a boy (Harry Styles at that!!!) is really the worst combination.
I could tell that really got to him because he suddenly stopped and faced me when we were at the end of my front yard.
“Jess, before we go, can I just talk to you for a second?”
“Shoot,” I tried to act cool. But seriously, shoot?
“I know you think I’m only being nice because Sven told me to, but I ju –“
“You don’t have to explain to me, Harry. Sorry about that comment, that was really rude of me.”
“I just don’t want you to think that I’m a horrible person because I haven’t exactly been the nicest since we met.”
“It’s fine. I get it. I would be pissed too and would act the same way if I was in your situation.”
“It’s just not fair,” he shook his head, “but I shouldn’t take it out on you. Can we at least try and be civilised colleagues and make this evening less awful than it already is?”
I didn’t miss the way he threw in the insult in there so I raised my eyebrows at him. He must have realised what he said because he just looked at me with a guilty expression and mouthed “sorry”.
“Alright, let’s do that,” I said.
He opened the door to his Range Rover for me which I thought was commendable given that he was admittedly making an effort to be nicer to me. He got into the drivers seat, and he said something in passing that made my heart drop as he started the engine.
“You shouldn’t have worn red lipstick tonight,” he said.
I was annoyed. So him being “nicer” to me lasted a good 5 minutes. Fucking hell. I am getting a bit over this rollercoaster and we are barely a month into our arrangement.
“Okay, so much for even trying to be friends! 5 minutes into this and you’re already at it again.” I said, not even bothering to hide my annoyance anymore.
“I’m just saying, you shouldn’t have worn red lipstick for this.”
“Why’s that?” I asked but before he could even answer I had a go at him already, “I’ll wear red lipstick when I want to wear red lipstick, okay?”
“Everyone knows I kiss on the first date,” he said it so nonchalantly, his eyes never leaving the road while driving for even just a second, that I almost missed what he said.
Wait, what?!
Notes
OMG I am freaking out. This chapter gave me serious Harry feels! I can see it happening in my head, the way Harry was trying to be nice and still gentlemanly and playful. Omg someone hold me! Haha.I couldn't figure out how to post photos in here so if you want to see how Harry looked like and what he was wearing, check this out: http://lovelyandwanderful.tumblr.com/post/67455347905/harrys-outfit-on-chapter-14-of-the-cafe-girl
Also thanks for all the suggestions with what Jess should wear! So many ideas and I had so much fun doing this that I want to do more outfit posts in the future. View what she was wearing here: http://www.polyvore.com/jess_first_date_outfit/set?id=104402987
I can really just imagine them on their first date wearing that! Anyway, sorry to keep this end note really long! Next chapter is CHAPTER 15! Never thought this would keep going for long as I have never really written a story before so THANK YOU! I'm going to try and make it extra special ;) OK, talk to you later. Let me know what you thought of the chapter, their outfits, or whatever else going on with you xxxxx
I miss this story so much. I hope you can update on this story
4/1/15