All I Want For Christmas Is You

But before I could think anymore, the train arrived and I made sure Karla, Val and I got on at the same time. They packed these trains every time, and I didn’t have to even hold the gripping pole and sides, because if I fell, I would have just fallen on top of some random stranger.
The train stopped at its next station, and the auto-recorded voice said “This station is WATERLOO. The next stop is KINGS CROSS” I sighed as I realized we had to endure a few more stops. Our stop was Oxford Circus station. Sigh.
“I can barely move!” Val yelled through the mob of passengers. I grabbed onto her hand and told her it’s alright, and that we would be off soon.
But before I could grab the gripping handles or pole, I fell backwards onto a man behind me. I felt my skin turn hot with embarrassment, and I couldn’t stop apologizing as we stood back up. “Oh my God, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean it, I need to be more careful, I’m so sorry,” I continued as the man turned to face me, and I stopped talking as I realized it was Harry. “Why hello there stranger,” he said as his frown dissipated into a abnormally huge smile in about 2 seconds. I felt my face turn cherry red. This couldn’t be happening. And blushing wasn’t helping the moment any more. “So, um, where are you going on this fine day?” he asked, his eyes not leaving mine. I shrugged. “I think Oxford Street? That’s the place with all the shops right?” I asked him, already knowing the answer. I just wanted to hear his voice. “Yeah. In fact that’s my stop too,” he said, his smile growing. “HARRY!” Val yelled, realizing I wasn’t just randomly socializing. But when Val yelled his name, a few teenage girls poked their heads up from their phones and pushed past people to try to get to him.
But then the train stopped before they could touch or see him. “Hurry, come with me,” Harry said, grabbing my hand out of no where, and I grabbed Val, who was holding onto Karla. We all rushed back out of the tube station and we walked up the stairs to where we were on the street level. “It’s quite cold. I need this,” he said as he pulled a green beanie from his coat pocket and slid it onto his curls. He didn’t have his hair quiffed today so it looked a little different than usual. “Here, wear this,” he said to me as he handed me a matching beanie. I hesitantly took it and fitted it over my thick hair. Karla made eye contact with me and rolled her eyes. She looked almost, jealous. But I wasn’t even trying to gain attention. I was just being… normal.
“So where are we headed?” I asked Harry, even though I knew I was still mad at him, but there was just something about him that I couldn’t resist losing him. What was I saying?!
“I thought we might go to some stores you like,” he said with a cheesy grin. “Wait, why are you here. You didn’t know I was coming,” I said, wondering why he wasn’t going off to do whatever he came to Oxford Street for. He shrugged. “I like the atmosphere of this street. It’s almost like a party. But a really cold party. Maybe an outside party… when its raining or something to that degree,” he finished and I looked at him with a smile as I giggled, and he slid his arm around my back. “Whatever you say Haz,” I said giggling into his side. He immediately stopped walking and looked at me. “You called me Haz?” he smiled, and I buried my face deeper in his coat. “Maybe?” I giggled, and he smiled. “You are a fan aren’t you?” he asked, already knowing the answer, but he acted as if I was adorable every time I spoke. I nodded to answer his question and he laughed as we walked forward.
“Cat, I’m gonna take Val with me into Topshop and we will meet you later. I have my phone. I think you and Harry need some… alone time,” Karla whispered in my ear with a slight giggle at the end. I smiled and nodded as I watched her grab Val’s hand and walk across the busy street to the other side and went into the building that looked like a Forever 21 and they entered the glass doors.
“So what do you suppose we do now?” Harry asked, snuggling the inside of my neck. Why was I allowing him to do that? “I guess we could walk around you know, since I’ve never been here, and I am kind of stuck here since our plane tickets expired yesterday,” I answered. And when I finished Harry stopped snuggling and looked at me in shock. “You… missed your plane?” he asked still jolted. I shrugged and nodded and he let go of me and held my upper arms to where I faced him. “And your mum is okay with this?” he asked. But when he mentioned my mom I felt the tears well up in the corner of my eyes. I felt my body cringe down in mourn. Harry took notice quickly. He pulled me into him and I started to sob softly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean whatever I said,” he replied, tilting my face back and wiping under my right eye to get rid of the tears. “No, it was just that, my mom, she … died,” I answered, burying my face in my palms, and I felt people’s stares reach me. Harry couldn’t utter a word. But he pulled me into his chest and he hugged me to comfort me. I felt his large palms stroke the back of my hair. And my sobbing slowed. I lifted my head back and looked into his eyes, they were swelling up with tears as well. Why did he care?
“I’m sorry, it just happened so recently, and I cant go home, because well my dad died when I was seven and I don’t think my aunt and uncle … know that I’m still here, and I know they would kill me if I went back,” I said, wiping the corners of my drying eyes. Harry sighed and looked at me with sympathy. “You know, you could always stay with me,” he said with a grin escaping his expression. I giggled and shook my head. “No Harry. I can’t. I have Karla and my little sister with me,” I replied, combing back my bangs out of my eyes. “I didn’t mean here. I meant back home in Holmes Chapel. I’m sure my mum would love all of you,” Harry said, I could tell he was getting excited. “Harry, no,” I said, trying to drag him along so we could start walking somewhere. “Please,” he insisted. “I’m not moving until you say yes,” he said looking at me intently waiting for an answer. I sighed and rolled my eyes with a smile as I gave in. “Yay!” he said like a little boy and we started to walk forward down the street.

“Would you like to go here?” Harry asked me as we walked past a large building with gorgeous architecture on it. “I guess, what is it?” I asked. “It is a lovely place that sophisticated ladies like you should shop at,” he said. I laughed as I rolled my eyes at his silly statement as we walked inside the rotating glass doors.
“Harry, this is Harrods. I can’t afford anything here,” I said, tugging on his jacket, not wanting to go any farther. “It wont hurt to look will it?” Harry said, setting his arm around my shoulders. I felt the warmth build inside of me again as he touched me and I smiled as I gave in again and walked forward into what looked like a celebrity’s closet.

Notes