3

I groaned as beeping on my alarm began to blared "Firework" by Katy Perry. Rolling over to my stomach, I glared the ceiling. It couldn't possibly be time to get up; I just went to bed. My shift had ended up lasting until midnight, mostly due to the fact that Derek forced me to mop all the floors and wipe down every cabinet after closing. What a jerk. Sighing loudly, I ripped the covers off, exposing my body to freezing air.

"They we're suppose to fix the heat three days ago," I grumbled, wrapping my jacket tighter around my numb body. After tripping over my discarded clothes, I managed to find my way to the bathroom.

The studio apartment I was renting was sparsely furnished with things left over by previous owners and flea market bargains. The location, though, made the crammed space worth it. Walking distance from Washington Square Park, it provided plenty of great scenery and an upbeat atmosphere. Although I had to take the subway to work, being this close to the West Village and Soho had its perks. Hundreds of great shopping and dining to chose from and only a five minutes walk. I smiled, looking out the bathroom window at the city below me.

I looked over my shoulder to see my phone buzzing wildly on my bedside table. Jumping onto the bed, I saw a text from Harry. Just thinking of his name made the corners of my tug upward. After work yesterday he'd called asking to meet me.

"I wish," I had sighed, grabbing another Clorox wipe out of the box and beginning to clean another shelf. "Holyier than thou Derek has me maid servicing the entire store."

"I don't suppose you could use a hand?" He asked expectantly. I almost laughed in relief.

"There is a mop and soap bucket with your name on it, curly."

We had spent a better part of the night joking around, instead of doing any actual cleaning. At one point Harry had accidentally knocked over the mop bucket, dumping the dirty water all over the newly mopped floor. I feel to the ground laughing so hard.

"Laugh it up, Kirby! Next time it might end up 'falling' on you," Harry threatened, growing a breathtaking smile.

I had plugged my iPod into the system once the store closed, and it had continued to shuffle until it was time for us to head home. But before I could retrieve it, one of my favorite slow smogs started up. Being a complete dork, Harry held his hand out, a gesture I recognized as an invitation to dance. I curtsied dramatically, taking his hand. He swept he into a simple one two. I couldn't help but notice how close we were, so close I could feel the heat radiating off his body. Having be forced to attend my far share of Cotillions, I was comfortable dancing with a partner. Harry leaned his mouth to my ear, lowly singing along with the words. I was taken back at how beautiful his voice way; this guy could be something great. And sadly the song ended, and we parted ways with the promise he would text me tomorrow to meet again.

Glancing back to my phone I opened his message.

From Curly:
Had a blast last night scrubbing the floors with you, Cinderella ;) Text me your plans today - I want to see you again xxI immediately messaged back, letting him know I was free from Derek's wrath, opening up my evening to anything he had planned.

From Curly:
Brilliant! I'll give you a bell after work then. Xx

I couldn't help the grin that spread over my face. Talking to Harry gave me a feeling I hadn't felt since breaking up with Dylan. Warmth spread to me cheeks as I thought about meeting up with him tonight. I shook my head. I can't be acting like this over a boy I just met especially so soon after getting out of a relationship. Take it slow, I thought to myself. Slow and steady wins the race.

-

Throwing myself onto my bed, I huddled into a comfortable position. I was exhausted. The store had been packed, more packed than ever, according to Casandra, the cashier. Seeing that I only work in the back room, counting inventory and stocking shelves, the only people I see are the occasional employee or mouse. But because of the sudden influx of customers I was upgraded to work the floor, which included a three dollar increase. Score! Taking a deep breathe, I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower.

Harry was was coming to pick me up. I smiled just thinking about it. He didn't give an specific details, which made it difficult to pick am outfit, but I was excited nothingness. As I was finishing applying makeup, I heard a quiet knock from the kitchen.

"Doors open!" I yelled, putting the finishing touches on my mascara. Walking out of the bathroom I was met with a breathtaking sight.

Harry was perched on the arm of my baige sofa. His curly hair was laying with unruly style on his dimpled face. His tall frame was hunched over, looking through the books on my coffee table. The way his eyes danced across the pages with genuine curiosity made him that much more attractive. The trench coat he was wearing hung loosely around his skin figure, giving me the impression he was borrowing the jacket. Harry looked up as I stepped into the room, a glorious smile covering his face. I couldn't control the blush that made its way to my cheeks. Get yourself together, Kirby! You never blush.

"You look fantastic," Harry complimented, wrapping me in a side hug.

"You're not to shaby yourself," I reply jokingly.

Harry smirked. "I know. I showered an everything!"

What a dork! I laugh loudly, pushing his playfully. "Sorry about the mess I only moved a month ago and, as you can see, I don't have enough room for everything."

"Everything bigger in Texas, y'all," Harry said, intimidating a stereotypical southern boy.

I rolled my eyes. "Ha, ha, make fun of my devilishly charming accent. You're one to talk."

I locked the door behind us, having to slam it three times before it actually closed all the away. Sighing with embarrassment, I directed Harry to the elevator.

"You seriously walked five flights of stairs instead of just jumping in the elevator."

"Yeah . . . . I completely did that on purpose and not because I couldn't find the lift," Harry answered sarcastically. I laughed so loud I snorted.

"For someone with an accent that make them sound so smart, you sure are a straggler!" I gripped my side to keep a laugh cramp away.

When the elevator arrived on the bottom floor, Harry, in a gentlemm-esq fashion, held the front door open for me. I grinned in gratitude walking out into the icy, autum air.

"Where are we headed?" I peek through the curtain of my auburn hair to meet Harry's stare.

"Just follow me," he says, grabbing my arms and steering me to the right.

"Aye,aye, captain." He shakes his head in amusement as I salute him.

But out before you could comment back the loudest screaming I've ever heard comes pouring down my street. A stream of girls is running straight toward us, camera phones out and flashing pictures. Behind them, but running just as urgently, are grown adults with professional looking cameras. I questionably look up at Harry, feeling him so stiff under my touch.

"Shit!" He whispered, immediately taking his phone out of his pocket.

I don't even get a chance to ask what the hell is going on because Harry grabs my arms, dragging me in the opposite direction. The screams are getting closer as Harry tried to pick up the pace. We are bumping into things and shoving people out of the way. Harry doesn't slow down until he reaches a subway entrance. Pulling me into it, we run the whole way till we hit the trains. Luckily Harry has a metro card on hand because I didn't have enough to pay for the both of us. I'm nervous now. What just happened? Those screamings girls had scared the crap out of me, not to mention the adults trailing behind them. What was up with that?

I look up to see Harry already staring at me. His apprehensive expression makes my heart skip a beat. I know he's waiting for me to say something, and the first thing that's pops into my head is, "So when you said you were in the music industry . . ."

He looks so relieved he might cry.

Notes

Hope that was good. Things are starting to get interesting. Thank you for subscribing and commenting. I already have a plan for next chapter!