So much can happen in just one minute


Violet


One Week Later


The crisp morning air whisked against my skin as I stumbled out of the cabin doors, rubbing my palms together to generate frictional heat. Ever since last night, I've been sipping on bubble tea and dressing in layers to keep my body warm. Fall had to be my least favorite season; I could no longer wear loose-fitting clothing and was forced to restrict my body behind baggy sweats and high-waisted jeans. All together I felt like the sense of freedom I had earned when I first made the decision to switch schools was withering away. And I came to realize that I would never be entirely in control of the situation when it involved my mother because almost everything I did revolved around the state of her well-being.

Speaking of her health, today was the day I promised to pay the old woman a visit. My uncle and I set up a monthly agreement where he'd give me enough money to buy a bus ticket to Norwood and stay at a hotel near Hanwell Asylum. I ordered my ticket yesterday afternoon and booked the hotel room earlier this morning. The only problem I had left was getting transportation to the bus station.

I thought about asking Esther to give me a lift, but then I remembered we weren't exactly on speaking terms. There was always Hugo, but I doubt I could ride on the back of his motorcycle while carrying my luggage at the same time. Thus, this brought me to my final option, asking Harry Styles for a favor. God knows what he'll have me do to repay him.

I reached inside my sweater pocket and grabbed my phone, clicking the dial pad. I typed in his number and slid my thumb across the call button before bringing the cell up to my ear. The line rang twice before somebody finally picked up.


“Mmm. Hello? Who is this?” The man yawned heavily, his raspy morning voice filling my ears.

“Um, H-Harry. This is Violet. I'm calling because I need your help.” I breathed, forcing myself to utter those last four words.

“W-where are you?” he asked me as he ruffled out from underneath what sounded like bed sheets.

“I'm staying in Hussy cabin. Do you remember where that is?” I inquired.

“Yeah, just let me get dressed. I'll see you in about ten minutes,” He reassured me before ending the call.


I put my phone away and went back inside to bring out my suitcase. Once I made sure I had everything, I sat down on the porch steps and mentally prepared myself for seeing Harry again; surely, it was going to be a long ride.

---

“Do you mind if I stop at Dennys to pick up some breakfast? I can't run on an empty stomach this early in the morning,” Harry told me as he slowed down his car at the red traffic light.

“You're going to make me miss my bus,” I argued. “Would it kill you to wait until after you drop me off?” I asked nicely.

“It will only take five minutes, tops,” he promised me while making a left turn around the corner when the light turned green, “Anyway, if you do end up missing your bus–which you won't–I'll drive you to wherever you're heading myself.”


As the Dennys restaurant came into view, Harry drove his car farther down the road and entered the parking lot before parking his station wagon next to a white Mini Cooper.


“Fine, but please hurry. It's leaving in twenty minutes,” I said, pointing to the clock on my phone as he got out of the car. Harry shrugged his shoulders and waved me off before walking into Dennys.


For what felt like hours, I was isolated in that confined space, anxiously playing with my thumbs until I heard a knock at the window on my side. Harry flashed me a smile and opened his brown paper bag as he walked around the vehicle to get to the driver's seat. With a blueberry muffin between his teeth, he opened the door, setting his bags down on the dashboard before slamming it shut again.


“Okay, we need to leave. The bus departs at 11:45 am, and it's almost 11:40. Start the car, Harry,” I ordered.


But my needs went unattended. Instead of following my instructions, Harry continued to munch on his blueberry muffin. The keys to the engine were located on the armrest in between us, but Harry's hands were somewhere else, sifting through a paper bag for napkins to wipe away the crumbs from his mouth. I grew more impatient as the seconds flew by. If I missed my bus, I would have to endure an hour car ride with this man all by myself; the plain reality of that situation alone sent chills up my spine.


“Haaarry.” I whined. “It takes an hour to get from here to Norwood by driving, so unless you want to be stuck in a car with me complaining for the next sixty minutes, I suggest you–”

“An hour long? Bloody hell. Why didn't you tell me that in the first place?!” he yelled back at me while reaching for his car keys. Harry quickly ignited the engine and backed out of his parking space before driving onto the road. “We'll be there in a couple of minutes.”

I smiled in a victorious fashion as I watched him apply more pressure to the gas pedal and pick up some speed, easily allowing him to weave through the columns of cars. “Hey, you're going to get a ticket if you go above the speed limit,” I cautiously warned him.

“Relax, love. I drive like this everyday, and I've never gotten a ticket,” He bragged. I rolled my eyes and glanced down at my phone again to check the time. 11:40 am.

“Harry, uh, how much longer until we're there?” I questioned him, paying attention to the cars ahead of us.

“A minute or so, I guess. The bus station is up the road.” I nodded my head and sighed with relief.

“Okay.”


If it's just up the road, we should be there in no time.


But neither of us were prepared for the series of events that occurred in the next sixty seconds. It was 11:41 am when Harry's car mysteriously halted a few meters away from the red stop sign. It was 11:41 am when he glanced outside of the window and cursed to himself because two of his tires had a flat. It was 11:41 am when I watched the last of the passengers board the bus, and it was still 11:41 am when I realized that if I didn't act now, the driver was going to leave me behind.

Notes

Quote of the Day: “In fiction: we find the predictable boring. In real life: we find the unpredictable terrifying.” – Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Sorry for the long wait guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I was too depressed to post this chapter yesterday because of Zayn's departure from the band. MetLife 2015 won't be the same without him :(

Anyway, I have to send a big thank you to those who have taken the time to click on this story. Over 3,000 of you have read this, and that blows my mind. Much love <3

–M