Chapter two
We drove down the highway, not really talking, but the silence was soothing and familiar. Harry had his arm draped around my shoulders and the radio was on. I looked over at him, and saw how perfect he was in his dark blue cable sweater and sun glasses. He must’ve felt my gaze on him, because he turned to me, a slow smile appearing on his lips.

“You should keep your eyes on the road, love.” He winked cheekily.

I laughed, “Don’t worry, even not looking at the road I’m still a better driver than you!” Although I returned my eyes to the road anyways. His fingers traced patterns on my shoulder. I reveled in the feeling. I wondered if he even realized how much I’d missed him; if it was even fathomable to him. After a while, we had to stop at a little gas station. I filled the tank and went in to pay. Harry trailed along behind me, keeping his sun glasses on. I walked up to the guy at the cash and paid for my gas.

Behind me I heard gasps of girls and fervent whispers: “Oh my God! Look, it’s him!” I looked around the small store, and didn’t understand what they were talking about. Then they all ran up to Harry, and it clicked for me. Before, Harry and I would go out and not be troubled by anybody, nobody took any interest in us, we were just normal teenagers. But now, Harry was famous, and I realized that this time, our relationship would be different. Harry was of course his charming self, taking pictures with the girls and smiling and signing pieces of paper that seemed to just materialize out of thin air. I kept my distance. Eventually the girls moved on and Harry came up behind me where I was standing in front of shelves of candy, sliding his hands on my hips. He kissed my hair, obviously sensing how awkward I felt. I turned around, not wanting to stay here any longer.

“I’ll meet you in the car; I’m just going to pay for these.” He nodded, but reached for his wallet. I walked towards the cash, but felt him slipping something in my hand. I looked down to see Harry placing money in it. I was perplexed.

“Harry,” I said confusedly. “Harry, I don’t need your money.” I looked up at him.

“I know.” He smiled and walked out of the store, heading towards my car.

I walked out of the store to find him sitting in the driver’s seat. I rolled my eyes as he smiled at me through the window, looking utterly cheeky and mischievous. When I sat down in the car, I just looked at him, and he grinned impishly.

“I thought you might need a break, love.” He told me. I let a small smile tug at the corners of my lips. He was just so sweet; everything he did was overflowing with love. He watched my smile grow, and leaned over to kiss my forehead. His kiss was lingering, and his lips moved down my face, kissing my eyelids, then the tip of my nose before finally reaching my lips. The kiss was soft and sweet. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb rubbing gentle circles. His other hand ran up and down my leg, the kiss becoming hungrier with desire and wanting. We pulled away breathless, but he stayed with his forehead resting on mine, staring deep into each other’s eyes. I had no thoughts; my mind was blank, it contained nothing that wasn’t Harry. “You’re so beautiful.” He whispered. I felt my cheeks growing warm, and I looked away from the intensity of his gaze. I couldn’t believe him, I hadn’t felt beautiful in so long. His words made me self conscious, or at least more self conscious than I already was. His fingers came up to gently tilt my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze again. He smiled and repeated, “You are beautiful,” before claiming my lips once again with his.

He continued the drive to London as I aimlessly flipped through radio stations. It was then that one of Harry’s songs came on, the music flooding through the small car. It was strangely awkward, and I didn’t quite know what to say. It also got me thinking about his band mates, the four people that Harry now spent most of his time with. Harry looked over at me, and smiled slightly.

“We don’t have to listen to this, you know.” His words broke into my reverie, and also relieved some of the tension that beginning to build up inside me.

“I always loved your music, you know that.” However, I reached for the dial, and lowered the volume. “Harry,” I started, keeping my eyes low, absentmindedly picking at one of my finger nails. Harry looked at me, waiting for me to continue. “Harry did you tell your band mates about me?” I turned my gaze towards him, waiting for the answer. His window was partially down, and his hair was dancing in the breeze, the cool January wind biting at his cheeks and leaving them a soft rose colour. The corners of his mouth pulled up into a cheeky smile.

“Maybe a little,” he winked at me and pretended to be embarrassed. I smiled at his answer.

“Alright,” I quickly ran a hand through my wind-blown hair. “Let me rephrase that. Did they know why you were coming back to Holmes Chapel?” I hugged his arm, starting to feel the chill. Again, I was amazed at the size of his arm, no longer the gangly arm of the boy that I was used to.

Harry did up his window, “Yeah, they did.” He said simply as he turned on the heat. “And before you ask,” he looked at me smugly. “They were very supportive and can’t wait to meet you.” He quickly leaned over and kissed my forehead as he chuckled to himself. I rolled my eyes; he really hadn’t changed at all.

“That’s excellent,” I said. “I simply can’t wait to meet them either.” I said sarcastically as I turned to look out my window. I realized that we were close to the city, but for some reason we were turning into a driveway. I turned my face back to Harry, looking confused no doubt.

“I’m pleased to hear that,” Harry smiled. “Because the wait is over.”