Beautiful Thing

I had arrived back to the hotel to meet up with my questioning sister. Oh boy, was I not expecting this. Sarcasm.

"So... you and Harry Styles?" She said with a suggestive wink.

"Oh Sarah, leave me alone. It's nothing like that." I groaned as I take my earrings out.

"Sure, and that's why you're spending the day with him tomorrow." she smirked at me.

I was spending the day with him tomorrow, only because he offered. I didn't want to turn down his offer but mentally, I was going out of my mind.

I sighed, "Sarah, I only agreed because I didn't want to be rude and turn him down," but honestly, deep down I was thrilled.

She scoffed at me, "Okay Tess. Wait until mom hears about this." she ends with a wink.

My sister is just like my mother. Very upbeat and open; the complete opposite of me. If Sarah told mom, I wouldn't hear the end of it from the both of them. Sure, Harry is attractive and a very nice man, but that's all he is to me. I think we could be great friends, but he wouldn't want anything more with an apprehensive girl like me. I'm not getting my hopes up.

"You will not tell mom about this!" I yelled at her.

"Geez, I was only kidding. Don't get so worked up. You need to go to bed, big day tomorrow!" She pulled me into a hug before she got into her bed.

I sighed and went to the bathroom to get changed and to wash my makeup off. Once I finished, I turned off the light and got into my bed, left with the wandering thoughts of what tomorrow would bring.

I was rudely awoken by the shrill of my ringtone. Who was calling me at this time? I checked the caller ID to be reminded of everything that happened last night. Harry Styles.

I had completely forgotten to set an alarm. I mentally slap myself. I feel so stupid.

"Tess, are you going to answer that?" Sarah groaned from her bed.

I sigh and answer, "Hello?" my voice full of sleep. I could do for another 2 hours of it honestly.

"Good morning to you too Miss Taylor." I hear his deep chuckle through the phone.

"Yeah, I forgot to set an alarm. When are we leaving again?" I questioned. God, I hope it's not soon.

"I'm parked outside your hotel." Those words made my stomach drop.

I jumped out of my bed right away to look in the mirror, only to be met with sleep marks on my face and a massive bed head. Oh no.

"Harry, I am so sorry. This is so unlike me. I'm not even ready. I don't even know where we are going, I don't know what to wear!" I gasped.

I was met with yet again another deep chuckle. "Remember what I said last night Tess, this is unplanned. Be comfortable. I'll be waiting outside, but don't be too long."

I groaned and hung up the phone after him. I ran to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. How in the world am I going to solve this bed head? I look to my sister's suitcase to see a red knit beanie hanging out of it. Perfect. I sigh and grab everything that I needed. I don't know how long I will be gone for so I just prepared for the unexpected.

I left our room quietly, not to wake my sister up, and headed to the elevator. I am such a nervous wreck right now. I hadn't even had the chance to put on makeup. I've never been this unorganized in a long time. The elevator doors opened, I huffed and put my shades on for when I made my way outside.

I look around for his black range rover but I didn't see it anywhere. Funny, he said he was out here.

My thoughts were interrupted by a vintage white Mercedes-Benz convertible pulling up next to me. I raise my glasses to see Harry grinning ear to ear.

I opened up the door, "Harry, what is this!" I say excitedly as I get in the car.

"It's my car. Do you like it?" He says as we pull out of the parking lot.

"I do actually. I like vintage cars, although I don't know much about cars." I shyly laughed after my last comment.

"I'll have to show you my garage sometime. The Range Rover is my newest vehicle." So this means he has more than one classic car. I couldn't help but be impressed.

All of a sudden my stomach rudely growled. I haven't eaten anything since dinner last night so of course, I was hungry.

Harry smirked then raised an eyebrow, "Hungry Tess?"

I nodded, "Yeah I am actually. I'm jet lagged and haven't eaten since dinner last night."

"Well, we are almost to a small town up here. We can find a place to stop for breakfast. Sound good?" Harry said looking over to me.

"Sounds fine to me." I smiled at him.

I took a moment to admire Harry driving. To be honest, it was very attractive. The way his hands gripped the steering wheel, his messy but well-kept hair, he looked like the modern day James Dean. Even the way he was chewing his gum was attractive. There was no denying that Harry was a handsome man.

"Do you mind if I turn on some music?" Harry asks.

"I don't mind, go ahead." I motion him to do so.

Harry opens a compartment next to him to retrieve a cassette, then puts it in the player.

"We're going old school I see." I pointed out.

He nods his head and presses play. I was greeted by the familiar opening of the Rumours album by Fleetwood Mac; particularly, the song "Second Hand News". This was one of my favorite albums. Brought back so many wonderful memories of my life.

"I love this album, Harry!" I gasped out excitedly.

"Really? I agree it's such a classic. One of the best out there in my opinion." Harry smiled as he turned up the music.

"Yeah, I have so many memories with this album." I smile thinking about them.

Harry seemed to notice my happiness, "They must be good ones."

"They are," I said to him. "When I was about 3 or 4, my family had this old rusty car. We went on many road trips. My parents would always have their Rumors cassette playing. It was the album that they played when they fell in love. They shared that with my sister and I, and it was the album that made me fall in love with music." I explained to him.

"That's a lovely story, Tess." Harry smiled at me.

I couldn't help but feel comfortable in Harry's presence. Time had passed and I had not had one worry in my mind. He had this vibe that made it that way; it made me trust him. We were singing along to Fleetwood when we pulled up to this old style cafe.

"This place looks cute," I said as I got out of the car.

The exterior was wooden with a sign painted white that read, "Chestnut Tree Cafe". Everything about it looked old but well kept. Harry and I ventured inside the cafe and was greeted by an eager waitress.

"Hello, welcome to Chestnut Tree Cafe! Is it just the two of you?" She chirped. She seemed quite upbeat.

"Yes, it's just the both of us," Harry replied.

"Right this way!"

As we followed the waitress, I took a moment to examine the interior of the cafe. It definitely looked like it was old. I can only imagine many great things happening in here; it was absolutely beautiful. I can only hope the food tastes as amazing as this place looks.

I took a seat at the table that the waitress led us to. "Can I get you guys anything to drink this morning?" the waitress asked.

"I'll have a tea, please," I smiled at her.

"I'll have the same please," Harry added.

The waitress nodded and headed back into the kitchen. She quickly returned with two steaming cups of tea, milk, and sugar. We both smiled and thanked her.

As I was stirring my tea I noticed a flash. I looked up to see Harry with a camera. I blushed and raised my eyebrow questioningly.

"I like to capture moments in time for keeping memories. If that makes sense." He smirked at me.

I nodded, "Makes sense. I'm not really one for pictures though."

"Why so camera shy?" he questioned.

"I don't know. Always was insecure about how I looked in the photo." I blushed while hiding my face in my hair.

"Well Miss Taylor, I'm not one to deny a woman's beauty. To me, you're beautiful; you don't have to be insecure."

I looked up into his eyes to see complete sincerity. That's one thing I liked about Harry; he was honest.

"Thank you," I said to him as I sipped on my tea.

Fifteen minutes later we had gotten our breakfast. I watched Harry as he happily ate, it was funny because he was a messy eater. I let out a small giggle.

"Why are you laughing?" Harry smirked as he raised his eyebrow.

"Nothing, it's just funny watching you eat," I said as I took a forkful of my eggs.

"How is the way I eat funny?"

"Honestly, you're a messy eater. It's just amusing to me." I smirked back at him and handed him my napkin.

"Well, I can't help it. I was very hungry." He mumbled through the napkin as he wiped his mouth clean of his now demolished breakfast.

Noticing his plate was clean and mine was still half full made me realize I should eat quicker. Harry seemed to notice my change in pace, "No need to rush. Take your time."

Harry and I made small talk until I finished eating. We made our way to pay for the breakfast, which Harry generously paid for both of ours. We made our way back to his car. Harry ran to the passenger door and opened it for me like a true gentleman.

"I guess chivalry isn't dead," I shyly blushed.

He closed the door then made his way to his side and replied, "I guess not."

Notes