#spinning fields

London, England.

Despite my better judgments, I ended up here in London, and I have never felt more like an idiot. The last time I spoke with Harry was 5 days ago, he was calling me out of the goodness of his heart, and I told him to promptly "Fuck Off".

Guilt is what drove me here, to another country to apologize to a boy I hardly even knew. I knew I shouldn't be here. Jessie would absolutely kill me if she discovered that I flew to the UK with the hopes of meeting up with some boy instead of I don't know... working on my album that needs to be completed within a month. My parents always did say I was more book smart than common sense smart.

Anyway, I guess it really doesn't matter how I got here or in how much shit I will be I when I get back to Tennessee, all that matters is I'm in London, where Harry is, and all I needed to do was find him... Find an international pop star, piece of cake right?

It was a bright and fairly warm September day, I walked down the street just taking in the wonderful London sights. I could see why everyone gushes over it. It really is a beautiful and whimsical place.

The best way to reach Harry would be to call him I suppose... it is a very large city. But something was holding me back. I haven't heard from him since I told him to fuck off. I haven't reached out to him either, so that is partially my fault as well. But, I have this gut feeling that he won't want to hear from me, and that just seems to rip my heartstrings out.

Taking a deep breath, I just fucking do it. I call.

Ring, ring, ring.

You've reached the voicemail box of .....

Hanging up the phone I let out a huff of air. Maybe he was busy prompting his own album. Yep, keep lying to yourself Mollie.

I looked across the street and saw there was a cute little park with a small pond. I crossed the busy intersection and went over. I sat on one of the black park benches and watched the ducks walk in lines. Small children would come over and feed the ducks every so often, making me smile. But I was almost bored to tears. So, I called again.

Ring, ring, ring.

You've reached the voicemail box of .....

And what do you know? Harry did not answer again. Frustrated this time I swiftly got up from my park bench and walked back out to the street. Harry Styles really deserved a fuck off this time around. I mean I was here simply to apologize for my drunken ways...

That's when I spotted it. Sullivan's Tavern. It was four in the afternoon, so it was an acceptable drinking time. Beer would help my frustration... So I went in.

The bar was cute with green walls and a brown bar with matching brown stools. It reminded me of my father's office back home, a very masculine vibe came off of this bar. But I didn't mind, all I wanted was a beer in my hand.

I grabbed a seat at the bar and the bartended came over with a smile and slapped the menu on the countertop in front of me. I ordered a blonde ale and began drinking happily. Half way through my beer, I spotted him. A blonde hair fellow with twinkling sea blue eyes. He had a cocky smirk, but I found it somewhat adorable. He finished off his beer. I finished off mine.

He signaled the bartender over to where he was, and ordered another beer, never taking his eyes off of mine. Once he got his beer and began drinking away, I signaled the bartender over and ordered another beer for myself. I could play this little game too.

After we both finished off our second round of beers. He flagged down the bartender again and this time the bartender came back with two beers. The blonde haired guy smiled and thanked him before picking up the two foamy drinks and walked my way before sitting down next to me.

"Hope you don't mind if I sit, thought ya could use some company."

"No, I don't mind." I smiled taking the cold drink and putting it to my lips. Not only was this guy cute, but holy shit that Irish accent is out of this world!

"Niall. Pleasure." He held his hand out for me to shake like a true gentleman.

"Mollie. Nice to meet you as well."

"I hope you don't mind me calling you out like this, but your American."

I had to laugh at this little comment, aside from my accent did I really stand out that much?

"Yes, I am. And you seem to be from Ireland?"

"Good job! Irish and proud. What's an American girl like you doing in London?"

"Just... visiting." I lied. No way was I telling this cute stranger that I was actually here trying to meet up with Harry Styles. He would think I was absolutely insane.

"Well who are you visiting with? Doesn't look like you're with anyone..." He actually turned his head to search the little pub for other people! I could feel my face getting redder by the second. How embarrassing. I look like a total freak.

"Yeah, I'm going solo for this one."

"Not a bad idea really. I'm not much of a people person myself." He nodded before taking a long and hearty swig of his pint.

"You seem to be okay at meeting new people."

"Nah. Not in the slightest. Most say I'm rude. I just thought you were cute was all."

This definitely earned a laugh and a blush. Niall was a lot more blunt than Harry had ever been.

"Well thanks, Niall. And thanks for the beer as well."

"No problem. I figured you American girls expect that and all."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!"

"Oh yes, we know all about you American girls and your ways, just expecting us to act like someone outta a Jane Austen novel. Ya know she died many years ago?"

"I might have gotten the memo on that one, yes."

Niall laughed a hearty chuckle before throwing back the rest of his beer. He nodded down where my beer was resting. "I'm glad you're a beer drinker. That's admirable."

"Not going to lie, I'm just starting to get into it. Really wasn't a beer drinker prior to recent events..." Shit. Mollie. He doesn't want to hear about this!

"Ah. Most people do come to pubs because of said recent events." Niall nodded at the bartender, the bartender catching his signal and coming back with two more beers for us. Was I really comfortable getting drunk like this with a complete stranger? In a complete foreign town?

"I'm a pretty good listener, if it suits your fancy."

"Nah. That's okay. You don't want to hear about my little problems."

"I don't seem to have anything better to do." Niall replied looking sincerely in my eyes. Okay, there is no way that this boy did not have a girlfriend. Could he be any more perfect?

Listen to me. I must be desperate. First, Harry. Now, Niall. I really needed to get my emotions under control.

The soccer game was going on in the background on one of the two television screens in the little quaint pub. Everyone was watching, bartender included besides myself, and Niall. We were engrossed with each other.

"I'm just having boy issues." I mumbled looking down.

"Boyfriend, huh?"

"Well, no. He's actually not. I don't think he would ever want me to be his girlfriend at this point."

"Yikes. You must be crazy, then, right?"

"No! Not at all you jerk!" This boy did have a way of making me smile. A charmer this one, truly.

Then I felt a slight vibration coming from the countertop. I looked at phone and couldn't believe my eyes. His name lit up on the screen, Harry.

"Well, what are you waiting for. Answer it." Niall replied before drinking more beer and turning his attention to the game he suddenly became interested in.

"Hello?"

"Hi... I see you called." His voice was still husky, but it seemed distant. I really messed up this time around, as per usual.

"Yeah, I did. I'm glad you called back."

"Mhmm."

"Um. You'll never guess where I am."

"New York?"

I bit my lip. This is not the way I had planned for this conversation to go. What happens when I tell him where I am, he is going to think I am a crazy stalker. Maybe even one of those Lifetime movie killers. Honestly, all I wanted to do was just flipping apologize.

"Mollie, are you there?" His voice asked seeming a bit irritated.

"I'm in London..."

Silence.

"I just figured I would let you know... you don't need to come see me or anything. I just-"

"No. I'll come see you." Harry sighed.

"Oh okay."

"Where are you?"

"I'm not entirely sure... I know I'm at Sullivan's Tavern."

"Sullivan's Tavern? How in the bloody hell did you find that place?"

"I was at this park... Do you know where I am?"

"Of course. I'll be there soon."

"Okay, bye."

"Mollie, wait.... Thanks for calling." Harry responded before hanging up.

I hung up the phone feeling more hopeful than ever. Harry obviously did want to see me if he was willing to come to this little pub for me. Maybe things would work out, and we would live happily ever after, right?

Nope.

"Is your boyfriend coming then?" Niall asked with a grin.

"He is not my boyfriend." I mumbled, feeling somewhat shy now.

"Then hand me your phone." Niall replied with his flat palm stretched out waiting for my phone to be placed there.

"Um... okay?" I did. I gave this complete stranger my phone.

“So… I don’t get it.” Annie said as she stretched out her long legs onto the reclined pool chair.

We both let the warm Rhode Island, early September sun tan us. It was Labor Day weekend, and it was nice to be with my family and Annie all together again.

“What do you mean? I already explained it all.”

“Here is what I’ve gathered. You met Harry fucking Styles. He seems about damn near perfect. But you are scared of dating him? So you’re going to drop him like a hot potato.”

“So you do understand.”

“That is actually the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my twenty-two years of life. Congratulations.”

“You don’t get it.” I sighed.

“Nope.” She replied popping the “P” for dramatic effect. “I really don’t”.

“Can you imagine what they would say about me?”

Annie took off her black Ray Bans sunglasses and looked at me, her warm brown eyes sincere. “If you’re going to let the media affect you so deeply, you’ve picked the wrong profession, Molls.”

“I know. It’s just I’m a brand new artist. No one knows me, or what I’m about yet. I wanted to be known for my music, and my songwriting ability.”

“And your killer vocal range,” Annie added in.

“That too, thanks. I don’t want to be known as Harry Styles’ one-time fling that got her famous. You know?”

“I wouldn’t mind being known as Harry Styles one-time thing honestly-”

“Annie! I’m being serious!” I whined before I picked up my cup of lemonade and took a swig.

“I just don’t need any negative attention yet, or that is what Jessie keeps telling me.”

“Jessie,” Annie said with an eye roll.

“Stop, she has my best interest at heart.”

“Sure she does.”

“Why do you hate her so much?”

“She’s bossy. She thinks she walks on water. She thinks that just because she’s from Los Angeles and we are from Green Hills, that she is better than all of us. Guess what she isn’t. She’s a stuck up little-” Annie’s voice trailed off as we heard my brother and his fraternity brother Justin running towards the pool before they both front flipped in causing a massive splash to overcome myself and Annie.

“Spencer! Justin!” I screamed as the boys came up laughing.

“God, they are annoying. I’m so glad I’m an only child.”

“You’re like my sis, Annie.” Spencer called from in the pool as he did a backstroke.

“You are not like my sis, Annie. So if you ever want to come visit me at USC, just know my room is available.” Justin responded with a wink. Causing a giggle to arise from Spencer and me.

“Gross. I’m grabbing a beer, are you coming, Mollie?”

“Absolutely.” And just like that we started our day drinking festivities at my parents rented beach house. Three cheers for family vacations!

-

“Have you named your album yet?” My mother asked as we all sat around the table on the back deck overlooking the ocean eating our salad and steak.

“Not yet, we’re playing around with a few different options. Jessie thinks-”

“Ugh. Not her again!” Annie said with her signature eye roll. Annie had been my best friend since we were thirteen. She had been around my family so much that she was practically one of us.

“You’re not a fan of Jessie, Annie?” My mom asked intrigued. My mother loved good gossip.

“I think she’s pretentious is all.”

“You know who isn’t pretentious? Me.” Justin added before picking his fork and stabbing a big piece of filet mignon before popping it into his mouth.

Justin was new. He was my brother’s fraternity brother at the University of South Carolina. This was mine, Annie’s, and my family’s first time meeting him.

“You eat like a caveman,” Annie replied looking disgusted.

“Are all ECU girls snobs?” Justin not so subtly whispered to Spencer. Spencer shrugged but Justin shrugged as well, “It’s kind of hot.”

“I wish every night could be like this. Out here on the back deck sitting by the ocean. Having your father do the grilling, so I don’t have to cook.” My mother sighed before taking a drink of her sparkling water. The beach was most definitely her happy place.

“I miss little ole Nashville.” Was not so surprisingly my father's reply.

“We know. Meanwhile, I’ve been ready to move to Rhode Island, since we first started vacationing here when the kids were still so little. Now we have a music star, and well…. Spencer.”

“Gee, thanks, Mom.”

“Oh, you’ll do great things. Once you survive your college days!”

“Enjoy it, Spencer, before you marry some crazy girl.”

My family was your typical normal family, but I loved our little moments like this.

-

“I bet we can finish this entire bottle of Moscato tonight.” Annie smiled before pouring more barefoot Moscato into my empty wine glass.

Everyone had gone to bed by now, Spencer and Justin got so drunk after dinner they both went upstairs before they passed out. As for my parents, well old people have their bed times. That left Annie and me to drink and gossip to our heart's content.

“Not sure if we should be proud of that or-”

“No one is here to judge us, so let’s live it up for the end of summer. Drink up!”

I took a long swig of the sweet wine before placing it back on the coaster that sat on top of the small table in front of the couch. Being here in Rhode Island at the beach house my family always rented gave me a sense of serenity. I was able to calm down and relax from all of my stresses about songwriting, and promoting myself.

But there wasn’t a day that I didn’t think of Harry. He hadn’t contacted me all weekend. I knew that I shouldn’t talk to him, he wouldn’t want to waste his time on a nobody like myself, right? But that night in New York City… it was so magical. I kept reminding myself that we just both happened to be in the same place at the same time. It’s not like there was anyone else around that was readily available for him to hang out with.

This boy already had the power to shatter my heart. I knew that without a doubt. It was smart to be hesitant about developing feelings for Harry Styles. I was doing the right thing by not allowing him to distract me from what is really important in my life right now. He was just lonely and I was there.

Now I am lonely and I wish he was here.

I sighed before taking another giant swig of wine before I glanced up at the television in complete and utter shock.

“Hey turn the volume up, Annie.”

Annie grabbed the remote and turned up the volume, her mouth falling open in shock. “No fucking way.”

On E! some nobody reporter was talking causally not bothered by what was coming out of his mouth, and he was talking about me.

There was my picture plastered on the television screen. On the same screen, there was also Harry’s picture plastered right next to mine.

“It appears our favorite Harry Styles’ has caught his rebound. We all know that Styles’ and Kendall Jenner were seen together in Los Angeles about a month ago. Now it appears Kendall is happily in love with a photographer, his name we do not know yet. Looks like Harry has been cozying up to a newbie singer, Mollie Roark, all in hopes of making Kendall jealous. Stay on E! to get exclusive updates on this story!”

“You are so not anyone’s rebound.”

I sat on the couch, face pale and white. Not even sure if I was fully breathing. This is what I wanted to avoid. Now, my name is plastered all over E! news as Harry Styles’ fucking rebound.

“Say it. You are not his rebound.”

“I need more wine.”

“No problem. Be right back.” Annie shot up from her spot on the couch and ran into the kitchen as if the couch had been on fire. I didn’t need more wine. I already had a slight buzz, but I needed anything to distract me from the hurtful words of just being my dream guy’s rebound.

Then a dark and twisted thought crossed my mind. Don’t check twitter. Don’t fucking do it.

And when a thought like that enters your mind, you absolutely do it. And like an ididot, I searched myself on the worst website ever created, Twitter.

I’m not saying she’s a gold digger but…. #mollieroark

Just what the world needs another famous singing whore #mollieroark

Let me be caught with Harry to get famous. Who am I? #mollieroark

My songs suck so I’m going to get famous from Harry Styles #mollieroark

Annie walked back over to the couch with two bottles of wine in her hands, “Look, Molls, I got the good stuff!” just as tears were beginning to stream down my face.

“What? No Mollie, don’t cry-” setting the bottles down on the table Annie sat beside me and hugged my gently as I began sobbing loud ugly sobs. My nose was running and I am sure I looked like a complete disaster.

“Everyone is going to think I’m a sellout.” I managed to sniffle out as I calmed down a little.

“Well, are you?”

“What? No, I’m not-”

“Okay, I know that. You know that. Shit, Harry knows that.”

I guess she was right, I just really didn’t want to have my first scandal before my album was even officially out yet.

“Look, let’s not worry about this right now. We are on vacation, just like old times. Rumors will happen, but we know the truth. We aren’t going to let haters get us down are we?”

“No- I just don’t understand how they knew I was hanging out with him.”

“I don’t either. We can get to the bottom of it later, but tonight we are going to just have Annie and Mollie time, just like we used to okay?”

“Okay.” I sniffled again before she popped the cork off the next bottle of wine and filled my glass again.

-

2:00 AM

“I love this song!” Annie yelled as Music Feels Better by Selena Gomez thumped through the speakers on the back deck. We were definitely drunk by this point of the night.

I felt free, loose, and like I could really dance, which I absolutely couldn't. We swayed our hips to the ocean breeze and spun each other around without a care in the world.

“I think I should get us some water now.” Annie laughed as she tried to twirl but ungracefully fell onto the deck with a thud.

“Oh my God! Are you alright?” I stumbled over to her not seeing straight.

“Uh yeah, you look worse off than me.”

“True.” I flopped onto the deck chair and closed my eyes to stop the spinning.

“Yep. We need water, I’ll be right back.” Annie loudly stopped her feet back inside and slammed the door so hard I was shocked my parents didn’t wake up and come down and yell at us for all of the commotion.

My iPhone vibrated against the table. In my drunken state, it took me a minute to figure out what was happening. I peered down through my foggy vision, not being able to read my caller ID. I picked up the phone and answered it anyway.

“Hello?”

“Hey Mollie, it’s me.”

“Me? Who is me?” It was hard to put a name to the voice in my intoxicated state.

“It’s Harry.” He laughed his beautiful laugh, and wait, who?!

“Um, hi.”

“Sorry, if it’s late wherever you are. I don’t actually know where you are. Um, I’m in LA, right now and-”

“It’s late.”

“Oh sorry, were you, um sleeping?”

“No.”

“Oh, can I ask what are you doing?”

“Drinking.”

“I can call back.”

“What did you need?”

“Shit!” Annie mumbled as she slammed the back door open again.

I focused my attention on Harry. The perfect boy who probably ruined my chance at a reputable singing career.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“What? I’m sorry, it’s just you are kind of slurring your words.”

“Who are you talking to?” Annie said in more of a scream than a normal speaking voice.

“Mollie, what’s going on? I’m worried about you.”

“You’re worried about me? Why, because everyone is calling me one of your little whores?”

“I didn’t mean for that to happen. You know your not.”

“I’m your next little rebound huh?”

Annie was nodding her head while simultaneously spilling her water bottle all down her shirt.

“Mollie, no. I feel bad.”

“Sure ya do, Styles. Do you know how awful this makes me look?”

“I never meant for this to happen to you.”

“Well, it did. Now my career is shit, thanks to you.”

“I’m sorry Mollie! Don’t blame me, please. Look, I'm flying to London tomorrow, come see me-”

“Fuck off, Harry Styles.” And then I hung up.

My face had to be bright red at this point. I could feel the heat radiating off of my cheeks. It didn't matter at this point in time how much foundation, concealer, bronzer, and blush was applied to my face by the cosmetic team because I was sure to have it run off before I even made it to the stage.

He was ruining me, and I had only known him for a month. It was the way he looked at me... longingly. It's like he needed to stare me down. Harry Styles, was running me, and I was allowing it to happen.

"Mollie, you're up!" Dan shouted from behind his large studio camera.

Deep breaths, you can do this. I can do this.

I stepped onto the raised platform as Jimmy Fallon continued to crack up at some joke Harry made nearly two minutes ago. Boy, that guy could sure laugh. But I wasn't laughing. I was sweating like a stuffed pig, apple in the mouth and all. I should be trying my hardest not to look freaking constipated, instead, I worried about what Harry would think.

My fingers were shaking but I blew out a quick breath and wiggled my fingers before gripping the guitar pick once again. Okay, smile I told myself, and then I smiled into the microphone because the camera would scan to me at any second now...

"Here she is, the girl we've been waiting for! Mollie Roark performing her brand new first single..." Jimmy eagerly belted into the microphone. I laughed a little giggle as my band started up performing the song... that I wrote... that was being performed live by myself on late night television. Shit. Don't faint.

-

"Not too shabby, I would say." He whispered into my ear, making the blonde hairs on my arm stand up. I was thankful that we were in my dressing room backstage alone. I didn't need any media footage leaking of the newbie singer with Harry.

"Thanks, my vocals could have been less shaky but I-"

"Oh shush. For your first time performing live on the telly, I would say you did damn bloody good!" Harry smiled as his finger traced my lower lip causing another shiver down my spine. Who taught this boy how to flirt?!

"Thanks, it means a lot."

The smile he gave back lit his eyes up. His beautiful green eyes. I had only known Harry for two months, but I think I was falling in love. Love. Such a strange concept, I have never been in love before. But I can't ever recall a time when my stomach would do nauseating flips just by someone smiling at me. The thought of Harry gave me anxiety. How could this perfect boy want anything to do with ordinary Mollie Roark?

I was your average 22-year-old girl. I grew up in Green Hills, Tennessee just outside downtown Nashville. My father Ben is an accountant, and my mother Kathryn is a middle school art teacher. I lived a normal life. I graduated from Hillsboro High School. The only interesting thing about me up until now was I grew up outside of Nashville, where my love of music flourished.

My brother Spencer is 19 and is currently a student at the University of South Carolina. I never went to college, but I visit him as well as my best friend from high school Annie Keller, who goes to East Carolina University.

Now, you could argue that I live anything but a normal life. I still reside in Green Hills with my parents. But I am more frequently traveling to New York City once a month trying to get my music to be heard. This is how I ended up on Jimmy Fallon. But more importantly, music is what brought me Harry Styles.

"I'm staying at the Gramercy Park Hotel tonight, are you?"

"Yeah right. I'm not international pop sensation Harry Styles."

He blushed a little at my comment. I think he truly forgot sometimes how famous he truly was. Crap, I offended him.

He scratched the back of his neck and bent his neck to look more towards the floor. "I- I didn't mean anything by that. I let my management team book hotels, I truly don't have a preference they just-"

"Harry stop! You don't have to explain anything to me, I was only kidding."

"I know Mollie. You're a true friend."

Shit- wait, what. A true friend? Usually, I would take this as a compliment. It is a nice thing to say. But did I really want my crush calling me "a true friend"? That was friend zone material if I've ever heard of it.

Ignoring my fallen face like a true gentleman, Harry continued on "What hotel are you staying at? Maybe I can come over, we can hang out? Only, if you want to of course."

"I'm at The Hotel at Times Square, and I would really like that. It would be nice to hang out somewhere, more relaxed for once."

"I would like that too."

My iPhone began vibrating in my bag and Harry and I finally averted our eyes from one another before I mumbled a sorry and went over to pick it up.

It read incoming FaceTime from Mom.

I answered the call and saw both my mother and father sitting on the couch in our family room.

"Hello?"

"MOLLIE! Oh my gosh, we watched the whole thing- "

Harry smiled, "I'll leave you to it, I'll text you." Before exiting my dressing room.

"Stayed up late and everything for it. You were just fabulous." My mom continued beaming.

"Good job, Molls." My dad smiled politely.

"Has Spencer or Annie texted you yet? Oh, I bet they are so thrilled to see you on the television. Isn't it wonderful, Benjamin?"

"It's something, dear."

My dad was clearly the calm one out of both of my parents.

"Thanks, mom, thanks dad. Actually, I haven't heard from Spencer or Annie. Probably at some wild college party."

"Mollie! Don't scare me like that. You know I'm constantly worried about your.... Well... not so mature brother." Her face did look really concerned. That was my mother for you. The three of us would pick on her all the time for it. I practically begged her to allow me to travel to New York by myself this time. I felt bad she was using all of her work leave to travel with me, and I was 22 years old, a legal adult.

"Oh relax Kathryn, we all know Spencer can hold his liquor."

SLAP! My mother's dainty hand hit right on my dad's shoulder. My dad just laughed at her and turned back towards the phone. "Mollie, please come home soon and rescue me from this mad woman."

"You guys will miss me when I'm gone!" my mother said flustered and frustrated.

I giggled but saw my manager Jessie walk into the dressing room, "Hey mom and dad thanks for calling, it means a lot. But, Jessie is here so I should probably go."

"Text me when you get to your hotel sweetie." My mother said sternly.

"Don't forget, Molls. Or your mom won't sleep." My dad warned, and he was dead serious.

"I won't. Love you."

"We love you too." They both answered, and then I clicked the end button.

"Hey, Jessie." I smiled as I flopped onto the loveseat and opened a bottle of Core water.

"Nice job out there Mollie. We are in the process of making you a star! Jimmy and his team thought you were fantastic!"

"I'm glad, I was nervous. But I think it went well."

"It did! I would tell you if you were bad." Jessie combed a hair through her black hair and looked around the dressing room. "Well grab your stuff, they need to start cleaning up, and we should probably check into the hotel."

-

There was a light knock on the hotel door letting me know he was here. I carefully got up from the king size bed I was sitting on and smoothed out the covers to make them look perfectly untouched.

I tiptoed over to the peephole, I didn't want to appear to be too eager. I looked through and there he was looking around the hallways, probably silently praying no fans would catch him wandering the halls.

I opened the door and was greeted by his bright smile.

"Hey Mollie, can I come in?"

"No, you can stay out there."

He gave me a confused look with his eyebrows raised.

"I'm kidding! Sheesh, lighten up."

He laughed and came inside my room. Now that I got him to come see me... what do we do now?

"What have you been up to on this lovely night?" He asked before plopping on the bed.

"If I told you, I'm not sure you would believe me."

"Oh really? Try me, love."

Love? He was calling me love. God, I loved the British.

"Well, I performed on Jimmy Fallon."

"What? No. You're right. I don't believe that."

"And now..." I let my voice trail off and bit my lip. Okay, how would I explain this to him? If I were talking to Annie I would say I was hanging out with a cute boy that I was majorly crushing on... Obviously, I had no intention of telling that to him.

"And now?"

"And now I have Harry Styles in my room... which honestly is pretty terrifying."

"Terrifying?"

"Mmhmm.." I sat down next to him and he turned towards me searching my face, I could see him trying to figure me out. He possibly could even see right through me that I was so into him.

"I've been called a lot of things, Mollie. But terrifying has never been one of them."

Before I knew it was even happening I burst out into a giggle fit. The kind of giggles that send tears to your eyes. Only I could fuck up a perfect moment with a perfect boy. This is why I was chronically single for the majority of my life. Luckily, and much to my surprise Harry was laughing just as hard, and I think I even heard a snort.

After a couple of minutes, we both seemed to calm down a bit. I pulled a strand of long blonde hair behind my ear and wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Shit, I'm sorry. I'm just so awkward."

"A little. But, your down to Earth. That's one of the things I like about you."

"Really?"

"I really like you, Mollie Roark." His sweet voice was almost a whisper as he edged towards me, his tall frame encompassing my body, hands cupping my face ever so lightly.

"I really like you, Harry Styles." I vocalized a mere whisper back.

With a light chuckle, his brilliant lips parted and my heart skipped several beats.

And then, Harry Styles kissed me for the first time. It wasn't my first time ever being kissed. But it was my first time feeling slightly light headed from the entire thing. It was as if life just stopped as we knew it. I could feel his lips caress mine, in a sweet and sickeningly satisfying way, like when you take your first bite into a caramel apple. The caramel sparks a sense in your teeth, letting you know this will probably give you a cavity. But then you bite into the apple and the sourness balances it out. This is what kissing Harry Styles was like. So sweet, passionate, with a hint of lust. I thought I might just die from overwhelming emotions. This was only our first kiss, and I was instantly aware that this boy would break me. He had me wrapped around his finger, and I've only known him for two months.

Harry and I spent the next hour talking about his upcoming tour, watching stupid silly TV shows like Deadliest Catch, and him asking questions that would cause me to blush and prove how awkward I was.

That night wrapped in the hotels comfiest duvet and soft blankets, I curled up and got warm and cozy. For a while, I stared at the ceiling and reflected on what all had happened in this single night. Performing on Jimmy Fallon, hearing praise from my adoring family, and getting to know the real Harry, and kissing Harry. Eventually, I was able to calm down and go to sleep.

Read Chapter 1 T O N I G H T

I skate, not roller skate, or scoot, but on a board... saying it that way is a little less lame than saying 'I skateboard'.

I'm 23, which, christ, for most average citizens in this part of the world is about eight years too old to be rolling around on a plank of wood, but that's besides the point of this particular idea I had, the reason I mention my age is because I feel like I see things now that maybe I didn't see seven years ago, I understand now the angst and untoward hostility aimed at skateboarding. They see kids whizzing past old ladies and children on the pavement scaring them half to death, they see television shows that always, ALWAYS present a skater teenage problem child, in his room or at the skate park with his small group of other recluses listening to some stereotypical punk rock drivel.

There is ammo then, and it doesn't really bother me, because the general public are close minded and are glad to keep buying into the misconceptions.

So yesterday me and a buddy were skating Manchester, it was a beautiful day, although especially brisk, we skated through the hustle and bustle of business types, embraced the scowls previously touched on and headed down to spinningfields, the place is awash with beautiful marble slabs, completely irrelevant to the surrounding area, the only purpose these things have is for skating, surely! Ofcourse it's illegal to skate through Manchester, and especially unheard of to skate these particular ledges with 24/7 security.

My idea is this, there are a lot of skateboarders in Manchester, these slabs are only used right now to be ran across by children, what if each skateboarder gave a small donation, I don't know figures, but to maintain the ledges, maybe monthly, and were allowed to skate there on Sundays. This would stop security guards time being wasted through the week, contributing to the maintenance and also creating a healthy, buzzy atmosphere on a Sunday, allowing passerby's to sit and appreciate rather than tut and glare.

Spinning Fields