I had arrived in England last night. I couldn't believe that I was finally going to be living here for four years. As soon as I got into a taxi my phone rang. I pulled out my iPhone from my red purse and looked at the caller ID before answering. Taylor. Taylor was going to be my roommate at university this year and we were finally going to meet. I couldn't wait.
" Hey Taylor!" I said happily as I settled into the seat.
" Hi Kate!" she said. " I just wanted to check in to see how your flight was. I know how long those flight from the U.S. to Britain are." She said sighing.
" It was good. I honestly slept through most of it." I laughed. " I just got into a taxi and I should be at the university soon."
" Ok great. Let me know when you get closer so we can meet. Cheers!" she said.
" Bye Taylor, see you soon!" I replied.
I put my phone back in my purse and looked out the window. It was a rather warm day in England with a clear sky. I was happy beyond words as the driver passed Big Ben. I had always dreamed of living here as a little girl and I was finally here.
We arrived at the University shortly later. I suppose I look presentable after my long flight. I was wearing dark jeggings tucked into short ankle boots with a lace top. My long brown wavy hair was pulled into a side ponytail. I only had a little mascara on my bright green eyes.
I quickly texted Taylor that I was pulling up to the dorms as I paid the driver and thanked him for taking my suitcases out of the trunk. I only had two suitcases with me. The rest had been shipped here earlier in the week.
" Kate?" a soft voice called out. I turned around and saw a tall girl with curly black hair wave at me. She was gorgeous.
" Hey Taylor!" I waved.
Taylor ran over and immediately hugged me. " You have no idea how glad I am to finally meet you! These past few days have been so boring. Oh and I have some great ideas for our room. Its actually one of the nicer ones, we lucked out. You'll never guess whose dorm hall we're in. Harry's!"
I laughed as my new friend babbled on. " What's so great about this Harry guy?" I asked curiously as I grabbed one of the luggage and started pulling it up the walkway. Taylor stopped in her tracks and eyed me. " You mean you haven't heard?"
I shake my head as we enter the hall.
" Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson are going to uni here. HERE. Apparently One Direction is sort of taking a break this year. The other boys are going to another university not far from here." Taylor informed me.
I have to admit I didn't know that much about One Direction. Sure, they had some good songs I remember hearing over the radio but I wasn't crazy about them like one of my best friends Emily was. I never understood how girls could be that in love with guys they never even met. Plus, I remember how heartbroken Emily would get after all of these rumours about Harry and all these girls. If you ask me he sounds like a conceited player.
" That's cool." I agree nonchalantly.
Taylor laughed. " I honestly thought you'd be jumping up and down." I shrug and smile.
" Boybands aren't really my thing. Plus, if you ask me Harry Styles sounds like a conceited player."
"Ouch." A deep voice from behind me says. Taylor's eyes widen and I turn around coming face to face with a guy who I have to say is undeniably hot. He has a mes of brown curls on his head and striking blue green eyes. He's leaning against one of the pillars in a blazer and is smirking at me.
" I'm the conceited player you were just talking about." He says extending his hand. " I'm Harry Styles."
" Do you deny any of it?" I question as I shake his hands. His thumb rubs my hand and my skin heats up.
He laughs. " Cheeky." He studies me for a moment. " Well, I can say that the girls do love me." He winks.
I scoff and pull my hand back. " Oh I'm sure they do."
He finally looks away from me and over to Taylor.
" Why hello." He smiles. " I'm Harry."
Taylor smiles and gives him her hand. " I'm Taylor Evans." Harry takes her hand and kisses her cheek and I roll my eyes. Harry notices and smiles.
" Do you want a kiss too babe?" he smirks.
" No, I was actually just wondering how many girls fall for your charm. You must be irresistible." I say sarcastically. Seriously, this guy was just used to having girls swoon at the sight of him. What an ass.
" Kate!" Taylor says nervously.
Harry studies me for a moment. " Its okay." He says smiling at Taylor. " I like girls who speak their minds."
" Well I'm sure you like a lot of girls." I say. " But we've got to run, it was nice meeting you."
He looks at me unbelievingly. He turns back to Taylor and kisses her cheek again. " Pleasure meeting you." He says. Taylor smiles.
He turns to look at me. " I didn't get you name." he says.
" I didn't give it." I reply. After a moment I tell him. " I'm Kate Harrison."
" Enchanté." he says .
"Je suis sûr que les filles se pâmer à votre françaises àussie. Je suis désolé mais cela ne m'impressionne pas."( I'm sure the girls swoon at your French too. I'm sorry but that doesn't impress me.) I tell him quickly.
I can tell he's trying not to laugh at the annoyed expression on my face.
" Goodbye Kate Harrison." He says smirking.
" Harry Styles." I nod . I grab my bag and walk up the stairs with Taylor following behind me.
Once we're out of earshot Taylor starts laughing.
" Oh my god Kate! I can't believe you just told Harry Styles off!" she says smiling. " I admire you. I just turned to mush in front of that guy." She says as we stop on the second floor and the end of the hallway. We're the last room on the right.
" I'm sorry Taylor, that guy just pushes my buttons. He was acting like he's god's gift to women. He really is a conceited player." I sigh as I fall onto my bed.
Taylor just laughs. " I'm sure that's not how most girls would describe him." She sits down on the bed across from me.
" Enough about him. What about this room? Its great!" I say.
Our dorm room is rather large. The floor is a dark oak and the walls are a cream color. There is a window in between the two beds that gives a beautiful view of campus. Our two beds sit on opposite sides of the room. Our desk and dresser are on the opposite wall. Our room even has a private bathroom which is quite uncommon for first years. I asked Taylor about it and she told me that her father is an alumni and gives a lot of money to the school.
I look around and see my boxes in the corner. Taylor follow my gaze and smiles. " I think its decorating time."
/
Its late at night when we finally finish unpacking and decorating. Taylor bought most of the decorations and such when she arrived earlier in the week. I have to say, she has good taste. Our room is mostly light blue and white and looks beautiful. Exhausted I sink into the light blue damask bedding.
"Its been such a long day." I yawn. I stretch in my yoga pants and tank top. " I'm so glad to be here though." I smile at Taylor.
" Me too." She agrees brightly. " I think we're going to be great friends.
/
I awake rather early in the morning. Its 5 a.m. " Stupid jet lag." I mutter. I search through the room and find my running shoes. I quickly slip them on and quietly leave the room careful not to wake Taylor. I make my way down the large staircase and outside. Theirs is barely anyone out expect for the occasional runner.
I start my run and choose one of the many winding trails. Its still cool outside and the grounds wet. 30 minutes into the run I realize that I'm lost.
I lean against a tree and catch my breath. " Fantastic." I mutter.
Just then a I see a guy on the trail running in my direction. He stops when he sees me. " You okay babe?"
" Yeah." I laugh. " Just kinda lost."
He smiles. " I still get lost on these trails sometimes! Which direction are you going?" he asks.
" I'm going back to the main halls of residence." I say. I remember that they're not called dorm rooms in England.
" Me too!" he says brightly. " I'm Louis Tomlinson." He says.
I remember Taylor saying that he was also in One direction.
" Kate Harrison." I reply.
" Harrrison." He smirks. " So you're the little bombshell that told off Hazza yesterday! I applaud you for that, its good for his ego."
" Thanks, but I was a little harsh." I admit.
" Nonsense." Louis nudges me. " Harry needs to know that not all girls want to bang him."
I laugh.
" But I think you should give him a chance." He says. I look over at Louis curiously. " I think you two would be good friends."
I scoff. " Me and Harry? Friends?"
Louis nods. " I know you think its crazy. But Harry isn't the "conceited player" that everyone thinks. He's just been through a lot of stuff. You don't really know him. He really is a loyal lad."
" Sure, Louis." I say unconvinced. " But enough about Harry. New topic?" Louis laughs.
" So Kate, where are you from?" he asks.
" New York." I tell him.
" So that explains the beautiful accent." He says smiling.
I laugh. I don't really think I have an accent, at least not one of those heavy Bronx ones.
" What about you?" I ask as I redo my ponytail.
" I'm from Doncaster." He says.
We talk for the remainder of the walk to the halls. Louis is nothing like Harry is. He's not conceited and I learn hes had a girlfriend for quite some time named Eleanor. She sounds lovely. Louis agrees and says that I'll have to meet her soon.
Its still early when we arrive back at the residence halls. We make our way up the large staircase.
" Promise we'll hang out soon?" he asks.
I smile. " Of course."
"Good." He says. " because I like you, you don't treat me different."
"Why would I treat you different?" I ask.
" You know, cause of the band. Its good though. You're so real. Most girls aren't themselves when they're around us, they should be themselves." He says truthfully.
" Thanks Louis." I say brightly.
" Bye Kate!" he says as he gives me a suffocating hug.
" Bye!" I call as I wave to him on my way to our room.
When I get inside I see that Taylor's up and already ready.
" There you are!" she says brightly. " I was wondering if you wanted to take the rain into London today?"
" That's sounds great!" I say. " Just give me 30 minutes to shower and I'll get ready." I tell her.
I quickly shower and change into some jeans shorts and one of my Ralp Lauren v-necks. I let my hair stay wavy and just apply a little mascara.
In no time, we board the train and we're on our way to London. Taylor's lived in London her whole life with her father. So naturally, she knows all of the best places to go. She shows me all of the famous spots before lunch like Big Ben, the London eye and Trafalgar Square. We finally settle down to eat lunch around 2 in a pub.
We settle down in a table in the far corner. I'm relieved after walking all day. We quickly order our food, fish and chips is such classic, and talk.
" So where were you earlier?" Taylor asks me.
" I went on a run. Guess who I met? Louis Tomlinson." I tell her. " He's nothing like Harry, he's so much nicer."
" Lucky girl." She says shaking her head. " I think I'm going to need to go running now."
I laugh. " We definitely should."
"You're coming to the party tomorrow right?" she asks.
" Yep, that one everyone goes to right before classes start?" I ask. I vaguely remember Taylor telling me about that in a text during the summer.
" That's the one!" she says excitedly. " I can't wait. Its going to be amazing. Everyone will be there,"
" Even Harry?" I ask.
She smirks at me. " Yes, even Harry."
We finish off our day with a little shopping. We both end up buying dresses for the party. Apparently it's a pretty big deal and everyone gets dressed up.
I end up buying a black and gold dress that goes right above my knees. Taylor buys a dark purple dress that's the same length as mine. Happy, with our purchases we make our way home on the train.
We arrive back at the University when its dark out. We quickly shower and get ready for bed. I climb into bed excited for the party tomorrow. Its going to be a great year and I'm going to be focused and nothing is going to ruin that. Not even Harry Styles. Especially not Harry Styles.