Chapter Two
We pulled into the parking lot of the Mexican restaurant. Realization hit as I found my dad's silver Jeep.
"They're already here." I groaned and slid down in the passenger seat. Harry chuckled looking over at me. "Why are you so calm Harold?"
"Let's go love," he opened his door and got out of the car. I folded my arms as he walked around and opened my door. "Come on," he grabbed my hand.
"I don't wanna," I whined. Harry rolled his eyes and pulled me out of the car. He pushed me towards the entrance of the restaurant. "Harry you don't understand," I warned him as we entered. My dad and step-mom were waiting. My dad's bald head was shining and he wore khaki shorts with a gray Polo shirt. My step-mom wore a brown sundress.
I smiled, "Hey daddy," I hugged him before turning to my step-mom. My dad shook Harry's hand a little too forcefully. "Dad," my eyes widened.
"Chris don't hurt him," my step-mom led my dad towards the table the hostess was directing us to.
"Are you okay?" I whispered to Harry. He shook his hand and cringed. I mouthed an apology as we took our seats.
"How's school?" Aretha asked as we looked over the menu.
"It's going good. Exams are over." I answered as the waitress sat the glass of water down in front of me. She was young, blonde, and smiling ear-to-ear. "Thank you."
"You're Harry Styles," she stated matter of factly looking at Harry.
Harry smiled, "Yes."
"OMG! Can I get a picture with you? My sister will never believe this." She was definitely fangirling.
"Uh sure," Harry lid his chair back and stood for the picture. The girl pulled out her cell phone. I offered to take the picture and she happily handed me the phone. I counted to three before pressing the camera. I handed her phone back. Harry hugged her politely sending her along on a fangirl high. He took his seat.
"That must get annoying," my dad muttered. Aretha shot him a disapproving look.
"How's work Dad?" I asked trying to cut down the tension.
"It's work," he shrugged.
We placed our order, chatted, and enjoyed our lunch. My dad was cordial, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Harry kept shooting me looks. I bit my lip and looked down.
"There's a reason we wanted to have lunch with you today," Harry started. I kicked him underneath the table.
"What is it?" Aretha asked sounding optimistic. I looked up.
"We're engaged," I sighed holding up my hand. My step-mom smiled, but my dad was eerily silent. "Feel free to breathe dad."
He cleared his throat, "Congratulations." He said stiffly.
"Huh?" I asked as Harry said, "Thank you."
I was confused. My dad had reacted calmly. We finished lunch and walked out of the restaurant saying our goodbyes.
"I don't understand," I cried as we walked to the car.
"Don't question him," Aretha warned me getting in their car. I looked at her in confusion.
Harry took my hand chuckling, "At the end of the day." He opened the door for me and I got in the car still in a daze. It was almost as if my dad didn't care. That bothered me.
The next day I had to move out of my dorm room. My mom and step-dad, Earl, arrived at ten in the morning ready to work. Harry was there too nearly against his will.
"Why do you have so much stuff?" he asked carrying a box to my car.
"And to think this is not even half of it," I taunted. Harry groaned.
"I think the refrigerator is the last thing," Earl informed us loading my TV into the back of the off-white Escalade. We walked back into the building and took the elevator to the fifth floor.
"Aw, Jay, are you going to miss this place?" my mom asked me. I sighed leaning against the closet door.
"I think I am," I admitted. She smiled at me and helped to make sure nothing was getting left behind. We went back to the ground floor to head to Decatur. UNA had been good to me for two years, but it was time to move on.
As the four of us walked to the parking lot I decided to jump on Harry's back. He was caught by surprise, but didn't drop me. We reached my car, my mom opened the passenger door, and Harry dropped me in the seat. He walked around to the driver's side. I pulled out my cell phone as he got in the car.
"Smile," I held up the phone and leaned towards Harry. He smiled as the camera clicked. I looked at the picture. "We're so cute together. I ship up so hard." Harry shook his head as he pulled off.
JayQuin94: Do you know this guy? /gyt0287h6
The drive from Florence to Decatur took nearly an hour. We reached the white, Old Decatur, two-story home and parked in front. I got out heading to the trunk to grab a box, bag, or something. My tall, skinny, athletic younger brother, Tyrique, walked out of the house with his red Beats on.
"Grab a box," his dad, Earl, ordered him. Tyrique rolled his eyes and went to help out.
"What are you listening to?" I asked him as we walked up the stairs to the porch. He didn't answer me so I off the headphones and put them to my ear. One Direction was playing. I laughed, "You're worse than Caleb." I teased walking into the house.
"At least I don't have a playlist," my brother called after me.
We unloaded my stuff out of both cars. Harry clasped on the cord couch in the sitting room. He looked exhausted. It was probably the most work he had done in a long time.
"You have too much stuff," he complained. I sat on the floor next to the end of the couch where his head was. "Oh no," he sat up. "I know that look. We're not going to the mall Justice."
I clasped my hands, "Please." He shook his head. I stuck out my bottom lip and blinked rapidly. "I just need to grab something for the party tonight." He sighed and stood up.
"Fine, but you have an hour." I started to protest and he held up his hand. I smirked and walked out of the door.
Two hours later I still hadn't found the right outfit for Sofia's end of the school year party. Harry kept trying to convince to just wear something I already had, but I shook my head.
"I said an hour," Harry groaned. Looking at him I could tell he was tired. I sighed giving up on my quest.
"Let's go," I reached for his hand.
"Are you sure love?" I nodded and we headed towards the nearest exit.
I had an hour until Sofia's party started and I still wasn't completely dressed. I had settled on a pair of purple high waist shots, but now I needed a shirt. Harry was waiting downstairs. I tried to convince him to sleep seeing as how he had to fly out in the morning, but he wanted to go with me.
"Wear a white shirt," Aerial, my sister, suggested sitting on her queen size hot pink bed as I rambled through her dresser.
"Do you have a white shirt?" I asked looking back at her. She pointed to her top drawer. I opened it and grabbed the white razor back tank gratefully. I slipped it on and looked at my reflection. "Thanks sissy," I blew her a kiss as I slipped my feet into my black Toms and walked out of the room.
"Don't stain it," she called after me. I jogged down the carpeted stairs. Harry was waiting in a black t-shirt, skinny jeans, gray beanie, and Converse. In the simplest of clothes he was still very attractive.
"Be home later Mom," I called as we walked out of the door.
The drive to Sofia's massive home took thirty minutes. When we got there people were already enjoying themselves. We walked to the large field and mingled with the crowd. It was a lot of my old high school friends and class mates and a few people that I didn't know/
"Justice you made it," the brunette, beautiful, Bulgarian squealed as she grabbed me in a hug.
"Yeah I'm late, but I made it." I smiled and hugged Sofia back.
"Hi Harry," Sofia smiled politely. Harry smiled back. They had met months ago. "Well, I have to finish making the rounds, but I'll find you afterwards." Sofia walked off.
"I don't think she likes," Harry commented.
I shrugged, "She just doesn't know you." R.I.P by Rita Ora was playing and I began to sway to the music. I grabbed Harry's hands, "Dance with me." He chuckled and shook his head. The song changed to I Would by One Direction and his eyes lit up. "Oh know," I stepped back, but it was too late. He was dancing, badly, and singing along. I shook my head with humor continuing to watch. Right as Harry started to shimmy his chest my ex-boyfriend appeared.
"Hey," he stopped and smiled at me.
"Hey," I greeted him politely as Harry continued to embarrass every Directioner in the world.
"Who's your friend?" he nodded towards my dancing fiancé. I turned back to Harry and got his attention. He stopped dancing and looked at me.
"Deondre this is Harry. Harry meet Deondre." They shook hands.
Deondre looked back spotting one of his old team members, "I've got to go, but we should catch up later." He walked away without a glance back.
"You know a lot of people."
"Not really. I'm thirsty." I grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him towards the concessions stand. Sofia found us along with Shavonne, my best friend since ninth grade, and Katie. We enjoyed the rest of the party until it hit midnight.
"We should go," I announced looking up at Harry who had his arms wrapped around my waist. "Someone has an early flight." He groaned and unwound his arms making sure to keep ahold of my hand. I waved at my friends as we walked away.
"You're staying with me right," Harry asked holding the passenger door for me. I stopped short in confusion before getting in the car. "Yeah you're staying with me." He nodded walking around to the driver's side.