Wanderlust

Harry handed me a warm mug full of sweetened tea, sitting himself down onto the sofa chair placed next to the couch I was on.

"So, they don't like each other much?"

I narrowed my eyes over the mug, watching as his face twitched with humor. I had just explained to him my problem concerning William and Paloma, hence us returning to his apartment after our shopping trip - my groceries still sitting in the boot of his car. I refused to return to Will and I's until I was sure I could handle the terrible two.

"Thanks again for having me over." I changed subjects, placing the steaming mug onto the wooden coffee table.

"S'no worries, pet." Harry chuckled, swiping the beanie off of his mess of hair and throwing it across the room onto another piece if furniture.

"Something funny?" I questioned as the boy beside me rested into his couch, a goofy smile plastered onto his dimpled face.

Harry took it upon himself to laugh again and this time I couldn't help but assume it was at my expense. "Ya' just very polite. I like it, it's cute."

My face burned with incredible heat as I took the mug back into my hands and attempted to hide my cheeks behind the porcelain.
Harry cleared his throat rather abruptly and sat up straight.
"You, uh, you need to write ya' songs, yeah? D'you need some help? I think Niall left a guitar around here somewhere..."

Harry stood quickly from his spot and took off somewhere throughout the apartment, leaving me with tinged cheeks and a small smile.

Harry's home was extremely large. I learned that he shared it with only Louis, though he mentioned that the other boys were over so frequently that they opted for a bigger place.
It was the ultimate bachelor pad; gaming consoles surrounding the flat screen, large couches facing the screen. There was hallway beside the kitchen that I assumed led to several bedrooms, which was where Harry had scurried of to after his comment on my manners.

I found myself smiling as I heard the boy rummaging through doors. He had said I was cute... Or did he say my politeness was cute? Is that the same thing?

"Ah!" I heard from within the flat, "found it!"

Harry emerged holding the neck of an acoustic guitar, a grin on his face as he handed over the instrument. Suddenly it dawned on me what exactly was going on.

"Oh, Harry, I'm not sure I can do this. I mean, I- my voice. It's not perfe--"

"Rubbish," Harry scoffed. "I listened to ya' music after our date. Your voice is beautiful."

"You did?" I blanched. I wasn't sure how to react, but I settled on just being flattered.

I adjusted the guitar in my lap and strummed the strings carefully. "That was ages ago..."

"Just play somethin'" Harry urged, moving over to sit next to me and nudge his shoulder into mine. "Play 'Good Intent,' I liked that one."

I smiled toothlessly at him, staring into his green eyes for moment, full of nerves. I looked back down into my lap quickly and played a chord, then another, and another until finally I was strumming the acoustic notes to the opening of my ancient song.

Harry stayed completely silent as I opened my mouth and began singing, mustering up the kind of courage I held back when music was my lone career.

I made it through the song with my eyes closed, focusing on all the stronger parts while trying to ignore the body heat radiating beside me.
I finished far slower than the song was used to, stretching out the words and finally opening my eyes to look over at Harry.
The room fell completely silent while Harry and I stared at each other, me with a questioning look and him with a growing smile. I couldn't help but smile back.

"That was perfect. Beautiful." He complimented quietly.

I swallowed quickly, tucking away the curtain of hair showering my face with a grin. "Thanks."

"Lucy, why are you so... Conscious about ya' voice?"

I removed the guitar from my lap with a sigh, pulling my knees up to rest my forearms on them. "I just... I'm kind of intimidated." I explained, looking up at him. "I love singing but that doesn't mean I can just jump straight back into it. Plus, everyone is expecting some insane comeback, what if I'm not as good as they hope. I don't want to disappoint anyone."

"With a voice like that, you won't disappoint anyone." He assured, placing a warm hand on my shoulder.

I couldn't even fathom how sweet the boy beside me was. His eyes stared down into mine, an earnest look on his face as I smiled. "Thank you so much, Harry."
I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his torso in a hug that showed how much his words helped me.

"S'no worries, love." He replied, returning the gesture with his long arms circled around my shoulders.