Still the One

Harry’s Point of View

‘I really think we should get out the car now.’ I look over to Libby who was anxiously picking at the skin of her thumb. ‘I mean we’re here now so there’s no reason not go in.’

‘Can’t we just come back another time?’ she whines beside me throwing her head back against the headrest.

‘No, we’re here now. That wouldn’t make much sense to reschedule, now would it?’

‘Harry, please. If you love me you wouldn’t make me go in there.’

‘I am making you go because I love you.’ I reply walking around to the passenger side to help her out of the car.

I mean I could think of at least a hundred things that I would rather be doing right now but here I am. Libby’s dragging around but I know how much it means to her so I’m putting on a so-called brave face for her. The last time I sat down with Libby’s mother was Christmas morning and that didn’t go well at all. She accused me of using Libby for sex right in front of her little brother and father. If only she knew just how many times I’ve slept with Libby since then she’d hate me for sure. I’m just as anxious about this whole sit down as Libby is but the woman is her mother so I need to at least try.

‘Haaarry.’ Libby mutters as I lock the car and pull her towards the sidewalk, ‘we can go some place else and come back next week.’

‘Have you forgotten that I’m leaving for tour next week?’ I stiff out a laugh turning back to look at her. ‘So I don’t think that’s a possibility.’

‘Okay how about when the tour’s over?’

‘That’ll be months from now, Lib.’

‘I’m fine with that.’

‘I, however, am not. I want to get this over with. Your mum hated me the first time and want to try to prove her otherwise. Don’t worry – I’ll be right beside you the entire time. It’s going to be fine.’

‘I hope so.’ She whispers as I pull open the glass doors.

‘Good morning, we’re here for a visit. Harry Styles and Libby White.’ I inform the woman dressed in white behind the desk.

‘I’ll need to see some identification please.’ She replies taking her eyes from the computer that rested on the desk.

‘Of course, there you are.’ I slide my ID across the counter, as did Libby.

‘You’ll need to keep these badges on the entire time and I will need them once you leave.’ She slides us visitors’ passes after inspecting our IDs.

‘Got it. Thanks.’ I get a hold of Libby’s shaky hand and go over to the steel door.

The nurse presses a button and a buzzer goes off unlocking the door. The room was familiar with the same creepy poster splattered around the room. I sit down at an empty table and Libby eases her way into the one beside me.

‘Do you think we should’ve came here when your dad was around?’ I wonder while one of the workers goes to get Libby’s mother. ‘I mean he was the medium if you think of it.’

‘It’s a bit late now. I told you we shouldn’t have came.’ She presses her hands to her forehead.

‘I am only teasing,’ I laugh leaning back in the chair, ‘will you relax?’

‘I can’t.’

‘I can think of ways of getting you relaxed.’ I whisper over to her pressing my lips to her neck, ‘if you want.’

‘Harry stop.’ She laughs pushing me away from her, ‘look where we are.’

I glance around the room to see several eyes that fell on us. I couldn’t help but turn my chair where my back was facing most of the others in the room. Libby moves her chair over closer to me when the door opens up. I place a hand on her thigh as her mum stalks into the room dragging her slippers against the carpet. I had to say, she looked better than the first time I met her. The first time I laid eyes on her was when she was being dragged out of the hospital. Her face was sunk in, making her appear to be years and years older than she actually was. Her pale skin had red scratches all over, all of which she did on her own. Her long hair was tangled into a ponytail. But today she resembled Libby in the best way. I could definitely see that Libby took a lot of her looks from her mother.

‘Hello.’ Her mum nods in my direction as she takes a seat across from Libby, ‘Elizabeth, I couldn’t hardly believe it when they said my daughter was here to see me.’

‘How are you mum?’ Libby asks, still tense from “Elizabeth”, ‘you look well.’

‘I am well. The doctor’s given some medication that’s really helping. It may be a lot a day but it helps keep me under control. Do you know what I mean?’

‘I’m glad.’ Libby replies, ‘you remember Harry, don’t you?’

‘Yes, I believe this is my third try at a first impression with him.’ She extends her bony hand across the table. ‘Good to see you again.’

‘Same here.’ I shake her cold hand quickly before releasing it.

‘So what have you been up to Elizabeth? How are your grades? Your father says you have a new internship. How is that?’

‘My grades are good. Harry’s helped me with my math a lot this semester and it’s paying off. I’m interning at Glamour magazine which is fun and rewarding.’

‘I’m glad you have it all figured out. What about you Harry? Any plans for school?’

‘Not at the moment. I’ve always said when things slow down I’d take a few classes at university but things haven’t slowed down yet.’

‘I forget that you are in that band, One Direction, that right?’

‘Yes ma’am.’

‘How’s that going? You all still together?’

‘Together as we’ve always been. We’ll be hitting the road pretty soon.’

‘That’s exciting.’

‘Yeah, touring’s always a good time.’

‘Will Elizabeth be joining you?’

I don’t why everyone keeps asking me that. Every single day I am reminded of how Libby will not be with me for weeks and weeks at a time. If only she wasn’t working at Glamour or still had to get those classes out of the way… But I could never ask her to drop every thing and follow me around the world. Of course I’d want to share it all with her but it’s an unrealistic goal. Here in a few days I’d be saying goodbye to Libby for the umpteenth time for who knows how long.

‘No, mum. I have classes and the internship.’ Libby answers as I drowned in my own thoughts.

‘Ooh that’s too bad. She’s always dreamed of getting out of the dreary London.’

‘Yeah, we actually went to America a while back. I took her to Los Angeles and New York City. She loved it.’

‘I have to see pictures.’ Her mum smiles for the first time at her daughter.

‘I’ll bring them next visit.’ Libby promises slipping her fingers between mine under the table.

‘Harry might I say that I was quick to judge you during our last visit. I think that you are an upright young man who has my daughter’s best interest at heart.’

‘Thank you.’ I couldn’t help but squeeze Libby’s hand under the table holding back my stupid smile.

We ended up talking to Libby’s mum for about an hour longer before she decided to go get some rest. Libby and I are sure to hand over the passes before heading out the glass door. Waiting in the parking lot were paps with large cameras.

‘Unbelievable.’ I scoff wrapping an arm around Libby, ‘people have zero respect for privacy.’

‘Who tipped them off?’

‘Probably one of the workers. It wouldn’t surprise me because it happens just about every time I decide to go somewhere.’ I slip through the crowd of people taking pictures, ‘excuse us fellas. I’m just trying to get to my car.’

‘LIBBY HOW WAS THE VISIT?’

‘WILL YOUR MOTHER BE GETTING OUT ANY TIME SOON?’

‘HARRY IS IT TRUE THAT YOU MAKE MORE MONEY THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE BAND?’

‘IS YOUR MOTHER STILL IN THE REHAB FACILITY?’

‘HARRY YOU BETTER GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN.’

As I was walking to the car with Libby in my arms I heard all kind of ridiculous shit falling from their mouths. Mainly about Libby turning out to be just like her mum one day.

‘I suggest you watch your mouth about my girlfriend’s family before you really piss me off.’ My jaw tightens as a natural reaction.

‘Forget them.’ Libby says quietly wrapping her arm around me. ‘It’s rubbish.’

‘HARRY IS IT TRUE THAT YOU SLEPT WITH A MODEL WHILE IN AMERICA?’

‘HARRY CAN YOU CONFIRM OR DENY THAT NIALL HORAN CHEATED WITH ELLIE GOULDING WHILE SHE WAS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH ED SHEERAN?’

‘HARRY WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ZAYN’S ENGAGEMENT? IS IT TRUE THAT THEY’RE GOING TO TIE THE KNOT NEXT MONTH?’

‘Can you just shut the hell up?!’ I growl turning to look at all of them. ‘Get in the car.’

‘Harry.’ Libby presses as I open the door, ‘please come on.’

‘Do you know how idiotic all of you sound? Go get off of your asses, stop stalking people and feeding off of them, and get a proper job.’ I walk around and climb into the passenger side before peeling out of the parking lot.

‘They’re the worst.’

‘I know. I hate it.’

‘I am quite astonished that you didn’t punch someone.’

‘Believe me, I wanted to. I didn’t want it to reflect on your mother so I didn’t dare.’

‘I am just glad that they are gone and out of the way.’

Libby’s Point of View

While Harry’s driving I text Eleanor about the upcoming art assignment. Harry suddenly takes a sharp right turn, then another, and another.

‘I knew it.’ He murmurs staring into his rear view mirror, ‘they’re following us.’

‘Who?’

‘The paps from the parking lot back there.’

I look into the window beside me as Harry takes another right and the three large SUVs do the same exact thing.

‘What are we going to do?’

‘Hold on.’ Harry says picking up his speed down the narrow road.