Prologue - Stupid Cupid
They are at it again. I honestly don’t know what’s happening. One second they’re fine, then next they’re practically ready to bomb each others faces off. They have been yelling for the past hour just because my dad didn’t drop off my little niece and nephew to their ballet and football practice. Resulting into me having to drop them while I was out for lunch during school time. I honestly didn’t have a problem with it, but apparently my parents do. I could hear every word they were saying. They don’t think that I do though. But I do and it’s just so annoying. This isn’t even the first time. They have been arguing a lot recently, I’ve even quietly noticed that they don’t even sleep in the same bed anymore. My dad always goes off right after fights and comes back very early in the morning, trying not to wake everyone up he goes into his and my mother’s bedroom.
Deciding that I didn’t want to hear anymore yelling, I decided to close my bedroom door and go back to studying. My room had been so quiet except for the tapping of my pencil, and that started to creep me out a bit. So when my phone rang, I practically jumped, shocked. I searched my pockets and my desk for my phone, but having realized that it was lying on my bed across the room I groaned and stood up. Yup, I definitely am not the most active person. I didn’t even bother looking at the contact when I picked up the call.
“Hello?”
“Hello? Who is this?” Who the hell would be calling at the hour of 7? Aren’t there parties and shit like those stuff people my age had on a Friday night?
“Sometimes Faith, I worry about you. I call you practically everyday and you still don’t know who I am?” Harper’s voice sounded through my techno device.
“Well, sorry. I didn’t even read the contact before I answered. Anyways, what’s up?” I asked, curious to why she was calling me. Didn’t she know that this was practically my study time?
“I wanted to know if you wanted to catch a movie with me. Now, before you protest I know that it’s your study time, but you’ve got to get your head out of those books and live a little my dear Faith.” On the other line, I could already hear the engine of a car roar. Had she started her car?
“I’m not even going to let you answer. Just get ready, I’ll be over in 20.” Harper said and quickly hung up, not even giving me the chance to argue.
I sighed and got my lazy arse off the bed and went into my huge closet. You could say that my family was well...well-off? Both my parents are lawyers, my dad apparently owns a huge law firm that practically leaves us to have the material things that we desire. Me and my older brother are quite the opposite from our parents. We both thought that material things don’t matter as long as it’s the thought that counts. It’s cheesy, trust me, we both know. But hey, that’s how things go between us. As long as you love us and we love you, we don’t give a flying fudge about the material things you get us.
“Faith? Faith you in here?” A deep voice called out from inside my room. I immediately recognized the voice as my brother’s.
“I’m in here.” I called out to him from in my closet.
I went back to looking through the numerous clothes that I had bought, my parents had bought, or were gifts. I’m not even going to lie, it’s a lot. I honestly didn’t care what I’d wear, I’m not that kind of girl where I take forever to choose an outfit. It’s not like I have anyone to impress and all. Seriously, guys don’t even know I exist.
“Going on a date?” Turning my head, I saw my older brother Matt leaning against the doorframe of my closet eating an apple.
I scoffed and turned away, “No.”
Matt’s my older brother as you’ve already guessed. Not even going to lie, but he’s quite the looker. But he’s married. He’s six years older than me and already has kids. My niece, Alyssa and my nephew, Cole. Adorable kids actually. He married Melissa when they turned 21 and had the twins a year after that. Melissa was actually very sweet, she’s the sister that I longed for, for so long. Matt’s a business man, and is always travelling and investing. Melissa is working as part of the United Nations Association UK, speaking various languages. The twins? They’re only 3.
“So? You going somewhere with Harper?” Matt asked as he crunched on his apple. Loudly, may I say.
“Err..yeah. We’re going to a movie.” I told him as I came through an outfit that looked quite presentable yet very casual. It was a lace yolk blouse with roll up sleeves and a dipped hem at the back, with turquoise skinny jeans and my converse. Nodding at my choice, I decided to get ready. Woops, forgot that my 24 year old brother was in the room.
“What are you going to see?” Matt asked again. I raised my eyebrows in confusion. Yes, me and my brother is what you could say close but he never really cared what I did when I was with Harper, knowing that I had...limited friends and all.
“Seriously, Matt. Why are you in here?” I asked curiously walking out of the closet and setting my outfit down in my bed. I crossed my arms and turned back to look at Matt who was still in the same position eating his apple.
In all honestly, I feel like I want an apple right now.
“It’s just that Susan and dad have been fighting non stop lately. And it’s getting on my nerves. Worst part is, is that they even do it when Cole and Alyssa are around. I mean, who even does that? Fight in front of their grandchildren? I don’t want Cole and Alyssa to be experienceing those kind of things especially at a tender age of three. I don’t want them to think that it’s okay for their grandparents to argue like cats and dogs.” My brother finished with a gruff. I understand Matt. He just wants the best influence on his kids, being the amazing father as he is.
“Look big bro. I know that you just want to look out for the twins. I do too. Hell, I love them like they’re my own even. Seriously, if I could just wave my magic wand and make mum and dad stop fighting I would.” I said patting his shoulder as I leaned on the doorframe of my closet across from him. “And if you really want to get away from mum and dad’s fighting, why don’t you just get a place of your own with Melissa and the kids? It shouldn’t be that hard. I mean, you and Melissa could practically afford whatever house there is in the streets of London!” I exclaimed. It was true though, Matt and Melissa didn’t need anyone’s help when it came to their own needs. They made more than enough for their family.
“I don’t think I could leave my little sissy here now can I?” Matt said as he stood in his full height and ruffled my hair. “Plus, the twins love it here. They love being with their aunt Faith.”
“So why the hell are you complaining?” I asked waving my arms as to why Matt was complaining in the first place. If he’s fed up here, he could leave. But now, he’s telling me that the twins love it here and wants to stay.
“Faith, words come in your right ear and leave in your left. You clearly didn’t hear me right. I just don’t like Susan and dad fighting in front of Cole and Alyssa. It’s a bad influence on them.” Matt said as he headed for my door. But I stopped him.
“Why do you still call Susan..Susan?”
If you were wondering, no me and my brother do not have different mothers. Actually our biological mother died when I was only a year old, Matt was already six by then. My dad remarried 2 years later to Susan. But she isn’t one of those evil step mothers that any girl could go on hating. She was really very kind and was a great mother to both me and Matt. Being only three, of course I accepted her being my mother. Matt on the other hand, had a little bit of trouble but had grown to accept her over the years.
“She’s not our real mother, Faith.” That was his blunt answer. Well, it was kind of expected.
Not knowing what else to say, I just nodded my head as he gave me a quick smile and headed out for the door. Once I heard the door being shut, I looked back at the time on my clock. Shit! I only had five minutes left!
I quickly put on my outfit and decided to untie my hair from my ‘study bun’ I made earlier. As soon as I let it down, it was in waves and I slightly smile. This could work. I decided to fix the waves a little and spray it so that it wouldn’t how I say this...uncurl? I put on the lightest bit of make up only using a bit of mascara and lip gloss and I was good to go. I grabbed my phone and my blue satchel and I was on the way downstairs as I heard the honk of Harper’s car. Hurrying my pace down the stairs, I made it down in one piece. Success.
“Going somewhere, sweetie?” My mother asked coming out from the kitchen. Her eyes were red and a bit swollen. She had been crying.
“Yeah. But I could stay if you want. I don’t really mind and I don’t think Harper would mind at all. Just tell me the words and I’ll tell Harper.” I said rushing to my mother’s side in a hurry. I was rubbing her arms in order to comfort her but she pulled away from my embrace.
“I’ll be fine Faith. Don’t want to keep Harper waiting. You know how that’s going to end up.” My mother said as she recalled the last time Harper waited from me. It was quite the sight. She ended up throwing a fit right in front of my house scaring the neighbors and a few passerbys.
“Are you sure?” I didn’t want to leave my mother here in this kind of state. She needed someone and I knew it. Hell, she was crying for goodness sakes!
“Positive. Now go, Faith. I swear I just heard Harper get out of her car.” My mother said as she pushed me towards the door. Once I stepped foot outside, I opened my mouth to ask her again if me not staying was alright. But she had slammed the door in my face. Oh how I love my family.
I walked towards Harper’s black mini cooper and opened the door to be met with by not so friendly hazel eyes. Yup, Harper was very impatient. If you were late for an 11:00 meeting and you hadn’t even shown up yet, she’d leave by 11:03. That’s how much she hated waiting. Me and a cute guy were her only exceptions. Her words.
“Don’t need to give me that face. I’m here now, aren’t I?” I said smiling hoping to get rid of her glaring at me. She sighed and started to drive towards the theatre.
“Make me wait again Carter and I’m going to leave your arse!” She exclaimed. I couldn’t tell if she was joking or if she was dead serious so I just decided to laugh. Thankfully, I could hear her chuckles next to me.
***
Harper decided that we watch Now You See Me, claiming that Dave Franco was hot. Oh, Harper. Harper and I were different. It still surprised me that we even became friends in the first place. Not that it’s bad, no. I enjoyed being friends with Harper. Her auburn hair, different shaded my brunette locks, and her hazel eyes standed out just like my blue ones. She was quite short being 5’4, while I stood at 5’7. Harper was also older than me by a year, she was 19 while I was 18. We’re both second years in university though, so that’s how we met.
We were already out of the movie, but then I suddently got the urge to pee. I looked at Harper who looked back at me.
“Go ahead.” Harper ushered me to go.
I looked at her thankfully and scuttered off to the loo.
When I had finished peeing, I washed my hands and stepped outside. I looked around trying to find Harper, but I see that it’s quite hard as there were a lot of people now. What’s going on?
I tiptoed as I walked trying to find the familiar auburn hair, I was so busy looking around that I hadn’t noticed someone walking my way as I accidentally bumped into that person. The contents of their hand being spilled on the stranger’s shirt.
“Oh shit.” I mumbled as I looked up, ready for the screaming or rage that was going to come from my stranger to me for being so damn oblivious and not paying attention to where I was going and that I should pay attention next time. Honestly, I’ve heard it before.
But what I didn’t expect was to see the famous Harry Styles standing in front of me looking down on his now wet shirt that apparently spilled all over him. He was trying to dry himself off with some napkins. Embarrassed, I tried to help him as I took one of the napkins he had in his hands and started wiping his shirt as well.
“Oh my gosh. I – I’m so sorry, Mr. Styles. This won’t happen again. B – But it’s not like I’m going to be seeing you again. But I mean it’s not like I don’t want to see you again. I’m not like those crazy stalkerish fans, n – no offence. I didn’t mean to offend any Directioners in any way possible, no. I don’t want to be killed just yet. Yep, they’d probably kill me. But oh my gosh, you’d probably sue me for calling out your fans and for spilling drinks all over you. Let me buy you another. I’m so sorry again, I really didn’t mean to – ”
“You think I’d sue you?” I looked up to see Harry Styles looking down on me. Wow. He was tall. Me being the pathetic height of 5’7 could not match his height of 6 foot something. He..he looked...so much better than in pictures. He was dressed in a casual black shirt with black jeans and surprisingly he wasn’t wearing a fedora or a beanie on his head like what I usually see in pictures. Due to the light, his eyes were greener than I expected and..and he just looks..I can’t even explain myself right now.
“Your eyes are green.”
Wait. Did I say that out loud?
Harry Styles chuckled. HE CHUCKLED. “Well thank you. Your eyes are blue.”
Shit. I did.
“Err..I – ” I was going to speak but I was cut off by a hand that made it’s way in front of my face. It was quite big exactly or was my head just small?
“Before you start rambling on again. No, I’m not going to sue you and it’s fine you don’t need to buy me another drink. There’s no harm done anyways. It’s just a shirt, I have plenty more of these at home. And yes, you are right. Fans could get a bit crazy at times.” He flashed a smile and I could see his pearly whites!
I think I could faint.
“Yeah, haha. Sorry about that. It’s just that when I feel nervous or uncomfortable or scared or – any heavy emotion really, I tend to rant or word vomit as my friend Harper would say. I’d definitely say that it’s a bad habit and people tend to find me weird for it. Which is acceptable to me if you find me rambling weird too. Well sometimes I tend to go off topic and then it would just end up sounding really weird and I embarrass myself unintentionally.. Just like how I’m doing now.” I said mumbling the last sentence quietly. “I really should stop.” I said looking down at my converse as if it’s the most interesting thing in the world. Well, it does look like it needs a good scrubbing up. Oh shut up Faith! You already embarrassed yourself in front of one of the world’s biggest popstar in public.
“I don’t really mind.” Harry Styles said as he let out a laugh once again. I smiled knowing that I could made him laugh. Not normally, you see me making Justin Bieber or Kim Kardashian laugh. Big accomplishment!
“I – I have to go now.” I said looking back at the exit of the theatre. “I really am sorry again.”
“It’s fine. It really is.” He stopped me once again and gave me a very very charming smile to which I melted at.
I turned away and exited the theatre and quickly spotted Harper leaning against the door of her mini cooper. I walked up to her as she eyed me suspiciously.
“Where were you? Sorry, I had to leave a lot of people just came rushing into the theatre and – why are you smiling as if you just won the lottery?” Harper asked as we both got in the vehicle.
“Promise you won’t freak out?” I asked holding out my pinky. Yes, I do still believe in pinky promises. What kind of person are you if you didn’t? Or at least did in a time.
“I promise.” Harper said linking her pinky in mine as she leaned in closer, anticipating what I was about to tell her.
Taking a deep breath I started, “I bumped into Harry Styles. As in literally bumped into him, as in spilled the contents in his hands to his chest and his shirt got soaking wet. I felt so embarrassed and nervous that something bad might happen so then I started rambling again and I think that just made me more humiliated in front of Harry Styles. But then he just started laughing which made me look at him a bit weird. I mean, people would think I was crazy. Oh my gosh, Harperhe looked so much better in real life!” I finished with an exhale of my breath.
I looked at Harper who was looking at me with a blank expression before breaking out into a huge grin and started squealing.
Harper was a fan of One Direction. Just like 99.99% of teenage girls in this universe is. As for me, I’m not really that huge of a fan but I do like their music and think that their cool and I do know stuff about them. And who wouldn’t fan girl when you meet a cute boy with a hot accent right?
“I can’t believe you met him!” Harper exclaimed jumping up and down in the seat of her car.
“Yeah, me either.”