Cami's POV:
To say the start of 2015 was anything less than horrendous was an understatement. It was only later into that night that things changed drastically. Harry's precense just after midnight had initially been unwanted, but now it was the only thing that made New Years Eve bearable.
For once in my life, things were going well and I was happy.
Harry and I had been spending more time together and the petty drama from Christmas was long forgotten. We were still taking things slow as per my request, but Harry seemed to be okay with it. I didn't know where this would take us, but I was excited to find out. The only bad thing going on lately was that school was back in session and the new semester was kicking my a.ss. I was not warmed up to my new professors or their curriculums. It was pretty obvious to anyone who knew me that I was not a fan of change. Consistency was key and anything else left me uneasy. Not to mention, one of the workers at The Grind had quit since he was moving back home and Meryl and Stan tended to rely on me a lot of the time to pick up the slack. Between all my school stuff and work, it had been a few days since I had seen Harry. He was completely understanding and gracious about it, but I could tell he was becoming restless. Texting and talking on the phone briefly wasn't enough to get my fill of him and I sensed he felt the same way.
We had plans for tonight since I finally wasn't scheduled to work, but unfortunately Rachel had a family emergency and asked if I could cover her shift. With no one else to fill in, I was forced to ask Harry for a raincheck and I could tell he was disappointed.
Thankfully, The Grind was busy enough to keep me occupied and my shift went by quickly for the most part. The last hour or so was completely dead, but I remained open and opted to work on one of the computers to get a head start on some homework. The syllabus for each of my classes was jampacked with things I would have to get a jump start on. If I was like most college students who waited to do the assignments days before they were actually due, I would never have any free time. I worked hard to ensure I was always ahead which allowed me to participate in social outings without my marks paying the price. I still went out, but my grades came first. After three years in university, I was anxious to finally finish and get my diploma. Sure most college kids would love to say here forever, but I was excited to move forward and get the job I had always dreamed of.
I always loved art and children, so when deciding what I wanted to do when I grew up, an art teacher seemed like the best of both worlds. Who knew you needed four years of university education to teach kids how to colour and finger paint? Either way, I knew it would all be worth it once I finally finished.
An hour later, I cleaned up and did my usual check to make sure all of the machines and lights were off. I closed up and locked the door behind me and could not wait to get home and take a nice hot bath.
Of course, he had other plans for me.
Leant against his Mustang was Harry with a mischievous smirk apparent on his lips.
"Evening, Miss Ryder," he greeted.
I scoffed and slowly made my way over to him while I fumbled with my car keys.
"I think it's safe to say its night time," I teased and planted a quick peck to his lips.
"Doesn't have the same ring to it."
He wrapped his index fingers through my belt loop and pulled me forward until my arms linked themselves around his neck.
"What happened to my raincheck?" I asked and his smirk grew.
"Well, I decided that we would reschedule to when you finished work. Since that time is now, it looks like we're going on a date," he deadpanned.
"Is that so, Styles?"
He nodded his head and I could see his eyes growing darker as his gaze traveled down to my lips. He leaned forward and pressed his mouth to mine. I could sense the absence he felt pouring into each swipe of his tongue. It had only been a few days and seeing him now only proved it had been too long. I was exhausted but I couldn't bring myself to turn him down while he was stood in front of me. I also couldn't bear leaving him when he looked so tempting. Black was definitely his color. I didn't know if I could stay awake, but I would definitely try.
I pulled away. "So, where are we going?" I asked as I proceeded to enter the passenger seat of his car.
He looked irked at our loss of contact and I silently giggled to myself.
"When have I ever ruined the surprise?" he asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.
I groaned and rolled my eyes. Him and his damn surprises.
"You'll like it," he assured.
"I'm still in my uniform," I whined.
He looked over at me with an amused glint in his eyes and I couldn't help feel the need to pout.
"You look fine, don't worry."
The only thing keeping me awake in the soothing car ride was the Nirvana track blaring through the speakers. Kurt Cobain's voice was not something you fell asleep to and I had never been so grateful for it. When we finally pulled into the parking lot, I was so glad it wasn't a movie or something that would only further entice me to sleep.
"Gotta say, never pictured you as a mini golf kinda guy."
"I didn't think you could handle my skills on a real course," he teased as he laced his fingers into mine.
The action was still foreign and it was clear he was hesitant to act on it. Whatever it was we were doing had been making me happy and I wanted it to continue. The sign of endearment would usually freak me out, but I pushed the pessimistic thoughts out of my head and intertwined my fingers with his. He smiled at my returned affection as we walked inside feeling like a normal couple? I wasn't sure I would use such a label, but for lack of a better term, I suppose that's what we were on our way to becoming.
The facility was indoor and glow in the dark. The only thing to glow on Harry was his smile since he was dressed in all black. I couldn't help but laugh that the most visible thing about him was his bright white teeth. I felt ridiculous around all the children who filled up the place, but Harry wouldn't let me out of loosing. He made a point at showing off his very impressive skills and managed a hole in one at the first course. It took me six tries before the ball finally went in and I could see him trying to hold in his laughter.
"I'm just rusty, I'll kick your a.ss by the last hole." I attempted to sound confident but it had been years since I had last mini golfed and I was never very good at it anyway.
Harry tilted his head to the side and I could see his stupid teeth shine bright in a smile.
"You sound cocky, care to make a little wager?" he suggested.
"Absolutely."
"I win, you spend the night at my house," he raised his eyebrows suggestively and I could feel his ego growing.
"And if I win?" I questioned.
"Not likely."
I scowled at him. The faith he had in my golf skills was clearly lacking. I would just have to prove him wrong.
He held up his hands in defence and chuckled. "Fine, if you win, you get whatever you want," he offered.
Hmmm, this could be interesting.
"Whatever I want huh?"
"Don't get too excited, I'm good with my hands,"
I knew he meant it in regards to golf, but I couldn't help but smile at the sexual undertone that first came to mind.
"I'm sure you are," I teased and realization washed over his features.
"I meant with the club," he defended and gestured to the stick in his hand.
"Sure you did."
The amusement on my face was obvious and Harry seemed a little sour that it was at his expense which only entertained me further. He was so fun to mess with.
"Do we have a deal or not?" he asked, clearly wanting to change the subject.
"Deal."
After 18 holes it was abundantly clear who the winner was.
"Told you it wasn't likely," Harry bragged.
"Yeah, yeah. You won, I get it."
I seriously didn't remember being that bad. Harry made shot after shot, only needing one chance every time. I on the other hand needed at least three and occasionally even four tries before the stupid ball finally fell into the hole.
By The end, I was beyond exhausted and was about ready to fall asleep standing up.
"Harry, do you think you can just drop me off at home?" I knew I was going back on my word since I did agree to this stupid bet, but I was about to fall asleep the moment I sat down and I knew that's not what he had in mind.
"Don't be a sore loser Cami," he teased as he swung my hand in his on our way to his car.
"I'm just really tired. I don't think I can stay awake for much longer." On cue, a yawn expelled from my mouth, proving my point. It was only half-past eleven but I had been up since six this morning.
"You can sleep as soon as we get to my place. We don't have to do anything," he assured.
Most guys I knew would be disappointed, but his good mood didn't shift. He was definitely not most guys. With his surprises and attention to detail, he constantly took me off guard with how amazing he was. It worried me a little that he was so perfect and I couldn't compare, but I was trying to stop pushing him away so I ignored my pessimism that was desperately trying to break through.
"Okay," I answered and his grin made his dimples peek through his cheeks.
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I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep in the car until I felt Harry gently nudge me awake. I was groggy and my eyes were fuzzy, but I managed to somehow make it inside the house. It still surprised me that he lived in such a modern home, it was something I would never assume about him. The last time I was here we mainly stayed in the family room so I didn't see much of the house like I had the first time. All my hangover allowed me to recall was how big the kitchen was. When we were walking through it, I was struck by how sleek and expensive everything was. Harry seemed to notice and chuckled as he took my hand in his.
"Come on Sleeping Beauty, let's get you to bed."
I scoffed and allowed him to lead me up the glass staircase. When we entered his bedroom he went straight to his dresser and rummaged through the top drawer. He pulled out a large grey hoodie and a pair of plaid pj bottoms and tossed them at me. My reaction time was delayed from my fatigued state and they fell to the floor in front of me.
"Hey!" I whined and Harry scoffed.
"You can sleep in those, lemme see if I have a spare toothbrush in the guest room." He exited the room and left me alone to change into the clothes he had given me.
Guest room? Charli and I barely had enough room for our shoes and Harry had an empty guest room on standby. It was scary how successful he was, considering his young age.
I unbuttoned my jeans and shimmied them down my legs. I rolled them up messily and shoved my uniform and cardigan into the frumpy pile along with it.
"Got one- oh, s-sorry." Harry's mouth went slightly agape as his eyes lingered on my scantily covered body. The only thing covering me was my bra and panties and he didn't seem to mind.
"Harry, up here," I scolded and drew his attention from my breasts to my eyes.
"What? It's nothing I haven't seen before," he shrugged.
It was true but it didn't mean he got to ogle my boobs for as long as he wanted just because. I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest, denying his prying eyes from a longer glimpse and he sighed.
"Fine." He begrudgingly turned his back and moved to undress himself. Now I was the one with a staring problem. The sight of his muscled back moving as he slid his black t-shirt over his head was a sight to behold. How was just his back so enticing? It almost made me want to stay awake, almost.
Before he could catch me doing exactly what I reprimanded him for, I turned my back and pulled the hoodie over my head. I was practically swimming in it, but it was so warm and cozy that I didn't mind. I looked over my shoulder to see Harry in the bathroom and when I was sure he wasn't staring, I slipped his pants over my legs. I tightened the waist as much as I could and they were still rather baggy, but definitely comfortable enough for sleeping. Harry came back into the room with only a black pair of boxers that clung to his skin in all the right places. He pulled down the blankets and slipped underneath them, settling himself into the bed. I proceeded into his bathroom and used my solace not only to clean up before bed but to compose myself.
I was uncharacteristically nervous. Harry assured we wouldn't be doing anything tonight and yet somehow I found the idea of that less nerveracking than just sleeping in a bed with him. Just sleeping with someone seemed more intimate somehow. I've had sex that hasn't meant anything but sharing a bed was a very couple like thing to do.
When I finally got enough courage to go back out there, a relieved smile was clear on Harry's lips. I knew that he was considering those factors as well and that I may be a little uneasy about it. He seemed glad that I finally came back to him and not dressed and demanding to be taken home.
He patted the empty side of the bed beside him and a light smile found its' way on my lips as I lifted the blankets and joined him underneath them. They were warm and soft, nothing like the crappy ones I had at my apartment. Harry lifted his arm and used it to pull me closer to him. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding and found my place on his chest while he kept his arm lazily wrapped around my shoulders. His skin smelt like the most intoxicating mix of sweet and spicy and I found it rather calming.
My eyes drifted shut and I could feel sleep taking over me.
"I bet this isn't what you had in mind," I said in between a yawn.
I felt his chest vibrate in a chuckle and I could feel his hands soothingly running through my hair.
"No, but this is way better," he corrected as he placed a small kiss on my temple.
That had to be the sweetest thing he had ever said to me and the last thing I remember before I dozed off into a much needed slumber.