[ASTRID REESE]
London, England

★ ★ ★

The car conversation resumed. It worked as their default topic and it turned interesting. They shared memories of when they were learning to drive, how insufferable of an experience it was—mostly for Astrid as she found Harry sailed through his lessons and tests like a pro—then they moved onto their first cars, the first trip they drove through solo. Harry opened up about his first, and according to him, last ever, accident. Even though this made it sound like he was involved in something tragically life changing, all that happened to him was a smashed reverse light which got him in so much trouble that his parents forced him to travel by public transport and pay for the damage.

"With every story, there's always a tipping point," Astrid said, so as to let him know she was awaiting the reason behind this incident. The way he so strategically left it all out, covered beneath all the words he pronounced quite beautifully, she managed to find herself a little hole to squeeze through. "You were seventeen, you said, and there's only so many factors that could've led you to that moment."

"Is that so?" challenge spoke rather than curiosity as the question left his mouth and Astrid clung to it. Annoyingly. Well, it was annoying for her. But she refused to want to admit why that could've been.

"Trying to impress either your friends or whoever you might have been seeing at the time. You felt overconfident in your abilities and misjudged the distance. Emotions controlled your moves rather than rationality so you lost your focus and mixed up the brake with the accelerator," Astrid listed a few options for Harry like she had all of them written down, prepared to present right away. She counted them off on her fingers while Harry hummed, reacting to all of the possibilities as she went along, and it all felt incredibly normal. Like this was something they did on a daily basis because they were long-time friends. It came to them naturally to tease the other because when one could dish it out, the other could take it and give it back the same.

That was rare.

"I am afraid it happened because I wanted to impress my girlfriend at the time," he sighed as he gave in and revealed the truth. Astrid basked in victory, laughing with her head tilted against the neck rest. She hit the nail on the head with her theories, but it wasn't surprising. Usually, when she had a feeling, she was right.

Except the time her boyfriend cheated on her.

Thankfully, their conversation quickly continued, leaving her with little to no time to reminisce. Harry wondered how she became so interested in cars, to which she could only reply with, 'always had been' and that seemed to be enough. Either, he didn't want to bother it any longer, or he noticed that her interest was genuine, rather than something made up to seem more appealing to him.

Much to Astrid's dismay—and she hoped it was to his, also—they got to her home a lot quicker than anticipated. Harry remained quiet as he pulled up to the side, turning off the vehicle so it stopped completely. From one second to the next, he was out of the car and the door slammed shut. Taking his steps a little faster than usual, he aimed to help Astrid out, but she opened her door quicker.

"Damn it," he chuckled as he pulled it as far as he could, then offered a hand but was left without it being accepted. It wasn't that hard to get out but Astrid appreciated the effort. "So... tonight?" Harry asked as the door closed and he leaned against it.

"Well... I still think it's really expensive," she started. Harry didn't interrupt, like she imagined he would. Instead, he watched her carefully, waiting until she said what she needed to. The attention came as a surprise to her while it simultaneously felt like the most normal moment. "And I don't know how I feel about you taking care of it all because I've always found the topic of finance extremely touchy. However, I've wanted to go there for as long as I can remember. You seem really excited about it. So, here's my compromise."

"I'm listening," he smiled, crossing his arms over his chest.

Here goes nothing, she thought, and inhaled then exhaled with her chest rounding out and flattening instantly. "I know it's probably never going to balance it out, but I thought I would get an Uber to your place and we could go from there together. Same way back. And I would pay it, of course."

"Okay," he nodded. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Astrid answered. "It bothers me that—well, let's just say that I would feel impolite. It's not how I was raised, you know?" the more it settled in the air, swirling between and around them, the more blood rushed to Astrid's face. She couldn't explain why she felt so embarrassed to admit because there was nothing embarrassing about the truth. Perhaps the way Harry continued to look at her, with such intensity in his eyes that her knees were close to giving up, had something to do with her reaction. He looked almost amazed by what she said, and she didn't understand why. "Anyway. The point is that this way, I would feel more comfortable with the entire... thing."

"Okay," Harry said again, with the same look in his eyes. What was it? Because if he chose to judge her so directly, she wasn't sure this date would have the best outcome. While being aware that she was making this a lot more difficult than anyone else would have, she knew she had to. For her own sake. "One thing to add to this compromise if I could?" he spoke again, rolling his head to the other side.

"Sure," Astrid smiled, nodding a little to encourage him. Even though she was freezing. The wind nearly blew her across the road because wearing heels practically egged the unpredictable weather on. Balancing herself the best she could, she held her bag between her legs, standing in a shape of an 'A' which also meant she could press her arms together, keeping her blazer as closed as possible.

"I'd prefer driving here then going to the restaurant."

"I don't see why that wouldn't work," she told him. "Is there a reason, or just preference? I thought it would be better in case you wanted to drink, too."

"Do you remember the first time we met? How you planned on getting home all by yourself?"

"Oh, the night you plastered me into the brick wall outside, then smothered me in the backseat of the car with your kisses, and we ended up in a hotel room?" she teased him with a grin growing on her face until it hurt her cheeks and it worked because Harry ended up looking away, with what she thought to be the lightest little blush creeping onto his cheeks. Astrid couldn't be sure in the dark, with only a street lamp illuminating them.

"Yes," he cleared his throat, looking back at her. There was a grin on his face. Sparkle lighting up his green eyes. "That night."

"Of course, I remember it," she smiled, putting one hand on his bicep and gave it a little squeeze while making sure to add, "How could I forget the night I was left to fend for myself?"

"Pardon?"

"Not to worry, handsome," she patted his shoulder before stepping back. "I took care of everything. But back to what you were saying..."

"No, wait, hold on," he laughed and grabbed after her hand just in time. The contrast between their touch was other worldly, her hand cold and his warm. She knew hers was cooler. She was constantly cold. "You made an off comment like that then, too."

Astrid's face fell as she decided to mess with him, asking, "I did?"

"Yes, you did," he sounded so definite and almost sharp, but his touch remained ever so soft as his thumb circled over the back of Astrid's hand. "And I thought about it all the way to work that night—early morning."

"Hm."

"I—," whatever he wanted to say, he couldn't get it out. Laughing in what Astrid measured to be a little bit of embarrassment, she thought it to be cute, actually. "Why didn't you say something?"

"Didn't you just say I said something that night?"

"When I was about to leave," he rolled his eyes which she could see perfectly. Their shoes touched and she wished for their nose to do the same, but regardless of the latter, they were still extremely close to each other. She had a tough time dealing with how great he smelled, wearing her favourite perfume that seemed to appear completely different to what it was like on her. Fighting her urge to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss into the soft skin as it practically begged for her attention, she gulped and looked back up into his eyes.

"Okay," she said. "Yes. I faked it. I faked it like 67% of women in the world do."

"That's an extreme punch to my ego—was I really that bad?" he asked immediately, slightly freaking out but still holding her hand. Now, maybe a little tighter, but holding it, nevertheless. "I usually perform well."

The comment wasn't supposed to be funny, or Astrid thought it wasn't, but she laughed. He made it sound like he was talking about work, as though making someone feel good happened to be listed in his job description and he was exceptional. Which Astrid wanted to believe was the case because he had the looks, and he definitely had the foreplay section down.

"God, I feel like an idiot for not noticing," he sighed, continuing the conversation like what he had said before was a discussion between him and himself. He still looked like his usual sexy self, and so Astrid didn't mind one bit as he carried on running his mouth. One thing she could most definitely confirm was that he happened to be extremely talented with it. "I mean, I had such a good night—you were amazing and I... I wanted it to be memorable because—," he stopped. Then sighed. Like he prepared to say something incredibly honest, like he was putting himself out there. "Because I wanted you to come back. Astrid, I really, really like you."

"You shouldn't worry about it being memorable, because it was," she chuckled, teasing him, and so did he because what else was he supposed to do? Plus, Astrid didn't mind at all. He was adorable. The pink cheeks, the dimples carving into them? Ding-ding-ding. She won. Because he liked her. "And I like you, too. It's kind of hard not to, you know?"

"Hm-mm."

"What?" she asked as her fingers slipped between his, her heart controlling the movement because she gave up on holding back. He felt so warm and soft and the moment between them was begging for someone to make a move. Astrid's middle name being 'Impatient' led her to be that someone.

"You like me, considering how everything turned out?"

"Oh, come on," she chuckled. "Are we back to that night?"

"How could we not be?" he shrieked, making Astrid groan as her head fell backwards. "That's a deal breaker—it should be."

"Well, yes, it's important but in your defence—and I can't believe I'm already defending you—you were all over the place. You just seemed distracted," the answer came from her easily, like they have known each other for longer than it was fact. It could've been Harry who made her feel so free to be open, or it could've been her nature.

Actually, most likely the combination of both. Because unless Astrid felt safe and comfortable around someone, she rarely ever stepped out of her comfort zone alone. She needed to be eased into things most of the time, and for the remainder she just had to get on with it alone.

"Anyway," she exhaled, finishing off the conversation when it seemed like it would lean towards the topic of his occupation. Astrid knew Harry enough to be aware that for whatever reason, he despised talking about it if he wasn't the one putting it on the table. With that, he also looked like he stepped back into the real moment where they were standing, him leaning against his car, and her right in front of him, with one of her hands in his. "If you'll be coming by, what time should I expect you? And is there anything in particular I should avoid? Clothes-wise. I don't want to underdress or anything."

"Right," he spoke. "Well. A dress is fine if you want a dress. Trousers like this," he reached forward with his empty hand and touched the band of her bottoms. His pointer finger hooked into the material. "Are also fine. It's entirely up to you."

"What are you gonna wear?"

"Trousers, nice shirt maybe," he shrugged. "Just the usual."

"Right," she nodded as she thought this was going to be another normal night for him. The idea was terrifying, but that much was already clear with her melt down over him paying. "Oh, wait."

"What is it?"

"What you were saying before... about the night we met? The Uber situation," she explained. "You never finished your thought."

"Oh," he breathed, eyes a little wider, lips a little rounder. "Right."

"Hm."

"I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that you are travelling alone at night," as he spoke, his voice sounded firmer and like he felt protective of her. Astrid couldn't be sure but that's what made most sense to her. Harry definitely gave her the impression to believe this.

"Well, I appreciate that," she smiled gratefully, her heart beginning to regulate which she only noticed as it happened. Truthfully, the idea of her having to travel alone at night like that felt a lot scarier than she let herself believe. Doing so during the day felt different, she somehow felt more in control. "So... I'll see you at...?"

"Seven," he said. "If that works for you."

Seven meant she had two hours to get ready.

"Okay," Astrid nodded. "Seven works for me."

★ ★ ★

"You can't go in jeans," Sofia deadpanned, tossing the pair of denim across the room once she tore it from Astrid's grip. She groaned, sitting in underwear and her bra, then threw herself back on her best friend's bed.

"Nothing of yours will ever fit me," Astrid said for the millionth time as they debated the look for the night. Perhaps it would be safe to say that their bodies were built differently, and while Sofia adored tiny little things, Astrid had the tendency to shy away from them. There were times she pushed her limits, but tonight? She couldn't afford it tonight.

"Oh, will you stop saying that?" Sofia groaned and slammed her hands into the side of her thighs, turning to face Astrid. Stealing a glance from the woman on her feet, Astrid lifted her head slightly then let it fall back against the mattress with a little laugh. Successfully concluding that her best friend might be clinically insane, she laid there with eyes closed. "Here," Sofia sighed, throwing the dress at the woman on her back. "Try this on."

This happened to be a white dress. Satin. Spaghetti straps. It ended way above the knee. Absolutely no support for the chest area. Astrid held it up in front of her like a piece of rug, drenched in blood. Her face showed clear disgust as her eyes travelled between the dress and her best friend. Sofia had to be absolutely insane to believe she would ever put that on her body, knowing how amazingly it fitted its owner.

"Wow," Sofia laughed, amused, at the face Astrid pulled. Folding her arms into each other, she gave up. "Okay. How about you tell me what you want, then? Because anything I show, you despise."

"I want something that's cute and comfortable and fitting for LaRue's," she said. "But I'm not made for a place like LaRue's—I mean, the simple thought of actually getting to go there is making me itch when I don't think that should be happening, therefore proving that I was not born into that kind of lifestyle for a reason."

"Hmmm," Sofia stood there, holding her cheek with one hand, elbow propped up on her other upper arm. "You are being annoying," she diagnosed, and it earned her an eyeroll from the patient. "Yes, extremely fucking annoying."

"You know that's my worst fear. I genuinely could cry over it when I'm having a hard day," Astrid joked, although she probably shouldn't have, but it was a coping mechanism. Taking everything into consideration, it worked for her every single time in the past. It made for great entertainment.

"Astrid, you are going to be treated like an A-list celebrity tonight. You will get to walk in there with Mr Sex on Legs on your arm, and I know everyone will be so damn jealous of you," she laughed as she got into her explanation. Pep talk? Lord knows Astrid needed one of those. "You will want to look a part, trust me."

"Yeah?" she laughed.

"Hells, yeah," Sofia said a little louder. "Overdressed does not exist. Someone is either underdressed or perfect. You want to be perfect."

"I am perfect," Astrid said, clearly not being serious about the comment. Although her confidence was just fine, and her ego remained as healthy as one can be, she still made the odd self-deprecating comment here and there.

"Which is why I want to put you in a sexy dress," Sofia highlighted. "You gotta make this surgeon's head so dizzy he won't be able to self-diagnose himself, you hear me?"

"Wow, okay, shit," Astrid laughed, beginning to see what all of this fuss really was about.

"Besides, you would've deserved to be born into an entitled life like that," as the truth fell from Sofia's lips, Astrid had to admit—to herself, at least—that she did wish she was given a different path. Something that would've aligned with her vision. "Anyway. You'll get to live it out tonight, and I want it to be a good experience for you."

"Me too," she pouted, already thinking of Harry Styles. Knowing that he would drive over soon to make it here on time managed to awaken the butterflies in Astrid's stomach. They spread their wings to fly and it was nice but she felt sick. Nervous.

For Astrid to feel nervous, it meant she cared. Constantly residing in the back of her mind like a clown hiding in a box, keeping it down didn't feel particularly difficult because she was used to seeing the same face for the past three years of her life. It felt normal because she had grown to know it. Now, the clown decided to pop out of the box, even though Astrid couldn't remember opening it. Once out there, pushing it back in was hard. Continuously jumping back at her, were the feelings that slowly but surely nipped away at her insides like birds taking tiny little bites out of a loaf of bread left on the street. She had no idea what was happening or what to even expect. Everything felt brand new and shiny and amazing.

Although it was A process, Sofia managed to convince Astrid to wear a dress. Her option was black bottoms with a white shirt, fully opened chest, with some heels but in Sofia's professional opinion, that felt more like a normal work-fit. Once they decided on the fact that Astrid would feel much more confident in a black dress rather than a white satin piece, they both pulled out all of their dark choices. Never holding back her surprises, Sofia gasped at every other dress she found in Astrid's pile.

"I can't believe you own this," she would say, holding up one dress. It wouldn't take long for her to drop it, and pick up another to say, "Oh my god. I never knew you actually bought this, you sexy milf."

"You're the one with a child."

"Being a milf is more of a mindset than anything else," came the smartass comment from Sofia as she continued to look through the selection. Perhaps her interest was the reason why they never got around her own pile. She seemed to have much more fun and it entertained Astrid greatly. She stayed seated on the bed, watching her best friend live react to every hidden gem she owned. "This."

"That?"

Long, slim dress with a cut up one side. Spaghetti straps with a block cleavage. The purchase happened overnight when Astrid couldn't find it in herself to finish off a proposal, somewhere around 04:30 in the morning. She remembered the way her finger clicked on 'Add to Basket' because she was late to work the following day, but she didn't remember ever buying it. Having such a busy schedule, she usually threw her packages into a laundry basket until she had some alone time to go through them. That was also the reason why she never knew she had so many great things in her wardrobe. For one, she never needed them but getting to pretend like she was filming a haul video starting at herself in the mirror was worth it. Especially with the discount codes she had on top of free shipping. She felt it all to be an absolute bargain.

"This," Sofia repeated surely as she held up the piece.

"That," Astrid copied her, echoing her answer from before, though with a completely different tone of voice. She sounded a lot deeper and serious, kind of like she wasn't sure about the decision so she was judging it.

Then she put it on and it fit like a dream. The tag hung from it and poked her in the back—left shoulder blade, to be exact—so it was left for Sofia to rip off. Vaguely, Astrid remembered trying this on when she opened the package but it looked different this time.

"This will give your body the perfect boost. Touch you and support you where it should," she explained as the material slid down Astrid's body and Sofia stood beside her, hands on her own waist, watching the reflection like she was a stylist of some sort. "I'm thinking straightening your hair—unless you want curls?—and you know the black tie-up heels you have? Goes around your feet in an 'X' shape then your ankles on the top."

"Yeah—the leather one."

"Mhm," Sofia nodded. Speaking through the mirror, Astrid began to feel excited. Until that moment, she was terrified but being in the dress, feeling it on her skin and seeing it look so good on her, she felt like a bloody film star. "God... I'm so excited for you."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?" sounding almost offended, Sofia scoffed and shook her head in what appeared to be pure disbelief.

"Well?" Astrid questioned, almost eager to know what her friend was thinking.

Sofia shrugged. It wasn't the most satisfactory answer but she knew that as she leaned her head on Astrid's shoulder. "This is new. You haven't been on a first date with someone in a really long time. And you haven't looked so excited in even longer."

"Really?"

"Yes," she admitted, voice quiet now and they stayed put. Slowly, Astrid turned her head until it touched her best friend's and there they stood, having a heart to heart through the mirror. "You know your ex was never my favourite but I tolerated him for you. And I was right for keeping my distance. But now that he is finally gone, you're flourishing like a beautiful flower during Spring and it makes me so happy."

"You're getting really cheesy," scrunching her nose, Astrid's heart filled with warmth at the same time. Hearing those words was important for her because Sofia happened to be the only person there for her like this. While those thoughts settled in, Astrid's chest rose and fell with a big breath. "But I know what you mean."

"Yeah?"

"It feels like a really heavy weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. It hurts sometimes because the feeling it left behind... it's a lingering pain," finding it difficult to explain her feelings properly, Astrid resulted to speaking metaphorically because it seemed to work. "But I'm able to move my body now. Does that sound stupid?"

A little smile formed on Sofia's face, reflected perfectly in the mirror. As she moved her head, Astrid was also forced to stand up straight again.

"No," Sofia said. Her voice gentle, resembling what Astrid thought to be a form of relief. Kind of like she knew exactly how Astrid felt. The moment when one realises that the world is healing around them and it may not be as horrible of a place to be. "Come here," she blurted while already pulling Astrid closer to her chest, arms going around her neck to keep her in a tight hug.

"Alright," Reese chuckled in surprise, gradually wrapping Sofia into a hug. It came out of nowhere, filled with so many emotions that Astrid had no idea where to put it all. Bone crushing yet healing, they stood in the middle of the room and realised how much they both needed that moment.

And then it was broken. Sniffling, Sofia pushed Astrid away, then the film star of the night was faced with the biggest grin spread across her best friend's face.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm not," Sofia argued, the smile still on her face like someone superglued the corners of her mouth. "But I will be if you won't swap that nude lip for a red. You also need to find your shoes because it's almost time for Mr Sex on Legs to be here."

"You should stop calling him that," Astrid warned, walking out of Sofia's room to do what she was told.

"Why?"

"Because you'll slip up one day and say it to his face."

"He would take it as a compliment," she said surely, pushing past Astrid to pull out the drawer under her bed and fish for the pair of shoes she had in mind. Reese simply stood there, and watched until she practically zoned out.

Harry.

Harry.

Harry.

How was her plan working? He was already on his way to her place to take her out. What the fuck? Astrid thought herself to be the unluckiest person alive, and yet everything seemed to fall perfectly in place, right in front of her. Question now was whether or not she could follow through with it. Did she need to follow through with it? Would it make sense? After all, her days and nights no longer formulated around the thought of Derek Molyneux.

"You saved him under Harry Styles?"

Turning her head towards Sofia and almost snapping her neck in the process, she asked, "What?" completely confused, unaware of whatever was happening.

"Mr Sex on Legs?" she moved her phone around in the air, pointing at it. "I think he's calling because he is here."

"Fuck," Astrid mumbled, eyes widening in fear? Excitement? Somewhere in the middle. "Okay. Give me," she reached for the phone. "And shut up," she demanded the same time she accepted the call. "Hey."

Then there came the happiest little, "Hello," in such a deep and smooth voice that Astrid wanted to jump out the window. "I'm here now, so whenever you're ready..."

"Oh, shoot," she muttered. "Okay. Do you want to come up or...? Only because the car's gonna be a little while still."

"I'm fine waiting downstairs," he reassured as he may have noticed the wavering in Astrid's tone. Truth be told, she had no idea why she invited him up. It would've been a disaster, so she was glad he declined. "No rush, alright?"

"Okay," she smiled a little, eyes glancing at Sofia who was giving her a knowing look. Teasing her for being so soft when speaking to Harry. "See you in a bit."

"See you soon."

"You got him by the throat!" Sofia exclaimed, laughing in the end as she threw the shoes before Astrid. Cursing her out under her breath, Astrid leaned down to pick them up and sat on the bed to put them on. All the while, Sofia looked almost amazed. "No, seriously. What guy would say no to that offer?"

"Harry Styles?"

"Hells, yeah, Harry freaking Styles!"

"You know," Astrid started as she put on the right shoe. Already smiling to herself. "He told me he liked me."

Sofia gasped. "Shut up."

"He did."

"Please tell me you at least plan to consider liking him. Genuinely," the eyes Sofia gave her best friend were so intense that they began to ignite guilt in the pit of Astrid's stomach. Her smile faded like it was never there in the first place, sinking down to the bottom of the ocean like a ship wreck.

"Sofia..."

"I'm just saying," immediately putting her hands in the air as a sign of defence, she also stepped back and turned to the make up on the floor. Picking it all up one by one, she faced Astrid again, but this time with the red lipstick. "Here you go. One layer. Blot. Second layer. Done."

"I know how to apply lipstick," she said as a matter of fact and in turn, Sofia hummed. "Okay. What is it?"

"Nothing."

"Clearly," she muttered, scoffing while holding the hand mirror and applying the lipstick.

"I think you're an idiot."

"Mm-hmm."

"You are presented with a man who clearly has the means to make you happy, and—,"

"'Cause he's got money?" Astrid laughed before pressing her lips together with the tissue in the middle. Once that was done, she went back with the lipstick again.

"—he is so obviously interested in you that he agreed to take an Uber to the flashiest restaurant there is in London. He is downstairs, waiting for you to get there, so he can continue to charm you yet all you are focused on is getting revenge on someone who hasn't stopped to think about you in over a year."

Sofia's words most likely were aimed at Astrid's heart, or so she assumed, because she never liked the idea of the insane plan to begin with. Constantly on and off with it, Astrid supposed her best friend was now looking out for the surgeon. And maybe she should've taken the time to consider why, after all, Sofia was right to keep her distance from Derek. It all turned out worse than anyone could've imagined. And it hurt Astrid, even though she should've seen it coming.

But that was all too much. To think about this before a date? Most certainly. No matter if the intentions were good.

"Maybe you should be the one going out with him," she smiled as the passive aggressive comment sat in the air between them. Not even a second later, just like Reese expected, Sofia's eyes were wide and filled with shock, perhaps a little bit of anger and absolute disbelief.

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Well, we have time if you wanna swap?" she continued, the defensive feeling intensifying because she desperately needed to win the argument. Have the last word. Who cares if it hurts the other, right? She was being attacked to begin with—although, that comes with a question which can only be read in between the lines.

Why the hell did Astrid feel so damn defensive?

Whatever the answer, it didn't come fast enough. Sofia scoffed, interrupting her mind battle. "You are ridiculous."

"And late, so I will be going now," another smile, and she was gone. Her legs acted faster than her mouth and she was so grateful for it. Whatever would've come out next most definitely would've left a big scar behind and with how nervous Astrid felt about the date, she couldn't have that on her mind, too. 

★ ★ ★

[A.N.]

[HAPPY AS IT WAS RELEASE DAY.] 

[I don't think there's a better day than single/album release day. I cannot believe we're already in HS3 era. I'm so excited for what's to come!] 

[Regarding the story... it appears things are coming together! Slowly, yes, but surely. I remember writing this chapter AGES ago but I was never satisfied with it, but coming back to it now, having tweaked it, etc, it feels so different.] 

[I hope you've enjoyed this update. :)] 

[Have the best weekend everyone, and see you next week!] 

[With love, B.]