(No Control - 24. Little Black Dress)

"Harry," Karen answers the phone curtly.

Hmm. I see she is still pissed off over my indiscretion on Friday night.

"Hey Karen," I say cheerily. I need full on charm offensive to get her on side.

"What's up?" she asks.

"I just need to keep you in the loop with something," I begin.

"Did you use a condom?" she sighs.

"What - no! I mean - I haven't had... it's nothing like that!" I stammer, feeling my face getting hot. I switch the air con on in the car and immediately icy cold air hits my face.

"Well that's a relief," she says briskly. "What is it then?"

I clear my throat nervously.

"It's about the girl from Friday isn't it?" she interrupts before I can speak.

I decide there's no point beating around the bush.

"Yeah," I admit.

"Go on, what have you done?"

"Asked her out on a date and she said yes so I'm taking her to C London tonight," I say in a rush.

I know it's hard to believe, but I can talk quickly when I want to. Its just most of the time I don't.

"Bloody hell, Harry!" Karen snaps. "I thought we were going for damage limitation on this one?"

"I told you, she isn't going to blab," I insist. "I want to see her again, so I asked and she said yes."

"Course she did."

I decide to ignore this. I know Karen is just pissed off because she doesn't know anything about Jess.

"I'm just letting you know so that if we get papped it won't come as a surprise," I tell her.

"You need security tonight then," Karen says, and I can tell she is writing something down as she is talking.

"No. No security."

"What do you mean, no security? Have you got a death wish?"

"I was fine last Friday - "

"Paul was with you last Friday."

"Yes but only to drive me around. He didn't come in to the party, or the club."

"All the more reason to step it up tonight."

"No," I tell her. "Not happening. I'm taking Jess out myself, like a normal guy. No security."

"You know, I preferred it when you never used to argue with me about anything," Karen sighs.

"I know," I grin, and I know I've won this one. "But a calm relationship is so boring. I prefer tempestuous."

I can practically hear Karen's eyes rolling.

"The Styles charm doesn't work on me," she says. "So stop trying."

"I don't know what you mean," I tell her.

"Course not. Be careful tonight. Take your own condoms, don't drink if you're driving and don't answer any questions from any paps."

Sometimes I really hate that everyone thinks it's OK to talk to me about my contraceptive choices. It feels like the whole world has to know when I have sex. I may as well take out a Sponsored ad in the Daily Mail.

Out loud I say, "I know the drill."

"You're not usually the one giving me grey hairs, Harry, but I think I've added a few more these past few weeks thanks to you," she says wryly.

"Sorry," I apologise. Karen doesn't have any grey hairs. She never has a single hair out of place.

"It's fine," she replies. "Bye."

"Bye."

I end the call and breathe out deeply. That was a lot easier than I had been expecting.

I try and call Zayn to see how he is, but after a few rings it diverts to voicemail, so I hang up and call Grimmy instead. I'm bored and in the mood for mindless chatter on my journey back to London. And I can't wait to tell him about my date tonight.

~~~~~~~

I arrive back home just after 4pm, and the first thing I notice when I let myself in is the empty cups on the breakfast bar and the plate with toast crumbs, both left there from Saturday morning. I grimace and shove them all in the sink, and remember I left the bedroom in a mess as well.

When I walk in, the bed is unmade and my shirt from Friday night (that Jess wore on Saturday morning when I poked her up against the fridge) is laying on the end. I pick it up and throw it in the washing basket, before pulling the duvet straight and then flopping on top of the covers. I lay there on my back for a minute, smiling as I play yet another rerun of Friday night in my head. I've lost count of how many times I've done this now, but it never gets old, especially the bit where she pulled my pants down and I could feel her warm, wet tongue...

I quickly roll over before I get hard at this thought, but as my face hits the pillow I'm struck by an unfamiliar yet familiar scent. I breathe in, and I swear to God I can smell her perfume on the pillow, and my heart gives this sort of weird lurch.

I don't know what the hell is happening to me.

I breathe the scent in again, and smirk. Are you ready for this - there's still a trace of innocence on the pillow case.

I'm going to kill Louis and Liam for writing lyrics that keep coming true.

I push myself off the bed and quickly go through my wardrobe looking for something to wear tonight, and pack for the tour at the same time. I may as well get everything ready now, so I'm not flapping tomorrow. I discard shirt after shirt before sitting on the bed in frustration. I need a female opinion. And not one who will take the piss out of me first.

That's Gemma out of the question, then.

I scroll through my phone to the L's and call Lou Teasdale, our hair stylist and one of my best friends. She answers on the third ring.

"Harry! How are you darling?!"

I love Lou. She's just amazing.

No, not in that way. We're just friends.

Although the paps tried once to claim we were more than friends, but that's another (irritating) story.

"I'm really good," I tell her, and we have a quick catch up about our week, before I say shyly, "I sort of need your advice on something."

"Oh ok," she says eagerly. "Fire away."

"I've sort of... got a date tonight," I say, feeling embarrassed that I'm feeling embarrassed. How does that even work?

She squeals excitedly. "Ooohhh who with?"

"Um... I guess you've seen the pictures of the girl last Friday?"

"Yes - oh my God - are you seeing her again? Who is she?"

"She's a fan," I say, and I wait for the lecture, but it doesn't come.

"OK," she says. "You must be into her then, if you're going against everything you've been told by Modest. I'm glad you're moving on from Nadine. I never liked her anyway."

"I - what?" I'm shocked by this revelation. Lou likes everyone.

"She was just a bit snotty," she says quickly. "I just thought you deserved better. Someone sweet and cute like you. Someone who will love you how you deserve to be loved."

"Aww," I say, before I can help myself.

"Anyway, what advice do you need?"

"What should I wear?" I ask, rolling my eyes to the ceiling.

We spend about ten minutes discussing outfits - I literally talk her through my entire wardrobe, before she convinces me to go with a beige shirt, black jeans and tan suede Chelsea boots.

I thank her and she wishes me luck. We hang up, and realise I need to get a move on.

It takes me about 45 minutes to get ready - I have to shave and everything. I'm ready by 7.30, and I pick up my phone to see I have a text from Niall.

Louis told me you're asking the fitty on a date tonight?????

I'm picking her up in half an hour, I text back.

Make sure you crack one off before you go comes the response immediately.

I told you he was a dirty bastard. I honestly don't know how I have the reputation for being the womaniser in this band. Niall is by far the worst. He just never gets caught.

Too late, no time I reply.

Make time! You'll thank me later.

There is no way I am doing that right now. He's reminded me I need condoms though. I'm not being presumptuous - just hopeful.

Fuck off you dirty leprechaun I text back, and get a winky face in return.

I make sure there are a couple of condoms in the drawer by the bed, and shove a couple into my wallet just in case. I glance around the room to make sure it's tidy - I don't want to bring her back to a shit tip.

I spray on some aftershave, run my hands through my hair and check my reflection one last time, before sauntering out to my car. I find Jess's postcode in my Sat Nav and set off.

It only takes me 15 minutes, and I pull into her car park at 7.55. Suddenly I'm nervous. I check our text conversation - Flat 2, she said.

Here goes.

My heart is pounding as I climb out of the car and I whack my head on the driver's door as I push it shut.

For fuck's sake.

My eyes stream for a second and I check my scalp with my fingers to make sure I haven't drawn blood. Seriously, why can't I be cool, just for like one day? This sort of shit doesn't happen to Zayn or Louis.

I straighten up, take a deep breath, and walk to the front door of Jess's building and press the buzzer for Flat 2.

She definitely did say 2, didn't she?

The door release buzzer sounds and as I push the door open I hear her voice through the little speaker. "Come on up, straight up the stairs."

My stomach does a somersault at the sound of her voice.

Fuck. I am really doing this.

I begin to walk up the stairs and look up as I hear the sound of an upstairs door opening, and Jess steps out into the hallway.

I feel my breath catch in my throat as I look at her.

She looks incredible.

She's wearing a little black dress that hugs her body perfectly and shows off her legs, and her hair is long, soft and wavy, and is draped over one shoulder. She's put some sort of dark makeup around her eyes that makes her look classy and elegant and as I look up at her I feel a spark flow between us when our eyes meet.

Wow. Fucking wow.

I can't help but smile at her. "You look amazing," I tell her. I know that was lame, but I can't think straight.

She doesn't seem to mind though, because she thanks me for the (lame) compliment and invites me in. I follow her through the hallway and hover in the doorway to the lounge while she flicks the TV off and draws the curtains.

I'm guessing she lives here alone - it's a small flat but it's immaculately tidy, and looks typically girly. I discreetly look around the room and there are no One Direction pictures anywhere to be seen.

I won't lie - I'm relieved.

She picks up her bag and keys and smiles at me, sending another jolt to my stomach. "OK, ready."

I walk out of the flat and down the stairs ahead of Jess so I can open the door for her, and as she walks through I can't help but check her out from behind.

That dress is fucking amazing.

I'm really trying not to perv on her but it's hard not to.

I blip the car and open her door for her, and she slides in gracefully. I follow suit - not so gracefully - and start the engine, and smile shyly at Jess.

"So where are we going?" she asks, breaking the silence.

"A place called C London," I tell her. "It's not too far from here and it does great food. Are you hungry?"

"Actually I am," she says, in a funny tone, like she's just surprised herself.

"You sound surprised," I say, feeling another smile coming.

She laughs. "I wasn't feeling hungry until you mentioned it, but I didn't really have much lunch."

She's not one of these girls who eats a lettuce leaf for lunch and complains about being full for the rest of the day is she?

"Why not?" I ask, almost afraid of the answer.

"Oh, some guy was texting me through my lunch break." For a moment I think she's talking about someone else, but out of the corner of my eye I see her glance cheekily at me.

Ah - she's talking about me. I can't help but smirk.

"Really? Who?"

"Just some guy," she says, overly casually. "He's in a band."

Haha, she's flirting with me already. I fucking love it. Two can play that game.

"A band? That's cool. Is he hot?"

When she doesn't answer I look over at her, grinning now, and I raise my eyebrows waiting for her answer. She flounders for second, and I laugh. I think I've won this one.

"He clearly thinks he is," she finally says, and I'm giddy now I've got the upper hand.

"And what do you think?" I tease.

As if I'm asking her this two minutes into our date.

"I think you should stop asking me these sorts of questions," she says, smiling, and avoiding the question.

"Don't start what you can't finish," I grin at her.

"Ok, ok, you win that one," she grins back.

Yesssss, one-nil to Styles.

"So how has your week been?" she asks.

"Really good," I reply. "I managed to catch up with my family, and some old friends, which was really nice. And I took my mum out for dinner, just me and her. That was good."

"Yeah, I saw the pictures," she nods, and I remember the paps outside the restaurant in Knutsford. "When did you get back to London?" she asks.

"This afternoon. I left just after lunch, I drove down by myself, went and dumped my stuff at home, packed my case ready for tomorrow then came out to pick you up."

Why am I telling her all this? She doesn't need a minute by minute account of my day. Although I chose to leave out the conversation with Karen, the outfit dilemma and the distress call to Lou. And the texts from Niall, obviously.

"Oh yeah, you're leaving tomorrow aren't you," she muses, interrupting my thoughts. "Are you looking forward to it?"

"Yeah mostly," I nod. "Zayn's been stressed out lately which hasn't been great, but hopefully the break has done him good and he'll be back on form."

Hmm. He never called me back after ignoring my call this afternoon.

"Where's your first stop?" Jess is asking.

"Singapore, but the show isn't until Tuesday, so we'll have a couple of days to acclimatise first," I reply.

"Wow," she says, and I smile at her. "It must be amazing to get to see so many places. What's been your favourite?"

This is one of those questions we get asked all the time in interviews, and we always give some bullshit answer about the place we're currently in being the best place with the best fans, but now I'm actually thinking about the answer properly, not the management-crafted answer.

"I dunno, there are so many beautiful places in the world," I begin. "I don't know if I could pick just one. Australia was amazing, and I love New York, LA..." I smile apologetically at her. "Sorry for being vague."

"Not at all," she smiles back. "Do you get much time to look around?"

"Sometimes. It just depends on our schedule. When we get breaks between shows it's good, but sometimes we literally do one show and we fly off somewhere else the next day."

I suddenly think about when Liam came on stage in Ireland and shouted "Come on Birmingham!" and I smirk to myself. Niall did something similar in Australia, and got the city names mixed up - he called Brisbane 'Sydney' by mistake.

"Sounds hectic!" Jess is saying.

"Yeah, it is, but I love it," I tell her.

We pull up at a set of traffic lights and I'm just about to share the Liam/Niall stories when I hear some screaming and Jess nudges my arm. I look over and I can see a handful of teenage girls hanging out of the car next to us, all hysterical. As soon as they see me looking they scream even louder, and I grin and wave at them, which sends them into a frenzy. One of them is waving a pen and paper.

Oh fuck. So much for being cool on this date. I don't want Jess to think I am a swishy famous person who loves the attention. On the other hand, I hate letting fans down.

"I think she wants an autograph," Jess says.

"Do you mind if I wind the window down?" I ask, feeling awkward. I really really hope this hasn't put her off.

"No course not!" she says, and I breathe a small sigh of relief before winding Jess's window down. Before I can even ask her, she reaches out of the window and takes the pen and paper and hands them to me.

The girl is squealing her thanks to Jess, and I ask her for her name.

"Sophie," she replies, and I think she might be crying.

Why do girls cry when they see me? I don't get it.

I quickly write To Sophie, Have a great evening and drive safely, love Harry x on her paper and pass them back to Jess, who dutifully hands them out of the window to Sophie. I was right, she is crying - well, sobbing.

"Thank you so much, I love you!" she wails.

"No problem," I smile. "Drive safely." I put the window back up as the lights change and we move off.

"That was nice," Jess says.

"If it wasn't for the fans I wouldn't have this job." I'm speaking my thoughts out loud. "It's a nice feeling to be able to make someone happy like that."

"Awww," Jess says, and the thought of her thinking I'm cute or something makes my stomach flutter..

We're nearing C London now, and I turn into the underground car park and find a space near the exit.

I'd better warn Jess about the paps.

"There might be some paparazzi outside," I tell her. "Just ignore them, keep looking straight ahead. I'll guide you in."

"Um, ok," she replies. She looks nervous all of a sudden.

Oh no - I hope this isn't going to put her off me.

"Are you ok?" I ask.

"Yeah fine." She pops her seatbelt, and she's biting her bottom lip. "It's just nerve-wracking."

I smile to try and reassure her, but inside my heart is sinking.

Please don't let the paps fuck this up for me.

"It'll be fine once we're inside," I say as cheerfully as I can. "And it's a Thursday so they might not even be there."

Who am I kidding? Of course they'll be there. They are everywhere I go.

I jump out of the car and quickly dart round to open Jess's door for her. I help her step down and I feel another jolt when she takes my hand.

I lock the car and lead her up the ramp to the street, and my heart sinks further when I see a small crowd of photographers outside the front door of the restaurant. I have to tell her. I can't let her walk into this without any warning.

"Damn, they're there," I mutter, and she doesn't say anything so I turn to look at her. "Will you be ok?" I ask.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replies.

Literally as soon as we take a few steps towards them the camera flashes start, and they're yelling my name.

I want to tell them to piss off. There's only one person I want to be shouting my name tonight, and it isn't any of these buffoons.

I glance at Jess and she's got her head down staring at the pavement. I gently place my hand on her back and guide her past the paps and up the steps. I take a couple of larger strides to get ahead so I can open the door for her and we hurry inside away from the frenzy.

-----*****-----

Sorry I haven't updated this in a few days! I was struggling with Chapter 67 of No Control but it's finally up so I thought I'd get my head stuck into this one. I'm back in the zone - yay!! :)