Walking into school with Harry is everything I expected it to be. The endless glares and chuckles of those who know the story of my past. And those who don't know, well I'm sure the ones laughing will tell them the story of my unending childhood hell. 

"Hey Grace you need to back off with your stalker mode on my man Harry here" Ben pauses, putting an arm around Harry. "He's not interested" He laughs. I never understood why Harry and him were best friends in grade school in the first place, but they were. 

"Hey Ben just chill. Gracie and I are friends, what's wrong with that?" Harry says, making me feel a little relieved. Honestly I thought he would shoo me away and laugh with Ben...but he didn't, which surprised me. 

Maybe he isn't so bad after all. 

"Well whatever. I just came to tell you that I am having a party tonight and I would like to see you there" he says to Harry. 

"I would love to go but tonight I have to study with Gracie tonight for the next test for Hamlet" he sighs looking at me. 

"Harry it's okay, you can go" I nod as he shakes his head. 

"Sorry man I can't go. I think the only way I could go is if Gracie tagged along; I mean so then we can study a little. Plus I don't want to leave her by herself" Harry says as I stand there with my mouth open. 

"I mean yeah...Sure! Yeah she can come if you'll come" Ben chuckles lightly. 

"Great! See you there!" Harry says. 

"Yeah No problem! See you at 8!" Ben says as he skips by us to get to class. 

"Harry! You know I don't like parties" I huff. "I don't understand why I need to tag along with you" I cross my arms as we walk in time. 

"Look, it would be great to break away from studying tonight. We've studied so hard the past week for hamlet that if I don't have a break I'm going to end up a lunatic like hamlet." He says, which makes me giggle. 

"Fine, but I don't have anything to wear" I sigh. 

"Well we can just pick something out at the mall or something" he shrugs. "Come on" he pulls my arm. 

"Right now?! Harry class starts in 5 minutes" I exclaim as he smirks. He bends down and whispers: 

"Why not? You saw everyone when I walked in with you, imagine their faces when we skip together" he looks at me, and I swear I saw him bite his lip...but I must be going crazy. 

I didn't even get to answer him before he pulled me back through the school's front doors. I would be lying if I didn't feel a burst of adrenaline and rebelliousness as Harry pulls my hand in his. 

"Harry! Harry! Stop!" I laugh. "I think we're in the clear" I chuckle, catching my breath. 

"Come on. Get in the car" he laughs. 

"I am! I am!" I laugh at his silliness as I get in the car and buckle my seatbelt. He takes off from the parking lot and drives to the mall. As my adrenaline decreases so does my willingness to go. 

Why do I have to be a goody two shoes. Why can't I just be normal and feel okay with skipping...but I don't, I feel guilty. 

"You've never done this before have you?" He pauses. "Like skipped" he clears his throat with a slight smile of interest tugging on his lips. 

"Nope" I say plainly, feeling slightly nauseous. "Jesus I need air" I breathe opening the window. As I breathe the fresh air I feel a hand touch my leg. 

"Hey it's going to be okay" he pauses, squeezing my leg and letting his hand linger there. I felt a tightness in my chest for a second and I felt my face go red. 

"Look I'll be fine" I breathe, brushing his hand off of me. "I can take care of myself" I cross my arms as he pulls into the parking lot of the mall. 

"Oh sure. You almost passed out a second ago for skipping class" he chuckled. 

"Whatever. It the first week of school and I'm already skipping" I roll my eyes and hold back a smile as I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out of the car. 

Another thing I hate about Harry is that he is always right. Maybe not always, but he can sure say the right thing that makes me laugh. 

"Alright so where to first Mr. Styles? You know since you're the one with this bright idea" 

"Well how about Forever 21" he shrugs as I scoff. 

"Do I look like I say 'Basic white bitch?'" I cross my arms. 

"Perfect. You definitely fit the 'bitch' part" he grins, tugging me through the doors. 

"You know taking me to the mall for a new outfit is like saying that I look like trash" I saying trying to fight his tugs inside.

"Gracie you have a hole in your flannel" he turns around and looks down. "I think you need my help" 

"Wow and he's charming too" I roll my eyes. 

"You know it babe" he winks, pulling me inside. 

Within time he had me trying on so many different outfits. With each he either responded with an "eek", "hell no", "damn" and "shit" I had one more outfit that he picked out left. It was a black glitter dress with strapped heels to match. I felt like it needed something so I grabbed this black leather jacket from a previous outfit and slugged it over my shoulders. The dress itself was tight and accented my curves. This dress was so me, I loved everything about it. I don't think I've ever dressed so...sexy. 

A/N: (This dress with a leather jacket) 

Feeling some butterflies, I grew nervous to show Harry. 

"Just bite the bullet Grace" I gulp. "Just do it, he's not gonna say anything" 

I hope...

"Come on Gracie! I can hear you talking to yourself" he chuckles. 

Damn it why does he have to call me Gracie?? That just makes me more nervous! What if he doesn't like it? I sure do. What if he really likes it? Or likes what he sees? Do I want him to? Oh Jesus. 

"Gracie??" he says again. 

"I'm coming" I say shifting again in the dress. I take a deep breath and open the door and I meet Harry's eyes. 

"Wow" he gulps. "Um just wow" he shifts in his chair.

"Good or bad 'wow'?" I bite my lip nervously. 

"Good. Definitely good" he runs a hand through his hair. 

"Really?" I blush and spin happily, accidentally tripping on one of the shoes on the floor, falling on Harry. "Oof sorry" I blush as he holds me close. For a moment our eyes latch and I feel his lips pull toward me but then, he pushes me back up on my feet. His eyes losing the glimmer they once had a moment ago. 

"Put your clothes back on and meet me at the register" he says coldly, walking away. 

Did he almost kiss me?

Maybe I was dreaming again.

//

Ily xx