April 2015

I spent the next week eating rabbit food and working out every opportunity I got. Callie loyally accompanied me to the gym most evenings, and we headed onto Oxford Street for lunch and retail therapy on Saturday so I could buy some holiday clothes. Nicki had approved my time off, so I had booked my flight, but was starting to feel more and more sick every time I thought about it all.

"What if we get sick of each other after a week? What if it's really awkward?" I whined to Callie as we walked around Selfridges looking at the bikinis.

"Then you'll have had an amazing week of sunshine and sex," she said bluntly.

"What if the chemistry isn't there anymore though?" I pestered.

"Why would it not be?" she said. "Hey, this one would look great on you." She held up a navy striped two piece.

"Too conservative," I said. "I need to wow him. And I dunno, its just a long time to spend with somebody I just met."

"Yeah but it's not like you don't know him," Callie said. "You've been stalking him for the past 2 years. You even follow his bloody sister on Twitter. " She handed me a bright blue bikini with tie-sides.

"You know what I mean," I said. "It's gonna be intense." I picked up the same bikini in brilliant white.

"Isn't it always intense with him though?" she reminded me.

"Exactly! A week of intense intensity! I don't know how I'm going to cope!"

Callie shrugged. "If in doubt, shag him." She pushed me towards the changing rooms.

I laughed. "I fully intend to."

I went into a cubicle and tried both bikinis on, then stuck my head around the curtain and motioned for Callie to come and give her opinion.

"Wowser!" she exclaimed. "Jess, you look HOT!"

"Yesssssss," I said. "Prepare yourself, Harry Styles," I muttered. I pulled my phone out and snapped a selfie in the changing room mirror. I examined it thoroughly, and although the lighting wasn't the best, I actually looked good. I opened up a new message to Harry, attached the picture and pressed send, my palms sweating a little bit. I looked up to see Callie staring at me openmouthed in the mirror.

"Jessica Bradshaw!" she screeched. "What has got into you?!"

"Harry Styles," I answered cheekily, and Callie cackled wickedly and stamped her feet.

"You dirty minx," she teased.

I threw my clothes back on and came out of the changing room, and took both bikinis to the till to pay. We headed out of Selfridges and into a nearby cafe. "I want to look in Topshop next," I said as we sat down at a table and I pulled my phone out.

2 new messages from Harry Styles

I grinned as I opened them.

From: Harry Styles: I just did this:

Then underneath was a selfie. Harry was looking at the camera with his eyes wide and his mouth open, smiling. (see picture!)

I laughed out loud and mentally high-fived myself.

To: Harry Styles: Haha! So you should. I've been slaving in the gym for that reaction x

From: Harry Styles: You don't need to be slaving in the gym from what I remember xxx

To: Harry Styles: xxx

Before I put my phone away I snapped a selfie with Callie and posted it on Twitter - Lunch and shopping with my favourite girl @Callie_1993

"You fancy coming out for a few drinks tonight?" Callie asked as our food arrived. "James is meeting some friends and he's asked me to go too, but it'd be way more fun if you came."

"Sure," I shrugged.

We spent an hour in the cafe, before walking down Oxford Street to Topshop. I could easily spend the entire day, and my entire savings, in this shop. I browsed the racks, picking out summer clothes for LA, humming along to the music. I found a gorgeous white dress, and decided to wear it out that night with Callie and James, and it was nearly 5pm before we paid for our clothes and headed back onto Oxford Street to catch the tube home.

"I'll pick you up in a cab at 8," Callie said as we parted ways.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was ready and waiting at 8, and for once Callie was on time. The cab dropped us off on Camden High Street and we walked into The Rose Garden, a fabulous little bar that served the most amazing cocktails. James was already paying for a round of drinks and when he saw us walk in he waved, and pointed to the drinks in front of him. We manoeuvred through the groups of people and joined him at the bar, and stood chatting for about 15 minutes with a few of his friends. I was sipping my cocktail when I heard a voice behind me that sounded strangely familiar. I turned around to see if my suspicions were correct, and standing next to me at the bar ordering drinks was Nick Grimshaw, the Radio 1 DJ, aka Harry Styles' close friend. He looked at me as I turned round, then he did a double take and stared at me.

"Hello!" he said in a surprised tone, a smile breaking on his face.

I was confused - did he think I was someone else?

"Hi," I said politely, smiling back and beginning to turn away.

"I know you!" he said, and I turned back towards him. He was standing with two guys who both looked at me with interest. "You know Harry, don't you?" he continued.

"Harry who?" I asked, to stall for time. I wasn't sure exactly what Nick might know about me.

He laughed and looked back and forth between his two friends. "'Harry who?!?!'" he mocked gleefully, grinning at me. "I'm going to tell him you said that!" He leaned closer to me. "You're Jess aren't you? Harry's told me all about you. Are you looking forward to LA?"

I stared at him open-mouthed. "Err, yeah, I am," I finally said.

"So is he," Nick said. "He won't shut up about it. I can't wait to tell him I bumped into you. So how are you? I'm Nick, by the way. Or you can call me Grimmy."

This was surreal. I listened to this guy on the radio in the mornings and now he was talking to me like we were old friends. He was so cool, and I was just standing there staring like a bozo. Time to snap out of it, Jess.

"Nice to meet you properly," I said. "I'm good thanks. You were at that house party with Harry in Primrose Hill a few weeks ago weren't you?"

"I was," he confirmed. "That's where you two met isn't it?"

"Yep," I smiled.

"Was he all like, 'Hi, I'm Harry Styles from One Direction'?" Nick pretended to flip his hair in a suave manner and I laughed.

"No, but he was convinced I was trying to get his shirt off," I replied.

Nick laughed. "He pretends he doesn't love the attention. Tell him he looks like Frankie Cocozza, he hates that."

"Ha, I will!" I said. "I keep telling him his ego needs reining in."

"Haha do you really? That's amazing." Nick pulled his phone out and snapped a picture of us. "You don't mind if I send this to him do you?"

"Be my guest," I grinned.

"Ok," he said enthusiastically. He began tapping on his phone and reading aloud as he was typing. "Look... who... I've... just... bumped... into... tonight..." He pressed send and looked up at me. "If he's got his phone handy he'll reply within seconds," he grinned.

We waited, both staring at Nick's phone. Within 30 seconds his phone buzzed and we both laughed hysterically. "He's stressing!" Nick said happily. "Listen - 'Don't say anything embarrassing' Haha!"

Callie appeared at my side. "Hey Jess," she said.

I introduced her to Nick (I can't believe I can actually say that so casually) and told her what we were doing.

"Ahh, poor Harry!" she said.

"He loves it," Nick said, grinning.

James came over and slipped his arm around Callie's waist, and began talking to one of the guys Nick was with.

"Shall we find a table?" Nick said, and I realised he was part of our group for the evening. Oh my God.

We all sat down in a large booth and Nick slid in next to me so we could continue tormenting Harry. Nick showed me the latest text Harry had sent him. What are you saying to her? This isn't fair.

"Tell him I said he's definitely my second favourite in the band," I said. "I think he's got a complex about that."

Nick laughed. "Don't... worry... You're... definitely... her... second... favourite... out... of... all... the... boys..." he said as he typed and I cackled wickedly. "Genius," he said to me. "So, you're genuinely a One Direction fan then?"

"Yeah," I said shyly. "Harry tried to embarrass me on the phone in front of Louis a couple of weeks ago."

"Ah no, really?" Nick said. "He thinks he's so cool doesn't he."

"Yeah but he is cool, so he gets away with it," I said. "He knows exactly which buttons to press."

"Definitely," Nick agreed. "He just has to look around the room and women fall at his feet. It's embarrassing. For them. Hey, he's texted me back - 'You're in cahoots aren't you. Bastards.' " We screamed hysterically with laughter and I realised my phone was buzzing on the table. Harry was calling me.

I swiped the screen, grinning at Nick. "Hello," I said.

"Why do I have the feeling you've just found your kindred spirit?" Harry said.

I laughed into the phone as Nick leaned over and said "Hi, Harry!"

"I really don't think I like this pairing," Harry moaned. "This is harassment. It's a conspiracy."

"Just keeping you on your toes," I teased.

"Yeah but not with Grimmy," he whined. "That's two against one. It's an unfair advantage."

"Oh and you were being fair when you embarrassed me in front of Louis were you?" I reminded him, but I was grinning and I knew he could hear it in my voice.

"This is war," he murmured.

"Give it your best shot," I challenged.

"Oh, I will," he said. "Don't you worry about that."

"Sounds intriguing," I said, dropping my voice.

"You'll have to wait and see," he said mysteriously.

"Tell him to bore off," Nick interrupted loudly, then he leaned over to the phone again. "HARRY! BORE OFF!" he shouted.

Thankfully the bar was noisy so no one was paying attention.

"Rude," Harry remarked.

I laughed. "I should go," I said.

"OK," he said. "Nice picture earlier, by the way."

"Thanks," I blushed. "I bought it. The bikini, I mean."

"It looks great on you," he said. "I think it would look better on my bedroom floor though."

I flushed crimson, and my tongue felt as though it was glued to the roof of my mouth. "I... I... err," I began, and immediately hated myself for not having a sassy comeback ready. Damn him, why did he have to say something like that, just when I'd been cool and breezy?

"Cat got your tongue?" he chuckled.

"Just you wait," I muttered, finally unsticking my tongue, and he laughed louder.

"I don't think I can," he said. "These next 2 weeks are going to drag. Can't you come any sooner?"

My stomach began its usual acrobatic routine. "I need another 2 weeks of hammering the gym," I replied.

"Don't be ridiculous," he scoffed. "You're beautiful as you are."

If I'd been standing up I think my legs would have wobbled at those words.

"HARRY! BORE OFF!" Nick shouted again.

Harry chuckled. "I'd better let you go," he said.

"OK," I said. "Make my knees go weak then hang up the phone, that's fine." No no no no I didn't mean to say that out loud. What the hell was wrong with me?

"I make your knees go weak?" he said huskily.

"No," I lied, badly.

"The feeling's mutual," he murmured.

Oh God. My whole body was tingling now, and my legs were physically trembling underneath the table. Why did he have this effect on me? I knew I wasn't alone; as Nick had confirmed, women fell at Harry's feet. But did I have to be so embarrassingly besotted? No, not besotted. I wasn't like in love with him or anything. I told you, it's way too soon for that.

"Are you all embarrassed?" he teased, affectionately.

"No," I squeaked. Seriously, what is with that squeak?

He chuckled. "Have fun tonight, Jess."

"I will," I said, finding my voice.

"Bye," he said.

I put my phone back on the table and tucked my hair behind my ear, my hands trembling.

"Woah, someone's got it bad," Nick smirked, looking at me. Before I could answer, his phone buzzed and he looked down at it, and his grin widened. "Looks like you're not the only one," he said, turning the phone screen towards me so I could see it. The message from Harry simply said Look after her tonight.x

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sarah was beside herself with excitement on Monday morning when I recounted the story of Saturday night. I had taken a selfie of me and Grimmy and posted it on Twitter, because, well, I'd done so well not fangirling over Harry I thought I deserved a bit of self-indulgence. Grimmy followed me on Twitter that same night, causing the rumours to explode, and my mentions to go crazy. I kept a low profile all week, getting up early to go for a run each morning before work, and toning myself up in the gym most evenings with Callie. As Easter weekend approached, I began to feel excited at the thought of spending the time with my family in Cambridge.

I spent Good Friday with Callie, and we went out for dinner and cocktails in the evening, and Saturday morning I got my weekend bag together, threw it in my car and drove up to Cambridge. I had One Direction on as loud as I could stand it, and sang along at the top of my voice all the way there. By the time I arrived at my parents' house, I was a bit hoarse.

My mum opened the door to greet me before I'd even stepped out of the car.

"How did you know I was here?" I asked, getting out and grabbing my bag.

"We heard you coming off the motorway with that shite blaring through your speakers," came a voice behind my mum.

"Shut up Calvin," I said, without looking at him, and he enveloped me in a hug from behind.

"Seriously Jess, you should be locked up for your abominable taste in music."

"Four Platinum albums," I reminded him. "Currently on a sold out world tour." He didn't have a comeback for that.

I hugged my mum and dad, and my little sister Maddie came running down the stairs. "Tell me everything about Harry Styles!" she squealed, throwing her arms around me.

"He's secretly a girl," Calvin said.

"Shut up, Calvin," Maddie and I said in unison.

We went into the kitchen where there were bacon sandwiches waiting for us.

"Save some for everyone else," I scolded as Calvin loaded 3 onto his plate.

"Snooze, you lose," he said, taking a huge bite of one and chewing with his mouth open, looking at me.

"Gross," I said, looking at him in disgust. "You've got mayo on your mouth." He grinned and didn't wipe it off. "You've got mayo on your face, Calvin," I said again.

"I know, you said," Calvin grinned. "It's not bothering me."

"You are a disgusting pig," I said, wrinkling my nose.

"Jessica, don't speak to your brother like that," my mum chastised me, while Calvin smiled at me smugly over her shoulder.

"He's chewing with his mouth open and he's got sauce on his face and he won't wipe it off," I whined.

"Calvin, wipe your face," my mum sighed, and I stuck my tongue out at him while she wasn't looking.

"TELL ME ABOUT HARRY STYLES!" Maddie practically screamed, jumping up and down next to the table.

"There's nothing new to tell," I said. "You know everything." (Little white lie (pardon the pun) - she didn't know the rude stuff, obviously, as she's only 15.)

"So are you going out?" she asked.

"We're just friends," I said.

"Boys don't invite 'just friends' to stay with them for a week," Maddie said, her eyebrows raised. "Are you friends with benefits?"

"WOOAHH!" Calvin yelled. "What the.... how do you know about stuff like that?!"

"What are friends with benefits?" my mum asked. No one answered.

Maddie rolled her eyes at Calvin. "I'm not a kid."

"You're 15!" I squeaked, my face on fire.

"You haven't answered my question," Maddie retorted.

"No, we're not!" I said indignantly.

"Can I talk to him on the phone?" she asked. "Pleeeeeeeeeeasse."

"Uh, I dunno, maybe," I said, still trying to get my head around the fact my baby sister knew what friends with benefits were. I exchanged looks with Calvin. He was clearly as shocked as I was.

"Was it cool hanging out with Grimmy?" Maddie asked.

I smiled. "Yeah, that was pretty cool."

"Who's Grimmy?" my dad asked, coming into the kitchen.

"Radio 1 DJ," Maddie replied. "He's friends with Harry Styles."

"Who is Harry Styles?" my dad asked.

"Daaaaddddd," Maddie groaned. "Harry Styles is in One Direction and Jess is going out with him."

My dad turned to me. "You have a boyfriend?"

Oh God, this just got awkward. "No, he's not my boyfriend," I said. "I've met him a few times. He's my friend."

"And he's in Wrong Direction?"

"DAAADDDD!" Maddie wailed, and Calvin burst out laughing.

"It's One Direction," my mum informed him. "Apparently Jess is going to stay with him." I threw a look of despair at her.

"Stay with him?" my dad frowned. "What do you mean?"

"OK, before we go any further can I just remind everyone I am twenty-two years old and an adult," I said, feeling my face burn again.

"That doesn't mean you should be staying with a boy and giving him the wrong impression," my dad said.

"Yeah Jess," Calvin agreed, grinning.

"I'm not giving anyone any impression," I said, closing my eyes in embarrassment.

"But you are going to stay with him?" my dad asked. "Where does he live?"

"LA," I said. "And yes, I'm going for a week."

"It's OK, I've already warned her I'll break his legs if he hurts her," Calvin put in.

"Los Angeles?" my dad's voice got louder. "You're going to Los Angeles to see him? Did you know about this, Martha?" he turned to my mum, who nodded.

"Oh God," I groaned. "Yes, I am. He spends a lot of time there when they're not working."

"They?"

"One Direction," Maddie said. "Keep up, Dad."

"Please can we drop it now?" I pleaded. "I'm a big girl and I'm not stupid. I'll be fine."

"Alan, she's got a point," my mum finally spoke up. "Just be careful, love," she added, smiling softly at me.

"I will," I muttered. I glared at Calvin and he grinned gleefully at me. "I'm going to take my bag upstairs."

I slid off the kitchen stool and walked out into the hall to get my stuff. I heard Calvin behind me and I turned to glare at him again as I picked my bag up and began to walk up the stairs. "Thanks for sticking up for me back there," I snapped.

"My pleasure," he said cheerfully, then his expression went serious. "I have to be honest though Jess, I kind of agree with Dad."

"What?!" I said, stopping dead on the landing.

"I just don't like the idea of that guy taking advantage of you."

"He did NOT take advantage of me," I said forcefully. "I'm not an idiot. Although you lot clearly think I am."

"I just think you're blind when it comes to him, and that makes me think you're more into him than you're letting on."

I turned and walked into my old bedroom and dumped my bag on the floor, ignoring Calvin.

"Are you in love with him?" Calvin asked.

"No!" I scoffed, turning back round to glare at him again. "I haven't seen him since the last time you asked me that."

"I don't believe you," he said softly.

"Am I supposed to care?" I snapped.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, Jess," he said. "I'd hate to break his face, and thousands of 12 year old hearts in the process."

"Calvin, I am so bored of this stupid conversation," I said. "Butt out."

"OK, OK," he said, holding his hands up. "I'm sorry. I won't bring it up again." He put his arms around me and I grudgingly let him hug me. "Mum's asked us to help paint the spare bedroom before dinner," he said. "Shall we get it over with?"

"Sure," I sighed. "I'll just change into my old sweat pants."

Calvin left, and I quickly pulled out my old comfy joggers and pulled them on. I refused to think about what Calvin had been saying because it was completely ridiculous. I put my old One Direction t-shirt on and went into the spare bedroom where my mum was telling Calvin what she wanted. I couldn't see the point really, as it was just a case of slapping the paint on the walls, but whatever. I put my phone on the windowsill on the landing, out of the way, and picked up a roller, while Calvin switched the radio on.

I started rolling paint onto the walls, and let my mind wander to Harry. The band had their last show tonight in Dubai before their two-month break. I glanced at my watch - it was just gone 12.30, which meant it was 3.30pm in Dubai, so they were probably in sound check. I idly wondered if I would hear from him tonight.

Taylor Swift came on the radio - I Knew You Were Trouble. "Turn it up, Calvin, I love this song," I said.

"And he's looooong goooooone when he's neeeeext to meeeeee," I sang at the top of my voice. "And I reeeeeealise, the blame is on meeeee." I turned round and faced Calvin, using my roller as a pretend microphone. "Cos I knew you were trouble when you walked in," I sang at Calvin. "So shame on me now-ow, flew me to places I'd never beeeeen, till you put me down, oh, I knew you were trouble when you walked iiinnnn, so shame on me now-ow, flew me to places I'd never beeeeen, now I'm lying on the cold hard ground! Oh! Oh! Trouble, trouble, trouble..."

I was pretending to be in a music video, dancing like a pop-star, making pained expressions as I sang the words, and I was loving it. Calvin was laughing hysterically at me, but I didn't care, I loved dancing like this to my favourite songs. I did it all the time when I was home alone, and as I'd had street dancing lessons when I was in my teens, I was actually a good dancer. I had the confidence to pull it off. Maddie came in and laughed, and came and stood next to me, dancing along while I belted it out the second verse.

"And I reeeeeealise, the joke is on me, yeh!" I turned away from them both as the chorus broke and draped myself theatrically against the unpainted part of the wall, closing my eyes and singing as loud as I could, pretending to be Taylor Swift. I sang into my paint-roller microphone, skated my arm around my neck and ran my hand through my hair. I busted a few moves and flicked my hair around my head a couple of times, completely consumed by the music. I hadn't done this for ages, and it felt great.

As the song came to a close I looked up to see Calvin filming me on his phone. "Move over, Taylor Swift," he said.

"Trouble, trouble, trouble!" I sang the last words, shimmying towards the camera, and he laughed. "Don't you dare show that to anyone," I said, and he lowered his phone, still laughing.

"You're actually really good, Jess," he said.

He disappeared out of the room and Maddie followed, leaving me alone. I carried on rolling paint on the walls with my roller, and Kelly Clarkson came on the radio with Heartbeat Song. I belted that one out too, and as it came to the end I realised I was still alone. "Oi, you slacker!" I shouted. "I'm not doing all this by myself!" I thought I heard my phone ringing, so I crossed the room to the radio and turned it down, listening. I couldn't hear my ringtone and I was just about to shout Calvin again, when I heard his voice outside the door:

"I want to know what your intentions are towards my sister."

My heart dropped to my shoes, and I was frozen to the spot for a second.

"If you break her heart, I swear to God I will break your legs."

"Calvin!" I screamed, sprinting across the room and yanking the door open. Calvin was standing on the landing with my phone pressed to his ear, frowning.

"What are you doing?" I screamed at him. "Give me my phone, NOW!"

Calvin turned his back to me and walked a few steps away. "So why have you invited her to LA?" he said into the phone.

Oh my God oh my God oh my God, this could not be happening. I ran around in front of him and grabbed his arm. "Give me the phone," I hissed.

"Do you mind?" he said, barely flinching. "I'm having a conversation."

"I'm not fucking about, Calvin, give it to me NOW," I demanded.

"And is she going to be sleeping in your room?" Calvin said into the phone.

"CALVIN!" I bellowed, and he turned his back on me.

"Are you using my sister?" he said, ignoring my hands pulling on his t-shirt.

"Harry, hang up the phone!" I shouted towards Calvin's hand. I didn't know how to stop this happening. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion.

"Don't hang up the phone," Calvin said.

I thumped Calvin on his back with all the strength I had, and was grateful that he grunted. "Ow, Christ, she's hitting me," he said.

"I'll fucking break your legs if you don't stop this right now," I hissed, running round in front of him again, but he just turned away.

"So do you often fuck your fans while you're touring?" Calvin asked, ignoring me.

"Calvin!" I screamed, feeling tears spill down my cheeks. "Muuuuummmmm!" I shouted.

Calvin rolled his eyes. "Here come the tears," he said into the phone.

I stamped my foot in fury, unable to believe I had lost control of this situation.

"Don't be a brat, Jess," he said.

"What's going on up there?" came my mum's voice from the bottom of the stairs.

"Calvin's ruining my life!" I choked out, as fresh tears coursed down my cheeks.

I turned and stormed into the spare room, picked up the paint roller and dunked it into the paint tray. I stormed back onto the landing to hear Calvin say into my phone, "Good. Cos if you hurt her, I will hurt you." I thrust the paint roller at him, slopping paint all over his t-shirt and neck. He burst out laughing.

"She's trying to fucking paint me now. I'd better pass you over to her. She's pretty mad." He looked up at me and handed my phone to me.

"You're a fucking prick," I hissed, wiping tears off my face. I lifted the phone to my ear. "Harry?"

"Hey," Harry said.

"I'm really sorry about that," I said shakily, walking into my room.

"It's ok," he said. "He's very protective, isn't he?"

"He's a knob!" I cried. "Why didn't you just hang up?"

"That wouldn't have gained his trust, would it?" Harry said. "He's just looking out for you."

"I can't believe you're being so cool about this," I said.

"Why?" he said. "What's so bad? He just asked me a few awkward questions. Nothing I probably wouldn't have asked if you were my sister."

I shook my head, unable to speak.

"Anyway, I have to go," he said. "We're getting called for sound check."

"Oh." I said. "OK." He clearly couldn't get off the phone fast enough.

"I only called to warn you to check Twitter. You might be even madder with your brother in a minute."

"Why, what's he done?" I sniffed. This day could not possibly get any worse.

"He's posted a video of you." He paused. "I've really got to go, I'm sorry. I'll text you later."

"Wha..? OK, bye," I muttered, and he was gone.

I went straight onto Twitter and saw Calvin had mentioned me in a tweet:

@CalvinBradshaw: Apparently @jessie_braddy knew you were trouble when you walked in!

I threw my phone on the bed, put my head in my hands and sobbed. I heard a noise at the door and looked up to see Calvin standing there leaning against the door frame. "What the fuck was that all about?" I shouted. "He couldn't get off the phone fast enough just then! If you've fucked this up for me I swear I will never speak to you again!"

Calvin looked at me with one eyebrow raised. "And you're telling me you're not in love with him?"

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Kind of a long chapter! Hope it was worth the wait :) Please vote and comment if you liked it!

Check out @NehaBatool18 's Harry Styles fanfic, One And A Half Page, it's brilliant!