⎯⎯ 𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖

" 𝕳arry, it's been almost a month since tour ended and you still haven't given me anything. You do realise that you need to come up with new ideas for the second album by the end of the year?".

Repetition. Jeff's words are, at this point, stuck in his head like a tape recording set on loop.

He just can't seem to get the older man off his case; it is nearly impossible, just like getting a new idea for his second album is.

Harry can never work well under pressure and Jeff knows that yet the insistent manager still keeps picking and prodding at his business like it's his job to know each and every detail that runs through the brunet's mind.

Harry sighs throwing yet another crumpled piece of paper into the bin.

"I know and I'm working on it, okay? Just give me some more time", he mumbles balancing the phone between his cheek and shoulder while picking up the unnecessary takeaway coffee cups lying around the desk.

"Well, you better hurry then".

"I can't write if I have no motivation", Harry admits rather irritatedly at his manager's reply.

"Then get some. Get out, go take a walk or something. Write about how beautiful the Thames looks in the afternoon light, just write something".

"So you want me to write about a polluted river now?".

Jeff groans — Harry obviously finding this entertaining as a small grin forms on his lips.

"You know what I mean, just get me something".

"Okay. I'll go take a walk and then call to let you know how inspired I feel by the crowded streets of London".

"Harry. Take this seriously".

"I am taking this seriously, this is why I'm about to go take a walk", Harry furrows his brows, humour still evident in his tone.

Jeff frustratingly ends the call leaving the latter to put his things away, grab his shoes and wallet and set out to go exploring.

Or as Jeff may call it, 'an inspiration spree'.

instagram stories !

𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁
10 𝗆

Darlene casually sips her coffee eyeing Mia standing a few steps away from her, discussing her recent 'English Report' due the following day with one of her classmates that they came across while at the café.

The blonde has zero interest in listening to her sister rant about her college professor being not quite unlike a 'she-devil'.

So she instead resorts to glancing around at the customers as she stays perched over the counter.

A familiar figure appears in her vision, clad in a hoodie and gym shorts with black sunglasses resting on the tip of his nose.

She tilts her head to the side considering him for a minute as he finishes giving his order to the barista and then slowly approaches him when he's about to move away.

Getting close to him, she gently pokes his arm gaining his attention.

His eyebrows shoot up at the sight of her but he quickly glances around before gesturing her towards the more isolated spot of the café.

"Well, well, well", Darlene grins taking a sip of her coffee.

Harry chuckles taking his sunglasses off and ruffling a hand through his hair.

"Darlene".

"Harry".

"You never called".

"I know".

Harry would most definitely be lying if he said that when even after returning to London and sending in a simple but suggestive 'hi' to the blonde, thereby, receiving a dry reply followed by a small 'how are you', did not disappoint him.

"So? Was it because I'm too boring for you?", he grins trying to come off as confident but there's still a small part of him that's been scared since their texts that maybe she didn't like his company after all.

Darlene playfully rolls her eyes.

"You wish. I had some family plans, got busy and then just forgot to contact you again", she shrugs.

"You're pretty forgetful".

"I am aware", she smiles taking yet another sip of the slightly bitter liquid in her takeaway cup.

"You're alone here then?", Harry asks stuffing his hands into the pockets of his shorts.

She shakes her head gesturing over to Mia still chatting with her friend.

"My sister and I went shopping but she found her classmate here so she's abandoned me now. Wait, do you have any plans?".

Harry narrows his eyes, reluctantly answering, "Uh, no".

Her smile turns into a wide grin one which suggests secrets and wild and everything else that Harry could never associate with himself.

"Do you wanna hang out with me?".

Oh Jeff, you were so right.

"Sure".

***
darlene and harry are so cute omg