12. Apart
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A/N: This chapter is written a little differently -- in more of a timeline scenario. The two weeks are kept track of in a sort of diary format, in different POVs, so I hope you enjoy this different styled chapter!
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Day 1 -- Monday: Harry in Seattle
Getting on the plane to Seattle was one of the hardest things Harry had found he'd ever had to do. The second he'd sent the text to Charley, he'd switched his phone off and slipped it into his checked baggage so he wouldn't be tempted to check it or call her. But it didn't stop his mind from whirling. Had she already listened to it? Was she awake? If she had listened to it, what did she think? Was she freaking out? Was she already pulling away from him? It made him almost frantic, and he was glad he wasn't flying private this time -- despite being in First Class, the hum of passengers and constant movement helped to distract him.
By the time he stepped into the car waiting for him in Seattle, he knew she would have listened to the song. He couldn't think of anything else, and he was starting to regret his rash idea. How was he supposed to focus on writing songs and finishing his album, when his heart and mind were all back in LA with a feisty latino beauty.
"So you want to head right to the house?" Mitch had met him at the gate and was in the back seat with him. Harry smiled, trying to switch his attention to his friend.
"Yeah, let's go right there and get into it," he smiled, hoping that if he could focus on his work as soon as possible, he would be able to stop thinking about Charley.
The drive out of the city to the house where the studio was set up was an hour long, and he chatted with Mitch comfortably about his wife and new child. Harry was grateful that all Mitch seemed to want to do is talk about his daughter Maisie -- parents could always seem to find a million things to discuss. He encouraged him to tell him everything, asking to see photos and being genuinely happy for his friend.
The rest of the team was already at the house, and when he arrived, Harry was jovially greeted, pulled into the house for an early lunch and drinks. The property itself was beautiful -- very secluded, huge gardens, no neighbours for miles. When his manager had suggested it, he'd leapt at it, feeling like it was a place he could write, sing, play, walk and relax. Now, though, it just felt like the furthest place away from the woman he loved that he could get.
***
Day 6 -- Saturday: Harry in Seattle
The first few days went by slowly as they all settled into the routine of polishing songs, producing the tracks, replacing lines and sometimes whole verses. Harry threw himself into it, trying to distract himself from thinking about Charley. He'd been tempted the first night to just call her, breaking the pact of being unplugged, but as soon as he'd switched his phone on, he realised they hadn't had any service out here anyway. The overwhelming feeling of disappointment after the initial rush of excitement had just given him more reason to dive wholly into his music.
It was day six when Harry's manager arrived unexpectedly at the house.
"Jeff," Harry said, frowning as he came to greet his friend. "Everything okay?"
"Everything's fine, sorry for worrying you, I know I shouldn't be here," Jeff replied, shaking Harry's hand with a smile. "I'm actually here because an opportunity has come up that I don't think you should turn down, and it requires you to take a meeting in Seattle tomorrow night."
Harry frowned more deeply. "But the whole reason of me being out here is so we're not interrupted. Heading into Seattle for the night would completely negate that," he said slowly.
This must be a big deal, if Jeff is out here, trying to get me to meet with someone
.
"I know, I know," his manager said, brushing the comment off. "But I think you'll want to meet with this person. It's Stevie Nicks. She wants to meet you."
Harry was blown away. His idol. "Stevie Nicks wants to meet me?"
"Yes, she's here in Seattle and I don't know how she found out you were here, but she asked if you would meet her for dinner. I know how much you love her, so I thought you wouldn't mind if I came out here to disturb you," Jeff said in a rush, a touch triumphantly. He looked very pleased with himself.
Harry's mind was reeling, his mind completely off Charley for the first time all week. "Of course I'll meet her for dinner. Blood hell. Are you sure? Stevie Nicks!"
Jeff laughed and clapped him on the back. "I'll tell her you said yes. Here's the details. I've got to go, but I'll book you and Mitch a nice hotel nearby under your usual travel names. You can come back first thing the morning after."
Harry could only nod as Mitch walked off to have a quick word with Mitch.
***
Day 7 -- Sunday: Harry in Seattle
As Harry accepted a last embrace from Stevie the next night, he felt completely high. He watched the motherly woman brush out of the classy restaurant, completely blown away. He'd just met with his idol, and she had professed how much she loved the two teaser songs he'd released,
Two Ghosts
and
Girl Crush
. She'd said she couldn't wait to hear more, and that she was proud of him for following this new sound. He'd opened up to her about how he wasn't sure if his fans would follow him down this road, but she'd told him confidently they'd follow him anywhere. He hoped she was right.
Turning, he suddenly heard his voice called out. "Harry?"
Blinking, Harry brought the woman's face into focus. "Kendall?"
"It is you!" the famous Kardashian sister laughed and rushed up to give him a hug. Harry hugged her reflexively back, and accepted her kiss of greeting on his cheek, kissing her briefly back, narrowly avoiding her lips on his. "What are you doing here?" Kendall Jenner laughed and looked up at him, keeping her hands on his upper arms.
"I was uh..." Harry trailed off, not sure he wanted to share his magical meeting with Stevie Nicks -- he wanted to tell Charley first. "I was just having dinner with a friend, but she's just left."
"She, huh?" Kendall teased with a wink, still holding onto him. Suddenly aware of their closeness, Harry took an abrupt step back, trying to cover his awkwardness by sweeping his hand to the chair Stevie had just vacated.
"Do you want to have a drink before you go?" he asked, ignoring her question. She flashed him a smile before turning to wave at her security, indicating she was staying a moment longer.
"Of course! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," she laughed, and Harry was immediately reminded of the time they'd casually seen each other. Kendall was vivacious, fun, flirty and light hearted. It had been fun hanging out with her, and she'd never wanted to put a label on anything. With her it was never serious. But she was no Charley.
As they chatted, Harry kept comparing Kendall with Charley, the way she laughed or talked or gestured. And as he'd found in their brief fling, he found himself drifting off as she chattered away. The only real problem was, he'd never found her conversation interesting at all.
Finally, Kendall's security team finally got her up out of her seat. She laughed as she kissed Harry goodbye again.
