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1dffchallenges · 5 years ago

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Feel No Ways

Written By: @stylesdobrik

Characters: Aaliyah/Harry

Summary: Aaliyah Thompson works at a very popular gym in West Hollywood. She is used to seeing her fair share of celebrities, most nicer than she expected and others she wished would find another location to call theirs. Harry Styles has become a regular at Aaliyah’s gym and while Aaliyah has a strict no-crushes policy the british singer may become an anomaly to the rule.

My first day at Equinox on Sunset Boulevard was like no other. As soon as I clocked in and got myself settled in the front desk I was greeted by Lebron James. Yes, the one and only Lebron James. He was checking in for a personal training session, I fumbled on my words but processed his membership without having to call a manager over to help which I was proud of myself for. After eight hours of being confronted by more celebrities than I have in my four years living in Los Angeles I knew I had to change my attitude quickly. I made a pact with myself that I needed to treat everyone that walked through the Equinox doors like the human beings that they are - yes, even if it is Beyonce. I wasn’t going to pursue a fling no matter how tempting it was and how many times I’m asked for my Instagram. No one is worth crossing that professional boundary for.

&&&

I was running late, eight minutes late to be exact. My shift started at 6:00 AM and it was currently 6:08 AM. My day began twenty minutes ago when I slept through all my alarms and was woken up by my roommate Olivia who barged into my room letting me know that it was 5:40 AM (my regular wake up time was 4:30 AM). I shot up, brushed my teeth, grabbed a banana, put on my Equinox shirt (thankfully I had built the habit of sleeping in a sports bra and leggings).

I clocked in swiftly at 6:23 AM and made my way to the front desk. The gym didn’t open until 6:30 so I had time to grab an iced coffee with almond milk from the cafe and get ready for the madness of mornings at Equinox. Today is Thursday, which means the first class of the day is boxing and Thomas, my manager, is teaching the class. There are a lot of regulars in this class which makes my life easier because it makes the check in process go a lot faster. People began filtering into the gym as soon as the doors open, checking in with me and putting their things away as they head up towards the boxing rings.

The last few people had checked in a few minutes ago which meant I was free to do whatever I wanted until the next class began. I started up my Macbook so I could spend time working on some admin. I bite into my banana, turned on some tunes and got straight to work. The class was about to start, which meant I was going to be free for the next hour.

I was typing away when I was greeted by someone who was cutting it close to catch the boxing class. Already having my speech ready, “Sorry, the class is about to begin any minute now, I can’t let anyone else in” I repeated having had to say this sentence many times. As I lifted my head up, I was met with a man that looked very familiar. The first thing I noticed was the way he had his hair pulled back with a red bandana, wearing an oversized hoodie, and a pair of shorts. He had his boxing gloves hanging off his gym bag, if I could assume one thing about the man is we both probably started our mornings the same way - rushed.

“I know, I talked to Thomas- I… um, I just didn’t… don’t want to… cause a scene” the man was out of breath, another indication of the morning that he had. He quickly handed me his gym card and then made his way up to the boxing class. I was taken aback by the interaction because I wasn’t given time to react before the man was checked in and halfway up the stairs.

It wasn’t until I looked back down at my work computer and saw the membership profile of the man before me, Harry Styles.

&&&

I had Saturday off which to normal people they would have slept in, caught up on some of their favorite shows, maybe went out for Brunch with a few friends but me, I was up at 6:00 AM ready to take Thomas’s boxing class. Saturday meant that there would only be a few people in the class since majority of LA spend Friday nights getting completely wasted. I had thirty minutes until the gym opened. I got out of bed, making my way towards my ensuite bathroom to begin my morning routine - brush teeth, wash my face, put my hair up in a high ponytail, moisturize, put on a black Nike sports bra, a pair of Lululemon leggings, grab a banana and head out the door.

I enjoyed working out at the Equinox because of how luxurious it felt. I made my way towards the check in desk, my coworker Emily was working today, she was in the middle of talking to another gym go-er as I got up to the check in desk and stood next to the man that was engaging in conversation with her. Immediately I recognized his thick British accent that was accompanied by a very slow drawl, every single word that he spoke being carefully selected. He paused his sentence and looked up towards me as I was reaching over the desk to check myself in.

“Coming in on your day off now, Aaliyah? We can’t keep you away from here” Emily spoke up, which led to the man, who I quickly recognized from the other day to look my way.

“Thomas is the best boxing instructor in the city of Los Angeles! I’ve got to stick with the best even if it means coming to work on my day’s off” I explained to Emily, finished checking in and then made my way up the stairs and headed straight for the cubicles where we are meant to store our belongings during the class. I began putting my things away when Harry appeared next to me,

“Do you usually come to Thomas’s classes on the weekend?” He asked, all I could see in my line of vision was the two plastic water bottles in his hand, the same hand that had his boxing gloves hanging from them. I made a mental note of that image before responding, “I do, since most of my shifts are during his classes, I never get a chance to work with him until the weekend.” I got up from putting my things away in the middle cubicle and switched spots with Harry so he could store his belongings away, “You can just use put your things with mine” I said to him, he tilted his head my way and I nodded for reassurance. Harry seemed like a nice guy and not one that would try and swipe any of my belongings, plus sometimes Thomas’s classes could get quite full so I was really doing everyone a favor.

We made our way towards the middle of the room as Thomas rounded up everyone in the class and led us in a series of warm up stretches. He quickly split us up in groups of 5 and each group was assigned to a different station - boxing ring, punching bags, bikes, bear-crawls, planks and repeat. Harry and I were placed in the same group and we spent the entire hour class encouraging one another. Whispering “you got this” to me as we attempted to do bear-crawls across the floor and the intensity of the work out began to wear me out. Racing against one another as we got to the bikes, we kept each other on our feet throughout the entire hour workout. It was the most fun a person could have in a boxing class.

I had been working Equinox for a very long time and have had my fair share of encounters with celebrities but there was no one like Harry. Usually, they didn’t want to talk to anyone and just came to the class and left without introducing themselves but I could instantly tell that Harry was different. He talked to Thomas ahead of time before coming to any of his classes he didn’t want the focus to be on him. He encouraged me throughout our class and I did the same for him.

We made our way back to the cubbies, both dripping in sweat. Harry handed me one of the towels off the rack and grabbed one for himself. I started wiping the sweat off my face, exactly what you want a man that you find attractive to see you doing (no, Aaliyah, stop that).

“This was nice” Harry said as he drank from one of his water bottles and pointing towards me and the rest of the gym, “Nothing like a friendly competition”. Both of us chuckling as we grabbed our items and headed back downstairs.

“It was nice, I didn’t realize pop sensation Harry Styles had a boxing class in him but I guess I should never judge a book by it’s cover.” I smirked as I held the door for both of us outside.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say Aaaliyah, is it?” Harry questioned, making sure that he got my name right

“Yes, Aaliyah” I confirmed for him, “See you around?”

“See you around” Harry replied as he made his way towards the parking structure and I walked out to the front to order my Uber.

As I got outside of Equinox, I grabbed my phone out of my bag and went to punch in my passcode the phone automatically unlocked, which was odd, but I thought nothing of it and looked for the Uber app and called a car to take me back home. I was starving and ready to eat breakfast. I kept an eye out for the Toyota Camry that was meant to pick me up.

When a Toyota Camry slowly approached me I double-checked the license plate before I opened the door and made my way inside. The driver doing a double take before putting the car back into drive and making his way down Sunset Boulevard towards my apartment. The driver and I made light conversation at the beginning of my ride, he asked me where I was coming from, I told him that I just took a class at the gym. He turned the radio up a bit and I rested my head back enjoying the hums of top 40 radio.

The Uber slowed down in front of my apartment. I gathered my belongings from the car and that was when the driver spoke up, “Just thought I’d let you know that when you request an Uber it comes up as Harry Styles, I was kind of surprised when you got into the car, maybe just an in-app error but I was expecting a much different rider” He laughed as he got his statement out and I was frozen. My hand on the door handle, making sure that I heard him correctly.

“Yeah, must be an in-app error, thanks! Have a great day!” I bolted out of the car and immediately grabbed the phone from back out of my bag examining it further. I was in a daze after boxing with Harry that we must have switched phones. The iPhone in my possession was most definitely not mine because the background was the standard iPhone background of the moon, the apps were organized in folders and the only ones not were Uber, Messages, Email and Phone Calls.

How exactly was I going to get this phone back to Harry? Did he realize that the phone in his possession wasn’t mine? What happens if someone calls? How do I explain that I have Harry Styles’ phone but it was an honest mistake? I made it up the stairs and into my apartment before I drove myself crazy, praying that Olivia was at home to assist.

“Olivia! Olivia! Olivia!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as soon as I got through the door, throwing my gym bag on the floor and pacing back and forth through our living room.

“Jesus, is everything okay?” She said as she ran down the stairs.

“Harry Styles, I have his phone and Harry Styles has my phone” I couldn’t get my story out before she interrupted me.

“What?” Olivia’s expression was puzzled, “How could that have happened?” She finally made her way over to me, placing her hand on my arm to keep me from pacing back and forth.

“We were at boxing and shared a cubbie. I didn’t realize until the Uber driver said something, I charged a $25 ride to Harry’s credit card. Oh my god, do you think he’s going to prosecute me?” I could not catch my breath, my mind was racing a million miles a minute. How was I going to get my phone back?

“Aaliyah, take a deep breath. Harry Styles is not going to prosecute you over a $25 Uber ride, plus, he’s probably just as wound up about having your phone in his posession” Olivia continued to calm me down, “Just call your phone and let him know it was an honest mistake and you guys can meet up and switch phones” She reassured me.

“You’re right, okay, I can do this” I bargained with myself before pulling Harry’s phone out and dialing my phone number. Olivia didn’t leave my side because I was sure that I was going to die of embarrassment but the phone was ringing and I couldn’t go back. It felt like every ring lasted thirty minutes, on the last ring, someone picked up,

“HarrythisisAaliyahfromboxingdoyouremembermeweswitchedphonesinboxingIthinkwellIdefinitelyknowbecauseIhaveaphoneinmypossessionanditisntminesoitmustbeyoursdoyouhavemine?” I spoke very fast leaving no room for awkwardness between me and a man I just ‘met’ a week ago. There was a pause on the other line as soon as I caught my breath, I pulled Harry’s phone from my ear to make sure he was still on the line, he was but wasn’t saying anything, “Harry, are you still there?” I said in a panic

“Yes, I was just making sure that you were done” He began to laugh “I do remember you Aaliyah, I do have your phone but I didn’t realize until I tried to call my manager and he wouldn't pick up until I texted him a picture of me with today's newspaper, felt like a fugitive” He explained how this was a less than ideal for him as well.

“We can meet somewhere and exchange our phones?” I suggest

“I just sent you my address. I’ll be home all day, the password to the gate is ‘password’ feel free to come up” He nonchalantly discloses the information before hanging up the phone.

“What did he say?” Olivia asked as I began to get up from the couch and gather my things to make my way out.

“Can I borrow your car? He invited me over to exchange phones and I really don’t feel like driving up the Hollywood Hills with a random Uber driver especially when the account isn’t mine” I said to her as I gathered all of my things and held my hand out so she could give me her keys.

“Okay, be careful! Let me know when you get there and remember, he has your phone too so don’t get too flustered” Olivia said to me as she let me out before closing the door.

When I got into the car I took a few deep breaths in and out before putting the car in drive and making my way to Harry’s.

I pulled into Harry’s driveway I was in awe. I knew he was successful but I’ve seen a house this massive. I texted Harry (myself) a quick “here!” before getting out of Olivia’s car and walking up to the front door. I knocked, and knocked and then knocked again. I wiggled the door handle to create more noise but to my surprise the door was open. I had an internal battle on whether or not I should just walk in or keep knocking but I decided that if someone is comfortable enough to leave their front door unlocked they should expect people at all times.

Harry’s house is massive, as soon as I walk through the front door I was immediately hit with the reality of just how luxurious his house was. As I tiptoed down the hallway I was in awe of the open concept of Harry’s home. His living room was massive with modern style furniture, I noticed the TV on top of the fireplace with a 70’s music mix playing on the screen. His kitchen is to the right of the room, a large island in the middle that is littered with measuring bowls, cups, bags of flour, sugar, chocolate chips and more. It’s a disaster but I wasn’t surprised because behind the island was Harry still in his gym clothes from boxing this morning with an added apron, a large mixing bowl in his hand. He was mixing so hard, I thought he was about to break a sweat.

I coughed to make Harry aware of my existence followed with, “Um, the front door was open.” I made my way to the island, taking a seat at one of the stools opposite of Harry.

“Aaliyah!” Harry put down the bowl and walked over to his gym bag that was on the floor, “Your phone is here, you can leave mine on the table” He said before handing me my phone.

I could have taken that as a cue to leave but what’s the fun in that?

“Baking in the mid-afternoon?” I quirked an eyebrow up at Harry as I grabbed a few chocolate chips out of the packaging.

“Jeff’s dogs birthday is tonight and since I used to be a baker-”

“You used to ring people up at the register Harry, I watched This Is Us you can’t fool me”

“Since you’re such an expert why don’t you come over to this side and help me?” Harry smirked.

I took up his challenge and began helping him. Harry was trying to bake peanut butter cake that is suitable for dogs and humans.

“You do realize chocolate is like really bag for dogs…” I was baffled at the amount of chocolate chips already in the mix. I moved the bowl of chocolate chips from the island as Harry picked them out of the mix. We continued like that, baking a cake with each other just as we were boxing together in the morning. Harry and I had an easy-going banter and in no time, we were done baking the cake. He had to be at his friend Jeff’s place and I saw myself out. We agreed to see each other back at boxing tomorrow morning.

I got back to my apartment and just as I was getting out of the car my phone pinged with a text from Harry,

Now that I’ve got your number, do you want to grab a smoothie after boxing tomorrow?

#1dff #cliche challenge #harry

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