(Picture of Stirling in the sidebar!)

Cassie’s POV:

Dammit, London was cold. As we ran my lungs felt like someone had lit a fire in my chest and then poured kerosene on it. Every time I took a breath a puff of white steam shot out in the air in front of me. 

Gritting my teeth, I ignored the chime of my phone through the earbuds, the text message notification blocking out my music. The small device bounced up and down with every labored step. Whoever it was, they could wait. Shaking my head, I pushed on, forcing myself to catch my roommate. 

My legs began to buckle as we hit the fifth kilometer mark. I waved at Gwen to slow down. I had never really been much of a distance runner and each day she pushed us farther and farther. She rolled her eyes but slowed down to a light jog.

“What, are we training for a marathon?” I puffed, coming up beside her.

“Exercise is good for you!” She crowed, poking my stomach. I winced, the muscles already burning from overuse.

“You owe me a burger later.”

“Thought you didn’t eat meat?” She teased.

“Fine, a pizza. Nice and artery clogging.”

“Deal.” She grinned at me before taking off again, bounding up ahead of me.

Smiling to myself, I rolled my eyes. Punching a button on my phone, I turned my music up. Rizzle Kicks pulsed through the ear buds, my mind buzzing. Again my phone rang, drowning out the energizing music. I waited in vain for the music to resume but the tone continued to play. Someone was calling me. There was only one person who insisted on calling me anymore and I had no desire to talk to him. Biting the inside of my cheek I punched the controls on my earbuds, sending the caller to voicemail, pushing all thoughts of him out of my mind.

Fifteen minutes later Gwen pulled up to a stop, folding in half to stretch her hamstrings. I wheezed my way up beside her, arms held high above my head, willing my stolen breath to return to my lungs.

“You know, if you quit eating like rubbish you would probably be in better shape,” Gwen laughed, not bothering to look up at me, “That or a little shag every once in a while, keeps ya young.” Rolling my eyes, I slumped to the ground, coercing my burning muscles into cooperation. 

Gwen turned to stare at the shop behind us, “Ha, what a bloody joke,” She scoffed. Curious as to what caught her attention, I hauled myself to my feet.

We had stopped in front of a media shop and all of the TV’s in the store were set to play a steady loop of the most popular music videos that week. My ears were assaulted by sugary strains of pop music, effeminate male voices blaring from the speakers. I rolled my eyes as the camera shifted angles, displaying the singers one by one. I swear my jaw hit the cement. Familiar jade eyes bore into mine through the flimsy TV monitor.

“What. The. Fuck.” I pushed through the glass doors, stalking up to the first worker I saw. Her bleach blonde hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, dark brown roots an inch thick. She was chatting with another woman, smiling and nodding politely.

“Excuse me,” I interrupted, not bothering to wait for her to finish helping the woman.

“I’m sorry! I’m a bit busy right now, Give me two minutes and I’ll be more than happy to help you!” Her cheery voice grated my ears and I glared at her, tapping the toe of my running shoes as the woman thanked her and headed towards the cash register.

“How may I help you?” She cooed, flashing me a plastered on smile.

“Save the act,” I huffed, my eyes clued to the curly haired boy on the screen. The video ended, switching to whatever Justin Bieber’s latest hit was. I turned away from the screen, rolling my eyes.

“What can I help you with today?” She tried again, brown eyes narrowing slightly, a stark contrast to her too bright smile. 

“The music video that was just on-”

She interrupted me before I could continue, “Oh! That was Kiss You by One Direction. Don’t you just love them? We have all of their albums but Take Me Home is my personal favourite! Follow me please!” She gushed, bounding off towards a display at the front of the shop. 

Gwen shot me a bored look, “What are we doing?”

“This will just take a minute,” I promised, following the worker.

“You don’t even like boy bands, Cass! That’s why we get along so well,” She grumbled, stomping her feet as she joined me.

I barely was able to decipher the jumbled strain of words rapidly falling out of the girls mouth, “Oh my god, Harry is my favourite! He is just so cute and those dimples! Oh bloody hell. I have all of their albums. Which one is your favourite?”

“Yeah, not a big fan of childish rubbish,” Gwen replied for me, “They sound like a bunch of pubescent lads.” The look of outrage that contorted the girl’s face was comical. It was as if Gwen had just insulted her, rather than people she didn’t even know. I didn’t pay any attention to them, snatching up the first album I saw, flipping the thin plastic around in my hands, studying the curly haired boy grinning up at me from the cover art.

“You have got to be kidding me.” Throwing the album back onto the shelf I stormed out of the shop. A boy band. Seriously? He gets off acting like a bad ass while he is singing bubble gum crap for any twelve year old with an iPod? Bullshit.

“What the hell just happened?” Gwen asked, gripping my shoulder spinning me around. I ignored her, retrieving my phone from my pocket. The screen burst to life. One unread message and one missed call. My heart raced as I opened the message.

Miss me yet, Angel?

Harry. Before I could type back a new message came in.

How was the run?

“What the fuck?” I spun around in a circle but there was no sign of the curly haired boy.

“Hello? Cassie?” Gwen crowed, waving her hand in front of my face, “What in the bloody hell is going on with you?” How was I supposed to explain to her what was going on when I didn’t even know?

“Uhm... nothing. Just give me a minute,” I said, turning, walking away further from the shop and it’s obnoxious music.

Stalker much? 

I typed back, chewing the inside of my cheek while the white speech bubble popped up. Damn he was fast.

Observant.

I rolled my eyes.

Cassie: Where are you?

Harry: Wouldn’t you like to know, Angel.

Cassie: Actually, no. I’m good.

Harry: Wont be “good” until you wake up next to me. ;)

My cheeks flamed as I stared down at the small glowing screen, reading his message over and over.

“Gah!” I cried out as I rammed into something solid. I stumbled backward, tripping over the curb, falling into the street.

“Oh, Christ! I’m so sorry! Here let me help!” My eyes darted up at the sound of the male voice, deep and... Scottish? His grey eyes were apologetic as he extended a hand to me, lifting me easily me to my feet.

“No, it’s fine. It’s my fault,” I mumbled, brushing the street debris from my clothes, “Dammit.” There had been a pothole filled with muddy water right where I landed, the entire back of my fleece was soaked, the dirty liquid staining the vibrant scarlet fabric.

“Jesus, please, let me get it cleaned for you.” The cold liquid had already soaked through the fabric of my jacket and was making its way through my shirt, gritting my teeth I yanked it over my head, shivering in the bitter Autumn breeze.

“Here, take mine,” he said, already slinging the heavy leather jacket around my shoulders before I could protest. Shaking, I wrapped myself in the oversized coat, flashing the stranger a grateful smile.

“Oh, I’m Stirling by the way,” he smiled, offering his hand again. I took it, startled by his warmth.

“Cassie.”

“Hey, there is a cleaner right ‘round the block with a cafe next door? Let me buy you a coffee while we have your jacket cleaned.”

“That would be-,” I was interrupted by my phone, the chime indicating I had a new message.

Harry: Give the jacket back and walk away.

My lips pressed into a thin line as I glared at the screen.

“Is everything alright?” Stirling asked. 

“Yeah, I’m sorry. Actually now isn’t...” I trailed off a brilliant idea springing to mind, “Coffee sounds amazing,” I cooed, flashing him my best smile. He grinned back, offering me his arm.

My phone went off again but this time I ignored it, focusing instead on the guy walking beside me. His dirty blonde hair was mussed from the wind, and he kept having to push it out of his eyes. We dropped out my jacket quickly, ducking into the cafe where we settled at a back table that I made sure was away from the windows. The barista came around and took our orders a few seconds later.

“So the States eh?” Stirling asked, winking at me slightly. I sat there for a moment, gaping at him.

“How did you-.”

“Accent,” he laughed, “So what brought you across the pond?”

“Change of scenery,” I hummed, thanking the barista as she delivered our drinks. Clutching the large mug, I allowed the hot liquid to warm my frozen hands, “And you?”

“Visiting family,” His grey eyes stormed as he stared down into his mug, swirling the dark liquid. I waited for him to continue, sipping my drink, “My brother moved here with my Mam while I stayed in Scotland with my Dad.”

“Divor-.” Once again I was interrupted by the incessant buzzing of my phone. I had still yet to save Harry’s number but I recognized the digits as they flashed across the screen.

“Is something wrong?” Stirling asked, gesturing to the three missed calls right as Harry called again. I rejected it, sending him to voicemail before powering the device off.

“No,” I breezed, “Nothing I cant handle.”

He quirked and eyebrow at me but dropped it, “So why the need for a change?” 

“I just needed to get away, you know?” I replied, letting my gaze slide around the small cafe. A bell chimed, signaling that someone had entered the shop. My heart sped as Stirling reached across the table, his large hand closing around one of mine, our fingers intertwining.

“Hands off,” A familiar voice growled.

A/N: Please guys!!! Get the Comments/Votes up please!!!! I really want this story to become more popular and I would really appreciate y'alls help!!!!

Also! A major thanks to LexLexGarci for helping me. You are a lifesaver.

-Elle