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Chapter 7

In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong
To heal the wounds from lovers past
Until a new one comes along

— Billy Joel, And So It Goes

. . . .

Out of the whole city, it has to be in this one neighborhood. Harry will probably see me with Matthew, but, so what if he does? What is he gonna do? Scream at me, asking me why I'm at this party and command me to go to his house so he can then badger at me even more?

We walk into the stuffy house and push our way into the kitchen where the rows and rows of cups are set up. Annie picks up a bottle of water from a big tub filled with ice that has soda and water floating in it.

Matthew and I each reach for cans of beer, which honestly smells disgusting, and while he takes large gulps, I take small sips. He says he'll be back in a few minutes and that he has to talk to someone.

"I wish Niall were here," Annie whispers into my ear and squeezes the plastic of her water bottle.

"Are you guys still talking?" I lean against the counter and take more sips from my can.

"Yeah. He invited me to stay the night tonight. He's picking me up at twelve."

"Out so late?"

"Yeah, he's such a great person. I can tell he really likes me. He treats me well."

"I wish it could be like that for...you-know-who and me. All we ever seem to do is fight and whenever we do anything else, we argue right after. He's so controlling sometimes."

"I guess you can't stay in bed forever."

"Believe me, if I could, I would."

"I'd second on that. Niall just spices it up a little. He does this thing where-"

I press my hand to her lips, not needing to hear any more details about her intimate moments with Mr. Horan.

"Please, spare me the details."

"It's pretty hot." She smirks seductively at the thought of whatever her and Niall do on their own time.

It's obviously a lot different for them. They probably watch movies while cuddling on the couch. He probably whispers sweet things into her ear. Meanwhile, Harry and I have a short conversation before we inevitably break out into an argument.

Matthew and I have only been dating for almost twenty four hours and he treats me well. He's sweet and charming. He doesn't scream at me any minute that he can like Harry.

"So, you and him—if all you two ever do is fight, why do you still go back to him if he constantly hurts you?" She stares at me, waiting for my answer with awaiting eyes.

"It's...I don't know. It's just all so confusing."

"How so?"

"I guess there's just something about him that keeps pulling me back to him."

Yeah, like the fact that he can change my grade at any given moment.

"But are you dating him and Matthew at the same time?" she asks uncertainly.

"I'm not dating him; it's just casual, and I don't even know if we're in good standing right now."

"I think you need to talk with him. Both of you try to be civil and figure out your issues. Then, you need to choose who you'd rather be with: him or Matthew."

"You're right."

"Alright, well, I hate to just blow off our conversation, but I really have to go to the bathroom. I'll be back in a second." Annie says and hands me her water bottle then scurries out the doorway.