Please don't leave me (Harry Styles)

Chapter 12

Bolting for the nearest bus stop, I started to calm down. Tears were leaking from my face, and I knew my mascara was everywhere (whether that was from mucking about in the sea, crying, or both, I don't know). Wiping away the excess mascara, the number 12 bus approached, allowing me to board it and take me back home. Making my way to the back of the bus, I sat down and looked behind, slightly expecting to see someone running after me - especially Harry. But there was no one in sight. Maybe Harry had had enough himself and finally just gave up on me, staying at the beach with the others. The thought completely crushed me, setting me off into tears again. 

The fairly empty bus started to set off now, and with one last glance out the window, the view of the gorgeous beach gradually got smaller and smaller.

Pulling my make up from my purple beach bag, I started to re apply some make up. Allowing me to look slightly more presentable - not much, but an improvement. The bus started to slow down as it came to its second to last stop. By now, the bus was almost full, with the odd seat here and there. Raising my head, I noticed a boy with mesy, brown hair hop onto the bus. Urgently looking for a free seat he looked up the isle, creating eye contact with me for what felt like forever. I shyly smiled, breaking the sudden connection, expecting him to stay and sit near the front of the bus. But instead he made his way to the top and took the free seat next to me. 

"Hey," he murmured, looking anywhere but directly in my eyes. Phew. I wasn't the only one that found that eye contact awkward.

"Hi," I softly replied, biting my lower lip. 

"I'm Dylan," he enlightened me, giving me his hand to shake. As I took hld of it I replied with my name, noticing how soft and tender his warm hands were. 

"This bus ain't half busy!" he chuckled "I hope you don't mind me sitting here, but the other free seat down there had some right dodgy looking guy next to it - don't really fancy risking my life today!" he grinned, winking at me whilst laughing at the guy down front. I laughed too, giggling at how he actually thought he might lose his life if he sat next to this strange man. 

We started talking - getting to knwo one and other. He was a genuine, lovely boy and for the last half hour of the bus journey, he had cheered me up a lot. As the bus came to a stop, it was time for us to say goodbye. Reaching the path we said our goodbyes. It turned out Dylan only lived 10 minutes around the corner. As I went to leave, Dylan gently pulled my arm, stopping me from moving any further. 

"Could we swap numbers? Maybe get to know each other a bit more?" he asked, flicking his beautiful brown hair out of his eyes. I froze. Not knowing what to say. Hesitation took over me and then something popped into my mind. Harry. What would Harry think of Dylan? But then I remembered everything that had happened over the past week. I realised there and then how much I depended on Harry, and I needed to stop. I'm 19 for god sake, and I can't even make a simple decision about giving a boy my number without having Harry's consent. I pushed Harry to the back of my mind and took Dylan's phone and typed in my number, as he did the same with my mobile. We hugged each other goodbye, and I made my way back to the flat, I small, surprising smile creeping across my face. 

Once I was back in the flat, I slumped down against the sofa, memories of today came flooding back., I took my phone from my bag, realising I hadn't actually checked it since I was on the beach with Harry. Even when Dylan typed in his number, I didn't look at it when he handed me it back. Unlocking my phone I saw that I had 10 missed calls from Harry, 5 texts from him, 2 missed calls and a text from Ingrid and some missed calls from the boys. Sighing, I cleared my call log and deleted the texts, then placed my phone down beside me, wanting to clear my mind. Just as I did, my phone beeped. It was a text from Harry. "Melissa, where are you?! Please answer your phone. I'm worried. We're all worried xx" Shit. Okay, maybe running off like that wasn't such a good idea but I just needed to get away from everything. I replied to Harry saying, "I'm fine. I'm back at the flat. X" Sending the text, I rested my head against the arm of the sofa, and fell into a comforting sleep.

***

A loud noise came from outside, shortly entering the room, followed by a flustered Harry and Ingrid and the boys. "MELISSA!" I suddenly woke up, hearing my name being screamed. Oh. It was just Harry and the guys. "Oh my god, Melissa. You're fine! God you had me so worried, don't run off like that!" cried Harry, running towards me grabbing me in a hug. 

"Jesus Christ, Harry. You sound like my mum telling me not to run off. I'm fine," I protested, shrugging myself out of the hug. 

I knew as soon as I did that, Harry realised I wasn't "fine". 

"Mill? Please don't be like this. I didn't mean for it to happen. I ran straight after you when you left, but I lost sight of you. We all did. We went looking round for you - we didn't stop to think you might have gone home. We thought you just went for a walk to clear your mind," he quietly mumbled, biting his lower lip, eyes filling up. 

I sighed. How could I stay mad at this? After all, it wasn't his fault his fans could be such bitches. Realising that he did come looking for me did perk me up a bit. But I just didn't know what to do. I couldn't put up with all this hassle from the fans. It wasn't fair on me and it wasn't fair on Harry or the boys. 

"I'm sorry Harry, I shouldn't have ran away. I just needed to get away. I can't do this Harry. I just can't," my voice started to croak as I said the last few words. The boys and Ingrid escaped the scenario and closed the kitchen door. 

"Please Melissa. Please don't leave me. Don't give up on me. You're my bestfriend and you know I'd give this all up for you if you wanted me to."

"I don't want you to give it up Harry, it's the best thing that's ever happened to you -"

"No, Mill. Being best friends with you is the best thing to ever happen to me."

"Harry," I rolled my eyes "Seriously. This is your big chance. I would never make you give it up just for me. I'm not going to leave you. Nor am I going to "give up" on you. I just want this to stop." A tear trickled down my face, and he pulled me into a hug.

I stayed in his hold for a few moments, when Harry froze and lifted me up. "I have an idea!" he said.

Pulling out his phone he clicked on to Twitter. 

New tweet; "I'm sick of this hatred towards Melissa. She's my bestfriend guys, and if you don't like it tough. If you don't stop treating her the way you are, the tour's off guys. It will be cancelled."

"Send"

"HARRY! HARRY WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! YOU'RE GOING TO GET INTO SO MUCH SHIT FOR THAT FROM MANAGEMENT!" I screamed.