Don't Forget Me (Harry Styles)

Chapter Six - Starting Over

1,000 reads, finally! I promised I would try to update as soon as I had the next chapter ready, and it only took me one week, so here it is! Can we get it to 10 votes? x

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Chapter Six – Starting Over

The pounding in my head woke me up a little too early in the morning. The vibrating phone on my night table wasn't really helping to soothe my headache either. I reached for the device, checking my new messages.

From: Unknown Number

Good morning sunshine! Xx

From: Unknown Number

are you up? you said we could go out today, the lads want to see you! :)

From: Unknown Number

that's it, if you’re not here in 10 I'm gonna pick you up and bring you over myself. Xx

They’re from Harry. Shit. The last message was from five minutes ago. That meant I only had the remaining five to get ready. I leaped from my bed, struggling in taking off my oversized t-shirt and pulling off from my pyjama shorts as I hopped into the shower. I scrubbed my body as quickly as I could and I rinsed off the remains of shampoo and conditioner from my hair.  I shut the water off, wrapping a towel around my body. I rummaged through my closet, trying to find a decent outfit. I pulled out some clean underwear, skinny jeans, my favourite white shirt and my blue Converse. I threw on the outfit, tamed my hair by combing in a few times and ran downstairs with my purse.

“Good morning, love! Where –“ my father shouted after me as I walked out the front door. 

“I’m off to Harry’s, be back later!” I ran off without further explanation, shutting the door behind me. Harry’s house was just across the street, so my family didn’t have to worry about me.

As I wondered into the streets, the fact that I had forgiven Harry without thinking it through hit me. I wanted to give him a second chance, but he needed to understand that I was still hurt by his actions. Last night he showed me that he really meant his apology, but the look in face stated he thought everything was al right now and we could just continue like nothing happened. And that’s exactly what I didn’t want. I’m going to tell him we’re going to start from cero. I forgive him, but I’m still scared. I don’t want to lose my best friend again. That’s the last night I would ever think of. 

I approached his doorstep and ringed the bell. After a few seconds, a blonde boy in a grey sweatshirt opened the door. His lips tugged into a smile when he looked down at me.

“Emily? How ye been? Harry won’t stop talking about ya, he’s been waiting for ya all mornin’!” he chuckled in a strong Irish accent. To my surprise, my own lips formed a smile at his statement about Harry talking about me.

“Niall! It’s been so long since I last saw you, and I’ve been great, really. What about you?” I flashed him a bright smile. Before he could answer, Harry joined Niall, standing beside his band mate.

“Morning, Em. Glad you made it,” he said, wearing a smirk. “Hey Niall, give us a moment, please?” Niall nodded, heading back inside. Harry opened his mouth, but I cut him off before a single word escaped his lips.

“Listen Harry…You need to know that I’m still hurt. I forgive you, but it’s not going to be the same as it was before, at least for now. Can we start from cero, please? I don’t want to lose you again. I love you,” I whispered, making sure that my words would reach his ears only, even if I knew we were all alone out here. His expression changed into an understanding smile as he pulled me into his arms.

 “Okay, as long as I get my best friend back…” he whispered back. The door burst open behind him, revealing a smiling boy wearing Jack Wills sweatpants and a red beanie.

 “Aw Harry, I thought I was your best mate!” he bellowed, wiping off fake tears. I broke off from Harry’s arms and smiled at his other friend.

“It’s nice to see you too, Louis,” I said with a sincere smile. Louis swung his arm around me and we all walked back inside.

Harry’s living room was a complete mess. There were several empty bags of chips scattered around the floor, along with empty cans of soda and candy wrappers. Niall was comfortably leaning against Liam’s legs as they both played Fifa, and Zayn was sitting across from them scrolling through his phone. As soon as I walked in Liam paused the same and greeted me with open arms.

“Emily! You’re here! Now Harry finally can stop going on about you,” he hugged me tightly. “It’s good to see you, love,” he winked. Zayn got up and pulled me into a warm hug as well.

 “Hello, Emily! How have you been?” he patted my back, offering me a smile.

“It’s good to see you too, boys! It’s been so long,” I reciprocated their smiles as I settled down on the couch.

 I looked around, taking in the familiar living room I had visited oh so many times. Harry sat down by my side, slinging an arm around my back. I relaxed as I felt his touch, feeling a lot more comfortable. I felt safe when I had him close, and that’s definitely one of the things I missed the most during these six months. 

“Me and the boys are going out for dinner tonight, you can tag along if you like,” he whispered into my ear. His voice caught me by surprise, sending shivers down my spine.

 “I’d love to join, as long as they don’t mind, of course. I don’t want to be a burden,” I whispered back, sitting up straight.

“It’s alright, I haven’t seen you in a long time and I spent every day of my life with them now, and we like having more people with us. The more the better,” he laughed.

“I guess I’ll join you, then,” I finished.

"Hey, boys, Em is joining us for dinner, if that's ok with you," Harry bellowed, getting up from the couch.

"Yay!" 

"Of course she can come!"

"Finally, I think we deserve some female company!"

"I'd love for her to come!" 

My lips tugged into a smile with their murmurs of agreement. I've always loved Harry's band mates, even if this probably only the third time I've been with them.  

"Well, it's still 9 in the morning and we're going out tonight, so we've still got plenty of time," Liam stated, flopping into the couch across from me.

I sighed, looking down at my phone to check the time. It was in fact 9:23 in the morning. A question triggered my mind: What were 5 teenage boys doing up at 9am? Aren't they supposed to be lazy and cranky at this time?

"Why are you all up at 9 in the morning anyway? Isn't it a little too early for you?" I inquired, a small giggle escaping my lips.

"Harry woke us up," they all chorused, Zayn and Niall glaring daggers at the curly haired boy. "He wanted to go get you himself and he didn't want to be alone, so he woke us up to make him some company. But in the end you came here on your own before we left for your house..." Zayn  commented. 

"Stop making me sound like the bad guy! You all know you wanted to go pick up Emily too!" Harry called from the kitchen with a tone of annoyance. He came back with a can of coke and sat back down on the couch by my side. He snuck his arm around me the same way he did before, but instead of feeling comfortable and safe, this time I felt uncomfortable and slightly annoyed. I loved the idea of having my friend again, but I had made it clear to him that we would need to start from cero. I want to take it slow; I want our friendship to be even stronger than it was before. 

“Harry…” I started, my voice barely audible, “We’re starting from cero, remember? This is really hard for me, you know that.”

His expression dropped as he gently pulled his arm away. I deep sigh escaped my lips. I didn’t like putting up walls between the people I love and me, and putting up a wall between Harry and me felt like getting stabbed in the chest. But this wall was thin, and Harry would break through it soon. After all, he has a way of getting to me. After all, he’s my best friend.