me after you ; h. styles

running through my heart.

For the next two weeks, Stella doesn't see Harry at all. She understands though. He's busy. He did tell her he'd be in London in the studio this time.

To keep herself occupied Stella has been doing what she and Harry usually do together. Only she's by herself. She's been eating peaches by the pool after swimming while she reads. She's been playing piano as well, even though she hasn't played in a long time and is shit at it now. She has been gardening a lot more with her grandparents these days as well.

She's even spoken to Tom on the phone a few times. Not because she reached out, he did. Apparently he is not seeing anyone anymore. He and the girl called it quits. He says he's thinking of moving back to London to be closer to his family. They are on the phone when he tells her this.

"Oh? Is someone ready to settle down?" She asks as she lays down on her bed, kicking her shoes off.

Tom laughs. "I'm only getting older. I need to start acting like it."

"When do you think you'll move back? If you decide to, anyway," she asks him, looking up at the ceiling.

"I don't know. Maybe in a few months. Hopefully by Christmas time so I can be with everyone," he answers and she hears him typing away at his laptop. He has been looking for flats in London. He must be really serious about moving back.

"Yeah, that would be nice. I'm sure your mum and dad would like that."

"Hey, maybe when I finally do move back, we can get some dinner or something and catch up," he suggests and suddenly he isn't typing anymore. "I really miss you."

Stella smiles to herself. "Okay," she says quietly. "I miss you too."

She doesn't know if he means as friends or as more than that. She doesn't even know what she means herself. Does she miss him like she'd miss an old friend? Maybe. They were friends for a long time before they decided to date and when they dated it was for a long time too.

She thinks of Harry and how she misses him too, but it's not the same as Tom. What's the difference? She can't understand.

"How's Harry?" Tom asks, as if he's read her mind.

"Oh, he's doing well. He's in London right now working. He's been gone for two weeks or so," she answers, grateful that he has changed the subject. "I think he comes back tonight, but I'm not sure."

She doesn't know if he's coming back tonight. They haven't spoke since he's been gone and she doesn't have his phone number. The question has never come up and she doesn't dare ask for it. She's terrified of how he'd react. He could say yes or he could say no. Stella doesn't know which one scares her more.

"You guys spend a lot of time together?" He asks.

"We do," she says. "He lives alone and gets lone- I mean, he just likes having company and being around people. So he comes over and visits us a few times a week," she says. She doesn't want to say that Harry is lonely.

"I got the impression he didn't like me that much when I met him at the wedding," he states.

Stella laughs, shaking her head. "He's just shy," she tells him. "He's very kind. I thought the same thing when I first met him."

"You're probably right. You know him better than I do," he responds. "Anyway, I've got some work to do so I'll speak to you later."

They exchange goodbyes and then Stella sets her phone down beside her. She looks at the time. It's just half past three. She rolls over onto her side and sighs. She's so bored without Harry here. She hopes that by the time he gets home he isn't too tired and will come over.