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Part VIII - H.S.

After a nice long nap, I turn on my phone and I'm immediately assaulted by texts and missed calls. I sigh and go through my voicemails, my frown deepening at each one. I decide to start by texting Liam before he freaks out.

Me: Sorry Li, I have a few things to deal with. Niall will murder me if I make you guys wait any longer so go to lunch without me. I'll join you guys later. xx

The second most pressing matter is probably the stunt thing. Since I'm already really worried about the situation and talking to Simon is definitely not going to help, I text Kendall that I'll be there in fifteen.

I quickly wash my face and run a hand through my hair, trying not to look like I just woke up. I put on my shoes and grab my wallet before going down to the lobby and out the front door.

When the taxi arrives at Kendall's penthouse and I see a massive swarm of paparazzi waiting outside, my anxiety is practically eating me alive. I'm so nervous, in fact, that I pay the driver the required amount plus a generous tip of two hundred dollars.

Fortunately, I manage to avoid the paparazzi and slip in through the back door. Unfortunately, Simon's waiting for me in the kitchen.

"Well, well, well. Looks like you're alive after all."

I roll my eyes and wave my hand impatiently. "Get to the point."

He chuckles and takes a long sip of water. I consider hurling a pan at his head but decide against it.

He continues to slowly slurp his drink, smirking like a little shit. I grit my teeth, using all my willpower not to punch him.

"Talk to Kendall," he says, finally.

I wait for him to continue, but he doesn't.

"That's it? You came all the way here and then wasted five minutes of my time just to tell me to talk to Kendall, which, by the way, is precisely what I came here to do in the first place?!"

"Yup," he says, popping the p.

I shake my head and storm away, trying to find Kendall. I walk towards her bedroom to look for her, but I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"Oh, Harry! Thank goodness you're here! The paps are going wild and I don't know what to do."

I push my hair out of my face and sigh.

"Okay. What do you want me to do?"

"That's exactly what I wanted to ask you. The ball is in your court. I told you that this could be anything you wanted, and I'm sticking by that. You decide what we tell the paps we are. A couple, friends, business partners...Whatever you want."

I smile gratefully and squeeze her hand.

"Thanks, love. I think I could use a stunt right about now. All the publicity might help me forget about...you know.

"I know. Ready to go out there?"

I take a deep breath and nod, mentally preparing myself to face the media. I can do this.

* * *

"Are you and Kendall dating?"

"How long have y'all been together?"

"Is the relationship getting serious?"

"Kendall, how does your friend Taylor feel about you dating her ex? Isn't that against the girl code or something?"

"Harry, how does it feel to be dating a member of the Kardashian/Jenner clan? Have you met any family members yet?"

Okay, maybe I can't do this.

My fists are clenched so tightly that my knuckles are white and I feel like my lungs are going to explode every time I breathe in. Kendall seems to notice that I'm freaking out and she tries to quickly answer a few questions so we can get out of here.

"Alright, alright, can everyone calm down a little bit?" she yells. "Yes, me and Harry are dating. No, we haven't met each other's families yet. We're still fairly early on in the relationship and we're still figuring it out, so I would really appreciate it if I had privacy in my own home."

She grabs my hand and strikes a quick pose , the paparazzi immediately taking as many pictures as they can. Then she turns on her heel and pulls me into her car.

"You okay?" she asks once we're comfortably seated in the backseat.

I shrug, not quite sure of the answer.

"Me and Louis fought this morning," I say before I can stop myself.

She frowns at me, looking concerned.

"Yeah, I actually wanted to ask you what happened last night. Was it about that?"

I nod and fiddle with the ring on my pinky.

"He had a panic attack last night and I'm not really sure what triggered it. Apparently he had unprotected sex with some random woman and gave her his number. I confronted him about it and I probably got a bit carried away because I think I really hurt him. He left me a voicemail asking if we can talk and I really want to make things right, but I don't know if I'm ready right now."

"I get that, but you should definitely talk to him. If you leave things the way they are, you're going to feel bad until you fix it. Better sooner than later."

She has a point.

I'm a coward. Sue me. I pick up my phone to call Louis, but I change my mind at the last second and dial my mum's number instead.

"Hi mum."

"Harry Edward Styles!"

I wince. She pulled out the full name. This is going to be fun.

"I haven't heard from you in a week! We've been worried sick! You better have a damn good excuse for disappearing like that!"

Now would be a really bad time to start crying. So, naturally, I start crying. Like, straight-up sobbing.

"Harry? Hey, what's wrong? Don't cry, darling."

I cry harder.

"Baby, you're scaring me. What's going on?"

"Me and Louis broke up," I croak.

"Oh, darling, I'm so sorry. Are you okay? No, no, that's a stupid question. Of course you're not. How can I help?"

"I just- Tell me what to do, mum, because I have no fucking idea."

"Have you tried talking to him?"

"No, but-"

"Talk to him."