All's Fair in Love and One Direction

27: Katie has the title

Chapter 27 (Maria)

It's late. It's very late.

The kiss confused me more than anything I've ever experienced. I thought I liked Liam.

No. That's not right, exactly. I thought I could like Liam.

And maybe, in a different world, I could have. But in the second I pulled away from Liam, all I could think of was Harry's lips on mine that day in the parking lot, and his arms around me, and his minty-musky scent, and the look on his face when I asked him to put me down. And that's why I left.

It's nearly midnight now. I know the boys have missed me by now. I know Liam is still wondering why I ran.

But I couldn't stay and face him.

I just need some space, I'd told him. He'd looked confused, hurt even. But I could see it in his eyes. He hadn't felt it either.

I just need some rest, I'd told him. I'll meet you boys back at the flat later.

I pull up to the boys' flat, take out the key Harry gave me, and unlock the door. I take off my dress - the dress Harry gave me - and my makeup - makeup put on by Stephanie, who Harry called in for me. But still. Harry's hands on that blonde. Everything I've heard about him. I know this type of person all too well. I can't do that to myself.

I sit on the couch and turn on the TV. I flick aimlessly through the channels, not really paying attention, until my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I look at the screen. Unknown Caller, it tells me. Huh. I have all the boys' numbers. It can't be one of them.

I pick up the phone. "Hello?"

A familiar voice sounds over the phone line. "Andie! Hi!"

"Stephanie?"

She laughs. "Yeah. You're home early. I hear you and Liam had a little ..."

I blush. "You heard?"

"Liam called me."

Her voice sounds a little strange, and an idea creeps up in the back of my mind, but I push it away. That's ridiculous. "Yeah?"

"He told me ... Do you mind?"

I shake my head, then remember she can't see me. "No. It's okay."

"He told me you guys kissed, and then you left. Apparently you were acting a bit weird. He wanted to make sure you were okay."

I exhale. "I'm fine."

"Harry?" she guesses.

I sit up. "How did you know?"

She laughs. "That boy fell for you the first day he saw you, Andie. I've been interning with them a while, and I know when he likes someone. He is head-over-heels right now, trust me."

I can't keep some of the bitterness out of my tone. "He seemed pretty cozy with that blonde girl tonight."

Silence.

Then Stephanie says softly, "I hope I'm not stepping over any lines here, but Andie ... you were trying to forget about him tonight too."

The doorknob rattles gently.

My breath escapes in a soft hiss.

"Stephanie?"

"Uh-huh?"

"I have to go. But ... thanks."

"Anytime, girl."

Click.

I turn to the doorway and see Harry Styles.

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He crosses the room to sit next to me on the couch. "Hey."

"Hey."

He smirks, but there is no real emotion in it. It's flat, empty. "You and Liam, huh?"

I shake my head. "We're not together -"

"No, really, it's okay." He smiles at me, this time sad but genuine. "If that's what makes you happy."

I close my eyes. "Harry..."

Harry's hand is on my arm. I open my eyes to see his green eyes burning into mine. "Is it what makes you happy?"

I can't look at him. I don't know how to answer.

I feel the absence of his hand on my skin. "Andie, it's okay."

But now I'm crying, because I can't answer this. It's too complicated, and I don't know how to explain it, to him or to myself. "Harry, it's not okay."

He moves closer to me so our thighs are touching, brushing away my tears with his thumb. "Shh, it's okay. Andie, really. I don't mind. You and Liam - you deserve to be with whoever you want."

"I'm not with Liam."

"Okay, all right." He's trying to soothe me. He takes my hand, his thumb rubbing gentle circles across my palm. "Shh."

I know I'm practically hysterical but I don't care. My body is rigid against his, not allowing myself to be comforted, because I want him, I do, but I'm so scared to get my heart broken, another person turning out not to be everything they'd promised to be, that I can't take it.

He wraps an arm around me. "Shh. It's okay."

And I'm so tired that I just let myself fold into him, and my head is on his chest, and I just let myself cry until I calm down, and I take a shuddering breath against him, then another, and something about him is so warming and so comforting that I feel myself relax.

He wipes away a last tear and my face turns toward his. His mouth opens to say something but he stops, his eyes just holding mine. And then he leans forward.

And I let him do it.

His lips are soft on mine as his hand slides from my shoulder to the small of my back. This is my third kiss ever, but it's the first one that really counts. His other hand releases mine and runs over my shoulder to cup the back of my neck, and I feel all the sparks that were missing from the kiss with Liam.

It's perfect.

He pulls away slowly and takes a breath. I look down.

"I'm sorry." His voice is husky. "I just -"

"Don't be sorry," I tell him. And I'm sure now, very sure of myself as I tilt my head forward and his lips meet mine again.

I feel him smile against my mouth. This time I'm the first to pull away. I'm about to ask for another one when he reaches behind his back, takes my hand, and folds it beneath my chin.

"You need some sleep."

I'm about to shake my head, no, I want to stay up with you, but I suddenly realize that sleep is probably the best thing for me right now. I'm so tired. So I curl up on the couch with my head on Harry's chest and close my eyes.

Even as I drift off to sleep, I can still hear the murmur of his husky voice, humming softly. The tune is familiar, but I can't place it until just before I fall asleep:

"And I just let these little things slip out of my mouth, because its you, it's you, it's you they add up to, and I'm in love with you and all your little things..."

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(A/N: I'm soooooo sorry it took us this long to update. We're both crazy busy, it's ridiculous. And Katie came up with a chapter title for this but I'm updating on a different schedule than she is so the actual title will be up tomorrow because I don't know it and honestly I'm way too tired to think of another one(: Anyways. I hope you liked the chapter. I'm terribly sorry for the cliched ending. I had to do it. Don't pretend you don't secretly dream about that<3 Anyway, don't be a silent reader!! Comment, vote, fan, etc.! Xxx, Maria)