Photograph | Matt Sturniolo

Chapter 11

Megan Taylor

I woke up the next morning, a smile on my face remembering last night. Matt was sound asleep beside me, an arm lazily draped across my stomach as I stare at the ceiling.

The hotel room was quite, the sound of calming breaths was the only thing to be heard. The sun light was escaping into the room through the half closed blinds, signifying to me that it was still pretty early.

I laid still, not wanting to disturb Matt's sleep. I turn my head slightly to look at him. My eyes glance over his perfect features noticing the small details like how his long eyelashes flutter with every breath he takes.

After a few moments of me admiring him, Matt's eyes begin to slightly open adjusting to the dim lighting that surrounded us. His bright blue eyes met my brown ones instantly causing butterflies to erupt in my stomach.

Without saying a word, he tightens his grip around me pulling me closer. He lets out a sigh of relief continuing to lay still.

About ten minutes later, Matt begins to move. He kissed my forehead while moving his arm off me standing up.

"Just going to the bathroom" He whispers. I smile at him watching him disappear behind the door. I hear sheets ruffling from the other side of the room. A silhouette of a petite body makes it's way over towards my bed. I notice it's Katie. She climbs into the bed beside me, taking over Matt's half.

"Hi" She smiled at me.

"Hi" I reply pulling her into a hug.

"What happened last night? We came back and everyone was asleep" I asked her.

"You two were gone for ages anyways, we watched the fireworks from the balcony and then went to bed. Nothing exciting. Kayleigh slept over because it was getting late"

I hummed in response.

"What's the story with you and Matt?" She raised her eyebrows at me.

"What do you mean?" I pretend nothing happened.

"I'm not stupid. Both of you came in last night giggling and chatting. I can tell Meg, anyone with eyes can" She smirked at me.

Before I could respond Matt walked out of the bathroom. He walked towards us with an annoyed look on his face.

"Why are you on my bed?" He rolled his eyes at Katie.

"It's Megan's bed too" She stuck her tongue out at him.

Matt climbed in beside me, leaving me in the middle of them, and started scrolling through his phone.

"What are we doing today?" Katie asked, turning on her stomach hands holding up her head, looking between Matt and I.

Matt just shrugged turning his attention back to his phone screen.

"I don't know, I can't handle another beach day. My skins is so sunburnt" I hold my red arms out in front of me emphasising how burnt I was to the pair sat with me.

"Can all of you just shut up" Chris's voice interrupts our small conversation.

"What a drama queen" Katie whispers to Matt and I. Obviously not that quietly as a pillow comes soaring across the room, bouncing off the wall.

—

An hour later, we found ourselves walking towards a small restaurant for breakfast. Kayleigh had explained to us that it was a new Irish restaurant that had just opened and it would be rude of Katie and I not to visit.

It was a small building, painted a sage green. We walked inside and were seated in a booth on the left side of the room. Matt sat on my right, Kayleigh to my left, the other three sat opposite us. Matt placed his hand on my knee, shooting me a small smile while looking at the menu.

I looked through the menu, deciding to get pancakes. I placed the menu down engaging in small conversation as we waited to order.

A familiar face walked towards our table. My eyes bulge out of my head turning to Katie to check if my eyes were deceiving me. Her face showed the same shocked expression as mine as she looked back at me. No one else noticing, too busy chatting.

"Hi I'm Harry I'm going to be your waiter for today, what could I get you?" A voice I knew all too well flooded through my ears.

I turned my head away from Katie's, looking Harry in the eyes for the first time since I left Ireland.

"Oh" He looked at me dumbfounded. " Hey Meg and Katie"

"Harry" Katie nodded at him. She was never a huge fan of him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. The rest of the table looked at each other confused. Matt's grip on my knee tightened.

"My dad wanted to start a business over here, mam and Ava are staying in Ireland until Ava's done school. I decided to move as I had nothing to lose" Ava was Harry's little sister, I adored her.

"Did you know about this when we were still together?" Knowing this was not the right time for this conversation, I felt the tension rise from everyone sat at the wooden table.

Harry was against me moving to America, deciding he couldn't do long distance. I wanted to give it a go but he protested.

"To be honest, yes I knew. Not for long but I did know"

I was at boiling point at this moment. I felt my breathing go unsteady.

"Are you for fucking real?" I laughed out of pure disbelief. Harry looked amused.

"Sure it doesn't matter now anyways, seems as if you've got a new boyfriend" He nods down to Matt's hand still resting on my knee.

"Oh no we're not together" Matt stutters immediately removing his hand.

"Sure does seem like it" Harry smirked seeing my face drop.

"Can we just order now" Chris interrupts, despising how uncomfortable I seem.

We all order, Harry walks away with a grin on his face. We sit in an uncomfortable silence until Katie speaks up.

"I fucking hate him with a passion"

"Me too and I've only seen him once. How did you date him?" Nick looked at me with wide eyes.

"I don't know, it was fucking exhausting"

"I can only imagine" Chris added.

"Let's not talk about it anymore please" I asked, feeling sick thinking of him.

The table started chatting again, deciding what to do for the rest of the day.

"Hey, are you ok?" Matt whispered to me, placing his hand back on my knee.

I moved my leg, causing his hand to drop off. I didn't answer his question. I kept my eyes on Chris, who was laughing at something Nick had said.

"Are you serious?" Matt angrily whispered to me, annoyed I ignored him.

"Can you stop?" I whispered back, not taking my eyes off Chris.

I was angry. Who wouldn't be? After the conversation we had last night. Did he regret it?

I'm not naive, I know I told him I wasn't ready for a relationship but I think he could've handled that situation differently. Especially seeing how much enjoyment Harry got out of it.

I spent the rest of my time in the restaurant sitting in silence, not wanting to talk to anyone. Katie kept sending me worried glances but I looked away anytime we created eye contact.
I hate how Harry makes me feel.