All Too Well [H.S]

Nine

Harry Styles

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3:04 PM

December 1, 2024

Three hours before Harry Styles goes on stage

"That'll be twenty-seven dollars even," a pair of blue extensive-gazed eyes look up at me, lips tugging into a small smile from the young boy."Tousled with the lady friend?" He asks, picking up the gathered white roses and handing them over to me.

I purse my lips, trying to preserve a grin, "No...but did mess up." My voice is low, looking down at the roses, not a single imperfection on them. My hand reaches for my pockets, pulling out two twenty-dollar bills, handing the tow-head blonde the cash.

"Receipt?" He asks, pushing a few buttons on the register and tucking the cash in, "M'fine, keep the change too." I muttered, strolling out of the grocery store as quickly as feasible.

It was still freezing outside, but the black ice was clear from the roads, allowing everyone to go about their daily lives again. Mounts of thick snow still blanketed most areas; the sun hadn't shown up all day, nor did it seem like it would. Somehow, I found consolation within the grey skies, wanting to be in this wintry weather wonderland for all of eternity.

Stepping into my car, I turned it on, and my hand reached for the heater, cranking it up to soothe my frosty skin. I gently tossed the roses onto the passenger seat, glancing at them, melancholy engraving itself over my body. A sigh rose from my chest as I leaned back into my seat, pressing my head against the rest.

You loved white roses, Lilah. I hope you still do.

Notwithstanding the uncertainty of not knowing if she would show up, I still got them. I don't know if I should have gotten them. Was it a sign of letting down my guard, hoping she would take me back with open arms? She was hesitant the entire time I was there, not that I anticipated any less from her. I wouldn't have even let myself in the apartment if it were me. Lilah's always been too kind for her own good; I know it consumes her.

I wanted to tell her how sorry I was and how much of a mistake I had made after leaving her, but I couldn't. I would have wrapped my arms around her and told her everything would be all right if she'd allow me. She'd flee from my arms and push me away just like she should; I can't blame her for how she feels towards me, towards everything that occurred.

The roads had been empty regardless of the black ice's disappearance; it appeared as though people were still afraid to come out after yesterday's prevalence. I was only approximately five minutes away from the arena. I informed everybody I needed a minute during rehearsals and would be back soon. The truth is, I wanted to get Lilah these incessant roses in case she showed up tonight.

Niall has been bombarding me with questions, asking what the hell happened with Lilah and if we had been friends again. I didn't say much, just disregarded him and said nothing happened. However, he refuses to believe that and subtly questions me throughout the day. Sarah and Mitch have also been muttering things to themselves, taking glances at me as if I couldn't tell they were talking about me. Andrew is the only one who has averted me at all expenses, and as much as I wanted to question his and Lilah's relationship, it wasn't my place.

I wasn't planning on singing the song she heard the other night, whether or not she'd come. I'd hate for her to listen to it again without getting to provide an explanation for the song to her in full. There was nothing more that I desired than to play it for her in that room yesterday. She didn't hear the entire thing where I blamed myself for how we ended up.