Petals End (A Harry Styles Fanfiction)

Chapter 14

C H A R L O T T E

"You're talking to the one and only Alex, part-time genie and full time friend. What's up Char Char?"

"Hey Alex, Harry just left, he had some sort of band thing. So I was wondering if you wanted to hang out?"

"Charlotte, I don't want to be your backup friend." He sounded serious.

"Alex, you know that you would never be that. You are one of the most important people in my life. I couldn't live without you, okay?"

"You are also super important to me." He was back to his cheery self.

"So can you come over?"

Alex laughed. "I literally just got home. Definitely not."

She looked out of her window. "But you said I'm super important to you! Besides, there are paparazzi in front of my building."

"Well, deal with them. You look great, so whatever, let them take pictures of you! If you want to meet, get your ass over here. I'm waiting." He hung up.

"Pffft."

She grabbed her coat and purse, together with her keys, and headed out of her flat. Again, the reporters screamed vulgar questions at her, but she ignored them.

Charlotte was sure Alex had been exaggerating when he had said that he had just reached home, because as usual, it took her about 25 minutes with underground and bus.

She could hear feet shuffling and then the door opened, revealing a smiling Alex.

"Hey there shorty"

She chuckled. "Alexander, I'm six feet tall, not short."

"Yes, but from my point of view, you are."

"True."

"Come in." He pulled her into one of those bone-crushing bear hugs that he gave so well. She breathed in his smell of chocolate, body spray, and a faint smell of sweat due to his constant basketball playing.

"So while you were on your way, I got us your favourite cake from the corner bakery, and also hot chocolate because I know that you don't like coffee. Happy?"

"Gosh, I love you. You're like the bestest friend ever!"

"I know. Now get to the kitchen before everything gets cold."

Even though Alex flat was not as big as Charlotte's, and certainly not as big as Harry's, it was warm and cosy, and so very familiar for her that it felt like a second home.

While eating the cake, Charlotte started speaking. "These paparazzi were still very calm and gave us space when Harry was still there, but as soon as he left- they bombarded me with questions that were simply inappropriate. It was awful. Frankly, I don't know if I can do this for a long time, if a relationship with Harry is really worth it."

Alex swallowed a bite before he answered. "Well, sorry to disappoint you, but you should have expected that when you became Harry Styles' girlfriend. I mean it was kinda obvious, don't you think so?"

"But still, how little respect they have!" She went on a rant about the lack of consideration reporters had. Alex let her steam off, knowing that it was best to wait for her to calm down.

"Anyway, thank you so much for staying with me last night. It really helped me." she said suddenly, making him look up. "I'm so grateful for all you do for me."

"It's fine, anytime for you. What do you want to do now? Play Basketball?"

"We always play basketball when we're here!"

"Exactly, so it's a tradition we must follow." He was already grabbing the ball.

"Okay, but don't yell at me when I break something again." They usually pushed aside the living room table and tried to get the ball into a basketball basket that was mounted on the wall.

Alex was grinning. "You know, you have watched our games so many times , being the little cheerleader that you are. One would think that by now, you would know how to play."

"Hey, don't judge! I know all the rules perfectly from watching, but actually playing is a whole different story. I don't see YOU doing the cheer routines that I can do..."

"It's because I'm too busy scoring to actually watch you. Except in the breaks."

"Whatever. Are you going to pass me that ball or not?"

A./N.: And there it is, as promised, the double update! Please do comment/vote =)

About the whole Zayn drama...I still like him, but I am thoroughly disappointed in him. Standing by somebody that makes fun of us, his fans, and even more important, Louis, a person he used to call "his brother", is just not okay. What do you think?