C'mon, C'mon (TMH 1)

Chapter 12: Lost And Insecure

Harry's POV:

I've never been more grateful for my friends; how they always stick with me, steadfastly, even when I constantly screw up. Like with Denise. I knew she wasn't right for me, I knew she was the sort of person who would dump me after realizing I didn't satisfy her. I knew it all along, from the moment we collided at that club. Of all the places to meet a girl, at a club, wearing a provocative dress, enticing me with alcohol so I couldn't turn her down.

I haven't felt like such a fool until now, when I'm seeing Cosette, her arms wrapped tenderly around Liam in a way that isn't seductive at all; rather, I see genuine love. And Perrie, her head resting on Zayn's shoulder, her blonde waves cascading down his shoulder. His face in particular expresses a deep satisfaction and marvel, as though he's saying, "How did I ever manage to win this beautiful and amazing girl?"

Denise was beautiful, but she wasn't amazing. Not in the least. She wanted men, but she didn't want one man to give her life to.

How did I not see this before?

I look up and my eyes meet those of the girl on the corner; Liam's cousin, Ashalynn. She smiles sweetly, her eyes sparkling in a way that, I suddenly realize, could be a twin of Niall's.

Niall needs a girl like her, one who can't resist a smile, one who is so gorgeous and beautiful inside and out that she is irresistible. I instinctively glance over in Niall's direction, but he isn't looking at her.

"Hey you guys," he says suddenly, looking slightly dazed. "What happened to Bella?"

Conversation between Liam, Louis, Shaliene, and Cosette dissolves instantly as they look up. "Huh?"

I have no idea who he's talking about. "Bella? Who's Bella?"

"The girl I—" Niall breaks off, standing up.

"You okay, mate?" Liam asks, concerned.

Ashalynn's eyes open wide with realization as she turns to look at the seat next to her. Her lips move for a brief second, as though she's desperately trying to figure something out but can't conjure the words.

Louis looks confused. "Oh... I forgot about her... Yeah, where is she?" By now, everyone looks perplexed.

I'm totally lost at this point. "GUYS!" I yell and the table goes silent; everyone is staring at me. I find my tongue. "Who's Bella?"

Liam and Niall exchange glances and Liam takes a deep breath. "Harry," he begins cautiously, "it's a really long story, but while you were gone—"

"—Niall rescued a fan," Louis sighs overdramatically while Liam rolls his eyes.

"I offered to let her stay, but..." Niall's voice trails off.

"My guess is that she figured she didn't want to force us into taking care of her or something," Zayn says quietly.

Niall looks stunned. "What? No; of course that wouldn't be a problem—why does she—"

"I'm not saying she was right," Zayn replied. "But certain girls feel self-conscious about other people and don't want to be creating what they believe is 'extra trouble' for them."

For some reason, Niall looks dismayed as he sinks back in his chair, his hands running over the tips of his blond hair. "Did I..." He hesitates. "Did I make her think that?! I didn't mean to—"

"Niall," breaks in Liam. "It's not your fault. She just—"

"—doesn't personally know any of us," Perrie interjects, her voice quiet. "To her, we're world-famous bands, and I know this isn't true, but to herself, she is just a random nobody, a girl off the street. She doesn't see herself as anything more than that, and for that reason she feels she can't just intermingle with us."

"I'm not in a world-famous band," Ashalynn whispers in a voice that sounds almost like a squeak. "Not to mention that none of you guys think you're in any way better than anyone else just because you're celebrities."

"You're right; we don't," Louis admits.

Niall shakes his head. "But she doesn't see that."

I lean over to him. "You all right, mate?" My own anxiety from Denise's situation is wearing off as I'm beginning to realize how upset Niall is. I don't quite know what his feelings for this Bella were, but they definitely seem to be deeper than just common kindness.

"Yeah; I'm great." Niall lifts his head with something like a smile on his face; yet it looks rather forced. My heart stirs with compassion inside my chest. It's rare that I've seen Niall in love, or even the beginnings of love, but this is something new. Definitely something new.

Liam slides his hand onto Niall's shoulder and leaves it there. "Don't dwell on it, mate. We have a lot to think about; dinner with Simon and management tonight— you know how that usually goes."

"Again?" I groan.

Liam shakes his head. "I don't know what to tell you guys. I mean, it's reality. You become a band, you have to depend on your management sometimes. That's all there is to say."

"Well let's get moving then," Zayn says, standing up. We all follow him out of the kitchen. I linger on the other side of the doorway, trying to shift my mind from the depressing thoughts of Denise still commandeering them.

Ashalynn stops on the way out of the kitchen. I stare at her and notice her bright green eyes searching me, as though she can read my thoughts.

I guess she can, because a moment later, she whispers, "I'm really sorry about your girlfriend, Harry."

I barely know her. And here she is comforting me on the loss of a girl that was definitely not worth my time; yet she still sees how it's affected me, and she isn't taking advantage of my grief.

Denise wasn't worth my time. Even when I thought she was.

There are better girls out there. One is standing right in front of me.