As It Was (h.s)

i

you know it's not the same as it was
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Three Years Later
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"Aria!" I heard as I walked into the Vogue office. "Aria! How have you been lately what's the update!"

The man was tall and had a large mustache. With a video camera in his hand, he screamed at me as I was trying to go into fucking work. You'd think after five years they'd get over it. But they don't.

"I'm sorry, I don't have time for questions right now, thank you." I opened the door and walked inside. When the man tried to follow me I called for security to escort him out.

"That shit's fucking ridiculous, Ar. You should call Harry and make him do something about it." Sandy said from behind the counter. I just shake my head. Harry can't help it, there's no use saying something. Especially now.

I make my way up the stairs and into my office. Nothing's changed about it, although maybe it should've. The only difference is the picture sitting on my desk. When I take a seat in my chair I smile at it.

He stands with his arms wrapped around my stomach in a black tux. I stand in front of him with a huge smile on my face from laughter in my white dress. Cole and I look perfect.

I look down at the diamond on my finger, twisting it a few times, adjusting the way it looks.

I met Cole in a bar two years ago. I was out partying with my friends and he offered to buy me a drink, which I took bc I was already drunk as fuck, and free beer? of course I'd take it. Cole danced with me all night and when I told him I wanted to take him home, he told me he was waiting til marriage, but gave me his number instead.

It was a huge turn-off for me at first, but now, after being with him for a year, I sometimes wish maybe I should've done what he did.

Harry and I broke up after Love On Tour. It was his first one for Fine Line and I tried to be supportive the best I could but the trust just wasn't there anymore, especially when I found out the things he'd been doing when I wasn't around. I couldn't keep doing that to myself.

We haven't spoken since.

I never really think about him anymore, with the exception of hearing all the songs he's written about me on the radio. I feel a little awkward and slightly uncomfortable every time I hear them. But at the same time, I know the stories behind them and I understand.

I reach across my desk and click the radio on, then turn to my computer and begin to work on our June project. It was May 25th and I was adding the finishing touches to our June issue of Vogue Magazine.

"Next up we have Harry Styles' new song, As It Was." The man on the radio says.

"Fantastic." I roll my eyes and reach to turn it to a different station.

"Come on, Harry. We wanna say goodnight to you!" The voice of a little girl says through the radio. Then I hear the music start.

Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun

I pause my movements, waiting for his voice. I don't know why. Something about it hooked my attention.

"Holding me back, gravity's holding me back. I want you to hold out the palm of your hand. Why don't we leave it at that?" I hold my breath. I don't know why. Something about not hearing his voice for so many years and finally hearing it brings back memories I don't know that I want.

"Nothing to say, and everything gets in the way. Seems you can not be replaced, and I'm the one who will stay, oh oh oh." Turn it off. Why can't I turn it off? I need to turn it off.