Replaced by Two Ghosts

Chapter 4

I feel the fizz of the coke slowly going down my throat. It's a nice feeling. Refreshing.

"So, that wasn't all that bothered you, right?", Oli gets back to the topic. He eyes me carefully and I can tell he's a little worried.

"No, there's more." I press my lips together and begin to fidget with one of the chips.

"Spill it, Tomlinson. You and I both know you'll feel better afterwards."

"Why does everyone always assume that?", I ask slightly annoyed.

"Because it's true." Oli smirks amused.

"You sound like Lottie. I should've known you guys would team up against me", I comment pouting and cross my arms in front of my chest in played offensiveness. I like to make fun of Oli and he doesn't mind it. It's kind of our thing. And right now, it actually makes me feel better. But instead of the reaction I was expecting, Oli is quick to defend himself.

"No!", he blurts out. "No. I mean, why would you think that? I would- I mean, we would never-"

"Oli, chill out. It was just a joke." I can't help but laugh a little at his defensiveness. "I know you guys don't even talk, so how would you even team up like this? I just thought it was funny, 'cause it's something Lottie would say. No biggie."

"Yeah, right." Oli clears his throat. Then he changes the topic. "Back to you, mister. What's up?"

"Ah not much, you know, just a little bit of this and a little bit of that..." I reply amused. Oli gives me an unimpressed look.

"Alright, alright. You're not into jokes today, got it." I roll my eyes. "You probably know about Micah's wedding, I guess you're invited too?"

"Yeah, what about it?" Oli raises an eyebrow.

"Well, he sent the invitation to my address in London."

"Ah for fuck's sake. Let me guess, now you'll have to get in contact with Harry?" he rolls his eyes and sighs. I can't tell if he's being sarcastic or serious.

"Yeah, about that... I've thought about it, and I don't think I'll actually need the invitation, I can just ask one of yous about the details. And I'm sure Micah and Riley would let me in without one. I mean, they invited me, I highly doubt they'll forget about that." I laugh at my own tiny joke. When I see Oli's impatient look I continue. "I will have to get in contact with Harry sooner or later, though."

"Why's that? Obviously, you're right, you'll have to face him at one point, but what has the wedding to do with that then?"

"He'll be there, Oli.", I say, stretching out the words as if they'd hurt my mouth if I'm not careful enough.

"Did Micah invite him?"

"Kinda. He invited the both of us. Harry is my plus one."

"Why don't you just tell him Harry won't come? Problem solved. Just tell him you two are broken up."

"I tried to do that, believe me", I give back with a sigh.

"Okay?" Oli eyes me confused. "What stopped you?"

"Harry did", I reply, and I can see Oli working through his thoughts. I take a deep breath. "Apparently, he confirmed his attendance to Micah before I even knew about the wedding, or the invitation for that matter."

"I see", Oli brings out slowly. He's seemingly still trying to make sense of what I just told him.

"Yeah, pretty shit, I know", I mumble, more to myself than to him, as I bite off a piece of my nugget. Oli is too deep in his thoughts to reply. We just sit and eat in silence for a while. Oli finishes eating his burger, while I switch between eating my chips and my nuggets. I take sips from the coke every once in a while.