1 in 7 Billion (Harry Styles)

Chapter 38

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Hayleys POV:

"Uh I - I - I," I stammered. Did those words actually just come out of her mouth? Holy shit I think I'm going to pass out. I was speechless. What was I supposed to say to that?

"It's cool I guess. You're not psycho from what I can tell. You're probably not going to write an entire album about him if you break up and I'm just going to take a wild guess and say you don't have your own reality tv show starring you and your family." She stared at me when she finished. That's it. Waiting for me to say something, but I couldn't speak even if I tried. Gemma just stared at me with a look that showed that she knew she had complete power over the situation.

"I, um," I was literally trying with all of my might to say something.
Hayley. Use. Your. Words.
"Thanks?"

Wrong words.

Gemma just laughed and put her hand on my shoulder.

"Gemma give the poor girl a break." Sophia said from across the way.

"I'm totally joking. It'll be fun to tell Harry how you about had a proper meltdown when I mentioned you two shaggin'. Thanks for the confirmation by the way. S'weird, but I guess I'd be more worried if ya weren't." She let go of my shoulder and started looking through the racks. I still couldn't find any words to say, even though I was flooded with relief when she said she was just joking. She was right. I almost had a meltdown.

"You scared me shitless." I found my words and she laughed.

Right words.

"I'm not that big of a bitch." She was still sort of laughing and it was easing my anxiety.

I heard Sophia scoff behind me and Gemma pushed her playfully.

"So Hayley," Gemma began. "Where'd you scurry off to last night? 'Bout gave my baby brother a heart attack."

"Oh yeah," I scoffed at the image of Harry asking people if they'd seen me or knew where I was. "Not a big drinker. Had to go home before it got too out of hand."

Why did I just lie?

"You poor Americans. Can barely handle their liquor. Ain't that right Soph?" Gemma teased.

"Excuse me," I felt my inner competitiveness boil inside me. "I can handle my liquor just fine. Better than you I bet." I challenged.

What was I doing? This is Harry's sister.

"You reckon you can drink more than me?" Gemma was competitive just like her brother. I could see it in her eyes.

"I reckon I could."

Sophia's interest had peaked and Gemma and I were now in game mode.

"A bet?"

"I'm down if you are. Unless you're scared." I egg her on.

"A bet it is."

"And what shall the winner get?" Liam's girlfriend pushed.

"Bragging rights." I spit.

"Loser has to get on the stage and dance at Ruby's." Gemma said. Ruby's was a pub that was generally used for bachelorette parties. Strippers galore.

"And swing from the rope." I added.

"Deal."

She held out her hand and we shook, both smirking at each other.

"This is about to get really interesting." Sophia smiled devilishly.