Positano and the satisfying Switch

Ch. 4 - How do we spin this?

I wandered around for about an hour or two, I think?
I wasn't really paying attention to the time.

I just needed a moment to think.

I found a small cafe with outdoor seating and pulled out a chair so that I could rest my feet.

I took a moment to scroll through my Instagram feed and catch up with the goings on with friends back in London when a message notification pops up.

"How did you manage to screw that up?!" It said.

I didn't even recognize the number so I sat for a moment hoping for a follow up question or some sort of explanation for their inquisition.

It was taking forever so I took the initiative to call back instead.

"I'm sorry...who is this?"

"Gemma. What, you've forgotten me already?!" She said in that high pitched accent I'd heard on so many videos before.

"Gemma?" I know I sounded surprised as hell, but then I cleared my throat and continued. "Oh...hey."

"Don't sound too excited to hear from me." I could hear the eyeroll.

"Now." She continued as if she was getting down to some important business.

"I don't know you, but I've heard enough to know that you're not as daft as my brother. So I'm going to need a serious explanation as to why you taking his phone earlier didn't end in a proposal of some sort." I could see her arms crossing and her phone propped up between her ear and shoulder.

"I-..." I sighed heavily before continuing. "Look...I don't know what he told you but I'm not the kept-boy type. I can take care of myself and I quite like the progress I've made by doing just that."

"Fair eno-"

I cut her off and continued.

"I don't know what he's used to but if that's what it is then he's going to be sorely disappointed with me."

"Totally understand-"

I cut her off again.

"Furthermore I don't know what about me made him think that I would drop everything to follow him around the world when I've known him for all of 3 days. I wouldn't mind seeing him on the road or whatever but he's not going to make me his trophy."

"Yeah, of cour-"

"Also!..."

"Quiet, Zayn! F*ck sake" She said finally taking back control of the conversation.

"Oh...sorry" I said, resigning from my rant.

"Listen. I don't know exactly what he said to you, but I think you should know that there are some things about Harry...that make him different when it comes to courting. If he hurt your feelings then maybe it won't be much of an excuse, but he's way too stubborn to talk about it."

"This may be overstepping my boundaries but...I'm telling you anyway. The way he's talked about you for the past few days? I haven't heard him talk that way in years."

"And besides there are no boundaries when it comes to setting my idiot brother straight."

I couldn't help but giggle while listening to her carry on.

She led into this part of the conversation with a sigh.

"When it comes to H, he's always found it hard to connect with people. Always felt like he was putting on a bit of a show and getting nothing in return."

"There's only one person who he's always said 'made him feel seen'."

"...and he's not with us anymore."