Veto

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"So how long have you known Niall?" I ask as Harry hammers in the last few pegs of his tent. I should've known his tent would be brand new and expensive looking, even though it's humble in size.

"Uh, about six months now I guess." He answers before standing up and observing the erected shelter. I don't know why he even asked for help when I barely did anything other than stand on the opposite corner so he could pull the tents flooring taunt and read out a few instructions.

"How long have you and Charlotte been friends?" He asks, turning to look at me. I'm still not use to seeing him in such casual clothes, it's weird.

"Since we were nineteen. We met during freshers week." I explain and he nods, glancing over at the group of friends.

"She seems really nice."

"She is." I confirm. "Well it looks like you're all set up here..." I don't bother waiting for his reply before retreating back to the group and away from him. He's being weirdly pleasant for now and it's throwing me off. I don't really know how I'm meant to act around Harry in front of my friends. He's essentially my boss, in a way, and I'm use to our usual back and forth bickering, not this casual conversation that's going on.

It makes me think back to when we were sat at that bar. And how I actually enjoyed his company over the other males approaching me. How at the end of the night he had gotten me a glass of water and walked me chivalrously to the taxi stand.

Maybe without the work setting, Harry wasn't as bad as I convinced myself he is. 

I don't contribute much to the conversations within the group, opting to fill my cup with drink and read over the latest issue of the LBB. Even though I was far from the rat race happening back in the city, I couldn't let myself fully fall behind on work. I still had every intention of turning up to the next fortnightly's with something impressive as Raymond had asked, even though I was now in another position. And I had a feeling there may be some new opportunities in the market listed in the London Business Bureau. I'm halfway reading through the young professionals column when someone sits down next to me.

"Here." Harry hands me a cup as he takes his seat on the picnic blanket next to me.

"Thanks." I'm a little surprised by the gesture but accept the drink as my other cup now sits dry.

"Are you seriously reading the business bureau for fun?" His green eyes dance in amusement as he looks at me. Smirk pulling his lips taunt.

"It's not for fun." I answer with a roll of my eyes and try focus on the pamphlet.

"You're sitting next to a lake on a Saturday with your friends in beautiful scenery and you're reading the most boring shit ever." Harry chuckles at my expense.

"I mean, reading like an actual book I would understand. But not this." He continues to tease. I close the small magazine and look over at him. He takes a swig from his cup, waiting somewhat avidly for my response.

"And what would you know about real books? I hope you know your picture books don't count as reading." I deride and his green eyes shine bright in merriment at my retaliation.

"Where's Wally is a classic." Harry argues with false sincerity and I can't help the twitch of my own smile at his reply. I hide my smile with my cup and turn away from him to watch the others throwing around a frisbee.

Between the distant yelling of our group playing about, the soft tunes playing quietly on someone's portable speaker and the bird songs from the neighbouring trees, the unpleasant shrill of my ringtone interrupts from between us. I glance at the screen as Liam's name flashes at the caller ID and an old photo of us kissing on a bridge while on holiday in York displays in the background. I'm mortified at the image and hit ignore quickly. I need to remind myself to remove that photo from his contact.