Cheating By The Rules | Harry Styles AU (ongoing)

chapter 39

To potentially mend Amelia and my strained friendship was not something I had anticipated, much less at the start of this new year when everything was still fresh and unresolved. I could've told Amelia I wasn't interested in talking to her, but walking away from her like that wasn't something I did. Because if I had turned my back on her, I would have severed the final thread of what we once had. I wanted to give it a try because we had been great friends in the past. And, even though I didn't regret the decision I had made months ago, there were moments when I missed what we had—yearning for the easy laughter and late-night talks that used to flow between us.

The drive to her apartment was so familiar that I could do it blindfolded. Countless times I had driven this route, so every turn and stoplight was no surprise to me. But the familiarity of it all didn't ease my nerves. Instead, it only heightened my awareness of how much had changed between us. Somehow, this drive felt different, even though I knew exactly where I was going. Maybe I just had to get through this, and spending time with her would be just like the old days. Or perhaps I was fooling myself by clinging to a past that no longer existed.

I thought about what our friendship looked like before we grew apart. It was effortless, natural, necessary, and filled with love. Before all of this, we used to see each other every two weeks, always finding time to catch up, laugh, and share our lives over wine or coffee. Also, we texted almost every day and called each other whenever we needed to talk. But now, all of that had become a distant memory. The days when our friendship was tight had been replaced by a void. However, maybe after this evening, we could get some of that friendship back.

After fifteen minutes, I pulled into Amelia's apartment complex. It was quiet inside the underground garage, given the time of day. My headlights cut through the dimly lit space as I found a parking spot. Shutting the engine off made me realize how fast my heart was pounding in my chest. I guess the nerves I experienced during the car ride were more present than I thought.

Looking at the watch around my wrist, I knew it was time to head upstairs. The ticking of the seconds felt like a countdown, urging me to move forward. That's when I got out of my car and heard the sound of my heels on the concrete floor, echoing in the almost empty garage.

Making my way to the elevator, the familiar ding of the doors opening brought a small sense of comfort. It was a sound I associated with numerous visits to her place, a reassuring chime in the midst of uncertainty. I had been here so many times, it used to feel like my second home. But today, it felt more like I was walking into unknown territory, unsure of how this evening would go.

I pressed the button for her floor as I calmed my racing thoughts. Amelia and I had shared so much over the years, from her breakups to our job changes and everything in between. And yet, I felt like I was meeting a friend who had turned into a stranger over time.

The doors slid open with a quiet hum, and I stepped out. After taking a left turn and walking straight ahead, I stood in front of her door. It once symbolized a welcoming embrace, but it had turned into a barrier between us. I waited for a few seconds, told myself everything would be fine, and then knocked on her door.

After waiting for a few seconds, there she was—Amelia, standing in the doorway with a bright smile on her face. I used to have a key to her apartment, so it was unusual to knock on her door and wait for her to unlock it.

At first, the smile on her face captured my attention, but then it shifted to her baby bump—she was carrying a new life. Now it was fully visible without the thick coat she'd been wearing at the flower shop. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of her—she was glowing, her happiness palpable, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say. The words were stuck in my throat, tangled with deep emotions. I felt joy for her, sadness for us, and hope that maybe this could be a new beginning.