SIX - One Direction

48

In the days after the album launch bash, Harry couldn't shake that gnawing jealousy from the party. He'd caught glimpses of Alex chatting and laughing with that actor, and every time he thought about it, it felt like a punch to the gut. He knew it was daft, really—he wasn't exactly the insecure type—but she'd got under his skin in a way he hadn't expected.

The band was a whirlwind of interviews, radio spots, and photoshoots for Four, with early mornings and long nights crisscrossing London in taxis. The fans were buzzing, which should've been enough to keep his mind busy, but every stolen glance from Alex set off something sharp and uneasy in him. She noticed, of course—she always did. When she threw him a little smile or a raised eyebrow, he'd brush it off with a joke or a laugh, but he knew she could see straight through him.

One afternoon, they were working on a new track together in the studio, tucked away in a little back room. Alex sat strumming her guitar, humming a melody while Harry watched her, trying to focus. The way she looked, so caught up in the music, made it even harder to keep a grip on what he was feeling. After a while, she set her guitar down and looked up, catching him off-guard.

"Alright, Haz. Spill it." Her tone was soft but firm, her eyes locked on his. "Something's off, yeah? Feels like there's this... wall between us, and I've got no clue why."

Harry shifted uncomfortably, glancing away. He felt a bit ridiculous, really—like he was some lovesick teenager—but the last thing he wanted was for her to think he didn't trust her.

"It's not you, Al," he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just... me, I guess. I didn't think I'd be feeling like this. Thought I'd be able to play it cool, y'know?"

She stayed silent, her expression unreadable as she waited for him to go on. He took a deep breath, feeling a bit like he was spilling his guts. "At the party, when I saw you with that bloke... that actor, laughing and all that... it just got to me. Didn't like it." He paused, trying to find the right words. "I know it sounds mad, but seeing you with someone else, even just mucking about, made me feel like... like I was losing something important."

For a moment, she didn't say anything, her gaze softening. Then, stepping closer, she placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Haz... he was just some daft actor bloke who thinks he's God's gift. It was a laugh, yeah, but it didn't mean anything. You're the one I'm here with, you know that, right?"

He nodded, feeling a bit daft but grateful all the same. "I know. It's just... sometimes I don't know where we stand. Feels like I'm stuck in between wanting to go all in and holding back because I don't want to mess it up."

Alex smiled softly, giving his arm a little squeeze. "Look, I get it. But you don't have to worry about losing me. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, y'know? We can just... see how it goes. But I need you to promise me you'll tell me what's going on in that curly head of yours. Can't keep bottling stuff up—it'll drive you barmy."

He managed a laugh, a weight lifting from his chest. "Alright, I promise. I'll work on it. Just don't get fed up with me if I'm a bit of a muppet sometimes."

She grinned, giving him a playful nudge. "Muppet's just your default setting, isn't it?" Then, more seriously, she added, "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't in this with you. Let's figure it out together, yeah?"

He nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. For the first time in days, he felt like he could properly breathe again. They'd got all the messy stuff out in the open, and now he could just focus on the music, on having a laugh with her without second-guessing himself.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of music, jokes, and easy laughter. They bickered over lyrics, swapped daft ideas for song titles, and fell into their usual rhythm. It felt like a reset, a fresh start, and Harry was reminded of why he'd fallen for her in the first place—she was solid, sharp, and she never let him get too wrapped up in his own head.

They walked home together. The evening air was crisp as they wandered through the quiet streets, chatting and laughing like old times. Every now and then, he'd glance at her, his heart giving a funny little jolt. He knew they weren't rushing into anything official, and that was probably for the best. But the way she looked up at him, her eyes warm and steady, made him feel like maybe, just maybe, he didn't have to worry about losing her after all.

By the time they reached the place, he felt a calm he hadn't felt in ages. They went inside, he couldn't help but grin. Whatever came next, whatever ups and downs they'd face, he knew they'd find a way to make it work. And for now, that was more than enough.