Make All This Pain Go

Chapter Seven

Day Two: Ashleigh's POV

What.. I mean.. What just happened? Did Harry just ask me on a date? Like a REAL date? And did he actually kiss me? On the cheek, but still. It totally counts. I start to jump up and down, squealing to myself. I immediately start thinking about what I'm going to wear. Should I redo my hair? Gah, I still have hours. Should I tell anyone? I have no idea how to answer any of these questions. I don't even know where to start. I sit down at my laptop and log onto Tumblr to try and clear my head, and pass the time. Immediately when I log on, my ask is flooded with questions. I start to look through them, but it appears as if it's the same questions over and over again.

"Are you the girl in the pictures with Harry?"

"Are you Harry's new girlfriend?"

"Will you please respond to me!! I NEED TO KNOW IF YOU GUYS ARE DATING!!"

"Harry could do SO much better than your fat, ugly ass."

The questions and hate didn't stop coming in. I switched over to my dash, seeing a few pictures of Harry and I just a hour earlier. His arm around my waist, me looking happy as could be. I guess I could understand why people had assumed we were dating or involved. If I wasn't the girl, I would have thought the same thing. I hear my phone vibrating on my night stand across the room. I look to see a few texts from Harry.

"Have you seen anything yet?"

"I can't believe they're already out."

"Are you okay?"

"If you want to cancel tonight, I understand. I can't imagine what you must be going through right now. You can take your time to think about it. Let me know. xx"

I hadn't even realized that I had a decision that needed to be made. If I got involved with Harry, which would inevitably happen if we went out tonight, this would become regular. Was I willing to give up my life and privacy for a relationship that was no where even near starting yet? Would I be able to handle all of the girls hating me? Everyone knowing that he could do better, because he obviously could? Constantly having to worry about what I looked like when I went out and the paparazzi? All of these questions, most of them much worse than the ones that everyone else were asking, brought my fantasy to a grinding halt. The one question, the most important one, kept bouncing around in my head. Would my answer be yes or no?

Harry's POV:

What had I gotten her into? I should have known better to warn her before dragging her into this world. I remember how hard the transition was when I started the X-Factor. When suddenly everyone wanted to know me and know who I was with and what I was doing at all times. The hate and the mistakes I'd made in front of the world. Constantly having to worry about what others opinions are of you. Having everything you say and do be judged under a microscope. I really hope she'll still give me a chance. But I can't ask her life of her.

As I step into my flat, I'm met by all of the boys sitting around the laptop.

"So, I see the paps ate you two up."

"How'd it go?"

"Is she alright?"

"Do you like her?"

"Guys. Hold on two seconds. I do like her. A lot, actually. But I'm afraid she won't want to be dragged into this world. I can't ask that of her, if she doesn't make the decision herself. I asked her out on a date tonight though. I gave her and open invitation to cancel, after all of those photos got released. But I do really like her. It went very well."

I head into my room, feeling the anxiousness swallow me alive.

3 hours later:

The boys have been a great help to me. All of them being idiots, trying to help me pass the time. I was supposed to go pick her up in about a half hour. I still hadn't heard back from her yet. Just as I was about to text her to officially request an answer, my phone pinged.

"Hey."

"Hi love. You alright?"

"Yeah, you?"

"I'm good. You made a decision yet?"

"Yeah.. I'm sorry it took so long."

"Well, what'd you decide?"