We will meet again

Chapter 23

When I arrived at Harry's place I noticed the two other cars parked next to Harry's Range Rover in the carport. I figured he must have had company over and was about to get back in the cab when I heard the familiar laughter. The boys were there. Fuck! I knocked on the door. It took a while for Harry to open it and when he saw me he quickly dragged me inside. I could tell by his face he did not expect to see me again. He ushered me to his big living room where the rest, minus Zayn obviously, gathered around the table.

"Aly!" Niall cried out and came over to hug me. The others quickly followed, aware of my tear-stained face and blank expression.

"What happened sweetheart?" Louis said while rubbing my back. He motioned me to sit down on the couch and the boys sat on the floor in front of me.

I let out a long sigh and chuckled. Yes, somehow this all seemed kinda funny to me.

"Harry, he texted me asking where I was staying." She directed her next words to him. "You didn't show up so I took a nap and when I woke up I decided to go into town for dinner."

"As I walked past the cinema I decided to watch a movie instead."

"Oh shit!" That was Harry.

"Exactly. Because as the movie ended and the lights went back on I saw Zayn with his girlfriend walking out. To make a long story short I waited for them to leave so I wouldn't have to face them but I guess Zayn recognized me because when I walked out the theatre he was still there and he called my name and asked me how I was and how long I'll be staying. Then I said I had to leave and I came right over."

"Wow..." Was all Harry managed to get out. Other than that the boys were pretty much speechless.

They were looking at each other, like they were communicating with their eyes. Was there something I should know? This awkward silence made me feel more than uncomfortable. Maybe I was interrupting something.

"Listen, I didn't mean to crash your get-together. I just felt the need to come see you, Harry. I just thought I'd be crushed over this but to be honest with you I don't feel a thing. I am numb."

"Aly... There's something you should know." Louis said and the others shot him an alarming look.

"Boys I think it's only fair..." he carried on.

"For God's sake just tell me!" I was standing up now, unable to hide my impatience. What were they hiding from me?

"The truth is...Aly, the relationship between Zayn and Perrie... it's PR. Simon set them up to help her band become successful." Liam finished and four pairs of eyes were directed at me.

"This is a joke, right? I mean, you can't be serious!" I had to laugh. This was the most ridiculous, most absurd thing I've ever heard.

"I told you guys she wouldn't believe it." Harry said and wrapped an arm around my waist. He looked me straight in the eyes. "It's crazy, but it's true! Management forced that relationship upon them so Little Mix would get more press."

"Harry, this is nuts! You can't force two people into a relationship."

"You're right." Liam said. "Nobody forced them but a lot of people encouraged them to see each other, despite our tight schedule and the jealous fans."

"What are you trying to tell me? That Zayn's stuck in a relationship and if he was single he would be what?... dating me? Is that what you're trying to tell me? To keep trying because my chances are bigger that they seem?"

Louis playfully tapped his index finger on the tip of his nose.

I had to laugh. "Haha. No way. He wouldn't do this if he wasn't at least a bit into her. Which leads me to believe he is into her. Which leads me to believe that he likes being her fake/not so fake boyfriend. Which leads me to believe he's over me."