Trace

Chapter 36

EL'S POV

We had decided to meet at Nando's and talk over dinner. Anne and Toby came, but Ayla declined. I sit next to Niall in the booth and I wonder if he's feeling as awkward as I do. 

  "So... you and Niall together, now?" Anne questions. 

I spit my water back in the cup. 

  "No, no. She is still with Harry," Niall chuckles.

Anne raises an eyebrow and looks at Toby. "You said she and Harry broke up," she hisses.

  I stare at Toby. He had just talked with Harry the other day...

Toby shrugs. "That's what Harry had told me."

  My jaw drops. "What?" 

Toby looks down at his food. "Maybe I heard him wrong..?"

    Niall's eyes are on me, as are Anne's.

"What are you saying?" I snap.

  Toby sighs. "I don't think it's my place to share."

Anne elbows him. "Of course it is your place to share!"

   I watch as Toby's eyes look to the ceiling. He then looks at me. "Do you wanna go someplace private, El?"

    I shake my head. "You tell me right here."

"Um...Harry said. It's stupid really. He was being a dick and-"

    "Shut up and tell us," Niall demands. 

I feel his hand reach for mine under the table and he gives me a small squeeze as Toby continues.

   "Harry told me that he had broken up with you. He told me that he needed more 'adventure' or whatever. I don't know what he meant. He said you were just too innocent and he thought he could give you a shot, but he's just too attracted to the wild girls."

   I feel like I have just been punched in the stomach. 

"But we are still together..." I whisper. 

  This can't be true. Of course Toby's lying. Harry had just said that he loved me! We talked this morning. Then again...he had never told me back that he loved me when I said it this morning. 

   I shove that thought out of my mind. This is ridiculous.

Toby shrugs. "He said he was just tired of your relationship. He said it just wasn't enough. Harry's the type of guy who likes to party, and party hard. He doesn't date for a long time. He just sees a hot chick and hooks up with her. Maybe they'll hang out for a bit after that, but then Harry let's her go. That's why I was surprised when he said he was 'head over heels' for you a few months ago. You just aren't his type."

   My mind swirls and I feel like I'm going to vomit. I can't see from the tears in my eyes.

"Maybe that's why he decided to go so far away for Uni. He probably just plans to let your relationship die out."

That's all it took. I let the tears free and they fly down my face in small streams.

   "Harry doesn't party, Toby. He's different, now."

Toby looks at me coldly. "You sure about that?"

He slides his phone toward me and I see the text on the screen.

  Harry: goin to a party tonight. apparently it's supposed to be wild...wish me luck.

"I'm sorry, El. But Harry just doesn't know how to love. It's not how is wired."