At the End of the Day...

Chapter 5

It's been almost a week since the articles came out.
6 days.
Not like I'm counting, or anything.
Yesterday I saw an article saying that Louis has gone back to London.
Does that mean that Harry did too? Or did Harry decide to stay?
Either way, he hasn't texted me.
I'm trying to stop it from bothering me. Nothing even happened.
But I want it to.
God, I do.
Kaia hasn't texted me. I'm scared that she's mad I didn't tell her.
I decide to give her a call.
She picks up on the third ring.
"Hello?" She sounds sick. Like, really croaky.
"Kaia! You ok? You don't sound it," I say, jokingly, but meaning it at the same time.
"I'm really sick. Flu," she tells me with a cough. "Sorry I haven't called. I saw the article. Looks like you have a lot to tell me!"
She surprisingly doesn't sound mad. "I thought you hadn't called because you were mad at me!" I say, relieved.
"God no. I don't blame you for not telling me. This is big," she says with a laugh. Or a cough. I can't tell which one. "I'm just on Facebook, and there's an article saying Niall and Liam are in Melbourne. What the hell?!"
Oh my god.
I shove open my laptop.
Harry must still be here. He must be.
My phone beeps weirdly. I'm still on the call with Kaia, but I look at it, and Harry is calling me. Calling me.
"Kaia, we have to catch up when you're feeling better, and I will tell you everything. But right now, Harry is calling me."
"He's calling you right now?! Oh my god, I think you might just be the luckiest girl in the whole world."
We say our goodbyes and I end the call, finally answering Harry.
"Hello?" I'm trying not to sound too desperate.
"Knock, knock," he says.
What?
I'm confused.
"Say who's there,"he hints.
Oh, right.
"Who's there?" I ask with a giggle.
"Hula."
"Hula who?"
"...p." He makes this strange noise that sounds like a 'P' and then laughs his head off.
I finally realise. I'm in absolute hysterics.
I've always been one for stupid jokes. Especially if it's Harry.
"That was actually so good! I've never heard that one before," I'm slowly recovering from my laughing fit.
"It's a cracker, isn't it? Anyway, I'm calling to ask you on a date. How does that sound?"
A date?
He's so fûcking cute.
Maybe I'll play a little trick on him. Let's see how he reacts.
"Actually...I'm good. Nice knowing you," I say. It's actually so hard to hold my my laugh right now.
"Oh...ok. I...I guess I'll get going then..." He sounds so disappointed, to the point where I actually feel bad.
"Wait! Don't hang up! I was kidding! Wanted to see how you'd react!"
"You're just as bad as Louis. You had me quite scared for a few moments, I'll be honest...wasn't ready to let go of you just yet." There's a silence and I can feel the tension through my phone.
"Yes," is all I say.
"Yes?"
"I'll go on a date with you."
"Excellent! We're going to have the best time. I'll text you later," he says, and then we hang up.
I don't actually know what to think of life anymore.
Nothing seems real.
I don't think I'll ever take anything for granted again.
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"You sure you're ok, darling?" Mum asks me, for about the sixth time.
"I'm really fine mum. Honestly. I'm actually having a blast," I reassure her. There's no way I'm telling her about my current situation.
"I miss you so much." I can tell she's trying to hold back her tears.
"Miss you too. Love you," I tell her and she says the same. I hang up the phone.
What should I do tonight?
It's Thursday.
I think I'll order in.
I haven't seen anyone all day, but I've been on the phone literally the whole time.
My phone beeps from where I lay it a few seconds ago.
From Harry: so does tomorrow night work for you? X
To Harry: ...depends what it is ;)
From Harry: will a restaurant at Crown suffice? And will not being seen by paps get me bonus points??
To Harry: yes and yes x what time will you pick me up?
From Harry: 7. See you then x
I can't wait.
A proper date with Harry Styles. Without being seen. Just as if he is a normal person.
I decide to order some Thai food, my favourite cuisine, and I put on a show I'm watching on Netflix.
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"Hey everyone, and welcome back to my channel. Today I'm going to be showing you how to achieve this look right here - a gold and warm toned smoky eye..." I decide to watch a YouTube video so I can do my makeup really well for tonight.
It's Chloe Morello.
I can't believe I met her at the club the other week!
It's so weird to see her on my laptop screen.
By the time the video has finished, I check the final product on myself.
"Damn, Eva, back at it again with the sick makeup look!" I laugh to myself. God, that gets me every time.
I decide to go for a slick high ponytail tonight.
If I'm going to a restaurant at Crown, I want to dress up.
I go through my closet and pick out a tight yet classy black dress, a leather moto jacket if it's a little chilly, and some of my best heels.
I think I look good.
Good enough for Harry?
I hope so...
There's a timid knock at the door.
Breathe. Breathe.
Ok.
I chuck a mint into my mouth and run over to open the door.
Harry. So much Harry.
He's wearing his traditional black skinny jeans - especially skinny tonight, I might add - with a white shirt unbuttoned slightly so I can see the top of his butterfly tattoo, and a black blazer.
His hair is looking curlier than ever.
I literally want to run my fingers through it.
"You look beautiful, Eva...wow."
I blush uncontrollably.
Flattery with Harry Styles gets you everywhere.
"I should say the same for you," I say, as I look him up and down slowly.
He coughs awkwardly and says, "shall we head off then?" He takes my hand and we walk towards the black SUV.
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