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Chapter 14: The Scandal Chronicles

GIVEN THE RECENT information that has reached public knowledge, we feel the obligation to announce that, after six years of respectful relationship, and much thought, two months ago we have arrived at the mutual decision to move forward separately.

Even though this has been an extremely difficult time for both of us, we have remained on good terms and caring deeply for one another.

We wish the best for each other in the new paths we decide to take. There will always be a bond of love and respect between us. We kindly ask the press to please respect and understand this delicate moment.

No more statements will be made regarding this matter.

Olivia and Matthew.

*

JANUARY OF 2015 left me with three valuable lessons. The first one was that four days without internet access and/or phone reception can, aside from giving me F.O.M.O, put my life upside down. The second one was that is never, ever, a good idea to lie to my friends. Last but most definitely not least, no matter how many efforts I make, if I'm sleeping with a worldwide acclaimed pop star, the information will get out there.

Every time. Regardless of everything.

It all started on January 13th around 7 PM London Time as I was taking a good long nap at the treehouse, probably having steamy dreams about the hot tub. A group of Harry's fans found some pictures of Lena's New Year's party on Instagram and started spreading them all over the internet. It took them an hour and a half to zoom in the left corner of one of them to see a very blurry but undeniable makeout session between Harry and me. J was the first one to see it and called Alicia, a friend of Jack and the person who uploaded the photo, asking her to remove the evidence. She did so immediately. Needless to say, it was too late. The drunken smoochy pixelated version of us was being printed on tabloids by that time.

On January 14th we were happily hiking while the whole world was waking up to the news that Harry Styles and Olivia Ferrari were together. We were also being photographed while hiking in the forest. Who did it? It's hard to say really, most likely a fan, a friend of a fan, or just someone who found us familiar and had outstanding ninja skills. Forty minutes later, new low-quality pictures of us were going seriously viral. 

The headlines I got the chance to read were somewhere along the lines of these:

Everybody wanna steal my girl- Harry Styles and Olivia Ferrari dating behind Matthew Lambert's back?

New couple alert? - Olivia Ferrari and Harry Styles look cozy together during a romantic hike in the England countryside.

"I'm Losing Olivia over a boy!" - Matthew Lambert in shock.

As Nick pointed out insistently during the following days, a statement acknowledging our separation would have helped us avoid a big part of this comeback. Or at least keep Matt out of it.

It was too late for tears. It took them an extra day to tie loose ends. Both the press and Harry's fans - especially them- should work for the CIA. Everything was online by January 15th. Videos and pictures of Harry and I dancing at the SNL afterparty, him singing to me at their Madison Square Garden concert, and even pictures of us talking at that show afterparty. It was an actual scandal and we were completely unaware of it. By that day Nick was losing his mind, trying to stop Matt from talking to the press and desperately trying to get me on the phone.

On January 16th I landed in New York and got the news from a very hurt Lena. I felt like the world was spinning around me, like a merry-go-round from which I wanted to jump off but I couldn't. My phone rang seconds after hanging up with my friend; it was Harry. He was furiously rambling about suing people across the globe, I could only manage to start sobbing. He offered to clear his busy pre-tour agenda to come over. It was all I wanted; I felt he was the only one who truly understood me at that point. We were partners in crime. The Bonnie and Clyde of failed low-key romances.

By the 17th I had been told off by most of my acquaintances. Matt was only communicating with me via Nick. A very annoyed Nick. I hung up the phone on him a handful of times during that day because I wasn't going to sit through his 'I told you so' preaching. The last time he called he seemed to be calmer and explained to me that Matt was demanding that we published a statement and he had been delaying it because he wanted me to be on board with it. I hung up again and turned off the phone. I needed a time out from everyone and was determined to get it.

At midnight Harry was making his way through paps at my front door. I let him in quickly and, as soon as he threw his leather duffle bag on the floor, I wrapped my body around his. I cried non-stop for a solid half an hour leaving a wet circle of tears on his shirt. He ran his fingers through my hair, mumbling that everything was going to be alright. I wasn't sure why I let him come, but I was glad I did. He stayed for three days that I  spent sick, clearly as a result of how stressed I was. He took good care of me and left after insisting that I went to Paris for his birthday. It was probably the worst idea in the world given the circumstances, and I thought I was lying to him when I nodded in agreement. I couldn't go; it would be bad for everyone if I did.

I only turned my phone back on once he was gone. The first person I called was Nick, apologizing, and telling him that I was on board with the idea of making a statement. He came to my house later that day; he didn't mention anything about my days in the treehouse or the fact that flying Harry to the States only fed the beast. But he advised me on many things instead, like a father. The main one was that I should get a bodyguard to avoid getting mobbed on my every move until things settled down, I agreed.

Once Nick left, I took my phone to text my friends in our group.

":)" I texted not knowing what to say.

It only took twenty seconds for Amy to reply, "You little shit, open a bottle of wine, I'll be right there."

I sighed in relief. Half an hour later both Amy and J were at my house. It took Lena a couple of extra days and a few phone calls to talk to me again. I explained everything to them, although it was hard to have an excuse for why I lied. I couldn't even understand it myself.

On January 25th it was published. The statement acknowledging that Matt and I were no longer a couple was out. It was only then that I realized why I had been against making a statement, things got real at that very second. Our breakup was just an idea until that moment and I wasn't ready.

He hated me; he didn't even want to talk to me. Any hope I secretly had of getting back together with him was long gone. I started hyperventilating as tears streamed down my cheeks. With the room spinning around me and my phone going crazy in the background I decided it.

I was going to Paris.