Finally

Chapter 22

Harry's P.O.V.

I didn't expect to be coming home so early. Turns out it was just a little tour around the UK. Nothing big. Which was good. I'm glad to be back... kind of. I'm just not looking forward on seeing Miranda. I know that she has seen the article about me and Rachel in one of her monthly magazines. She stopped texting me for a week after it got published.

I'm such an idiot. I should have told Miranda that I was coming to town. Instead, I told Rachel and she came to pick me up and the airport. Urg, why did I have to say yes to her? Probably because she's super good looking. Don't get me wrong, she's a nice person but I think part of me just wanted her because of how she looked. Plus, I didn't want to hurt her. Now I'm having second thoughts.

I'm currently at the mall with Rachel, who insisted that I help her find a prom dress. She's graduating this year, just like Miranda. I should be helping my best friend find her dress, not this girl.

"Harry!"

I stopped thinking and looked at Rachel. "Hmm?"

"Come on! I just saw the perfect dress in here!"

She took my hand and dragged me into the store. I didn't really have a choice but to go. She grabbed the dress and went to go try it on. I stood by the change room, and pulled out my phone, debating whether or no I should text Miranda and tell her that I'm in town. My finger lingered over the keyboard before I decided against it. The click from the door made me look up. Rachel stepped out and boy did she look good. It was a dark blue with one strap and a lacy top. She smiled.

"So?"

"Uh, wow. It looks great on you."

She giggled and said that she would buy it. I nodded and told her that I would wait outside for her. I didn't even stick around to hear her response. I definitely don't need her approval. I sat on a bench and closed my eyes.

I can't do this anymore, I thought.

I opened my eyes when I heard a high pitch voice. Rachel stood in front of me, I mean RIGHT in front of me. Our legs were touching and she was almost falling on top of me. I tried to move over but she sat down on my lap. I silently groaned. I wish she would not do this in public.

"Rachel..." I warned.

"Yes baby?"

"Someone could see us. Please don't-"

She snorted. "So what, you're embarrassed to be seen with me?"

Yes.

"No, I just don't want the pap-"

She kissed my cheek. "Oh stop it. There's no one watching us."

She kept planting kisses on my cheek. I tried not to struggle too much but I didn't like this. Then something a few feet away caught my eye. I wish that I hadn't looked. There stood Miranda, hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes. She was breathing fast and she let out a little cry. Sam and the other girl looked at us before leading Miranda away. I couldn't take it anymore. I jumped up.

"That's it, I'm done," I declared.

Rachel looked surprised. "Done what?"

"Done with this, with you. I'm tired of having to ignore my best friend all the time just because you tell me to. I'm sick of how you trash talk her and how... clingy you are. I can't take it anymore. I don't love you and I never will. It's her I love. You'll just be one of our insane fans."

I'm sure that she would cry anytime now, but I wasn't done. From the for corner of my eye, I noticed a pap taking pictures and probably a video, just like I thought.

"You're a nice person and I like you as a person but I just can't have you as my girlfriend. It's just not right. Plus, you deserve someone way better than me. Someone who isn't famous and isn't already in love with another girl. It's over Rachel."

I gave her a small smile and a wave before turning and leaving.

••••••

Walking up to her house was tougher now that I saw her cry because of me. I've seen her cry before but it's all my fault this time. There's no way that she'll forgive me this time.

Her car wasn't in the driveway so I assumed that her mum was gone to work. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After ten seconds, there was no answer. I turned the door handle and found that it was unlocked. I went in.

The house was quiet, expect for the distant crying coming from upstairs. I quietly went up and knocked on her door. She stopped crying.

"W-who is it?" she quietly asked.

"Your best friend?"

She said nothing for a bit.

"Go away!" she finally said.

I sighed. "Please, hear me out."

"Why should I? You're a jerk. I hate you. I never want to see you again!"

That hurt but I wasn't giving up.

"Miranda, listen. I wanted to tell you but she-"

"It's not always her fault Harry! You're the one who should have stood up to her earlier and told her exactly what you wanted, not wait until she had you wrapped around her finger!"

"She didn't not have me- okay maybe she did. But so what? It's all over now. I dumped her."

"I don't care if you dumped her or not. What you did really hurt. Also, you don't seem to think that our friendship is important enough."

It took everything in me to not explode. I never felt like this with her before.

"It means the world to me M. I made a mistake. We're all human and that's what we do; we make mistakes and we learn from them. I've definitely learned from mine. I don't like seeing my girl cry."

She said nothing for a minute. I was patient, I could wait all day.

"How can I trust you again?" she said.

"Let me apologize, let me explain why I agreed to be with her."

"I really don't want to hear it!"

"Please?" I begged.

Again, silence.

"No."

I groaned.

"But tell me one thing: did you lie about being happy for me when I told you about prom?"

"Yes and no. No, because I'm glad that you found a date and yes, because I don't like the fact that you're going with some bloke I don't know."

"Austin is not a bloke! He's a sweetheart; more than you'll ever be!"

Ouch.

"Oh, I'm not a sweetheart? How long have you known me for? Most of your life? Don't you go tell me that I'm NOT a sweetheart. I've done plenty of sweet things for you!"

"Yes, but recently you haven't been. You've been ignoring me."

I groaned. "You've been ignoring me! I text you and call you but you never reply!"

"That's because I'm angry at you!"

"Angry? Fantastic! I made you sad and angry!"

"Just... leave. Now."

I put my hands on the door.

"No, I'm-"

"GET OUT! I'M DONE WITH YOU!"

"Miranda-"

"GET OUT!"

I growled and punched her door, but not enough to break it. I stomped downstairs and out of the house. I can't believe that we just had our second huge argument. I never wanted to have one again. Why does it feel like I'm being punished? There's no way I can leave her like this. I need to apologize and as soon as possible. I leave next week for to go work on our new album and I want to leave town knowing that Miranda and I are okay again.

And I know just how to win her back.