Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Don't Give Up On Us Or I'm Sorry

Hi everyone, I didn't like writing this chapter, but it's the build up for the next chapter which I have already planned out and will most likely start right after posting this. Please don't hate me! All the love, Summer xxx

The disastrous drama which our little night out had caused had happened over a week ago, but I still hadn't dared to go online and I had avoided being seen in public, as well. Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid going to work any longer, so I was currently stuck on the Tube where I was squeezed between two sweaty teenage boys who obviously hadn't discovered deodorant yet. The train came to a sudden halt and I promptly fell into the teenage girl in front of me who glared at me as if I had fallen into her on purpose. My heart fell when a look of recognition crossed her face, before her pretty face pulled into a wide sneer. "Watch where you're going, slut. No wonder, you had to move on to Ed and Liam after Harry dropped you." she spat at me and crossed her arms in front of her chest, giving me a sweet smile, before taking out her phone.

"Excuse me, please." I said to the woman in front of me and swiftly pushed past her to escape the Tube, even though I still had one stop to go. Keeping my head down, I pushed through the crowd and finally made it to the exit, letting out a sigh of relief. Picking up my tempo, I rushed through the streets to work and made it just on time, slightly out of breath, but at least not bothered by another person on my way. My boss shot me a weird look when I dropped my bag off in the staff room and pinned my name tag to my blouse. "Claire, could I talk to you for a minute?" she asked me and I felt my heart sink when I saw the look on her face.

I followed her into her small, personal office where she offered me a seat, before she closed the door behind us and sat down behind her desk. "Claire, you are one of our best members of staff and an excellent receptionist." she started off and gave me a small smile, but her tone told me that wasn't the reason why she had called me into her office. "I, um, I don't know how to put this...." she trailed off and I stayed quiet and watched, my hands clasped tightly together in my lap. "Eh, I am aware that I have no say in your private life, love, but your, um, relationship with Mr Styles caused some, um, negative reactions last week which have not only affected him, but also you and your reputation. And unfortunately, the reputation of our staff reflects on the hotel and for this reason we sadly have to ask you to leave." she finished and sent me an apologetic smile.

I was completely in shock. "I... I'm fired because of who I'm dating?" I asked hesitantly, needing her to explicitly confirm it to me again. She nodded and gave me a tight smile. "Unfortunately, your reputation and actions reflect badly on our hotel and we can't allow that to happen. I am very sorry, Claire, please know that this wasn't an easy decision." Feeling numb, I only nodded and got up, my boss copying my actions. "You can leave your name tag in the staff room. Your last pay check will be sent to you within the next few days." After another fake smile in my direction, she shut the door behind her and I made my way back to the staff room, where I removed my name tag and left my staff card on the table, before I walked back outside onto the bustling streets of London.

My whole body seemed to be in a state of shock and I aimlessly walked through London's inner city, until I was nearly hit by an ambulance which unexpectedly drove around a corner. "Oi, do you wanna jump in the back?" one of the paramedics shouted out of the window and I jumped, suddenly snapped out of my state of indifference. "Sorry." I mumbled embarrassed and quickly looked down at my feet when I felt the stares of the passersby. 

After this incident, I finally decided to return home, hoping that Lily wouldn't be home because I didn't really felt like talking. The only thing I wanted to do was curl up into a ball and cry. I missed Harry, who I had talked to every single day since our little fight, and I have had one of the worst days ever so far and was craving his soothing touch and calming hugs. As soon as I had entered the flat, I called for Lily who seemed to be out and immediately made my way to my room, where I slumped down on my bed and burst into tears.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but I must have been crying for a while when my phone rang. "Hello?" I sniffled and tried to sound like I hadn't spent the last hour or so crying on my bed. "Claire, are you alright, love? Are you crying?" Harry's concerned voice sounded through the speaker and I had to bite my lip to stiffle another sob. "No." I whimpered, but a loud sob escaped my lips, making my obvious lie even less believable. "I know you're lying, Claire, please talk to me. What's wrong? Can I help you in anyway?" he sounded so concerned and his voice made me miss him even more.

"Someone called me a slut today and I just got fired from my job for being with you." I cried into the phone and wiped my tear-stained cheeks with an already damp and crumbled tissue. "They what?! I am so sorry, Claire, I am so, so sorry." Harry sounded heartbroken. "It's not your fault." I sniffled into the phone and I heard him sigh at the other end. "It kind of is. Is there anything I can do to help you?" he asked me and I nearly held back the words I said next, but then said them anyway, even though it broke my heart in the process. 

"I don't know if I can do this anymore, Harry. I love you so, so much, but I don't know how much more I can take. I can ignore the hate online, but I won't be able to hide from the outside world forever and I don't think I want to spend the rest of my life being called a slut whenever I leave the house. And I don't want to lose, or only get a job, because of you, Harry. I am so sorry." I cried into the phone, unable to hold back my tears. "No, no, no, don't you dare to give up on us right now, Claire, don't you fucking dare!" Harry sounded angry and hurt, but before I could say something else he continued.

"I know that this situation sucks and I know that I come with a lot of baggage, but I love you so much Claire, and I can't bear the thought of losing you. Yes, dating me won't be easy, but you are so incredibly strong and we've already mastered far more difficult situations together, so please don't give up now. We're a team, Clairy. Please don't give up on me." he pleaded and I could tell from his voice that he was crying, as well. "I'm sorry, Harry, but I can't do this right now. Take care." I whispered into the phone, before I hung up on him, feeling like the most selfish person who had ever walked this earth. But I felt like I would break if I didn't put myself first for once in my life.