Before She Falls

Chapter 43

A week later.

I step through the automatic doors of Stop & Shop. My mom is making me run some errands for her while she's out at the office all day. I almost forced Drew to do them all for me but it's Sunday and I have to go out to go to the gym anyway. So instead, I let Drew stay home and play Grand Theft Auto while Madison finishes all of her homework.

So here I am in the local grocery store with my sweaty hair tied into a ponytail, Nike Pro shorts hug my hips, and a Boston University t-shirt to finish off my gym outfit. My sneakers scuff against the tile floor as I grab a plastic basket and make my way to complete the first items on my mother's list of groceries; fruits.

My phone starts to ring and I'm not surprised when the screen reads the name.

Incoming Call: Harry Styles

Harry has been calling me a lot in the past week, well since the boys kicked off the first leg of their tour. He calls me whenever he can which seems to always be these three times: around lunch time, right as I'm about to go to bed or at the crack of dawn when my eyes don't want to open. But I can't complain, because I miss him too much to not take an opportunity to hear his voice. Pathetic? A little bit, I must admit but it's hard not to fall for a guy like Harry.

"What's up Styles?" I squeeze my iPhone between my ear and my shoulder and drop a few apples into the provided plastic bag.

"Hi babe" he hums through the phone and I'm barely able to hear him over the overwhelming amount of background noise. But the word, babe, is fully audible to me. It sounds so natural coming from him, but it also makes me suck in a breath. He has never called me babe before. But I love the way it sounds when his accent is added to it; makes it sound even more endearing.

"Isn't it late? Shouldn't you be performing?" I ask as I stroll down the dairy aisle. It's three o'clock in the afternoon here in New York, and adding five hours to that makes it eight o'clock at night in London.

"We're about to go out in five minutes" Harry replies. "I just wanted to call and talk to you first."

"How romantic of you" I tease over the phone and grab a package of strawberry yogurt and place it in my basket.

"S'nice to know you're so happy to speak with me" Harry chuckles.

"I am!" I respond defensively. "Are you nervous or anything for the show?"

"A little bit, to be honest. Mum's here with Gemma and Robin, so that always freaks me out a tad" Harry sighs heavily. "But I know it'll be a good show."

"It's always a good show with you in it" I flirt with Harry over the phone as I pick out a box of Frosted Flakes from the top shelf.

"You sound like such a fan girl" he cackles into my ear. "S'cute. I've always wanted to date one."

"You are such an ass" I roll my eyes at his annoying comments.

"Hm, I miss you" he purs and the raspy sound gives me goosebumps on my arms.

"I miss you too, Haz. Hey, less than two weeks left, right?" My voice raises an octave when I ask.

"Twelve days to go" Harry corrects with satisfaction rolling off his tongue. "I have a countdown."

My only response is a laugh.

"I have to go" his voice is quick and a monotone.

"Call me afterwards and tell me how it goes?"

"I'll FaceTime ya, even better" I can just picture Harry's smile as his voice vibrates through the phone's speaker.

"Have fun tonight, you'll do great. Tell the boys I say hi" I hum happily while proceeding to the self-check out station.

"Will do, babe" Harry replies. "I'll video chat with you tonight."

"Alright, love you Harry" I end the conversation at that.

"Byeee. I love you too" the phone call disconnects while I'm grabbing my bags of yogurt, cereal, and fruit.

"Katrina!" A voice calls from behind me and I instinctively whip my head around to see who wants my attention.

I wish I didn't turn around because there is Mark Hunting joggling over to me with two bags in each of his hands.

"Hey" he breathes when he is finally standing in front of me. "When did you get back?"

I let a moment pass before I reply, "A week ago."

"Did you get my texts?"

"Yes and to be honest I don't think there's anything we need to discuss. I made a mistake and it's over now" I spin on the heels of my Nike trainers and continue my path to the store's exit.

"It's not over" Mark's voice trails behind me. "You know there was something there between us that night."

"I don't even remember doing anything, Mark!" I raise my voice and some random people checking out and paying for their groceries turn to stare at the two of us. "I was completely drunk and you know it."

Mark speeds up to my pace as I eventually reach the door to leave. It's extremely hot and sticky outside and the humidity seems to heighten my annoyance when Mark speaks again.

"You can't tell me you don't remember anything we did!"

"Yes, I can because I don't fucking remember! Clearly, I was not fully conscious of my decisions that night or it never would have happened. Why don't you understand that I don't want you anymore?!" I'm practically screaming at him in the parking lot and I feel numerous eyes on me as I continue to my car.

Mark stops in his tracks and his volume lowers, even though his shoulders are still tense, "You wanted me that night. Admit it."

"I was drunk!" I yell, but bring my voice back down to match his. "How many times do I have to say it?" I hiss and unlock my doors.

Mark stays surprisingly quiet for a few seconds as I breathe heavily, trying to slowly release my angry anyway I can.

"Is this because of what's going on with that One Direction faggot?" Mark is persistent in pissing me off today as he's standing two feet away from me while I shove my grocery bags into my back seat.

"I'm not talking to you about him, dick" I climb into the driver's seat but Mark holds the door back from me slamming it shut. "Fuck you, let go."

"Are you guys actually together or just fucking each other?" A stupid smirk creeps onto Mark's face and I want to punch him. I want to smack that fucking grin right off of his face.

"Why do you always have to be such a fucking douche bag?" I try my best to pull my car door closed but Mark's hand is gripped tightly around it.

"Just answer me" he grumbles.

"We're together" I force a fake smile. "Now let go."

Mark slips his hand away from my door and I take the opportunity to forcefully slam it shut in front of him.

"Stay away from me" I say through the halfway open window.

I put my car into reverse and back out of my spot. I drive forward without a glance back at Mark who is left standing alone in a Stop and Shop parking lot.