Two Pieces

"You're Holding Back"

Sofia let the hot water rush over her body, it felt good after such a long training session. Liam and Zayn were back on her about training, they felt like now that things had cooled off with The Suns, it was time to get back to business. Which meant that she was back on the job, for any random problems that came up. With Dante still missing, they also wanted everyone prepared for any kind of attack. They still had no idea where he was, or what he was planning.

Zayn had not gone easy on her the last few days, and because Sofia had been slacking on training, she wasn't up to what she used to be. She was disappointed that she didn't handle herself as well as she used to in the workouts, something her father would have never allowed to happen. She shouldn't have allowed it to happen. But she had just been so distracted lately. She noticed that her new normal had taken her focus off her job, something that she didn't ever want to happen. But something she wasn't quite sure she could stop either. It was almost like she couldn't control what her brain chose to think about.

She struggled with it a lot. She was trying to enjoy her new life, but she felt guilty that she wasn't what she used to be. She often thought about what her father would think if he were still here and could see her. Liam, of course, made it clear that she wasn't doing anything wrong and it was okay to just be a teenager sometimes. But, Sofia couldn't help but think that it wasn't okay. She couldn't help but think that she was somehow weaker because of it.

Harry didn't help. She was so caught up in him, that often he was the only thing in her head. She knew that meant weakness, not matter what anyone else tried to tell her. She shouldn't allow herself to think about him so much, or get caught up in their moments together, but she found it harder to control. As hard as she tried to keep him at arms length, she found that it was nearly impossible.

Her brain told her that she should cut it off before something terrible happened, and her distraction led to someone getting hurt or her being unprepared. But her hormones and feelings couldn't help themselves. A part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and enjoy it, but there was the other part of her that knew better. She was struggling with how to move forward when it came to him.

Sofia rubbed her eyes, hoping to wipe some of the exhaustion away, but she wasn't sure it was working. She was tired. She was tired of juggling everything, she was tired of feeling everything, and she was tired of always second guessing herself these days. She was tired of putting on the act that she had it all figured out. It was starting to put a strain on her. It wasn't that Harry was the strain, just all of the thoughts and feelings that came with him.

This is exactly why she avoided boys in the first place. This is why she had never continued on with any of the many men that showed interest. Because she knew that this would happen. This is why she stayed firm in just having fun, and being able to bail if she ever felt it necessary. This is why she continued to say over and over that she wasn't a commitment kind of person. Because commitment was too hard. She wasn't even committed to him, and she was struggling.

But she also felt differently then the way she was acting. And that frustrated her too. She had always been able to control her feelings, mostly because she didn't allow herself to have any. She was saying one thing, and feeling another when it came to Harry.

She had grown quite attached to him. They spent most of their time together. He made her laugh, he made her talk, and he made her think. They had fun doing nothing, and they had fun doing anything. She looked forward to seeing him, she missed him when he wasn't around. The whole sex thing wasn't too bad either. She wasn't sure what she thought it would be like when she started sleeping with someone, but she sure as hell didn't think it'd be this.

Sure, she could still bail if she wanted too. She had made that clear. But the problem was, she found herself more and more less willingly or wanting to bail.

"You've been in there forever," Harry's voice came from her bathroom door, surprising her.

"If you aren't out soon, I'm coming in. Just to make sure you haven't drowned of course."

Sofia rolled her eyes at his words. She's pretty sure Harry was very aware that she was fine and well in that shower. He just wanted an excuse to see her naked again, and maybe take her like she was. Right there in the shower. They hadn't tried shower sex yet, but it was on her list of things she wanted to do with him.

"Relax," she called out, "It's my shower. I'll take as long as I want with it."

"5 more minutes," Harry barked back, though she could hear the humor in his voice, "Or I'm coming in."

Sofia wasn't sure what it was about Harry, she was so used to seeking the boys out, and making the moves on them. She was used to having all the control, and having them wrapped around her finger. She was used to being able to manipulate them and have them do what she wanted.

But with Harry, it was so different. She found herself wanting to do what he wanted. He set the pace. He would seek her out, and he had her on lock. He had no problem just walking in to her room and taking her whenever he felt he wanted. Sofia found it very hot, so she wasn't complaining.

She noticed that he seemed almost desperate to be with her these days. Not that she didn't enjoy it, or have fun, but she wondered if it was because he was trying to make it clear that he could have her whenever he wanted, and that she was his to have. She didn't mind that either.

As with every other aspect of their relationship, if you could call it that, Harry held the power. And she let him. He set the pace, he chose when and where, he was always so in control. Sofia didn't mind that either, it relaxed her. When she was with him, she didn't think at all. It was like he did all the thinking. It's not that she couldn't initiated it, she could. But she wasn't comfortable doing that quite yet, and he was always so willing and ready, she didn't really feel the need too.

His control was becoming a problem though, and not in the way she thought it might be either. Harry had always been possessive, protective, and passionate, so she was surprised when that wasn't a feature of him when he was sleeping with her. It wasn't his control over her that was becoming the problem, but the he held control over himself. Sometimes she could see that he wanted even more control, that he wanted to do something different, and that he wanted to be raw and rough, but he always held back.

She wondered what it was about her that forced him to be so in control of himself. She always knew Harry liked to control other people, but she also knew he didn't really care about controlling himself. He was usually so open and raw, it scared people. But he was holding back with her, and she wanted to know why. She hadn't found a way to bring it up yet, but she knew it was something that would have to come up, because it was driving her crazy.

"Didn't I say 5 more minutes?" Harry asked, yanking back the curtain, and surprising Sofia yet again. She quickly tried to cover herself up, only to have Harry give her a look that said are you kidding me.

"I've seen it all before, love," he said with a grin.

"Yeah well, if you ever want to see it again you'll get out and let me finish my shower," Sofia barked, shoving him away from the curtain.

He grabbed her hand tightly, and for a second a spark of something went through his eyes, but when she gasped in surprise, the spark was gone and his grip loosened immediately.

"Hurry up," he whined, acting as though he hadn't just totally changed his mind about something. That. That was what was driving her crazy.

"I'll be right out," she said. Harry nodded quickly before closing the curtain and returning to whatever he was doing in her room.

It was weird because Harry had no problem being rough or out of control with her at any other time, only when she was naked. They still argued with each other, and he still found the need to bark orders at her and put her in her place when he thought it was necessary. He was still rough when he yelled at her, and he still got into her face. But never when they were naked together. His whole demeanor changed, even when Sofia could tell he didn't want it to. It was starting to make her question everything she thought they had together.

Sofia shut off the water, and stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a towel. After she dried off, and got dressed, she stepped out, only to see Harry inspecting her room.

"What are you doing?" she asked, causing him to look up at her surprised.

"I never noticed how neat you were," Harry said, "I mean, this room is spotless."

"Yeah, I like to where my things are and I like to know if anyone has touched them," Sofia said, giving him a warning look.

"What's with the look?" Harry asked, "If I wanted to go through your stuff, I wouldn't keep it a secret. I'd just go through it."

"And I'd kill you," Sofia said.

"You could try. But why? Got something to hide?" Harry asked, "Love notes from all your boyfriends? A deep dark journal? Pictures of all the things you were never meant to be
doing?"

Sofia snorted, and though he said it with humor, she knew he was really asking. Not that she would give him an answer on what she kept in her room or where she kept them. Some things she had to keep for herself. Her room was one of them.

Although, that was quickly changing too. It seemed like more and more of Harry's things kept winding up in there.

"You know," Harry said, picking his airplane necklace off her dressed, "I didn't give you this so it could sit on your dresser."

"I didn't think you did," Sofia said, with an eye roll.

"Well, why don't you wear it?" Harry barked, turning to her, frustration in his eyes.

"I don't know," Sofia shrugged, "I guess I just never had the occasion to wear it."

"It goes with everything," Harry growled, "You could wear it with anything."

"It's just a necklace, Harry," Sofia said, sitting on her bed, "Me not wearing it doesn't mean anything."

"Great," Harry quipped, with a sly grin, "Then it shouldn't mean anything if you do wear it either."

He had her there. She had stepped right into that one.

It was just a necklace, she told herself.

"Touché," Sofia mumbled, as Harry approached her with the necklace.

"See? You don't want to wear it! I can here it in your voice," Harry said, his voice almost accusing.

"I didn't say that," Sofia said.
Sometimes he read too much into things. Or was she reading too much into it? They both seemed to be reading way too much into a necklace.

"If you don't want to –" Harry said, his voice even more frustrated, almost on the edge of anger.

"Oh Jesus Christ," Sofia snapped, standing from the bed and snatching the necklace from him, "If it means that much to you, I'll wear the damn necklace."

"No," Harry said, "I don't want you to wear it if you don't want to. I just want to know why you don't want to."

"I want to wear it!" Sofia snapped at him, throwing the necklace around her neck.

She'd rather wear the necklace, then get into a fight about it.

"Don't snap at me," Harry said, before admiring the necklace around her neck. It suited her.
Except for the fact that she looked like she had just put an 'I belong to..' tag on. She kind of had, Harry thought to himself, it was a symbol of him on her and that made him feel good.

"Don't look so terrified, Sofia," Harry said, rolling his eyes, "It's just a necklace."

A necklace she had put on to make him happy. But it also made her happy too. She fingered the paper airplane softly and thought it was a nice feeling to have it there, like he was with her at all times.

Maybe the necklace wasn't just a necklace. To either of them.


***



"Have you seen Antonio? He's back at school today," Emily said, slipping next to Sofia as Sofia sat outside eating her lunch.

"Was he ever out of school?" Sofia asked, giving Emily a confused look.

"Of course he was, it's been weeks," Emily hissed quietly, "You're just too wrapped up in Harry to notice anything these days."

"That's not true," Sofia snapped, "I just have more important things to do then pay attention to Antonio Lucas. He doesn't have shit on us anymore, so why would I care what he does? As long as he leaves me alone, I could care less when he comes and goes."

"Yeah, you say that now, because you haven't seen him," Emily said.

"What do you mean?"

"Look!" Emily hissed, pointing subtly.
Sofia looked up to see Antonio Lucas limping across the courtyard. He was bruised, he had cuts, and his leg was wrapped up, and he wasn't moving very quick at all.

"Holy shit," Sofia gasped, her eyes getting wide, before she looked over at Emily.

"What the hell happened between him and Isaac?" Emily asked, "I mean, you know Isaac did that, right? It had to have been Isaac..."

"I didn't ask, and Isaac didn't seem willing to give me details," Sofia said, "And he's been avoiding me like the plague since."

"You aren't curious to know what happened between the two of them?" Emily asked, "I mean, I knew Isaac had a temper, but I never thought ..."

"Antonio had it coming," Sofia snapped, defending Isaac, "You don't play with a lion if you don't want to get torn from limb to limb."

"Maybe so," Emily said, shaking her head, "But I have a feeling that that beat down is going to cause some resentment."

"Oh please," Sofia said, rolling her eyes, "Antonio Lucas can be resentful all he wants. He'll never have enough power to do anything about it."

"If you say so," Emily said, still unsure, "How are things going with Harry?"

"Fine," Sofia said, her voice stiff as though she didn't want to talk about it.

"Fine, huh?" Emily said, pushing her friend, "You seem a little more then fine these days. You almost seem happy."

"My happiness has nothing to do with boys," Sofia said, "It never has and it never will."

"Okay," Emily said, holding her hands up in mock surrender, "Sorry for asking."

"I'm just sick of everyone making a big deal out of me and Harry," Sofia said, "It's not a big deal. I got to go..."

"Where are you going?" Emily asked, looking at Sofia surprised.

"To find Isaac," Sofia said.

"Is that really a good idea?" Emily said, giving Sofia a frustrated look.

"Since when do I care about whether something is a good idea or not?" Sofia asked, before walking away quickly.

It didn't take her long to find Isaac, he usually spent his lunch in the gym, and lucky for her he was the only one in the gym.

"I saw Antonio," Sofia said, surprising Isaac as he turned around to look at her.

"I heard he was back," Isaac said, his voice rough, "A little too soon if you ask me."

"What the hell were you thinking?" Sofia snapped, crossing her arms over her chest, "He's a mess, Isaac."

"I wasn't thinking," Isaac barked, "I called him, told him I had money and a meeting, and when I saw him I just snapped..."

"You snapped?!" Sofia cried, "You know better then that. What if he goes to the police?"

"If he was going to do that, he would've gone weeks ago. Just because you've just realized what happened, doesn't mean anything," Isaac growled, "I don't know what you're so upset about, I handled it. I handled your problem."

"I just don't get what you were thinking," Sofia said, her voice exasperated.

"I was thinking you were going to get yourself killed, and that wasn't acceptable to me," Isaac said, looking away from her.

"So you just beat the shit out of him because you were afraid I was going to get hurt?" Sofia hissed, "Don't you think that's something we could've discussed?!"

"NO!" Isaac yelled, "Because you were going to get hurt over pictures that didn't mean anything to you..."

"Excuse me?" Sofia snapped at him.

"Oh come on," Isaac growled, rolling his eyes, "I didn't mean anything to you. I was just a distraction and a good time to keep you from real life..."

"That not –"

"It is true!" Isaac barked, "Come on, you weren't even going to let us be anything real, it's not in your nature. I didn't mean anything to you. And that's fine, I'm over it. But you mean something to me. And what we did meant something to me. And when I saw him, I just snapped. Because you were going to say something, and get yourself killed. And I don't want to live in a world where you aren't here, so I snapped. Because keeping you alive was important to me. Even if it means only seeing you across a hall, or from a distance. At least you're still there."

Sofia felt her heart stop. Isaac had been such a good friend to her. Even though she had basically used him to make herself feel better. And what he had just said really warmed her heart. It was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever said to her. What he did was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever done for her. Sofia took a step toward him, cocking her head to the side, and putting her hands on his face.

"You do mean something to me," Sofia said quietly, "What you did for me, it will always mean something."

She wasn't just talking about Antonio, and she knew that Isaac knew that. He had done so much more for her. She pulled him towards her, and kissed him.
She hated the way things ended between them, and she wanted them to have a better ending, if they were going to end at all. She wanted to tell him how much she appreciated him, and this was how she wanted to do it. She smiled against his lips, as he grabbed her hips and gripped them tightly.

She backed him against the wall, and her hands went to the bottom of his shirt. But before she could pull it off, her hands froze.

It was weird, having a moment like this with someone who wasn't Harry. She pushed the thought from her head, and pushed Harry from her head, because it was ridiculous that he was one her mind in a moment like this.

But in the moment she took to pause, it gave Isaac a chance to come to his senses. He pushed her away quickly, shaking his head, while he eyes looked around.

"We can't do this," Isaac said, "Not anymore."

"I know," Sofia said sadly, "I know, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Isaac said, "It was nice, one last time."

Sofia smiled up at him sadly, before she stood on her toes to kiss his cheeks.

"I'll see you around, Isaac," she said, before turning and leaving the gym and him behind. She wasn't sure, but she was pretty sure she had heard him say goodbye. Goodbye. She hated that word, and the feeling that came with it.



***


Walking out of school with Emily and Katie, Chase stepped in front of the three of them with a sly grin on his face.

"Ladies," he greeted with a smile.

"Chase," Sofia said, with a smile that was just as flirty.

"I couldn't help but overhear you talking that you might be going out to the club tonight," Chase said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"It's not very polite to eavesdrop, you know," Sofia said.

"Oh, well, I'm not a polite guy," Chase said, stepping up to her, "But you already know that, don't you?"

"Very well," Sofia said, ignoring Emily's pulling on her shirt.

"Well, it just so happens I'll be at the club tonight too, with some of the boys," Chase said, "Any chance maybe we'll see each other?"

"I think the chances are high," Sofia said, as Emily began to yank at her shirt harder.

"And the chances of us hanging out?" Chase asked

"Also high," Sofia replied.

"And dancing?" Chase asked, stepping even closer to her.

"Well, I do love to dance," Sofia said, grinning even wider at how happy Chase was, "It'd be nice to have a partner."

"Well, then I guess I'll see you tonight," Chase said.

But before Sofia could say anything else, she felt hands on her hips.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," she heard Harry's voice say. She turned to see his face, not able to hide her surprise.

"What are you doing here?" Sofia asked, looking past him to see Niall and Zayn leaning on his car, both watching carefully.

"Thought I'd surprise you," Harry said quietly, but his eyes weren't coming off Chase.

"I'm surprised," Sofia said, locking her jaw, and sending a tiny glare up at him.

"Well then, I've succeeded," Harry said, his voice calm and cool, and totally ignoring the look on her
face.

"I wasn't expecting you to pick me up," Sofia said, "I have to go pick up an assignment from a teacher, so... if you want to go... I'll just meet you at home."

"I'll wait," Harry said, his voice still calm, but he was still looking at Chase. He did glance down at Sofia quickly, with his eyebrows raised, as though daring her to argue.

"Okay," Sofia said slowly, her jaw locking even more, as she moved out of his arms. Harry let her go, but with some resistance.

"You can come with me," Sofia said, pulling at his shirt a bit, as he continued to glare at Chase.

"I'll catch up," he said, not even looking at her.

But the tone in his voice told her that the conversation was over. There was no point in arguing with him, or trying to pull him along with her.

"Fine," Sofia snapped, before stomping away from him, Katie and Emily quickly following after her, probably wanting to get as far away from Chase and Harry as they could right now.

Harry looked at Chase, and crossed his arms quickly.

"I'm pretty sure I told you to stay the hell away from Sofia," Harry growled, his voice low.

"I'm pretty sure if Sofia felt the same, I'd listen. But she doesn't," Chase said, with a smug smile on his face that Harry just wanted to wipe off.

"Stay the hell away from her," Harry said, "This is your last warning."

"Listen man, I think we got off on the wrong foot –"

"No, you and me didn't get off at all," Harry said, "I don't like you. I don't trust you. And I don't want you near her. So stay away from her."

"Man, even I stayed away from her," Chase said, shrugging, "What makes you think she'd stay away from me? She wouldn't stay away from me. It's in her nature to soak up attention when it's being given to her..."

"Well then I suggest that when she moves your way, you go the opposite way. If you know what's good for you," Harry said, his voice going even lower, "I'm not someone you want to cross. Especially when it comes to Sofia."

"It's a little desperate isn't it bro?" Chase asked, "Chasing after a girl who's still in school? Trying to scare off people her own age? I mean, it's even more desperate thinking you could have something with a girl like Sofia. She's not into that kinda thing, and everyone knows that. But if you want I could tell you all about what she is into. She really likes when --"

"Shut your mouth," Harry growled, stepping toward Chase.

"I've seen many guys like you, bro," Chase said, still not intimidated, "Chasing after her, thinking they'll be the one that she changes for. I almost feel bad for you. If you knew her at all, you would know you don't have a shot in hell..."

"You don't know what the hell your talking about," Harry hissed, "You don't know her."

"I know that she's intrigued by you now," Chase said, "Maybe cause your older, maybe cause you're something different. But she'll be over the whole thing soon. She always is. She never sticks around"

Harry hated the way that Chase was grinning at him. He also hated the way he was talking about Sofia. Mostly because, at least a part of what he was saying was true.

"I'm about to wipe that smirk off your face," Harry growled, stepping forward again, "If you don't shut your God damn mouth."

"Funny," Chase said, "Sofia likes it when my mouth is wide open and she really likes –"

Harry went to grab him, but before he could he
felt a pair of arms on his shoulders holding him back.

"Not a good move," Zayn said, "He's in school. We don't beat up teenagers."

"Not even ones that need their mouth wired shut?" Harry barked, still glaring at Chase, and trying to get his temper in check.

"Walk," Niall said to Harry, shoving Harry towards the car.

Harry did move, but slowly, glaring at Chase the whole way.

Zayn turned to glare at Chase, crossing his arms over his chest. Sofia was coming back out of the school, and walked up to the two of them, confused as to what was going on. It was clear something had happened, and she wasn't happy about it.

"What's going on?" Sofia asked.

"Nothing, let's go," Zayn said, his voice rough.

"Seriously, what happened?"

"Move, Sofia! Now!" Zayn barked, pointing to the car.

Sofia gave Chase a confused and questioning look, and he waved at her as though to blow whole thing off. As her and Zayn walked away, her phone buzzed.

See you tonight, then.


***


"This is ridiculous," Sofia yelled, slamming her books down on her desk.

"What's ridiculous is you stomping around, yelling, and slamming things around," Harry growled, "You're acting childish. So you better watch yourself."

"You're telling me to watch myself?!" Sofia screeched, "You think I'm acting childish? Are you out of your mind?!"

"ARE YOU?!" Harry yelled, stepping towards her, "You must be if you think you're going to yell at me like that."

"You cannot just come to my school and cause a scene with my friends!" Sofia barked, although she did lower her voice a bit.

"That's where you're wrong," Harry said, stepping forward and pointing his finger at her, "I can show up wherever I want, whenever I want, and do whatever the hell I want."

"What is your problem right now?" Sofia hissed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"My problem is you know exactly how I feel about that guy, and you were flirting with him anyway..."

"I wasn't flirting! And so what if you feel a certain way about him?" Sofia barked, "He's my friend, and you don't get to say who I hang out with!"

"Like hell I don't!" Harry growled, stepping toward her again, "When I tell you to do something, you better fucking listen!"

"You don't own me, Harry!" Sofia barked, throwing her hands up.

"This isn't about owning you!" Harry barked back, "This is about knowing what is best for you, and that guy, is not a good guy!"

"I can see and do whatever I want, and Chase is a friend, he hangs out with my friends, and I'm not going to stop just because you're jealous!"

"You think I'm jealous! I'm not jealous of him," Harry scoffed, "This isn't about being jealous! I don't trust this guy, and that should be enough for you..."

"It's not!" Sofia barked, "You don't get to dictate my thoughts and feelings on things, Harry! I have to find them out myself! So you need to back off!"

"I'm not going to back off," Harry yelled, "This is ridiculous! How the hell are we arguing over this douche bag?! HE DRUGGED YOU!"

"NO HE DIDN'T!" Sofia screamed, waving her hands around, "I TOOK THE DRUGS! I DID THAT! ON MY OWN!"

"You are so stubborn sometimes!" Harry screamed, "You can't even see what's right in front of your face!"

"Right now, I just want to punch the only thing in front of my face!" Sofia screamed back, shoving Harry back.

"Did you just shove me?!" Harry hissed, grabbing her hands tightly and glaring at her with his eyes narrowed in anger.

"You should've backed off," Sofia barked, "I mean it Harry, you don't get to dictate my life. You don't own me. Let go of my arms!"

"Make me!" Harry hissed at her, "I dare you!"

"You are being unbelievable!" Sofia said, wiggling out of his grip, "Sometimes you make me so angry!"

"Yeah, well, same goes for me! Sometimes you make me so angry!" Harry hissed, "I just want to –"

"You want to what?!" Sofia yelled, "Come on tough guy! Show me what you wanna do!"

Harry didn't respond, he just shoved Sofia against her bookshelf, so her hands were pinned about her head. His tight was hard, and his hips were on her, his eyes wide with anger, and for a second, lust.

Sofia gasped out in surprise, and she cursed herself when she did, because the second she did, Harry let go of her hands, and stepped back. Sofia let out a cry of frustration, causing Harry to look up in surprise.

"You're doing it again!" Sofia screeched, shaking her head at him.

"Doing what?" Harry asked, turning away from her.

"Holding back," Sofia said, "You're holding back."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Harry asked.

"I see it in your eyes, Harry!" Sofia said, "You want to be rough, and you want to do something, and then you 2nd guess yourself, and you hold back. Don't lie to me!"

"I'm not holding back," Harry said, lying anyway even though she had just told him not too.

"I want you to show me," Sofia said, causing Harry to take a step back.

"Show you what?" Harry asked

"What it was like, for the other girls..." Sofia said quietly.

"What other girls?" Harry asked, even though he knew exactly what other girls she was talking about.

"The other girls, that you didn't hold back from," Sofia barked, "Show me!"

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about," Harry said quietly, not looking at her.

"Oh I don't?" Sofia barked, "So when you told me you liked control in the bedroom, and you liked girls to behave a certain way or there were consequences, what was that?"

"I was trying to explain something to you," Harry cried out, throwing his arms up, "I didn't mean that—"

"That what?!" Sofia barked, "That you wanted to do that with me?!"

"You're twisting my words!" Harry cried louder.

"How many other girls are there, Harry?" Sofia asked, "How many other girls have you been with and not held back with?!"

"YOU'RE NOT LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS!" Harry yelled.

"CLEARLY!" Sofia screamed, "BECAUSE APPARENTLY YOU COULD BE WHO YOU ARE WITH AM, AND YOU CLEARLY CAN'T BE THAT WITH ME!"

"That's not –" Harry said his voice suddenly quiet, stepping toward her with his hand reaching for her.

"It is true!" Sofia barked, "And I'm really sick of you acting like I don't know you as well as I do, or that I can't see that you are hiding something from me."

"You don't understand –" Harry said, taking another step toward her, but she stepped back.

"DON'T touch me!" Sofia barked, "I am not an idiot, so don't treat me like I am."

"Sofia, listen," Harry said, trying to reach out for her again.

"Unless your going to touch me they way you really want to," Sofia said, "With the anger and lust and all, don't touch me at all!"

Harry's hand went to his side, as he glared at her. He was questioning what his next move was going to
be, and Sofia could tell. But he thought too long.

"Get out," Sofia said.

"Sofia –"

"I'm over this conversation," Sofia said, "Get out, until you can be real with me."

Harry didn't say anything, as she turned from him. Everything in him wanted to show her how real he could be, but she wasn't like the other girls, and he wanted to do everything with her the right way. And it wasn't right, what he did before. So, he remained silent, and left the room.



***


"Are you really not going to talk to me?" Harry growled, later that night, as Sofia drank on the couch in the club, "How long you going to keep this shit up?

"I'll talk," Sofia said, watching Harry's face find relief, "When your honest."

"Sofia, you don't know what you're asking for –" Harry said.

"I'm asking you to be real with me," Sofia spat out, "It really isn't that difficult of a concept."

"I don't want to treat you like I treated the other girls," Harry said, "They didn't mean anything to me."

"All I hear when you say 'like the other girls' is that they got a side of you that I don't," Sofia hissed, "Now if you'll excuse me, my friends are here!"

"Sofia don't!" Harry barked, trying to grab her, but she was too fast and already moving into the crowd. Harry stood up, but Liam grabbed him.

"Not here," Liam said, shaking his head.

Harry glared at him with a look of anger, but he sat back down anyway.

"She's driving me insane," Harry hissed, looking up at Liam.

"Yeah, she has the effect on people," Liam quipped.

"Can't say you weren't warned," Niall said, giving Harry a knowing look.

"Yeah, well," Harry growled, "If she keeps it up, I'm gonna snap."

"I don't give a shit how you and Sofia sort your shit out," Liam growled, "Just don't do it in the middle of my club."

"As long as she stays in check," Harry barked, "I won't have to do it in the middle of your club. But no promises."

"You two are insane," Niall said, rolling his eyes, "And you're not even together."

"Shut up," Harry barked, before standing up and getting himself another drink.

Sofia had made her way down to her friends, smiling widely as she saw Chase and his buddies. She didn't know what Harry had said to him, but she was glad he didn't scare Chase off. Harry had no right to scare off anyone, especially if he wasn't going to be honest with her, and Sofia was about to make that clear.

"Whatcha drinking?" Chase asked.

"Vodka tonic," Sofia said.

"It's almost empty," Chase said, "Let me get you another one."

"Yes please," Sofia said, allowing him to take her hand, and lead her to the bar.

"But if I buy you drink," Chase said, "You have to give me a dance."

"Deal," Sofia answered. She was used to boys giving her one thing, but only in exchange for something. She tried to push past the fact that Harry never wanted anything from her. It was never about exchanges or deals with him.

Harry watched carefully as Sofia followed Chase to the bar. He watched as Chase bought her a drink, leaning in a little to close to whisper in her ear. Harry felt his pulse go up, and his skin get hot. He hated that she was doing this to him, but he was also very aware that she was doing it on purpose.

"What are you two arguing about?" Louis said, coming to stand next to Harry, leaning on the rail.

"I don't know," Harry said, his voice clipped.

"Oh come on," Louis said, rolling his eyes, "I know you better then that. What's going on?"

"She doesn't think I'm being completely myself," Harry said quietly.

"Well, are you?" Louis asked.

"She wants to know what it was like for the other girls," Harry said, sighing deeply.

"Oh," Louis said, his lips forming in a large Oh.

"And I keep trying to explain to her that she isn't like the other girls," Harry said, "But she doesn't want to listen or hear it."

"Harry, she might not be like the other girls, but if you're not being your true self, she might end up like the other girls," Louis said, "Someone who was just a part of your life for a fleeting moment. You don't want that do you?"

"She doesn't understand," Harry barked, turning to Louis, "I don't want to hurt her. With those other girls, I didn't think about that. I just went with whatever felt good or with what I wanted, and I didn't think about them. I don't want to do that with her. I don't know if she can handle that side of me."

"Why don't you let her decide what she can handle? She's done well with all the other sides of you," Louis asked, "They least you can do is show her."

"I don't know, man," Harry said quietly, staring out over the club.

Sofia and Chase had moved away from the bar, and onto the dance floor. Harry's hands curled into fists as he watched Sofia grind against Chase, and Chase press his hands on to her hips. Harry wasn't jealous of this guy, because he knew that he didn't stand a chance with her. But he didn't trust him, and he knew Sofia was just playing fire.

Sofia didn't know that Harry was watching her, but she knew that she had him on her mind, even as she danced against Chase. She just wanted to forget Harry and be in the moment with Chase. Harry didn't belong in her head, and she hated herself for thinking about him now, while she was with another boy.

"You're so God damn sexy," Chase yelled over the music, causing Sofia to flinch.

Harry would have whispered that in her ear or against her neck, the way she loved him to do.

She didn't know what else to do, so she just turned towards Chase, and made sure their hips were on top of each other as she pressed closer to him, continuing to dance.

"We have eyes on us," Chase shouted, looking above Sofia's head.

"Forget about the eyes," Sofia said, knowing that the more she ignored Harry, the angrier he would get. She didn't care. Actually, she did care. She wanted him to get angry.

"I think he's got a thing for you," Chase shouted, looking back down at her.

"I think your ruining the moment by talking about another guy," Sofia said.

Especially him, Sofia thought to herself.

"I don't want to do that," Chase said.

"Then just fucking dance with me," Sofia answered, putting her arms around his neck, and feeling his hands wrap tightly around her.

Harry wanted to walk away. He wanted to move away, and stop watching. He was just driving himself more and more crazy by watching this. And he knew that.
He thought he was prepared for the games Sofia was going play when she told him that she didn't want commitment, but he was not prepared for the rage he felt watching someone else put their hands on her.

"They're only dancing," Zayn said, leaning next to Louis, "You've seen her dance with other guys before. Don't let her get under your skin."

"She is under my skin," Harry barked.

"Yeah, well," Zayn said, "You just got to let her do her thing. That's what I always did. She eventually came back."

"I'm not you!" Harry barked, "And she fucking knows that."

"Whoa," Zayn said, throwing his hands up, "Don't snap at me because she's being a bitch."

"Don't call her a bitch," Harry snapped, and again Zayn threw his hands up.

"We're all kinda screwed with whatever we say," Louis mumbled to Zayn, "Don't take it personally, Harry's just in a mood..."

"I heard that," Harry snapped.

"Told you," Louis whispered to Zayn, causing Zayn to roll his eyes. He felt for Harry, as someone who had been a part of Sofia's games for a long time, it was hard not to.

"Incoming," Danielle said, appearing out of nowhere and surprising Harry, "Caroline just showed up."

"Fuck my life," Harry mumbled, "That woman has the worst timing in the world."

"Maybe you should just find somewhere else to be," Danielle said, nudging Harry in the opposite direction. But it was too late, Caroline had spotted him.

"Shit," Harry hissed.

"This is awesome," Louis said, with an amused grin pointed towards Zayn, "Remember when Harry used to be on your case about your drama with Sofia and Perrie? And now it's HIM!"

Zayn snorted, as Harry gave them both the middle finger, completely not amused by this night, or their commentary.

"Harry," Caroline greeted.

"Caroline," he said, with a curt nod.

"I tried calling you," she said.

"And I didn't pick up," Harry answered, not caring how rude he sounded, he was trying to get her to see the big picture. He wasn't in the big picture.

"You can't avoid me," Caroline said to him, her hand finding his arm, "We should really talk."

"I'm not avoiding you," Harry said, pulling away from her immediately, "I'm just not interested in anything that you have to say. I've made that clear."

He felt Danielle nudge him painfully in the ribs as Caroline's face fell sadly. He knew he was being blunt and mean, but he just didn't care. The last thing he needed was for Sofia to see Caroline here, especially with him. The would just give her more ammunition for the game she was playing.

"I just thought –" Caroline said quietly.

"Don't just think, Caroline!" Harry barked, "I've moved on, and so should you."

"They warned me," Caroline hissed, shaking her head at him, "They all warned me about you. Harry Styles, he'll use you until he's moved on to the next girl to use..."

Harry didn't say anything, but he felt his blood went cold. Yeah, that was who he was. He used girls for his pleasure. But he wasn't that guy anymore. He didn't want to use anyone, especially Sofia. He watched as Caroline stormed away.

"Harry Styles!" Danielle gasped, reprimanding him. But Harry was ignoring her and her tone, his eyes looking again for Sofia.

Her and Chase had gotten off the dance floor, instead they found a couch by the wall. Harry's eyes narrowed at how close they were sitting together.

His eyes flashed when frustration he saw Sofia looking directly at him, clearly noticing Caroline, before turning back to Chase, moving even closer to him then she was before.

This was a game to her. Well, she sure as hell wasn't going to win. He was just going to ignore the game that she was playing, he wasn't going to feed into her.

Then he watched Chases hands. First they were on Sofia's knees as he said something to her, making her throw her head back with laughter. A little too forced, if you asked Harry. But Chase's hands were still on her. And that was killing Harry. He watched as Chase put his hands all over Sofia, wherever he wanted to, and Harry felt his blood begin to boil.

Chases hands fluttered up to her neck, and Harry watched as Chase fingered the necklace on her. His necklace. Their necklace.

"That's it," Harry barked, "I'm going to get her. This is bullshit."

"Harry don't!" Liam warned, but Harry was ignoring him, his only focus was on Sofia.

"Oh shit," Zayn hissed, sending Harry's eyes back over to Sofia.

Chases hands were on her face and he was pulling her in for a kiss.

Sofia didn't know what to think when Chase's lips hit hers. His mouth was hard and rough, his tongue fighting her way into her mouth. His hands gripped her waist hard.

She panicked. Not because she felt like he was dangerous, but because he wasn't Harry. But she kissed him anyway, because at least Chase wasn't hiding from her. At least he was upfront about what he wanted and how he was going to get it. Sure, maybe he wasn't the best guy. But at least he was honest.

"Come back to mine," Chase said, finally pulling away from her.

And for a second Sofia thought about it. She could go back to his, no one could stop her. She could do whatever she wanted. She wasn't anyone's. But did she want to?

Suddenly Sofia felt a little sick. Because everything she had been overthinking came rushing back to her with that one little questions. Did she want to?

"I have to use the bathroom," Sofia said, standing up quickly and not giving Chase an answer. And then she rushed away from him.


***



When Sofia got to the bathroom, by some miracle it was empty. She went to the mirror, holding on to the sink for dear life, and stared at herself. What the hell is going on with you she thought. She splashed face with some water, trying to get her brain to pause for a second.

She heard the bathroom door slam open and Sofia looked up and through the mirror she saw Harry enter the bathroom, and lock the door behind him.

"This should be good," Sofia quipped, turning towards him with a glare.

"Now is not the time for your attitude," Harry warned.

"What is it the time for?" Sofia asked, causing Harry to pause and think about just how he wanted this to go. He knew what he wanted to do, but he was controlling himself. Now wasn't the time or place, and she was not like the other girls.

"You must be out of your damn mind," Harry finally hissed at her.

"Why's that?" Sofia asked in a tone that set Harry's entire body on fire, as she crossed her arms across her chest.

"I'm not idiot, Sofia," Harry growled, "I know that you probably have guys out there, but for you to make out with him in front of me... you must be crazy..."

"I don't owe you anything," Sofia barked, standing up straighter.

"I DON'T SHARE!" Harry yelled.

"Yeah, well," Sofia hissed, "You might want to learn to..."

"You want to know what it was like for those other girls?" Harry hissed, slowly stepping towards her, "They wouldn't dare do what you just did. They knew better. They knew not to ever let me catch them with another guy. They knew better then to cross me like that."

"Did they?" Sofia quipped, "Well, I guess I don't."

"Well, you better learn, Sofia," Harry growled, "Because I don't put up with that shit. His fucking hands were all over you, and you knew I was watching. You like to play games, but you've never played with someone like me. I'm not putting up with it."

"What are you gonna do?" Sofia said, cocking her head at him and blinking. She was intentionally baiting him. He knew it, but he was falling for it anyway.

"I'm going to tell you one last time to keep away from him," Harry barked, "Or so help God, Sofia..."

"You keep making threats!" Sofia yelled, "But when are you going to follow through on them, Harry?! I mean, Jesus, I don't even know if I take you seriously anymore! I can't believe the other girls did!"

"THOSE OTHER GIRLS KNEW THEIR PLACE!" Harry screamed, "WHY DON'T YOU FUCKING LEARN YOURS! IF YOU WANT TO BE LIKE THEM SO BAD, FUCKING DO AS YOU'RE TOLD!"

"Fuck those other girls!" Sofia growled, "I don't give a shit about them anymore. You should probably go find one of them, because I'm pretty fucking done with this. This is boring me now. I saw Caroline, you want to control someone so badly? Go fetch her."

She tried to shove past him, but he wouldn't budge. He was like a brick wall, and he shoved her back.

"I don't fucking think so," Harry growled, "I'm not fucking done with you!"

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Sofia yelled at him, "BECAUSE I AM DONE!"

"YOU'RE NOT DONE!" Harry yelled, "YOU'RE DONE WHEN I SAY YOU'RE DONE!"

"YOU'RE A FUCKING ASS!" Sofia screamed.

"You keep yelling at me," Harry hissed, "And this whole God damn club will hear me lay into your ass!"

"Is that what you want to do, Harry? Bend me over and spank me right here in this public bathroom?" Sofia growled, her eyes narrowing, as she stepped forward, "What's stopping you?"

"You have no idea what I want to do to you right now," Harry growled at her, "And if you aren't careful, you're gonna find out. So I'd suggest that you find your place real quick and get back in it."

"Funny that you mention place," Sofia said, "Because I'm just about to go to Chases place."

"Like hell you are," Harry hissed, stepping toward her.

"What?" Sofia barked, "You gonna stop me?"

"Don't push me, Sofia," Harry hissed, his voice was dangerously low, "I am trying very hard to control myself right now..."

"Stop trying to control yourself!" Sofia hissed, "You don't like what I'm doing, Harry? Do something about it!"

"I'm getting pretty sick of that mouth of yours," Harry barked, "And real sick of that tone. You just wait until we fucking get home..."

"Oh fuck you!" Sofia snapped, "I'm not going home with you!"

That was it, that was the last straw. The idea of Sofia going home with anyone else sent Harry right over the edge he had so desperately been trying to stay on.
She was about to learn just what happened when she decided to play games with him.

"Fuck me, huh? "Harry said, with a small laugh that did not sound like he found anything funny at all.

He lunged for her so fast, Sofia almost didn't see him coming. And then he grabbed her, turned her, bending her over the sink. Sofia was so taken off guard, she had to catch her breath.

"No thanks. But how about you shut that God damn mouth of yours," Harry hissed quietly and darkly in her ear, "So that I can just fuck you instead."