A Moment in the Crowd

Chapter 37: To each their own

"So what did Harry say to get you here exactly?" 

I'm changing my clothes from slutty-tight dress to casual Saturday attire. Paola's leaning on the small wooden counter in the tiny student kitchen. I share the appartement with three other girls, the kitchen and bathrooms being a shared space. Thankfully the bedrooms are private and I don't have to share that.

"When Harry Styles offers to pay for flight tickets to see your best friend in Canada, you don't exactly decline." She leans her head on her hands and laughs at me.

"Obviously, I know that. I meant what did he say exactly? We weren't even talking before today, and I didn't even know he was still here." I clarify my curiosity and she mouths an 'Ohh' before getting her phone out.

"Here, look. There's some messages." She points to the screen before passing me the phone.

Hi, I know this may seem odd but do you think you could manage a weekend to Canada? (all expenses paid) I think Lily really needs a friend right now. Let me know, H xx

I look through the rest of their responses and it's just managing how and when to get her here. He sent the first message only a few days after I stormed out of the hotel when he admitted to the incriminating magazine picture. He also made sure to mention that it should be a surprise, and initially, he hadn't planned on being a part of it at all. I'm shocked at the fact that Harry knew exactly what I needed while I was in a state that even I didn't understand.

"Shit." I stare at the screen while Pao eyes me suspiciously.

"What?" She asks with growing curiosity.

"It's just, you saw that magazine thing right?" She bows her head before sitting on the small couch.

"Yeah, I didn't want to mention it just in case you didn't know." She looks sad for me but I shake my head quickly.

"No, I knew. That's why we weren't talking. That's probably why he wanted you to come here... because I was so upset." I sigh before plopping myself down next to her on the couch.

"That sucks, but at the same time you're kind of living every girl's dream." She watches me and I smile through the intense air that had formed from the heavier topic of Harry and Kendall.

"Yeah, yeah. Rainbows and butterflies." I roll my eyes at her and we laugh together for a while.

"So I guess that means no sex with college boys huh?" She eyes me through an arched brow once the laughter has died down.

"Nope." I respond.

"Want to explain why you were dressed in last night's clothes in Harry's hotel room this morning, then?" Her eyes are brimming with curiosity and excitement at the thought.

"Fine, I told you before though. Some stuff happened, but we didn't have sex. And I definitely didn't plan on being there. I was drunk at a party and he pulled me out of some other guy's room."

I sigh at myself and can't help but feel ashamed for what I almost did, or could have done, if Harry hadn't come in.

"Scandalous. You, Lily Delcourt, are one hot chick in university." I laugh at her and can't help the swelling in my chest. I feel like I'm bursting with emotion. I just love that she's here to talk with. I couldn't have asked for a better friend to come visit me. I feel like the familiar ache that had begun to grow inside my chest is slowly disappearing, and being replaced by the love I can feel from people around me. Whether that's Paola or Harry, I'm not even sure yet.

"I'm hungry, you wanna eat?" I ask Paola when we reach a mute point in the conversation. I don't know how long we've been sitting on the couch, talking and laughing and catching up, but it's definitely made me hungry.