A Trail of Whispers

Chapter Fifteen

CAUTION: Mature Content

      "Ari? You alright?" Jones asked. I couldn't bring myself to blink, much less open my mouth to respond. "Ariana, c'mon, we've got work to do." I sighed, blinked rapidly, and let some tears fall. "Oh no, please tell me it's not because of-" I shook my head before he could finish.

      "He didn't hurt me, I just miss him..." I whispered.

      "Sweetie, I know it's hard, but that's what you signed up for."

      "Why can't I just be with him every day? I want to hold him, and I want him to hold me. I want him to tell me that everything's going to be okay. I want to eat dinner, watch movies, cuddle, slow dance in the middle of the kitchen, do all this cutesy stuff..." I paused to sniff.

      "Are you still in love with him?"

      "Jones, that's what's tearing me apart," I admitted. "I've been going back and forth all week."

      "If you have to think about it-"

      "My entire being shoots towards yes I am, but there's this little voice telling me 'no, think about it'."

     "How was your day cutie?" Harry asked over FaceTime. Moments like this made me think everything was perfect: Harry's tired, raspy voice, messy hair, blemishes showing, both of us snuggled into bed.

        "The usual... More recording, typical vegan lunch, hanging with the crew..."

        "Missing your fabulous boyfriend..."

        "Mmm, how'd you know?" I giggled.

        "Because I'm missing my girlfriend unbelievably much," he blushed.

        "Cheesy as ever Styles."

        "If I wasn't in Chicago, I'd fly over there in a heart beat."

        "If I didn't have a 12-hour recording session I'd be there faster than you can put that mop of hair behind a headband."

          "Which do you think is right?" Jones asked.

          "I'm in love with him, and I'm in deeper than I ever thought I was," I whispered.

HARRY'S POV

          "Cheers babe," I smiled at the girl at the meet and greet. The next girl came and she hugged me tightly. When she left, I checked my phone, no texts or calls. She should've been on break 10 minutes ago.

      "Remember when we said we wouldn't make every sacrifice for each other and just see where our relationship goes?" Ariana asked.

     "Mmm, of course," I answered.

     "Sometimes I wish we never promised that."

     "Why?"

     "I just want to do something really nice and extravagant for you, but it requires giving up important recording days."

      "Baby no, I don't want you to prioritize me... I want you to be successful, with or without me."

      "But I want you with me. And that requires a big effort."

        Half an hour later, we finished up the meet and greet and I felt like dropping dead. The other boys were happy and hyper as usual. Niall went into the dressing room first and screamed. Naturally, the rest of us ran after him, but I stayed back. I enjoyed my walk, and pulled out my phone to text Ariana. I walked into the dressing room with my head faced toward my phone. I heard a cough and nearly collapsed. "Holy..." I muttered as I ran a hand through my hair.