Chapter 8

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It started raining as I approached the town’s fountain at around 10 to 6. For summer in Australia, it had literally been quite the opposite for the past week. It was dark already outside and the stars weren’t visible behind the heavy fog that was forming. I didn’t think the weather would turn so ugly just after such a bright morning so I had changed out of my work uniform into a comfortable non-sleeved jumpsuit. Hopefully what he had in mind was worth it.

I had read the note Harry had given me in secret just to make sure Nick didn’t see it and give me a lesson on whom to see and not to. I was done making up excuses, especially for someone as… obnoxious as Harry. The note had read to meet Harry at the town’s famous fountain at 6pm sharp. And seeing as Montana and I had organised to meet at my place at 5:30pm, I had texted her to climb in through the back window as I “had to stay at work a little longer” and I would get back as soon as I could.

I hated lying to Montana but I felt like she would hate me even more if I told her the truth if she were to find out. But I hated myself even more than anything. I hated myself for not listening to Monty and not avoiding him the second I could. But the reason I agreed to meet up with Harry tonight was because I was intrigued by what he had to say. And I also had a few questions myself that I wanted to ask him.

But I felt bad for avoiding him at first this morning at the diner. I mean, after all we did clarify that we were ‘friends’ and I guess this is what friends would do if they were given the same note. And despite his multiple innuendos towards me, he didn’t seem to want me in that way. I mean, at least he wasn’t forcing himself onto me. It was just Harry’s personality. It was who he was and if I could handle it, then I figured I’d be fine. And I guess the least I could do was show up, reminding myself once again that he did spend literally a fortune on me.  

I stood there looking around in search for him. It was getting colder and darker as the minutes passed. I checked my phone for the time – 5:59pm. He should’ve been here by now. It was hard to see as the wind started to pick up and the only source of light was coming from the street lamp posts that were already fogged up from the rain. I was crazy to even be standing here right now, waiting for Harry Styles.

I decided to circle the fountain, hoping that he was waiting for me on the other side and that I had just merely missed him. Goose bumps began to form all over my skin as I took a loop around and it wasn’t only just from the rain, but also from what I had just seen.

Harry was indeed stood at the other side but he wasn’t alone. A tall blonde was with him, and although it wasn’t clear, I could see her hands had managed to snake her hands under the oversized jumper he was wearing. She was grinning up at him and he was laughing at something she was saying. Was she the girl on the phone? But why did that even matter?

I didn’t know what to do. I was such a fucking idiot. There he was standing in front of me, with another girl, confirming everything Montana had warned me about yesterday and every doubt I had about him. He definitely had planned this to happen. He knew he’d be able to get my hopes up with that stupid note and lead me on to think that he actually cared; cared about a friendship at the least.

And he thought he’d be able to have even a bit of my time. Screw him.

I walked away as quickly as I could, not wanting him to see that I had actually followed his order and come to talk. I could feel my heart sinking, and I had no idea why.  All I knew was that I needed to get away from there.

As soon as I unlocked the doors to my house, Monty was there at my side with a towel to dry me off. She frowned when she saw me. I probably looked like a complete and utter mess. My clothes were soaking and my eyeliner was running down all over my face from the rain. I was exhausted. I put down my keys and turned my phone off before she began wiping at my face with the towel.

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