The Dating Game

Chapter 34: One Week

Haylee's Point of View

Anger swam in my veins, igniting an emotion greater than fear. Harry's eyes stayed focused on my face as he reached for his pocket, pulling out Louis' phone.

"Haylee, I can explain" he started, putting his hands in front of him to try to calm me down.

"No Harry! Don't even try to get yourself out of this! Now tell me why you have his phone!"

Harry clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing into tiny slits. His emotions changed so quick I felt like I was suffering from whiplash.

"Why don't you tell me why you were hanging out with Louis in the first place. Because, as I understand, you don't even know him" Harry spit, taking a step closer towards me.

"Don't try to turn this on me. Answer me" I ordered, taking a step closer to Harry. We were both now inches apart, staring each other down in the middle of the night in the deserted park. We were both breathing heavily, neither one of us wanting to back down.

"No. I'm not telling you anything until you tell me why you were with him."

If I was in a different situation, one where Louis wasn't missing, I wouldn't give up so easily. I would hold my ground until he gave up and told me what he knew. But, I don't know if Louis is in trouble or hurt. Louis is more important than standing here and arguing back and forth with Harry.

"Fine, I was with Louis because we're dating. Happy now?" I mocked, crossing my arms against my chest. "Now, tell me why you have his phone."

Harry took a step back, his eyes widening. He almost looked....hurt. I didn't want Harry to find out like this. I wanted to tell him more formally, like at dinner or something. 

"You- You're dating him?" he stuttered, his face paling. Harry started to pace around on the sidewalk, taking five steps forward before he would turn around and take five steps again, repeating the process. He started to mumble words I couldn't hear or understand. Still holding Louis' phone, he ran his hands through his hair, making it tangle into a huge curly mess.

"Yes..." I trailed off. I really have no idea why he's acting like this. Yeah, he said he likes me and all, but is it really that serious?

"But, he isn't one of your matches. His match is Grace."

'No he isn't but -" I started, but then I realized Harry had no idea who Louis' match was. "How do you know Grace is his match?"

"Grace told me."

"Why?"

"Because I broke up with her and she wanted to rub it in my face that they were matches and that she slept with him" he rambled, still pacing on the sidewalk.

I felt a sudden pang in my chest  at the memory of Louis telling me he slept with Grace. Even though Louis and I have gotten over that rough patch, it still hurts to imagine him being with her in that intimate way. It sickens me to imagine his hands on her body, his lips on hers, or any part of his body touching hers.

"But Haylee, you shouldn't be with Louis" Harry said, stopping his pacing to come and stand in front of me, desperation clear on his face.

"Why not?"

"It goes against the whole Dating Game. You're supposed to be with one of your matches, and Louis isn't one of your matches."

"That's ridiculous. I don't care about the Dating Game. It doesn't have a say in who I can date and who I can't date. I love Louis so I'll continue to date him whether you like it or not. Whatever we had was over. I'm sorry but...I'm with Louis now" I reasoned, saying the last few words slowly so he could really absorb them.