The Cover Up | harry styles

chapter nineteen

Legit a year since I updated... I've been so busy with my second year of college that I don't even have time to chill. For real, all I can think about is wake up, go to school, try to get a 4.0 gpa and go to sleep.

I'm so so so sorry for keeping everyone hanging, I feel like a Sophie and you guys are Harry and I left without telling but I'll try to update asap and whenever I have time. 

okay, enjoy the long awaited chapter (it's been in my drafts for a year)...

- Sophie's -

I've read about people going to places for a long time and coming back a new person. They say it's as though a different surrounding makes them a different person. Usually, they come back a better person. I've always wanted to do something like that.

I want to go somewhere far for a few months alone and really know myself. But as dramatic as it sounds, going to America felt like I found my new self. Although it was a short trip, it took me a while to gather myself and come back a better person.

Is it bad to say I'm a changed person for the better?

Or do I think too much for myself?

"You're finally back. About time, though." Claudia exasperated, half happy & half annoyed. 

I looked at her shelves, seeing no trace of family photos or soveneirs from other countries. The only things on the shelves were her personal achievements and photos of herself in events - which spoke alot about the type of person she was.

"It's good to hear that you missed me." I joked, for the very first time, with her. "I hope I didn't miss out on alot though."

Claudia raised an eyebrow at my attempt to humour her but soon her expression softens just a little bit as she continues her lecture. "Quite a hand full actually. The boys did a few tours in Japan and they've arrived here just a few days ago. They'll be starting their tour in the U.K. pretty soon which means you'll be busy with them."

I gulped. I was afraid of what the boys would think of me for leaving so suddenly. I certainly do not want them the hate me for it. "Okay." I managed to respond.

"You missed an award show. Harry's been low-profile while you were gone and that's good." she recalled, rubbing her temples in an attempt to remember is all. 

"Is that all?" I asked.

She opened her eyes, staring at me with a coldness. I guess it's normal for her to have a cold, sour look at her natural state. "Yes." she sighed. "I'm going to go and get some caffine in my system and I'll be back." 

"You sure you want to rely so much on the caffine?" I asked as she walked past me.

She looked at me blankly, her systems probably not intact. As she was about to open her mouth, she simply ignored me and walked away without a sound, leaving me alone in the empty office. Looking up and down her shelf, I felt like nosy neighbour.

I hear a knock at the door as the it opened suddenly. "Clau--" the low voice paused at the sight of me. His  clear green eyes widened at the sight of me as his lips started to curve upwards. "Oh..." he stayed put, a hand still on the doorknob.

"Hi..." I awkwardly greeted him, standing in the middle of the office like a lost lamb. "Claudia's in the pantry getting coffee." 

He looks down immediately and I could feel him starting to give me the cold shoulder. From behind him, I can hear the ruckus going of four familiar voices that were almost permanently tattooed in my mind.

I don't want to be here, not right now since the air hasn't been cleared. What will they think of me? I ran off like a criminal on the loose and pretty much violated every single agreement in the contract. Not even a clearance from Harry and I'm faced with these four other boys?