The Way Things Work

Chapter Nine

"H-Hey." He seemed to squirm at the words.

"Is everything okay?" You pressed, knowing something was off.

"I'm good." He said boldly,

"Well okay then. Look, I hate to be rude but my plane leaves in a bit." You lied through your teeth. It was 7:00, you had well over an two hours.

"Oh-I just wanted to say, ummm. It's just that-well, have a good flight!" He retorted expeditiously and hung up.

"That was weird." You rolled your eyes and turned to Sarah.

"What's weird?" 

"It was Harry telling me to have a good flight."

"Awe! That's sweet!" El acknowledged.

"Not really." You chuckled. "He sounded as if he were going to be sick."

"Well, that's Harry!" She smiled brightly and headed over to the concessions.

"I'm going to the news stand, want to come?" She mimed to the small kiosk by the opposing gates. 

"Actually, I'm going to run to the bathrooms. I'll check out the shopping in like an hour or so."

"Alright!" She twittered and pranced to the desk.

You walked to the bathrooms and stood in front of the enormous mirror. You looked fine and drew your backpack off of your shoulders, you placed it between the sinks. You grasped at your phone and dialed Courtney's number.

“Hello?” A shaky voice answered the phone.

“Hey, Courtney?”

“S-Sam?”

“Yeah babe!”

“Oh! HI!” Her mood seemed to lighten and it was as if you could hear her sulk drop and be replaced with a smile. 

“How are you feeling?”

“Actually, a bit better. I feel almost ecstatic for the first time knowing that someone understands what I’m going through.” You stomach dropped as she continued to talk. So much for leaving it all behind, maybe you could work with it. Obviously your past was not going to be forgotten and could not be simply ‘left behind’. You needed to be strong.

“I am so glad!” You warbled.

“Thanks so much, for it all.”

“It’s really no problem and don’t think that this is the last you are going to her from me!” You bursted.

“I guess you’ll be checking on me?”

“Absolutely! Unfortunately for now I must go. I’ll talk to you later though, okay?” 

“Got it and-thanks again!” 

You exchanged your farewells and hung up just in time to meet Sarah outside the bathroom with a magazine in hand. 

"What do you have there?" You arrowed over to the paper cluster in her hands.

"After you! Who were you talking to?" She snickered in a joking manner. 

"I called Courtney, guess I'm not leaving the past behind." 

"Hey, c'mon that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's easier to leave it behind but you want to help others and are willing to help the by using yourself as an example. That's not wrong, its strength."

"Really?"

"Yes really. Now for my little secret." She smile mischievously She held up a magazine and you were the front page.

STORY OF SAM and A HIDDEN LIFE ran across the top of a picture with you and Harry. 

"This is so cool Sam!" 

"I agree but what do they mean 'Story of Sam'?"

She unknowingly shrugged and flipped to page 14. You speed read the entire two pages of content and felt sick. Sarah knew the look and handed you a pill. 

"T-Thanks. How did they find all of this out?" You faltered. 

"Let me see, I have Liam's number. Shall we call?"

You nodded as she dialed. 

"SHUT UP LOUIS, SARAH IS CALLING!" Liam shouted and everyone stopped in their tracks, even Harry, as Lou and Niall made kiss faces at hi.

"H-Hello." He slapped himself for that just moments after.

"Hey I need to ask you guys something, are you with them?"

"Yeah, want to go on speaker?"

"Yes please." She winked at you.

"You're good." He signaled for her to begin talking. She nodded slyly at you.

"HOW THE HELL COULD YOU EXPLOIT SAM LIKE THAT?! SHE WAS GOING TO LEAVE THAT ALL BEHIND! IS THE PUBLICITY ALL YOU MORONS CARE ABOUT?" You heard the phone drop and you laughed slightly, honestly she knew you didn't care that the world knew; it just annoyed her that they put fame first. 

"What are you talking about?" Harry seemed genuinely concerned. 

"SOMEONE LEAKED THE STORY ABOUT MY PAST! WAS IT YOU HARRY?!" You struggled to match Sarah's tone, but managed. 

"Sam, I know you have no reason to but trust me. I would never do that." He trembled.

"Hey, relax. I believe you." You smiled and heard a relieved sigh escape his lips. 

"Thank yo-"

"It was me, by the way." A cocky voice called. It was Rob.

"W-What? Why?" 

"Babe you need to remember that I run the show and Harry comes first, your last here." His words felt like an icy, sharp slap in the face. 

"No, it does. She is important." Harry defended you.

"Thank-" You started.

"Whatever." He snapped and hung up.

There was defiantly going to be some tension.