She Was Mine *ON HOLD FOREVER*

Chapter 16: Rumor Has it

*Hailey's POV*

Harry had driven us to the local mall and parked in the back where he was allowed for quick entrance and exits. Being that it was an early afternoon on a Wednesday the mall was not very crowded. Most fans were at school or work, leaving the adults on their lunch break walking the mall.

This lifted a weight off of my shoulders. I hadn't really been out in public since the accident and wasn't trusting of my running skills due to my new cast.

Harry helped me hobble around the mall and into stores.

"Maybe I should get you a wheelchair," Harry had suggested.

"And how would that benefit you at all Harry?" I replied, eyeing him as we walked into the next store.

"Well I was thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could put you on it and push you down the escalator,".

This time he was grinning to himself and looking at me as if waiting for a response. I only elbowed him in the ribs before limping off to a dress rack. On the rack was a tight-looking black dress with a high neckline made of black lace. The dress itself looked shine in the dim lighting and had a label reading, "Valentino".

"Harry," I called. "Do you think this is pretty?"

Harry who was admiring the chandelier, and not the clothing, looked at the dress, eyes widening.

"It's lovely actually. I really like it. Do you want this one?"

"Should I try it on first? I mean so I know it looks good on me?" I questioned, wondering if I could ever pull of such a stunning dress.

"To be honest I think you look lovely in anything Hailey," Harry had answered, eyeing the dress. He quickly looked at me, a blush in his cheeks.

"But if you must," he recovered, grinning and sauntering off towards the dressing rooms.

After deciding that I did indeed like the dress on my body I walked out of my changing room back in my other clothes and dress in hand. I hadn't shown Harry, knowing I wouldn't have got an honest opinion because I look "lovely in everything,".

"Aw don't I get to see you in it?" Harry exclaimed with a mock pout.

"You, my dear, have to wait until tonight," I shot back, walking past him. Quickly stopping right before getting to the check out counter. I picked up the dress eye-level, searching for a tag. I found it attached the bottom of the zipper, and scanned down to the barcode where the price was located. My heart fell when I saw the price.

"Harry we need to find another dress," I drawled disappointedly

"Why, did you not like it? Hailey I know you probably looked lovel-"

"No, Harry," I interrupted, holding up the tag.

"It is over $400 dollars, which is ridiculous, and I cant afford that right now so let's just go to another shop yeah? And I'll find something similar or maybe not similar but pretty..." I slowly rambled off, waiting for Harry to agree so that we could be on our way.

"Hailey." He said seriously, eyebrows furrowed.

"I suggested this little trip of ours and therefore this dress is my treat. On me. Maybe I'll even buy you that pretty necklace over there," He insisted more playfully.

I opened my mouth to refuse, but Harry quickly covered my mouth with his large hand lightly and took the dress from my had.

"Don't argue, you know you want this dress," He ordered knowingly, eyebrows now waggling with that signature grin on his face.

"Fine," I mumbled through his hand.

His hand quickly left my mouth and he was now off with the dress and that necklace towards the check out counter.

We left the mall with little interruption. A few photos were taken, a few questions were shouted, and many twitters gained a famous follower. Bags in hand we walked toward the back exit to Harry's car. During the drive back I felt guilty for being so spoiled but held a hidden giddiness for the new dress. I'd look great for my first night back into the real world as an independent women, who was most definitely not heartbroken or tearful over her heart being smashed into bits. I was not that girl, or at least I wouldn't be because tonight was going to be fun.

*Louis' POV*

Being a new bachelor I found pleasure in my newfound allowed privileges, which included; not making the bed, staying in until noon, staying in to play a bit of Xbox and having a clean bathroom counter. This is what I usually did over the last week. Going out right now was not advised by management, for I "was not stable and could make another move that was not good for my image".

This really meant "you're grounded from the outside world for a while because you royally fucked up". Which I was completely fine with because I couldn't remember the last time I had so much free time and so little responsibility. Changing out of pajamas was an option at this point that I rarely chose.

I knew the real reason I was taking into account all my newfound luxuries. Thinking I was living the life was distracting me from everything else I felt. Which was utter and complete heartbreak to be honest. But I was doing a pretty good job at distractions so far and I wasn't about to stop.

Walking downstairs for some cereal, I slipped on my slippers and my robe before grabbing a bowl and milk. With cereal in hand I shoveled the first spoonful in before unlocking my front door.

I opened it halfway, letting in a chilly breeze, and quickly grabbed the newspaper on the top of the stairs. Back inside I sat onto my couch placing the cereal on the coffee table and unfolding the newspaper.

I quickly skimmed the cover story before a little red box in the top right corner with bolded words reading "HARRY STYLES, SCANDAL?". Sure enough there was Harry's fedora-covered head cropped into the box.

I prepared myself to be entertained with fabricated lies as I turned to find the story. My heart stopped when a blown up photo of Harry and unmistakably Hailey together.

The title read, "Is Hailey cheating on Louis with Harry after unconfirmed break-up rumors? Or is she just a "gold-digging whore" as many fans have put it."

Skimming the article I saw that Hailey was being seen as a lie and a cheat, getting hate from many quoted tweets.

The worse thing was that Hailey was with Harry. I didn't want to believe it but I couldn't tear my thoughts away. Had Hailey moved on so quickly? Was Hailey with my best friend?

----------AUTHORS NOTES----------

I apologize for being the shittiest writer in the history of writing and not updating. I honestly did not want to update until I checked up and saw how many people are STILL reading that, and for that I thank you.

Shoutout to Hooker #3