Torn

Chapter 9

 Eventually I decided to quit being lazy and head downstairs to see what kind of breakfast Harry had cooked up.

 As I neared the bottom of the stairs, I heard hushed voices speaking fiercely to each other. It sounded like Harry and Louis. I didn't know whether to enter the kitchen or not so I waited, listening for my cue that the intense conversation was over. What I heard shocked me completely.

"I see the two of you had a fun night." Louis' voice cut through the walls like knives. I opened my mouth in shock at the acid in his tone. 

 "Our night was just as great as some of the nights you and El share." I hear Harry reply, sharply. What the hell were they talking about? Why were they so angry at each other over me and El?

I heard a chair scrape and I assumed Louis was standing now.

 "What El and I do is none of your business. Besides...from what I heard last night, Skylar really is your girlfriend now." He spat out. I had never heard Louis speak so harshly about me or anyone else for that matter. It hurt to hear him say my name that way. As if it tasted bad in his mouth. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to know what was going on.

 "Harry, I thought you said we didn't do anything." I said, rushing into the kitchen, hurt that he'd lied to me about last night.

 They both turned to me, looking surprised at my sudden prescence. Harry's features softened and he smiled at me.

 "I swear, love, we only cuddled and kissed. Even when I'm drunk, I know you're too good of a girl to take advantage of." He said these words kindly. For some odd reason, Louis looked even more pissed and...even disgusted by his tone. What exactly was going on with these two?

 Louis opened his mouth as if he was going to say something and then shut it again quickly. He walked past me and Harry without another word. I heard the door to the flat slam on his way out the door, leaving us in an awkward silence.

 "Did I do something wrong?" I asked finally, biting my lip. I liked Louis. I didn't want him to hate me over nothing. 

 Harry turned to me, the troubled look leaving his face. He approached me, taking my face in his hands and pressing our foreheads together.

 "Louis' just going through some tough times. He thinks he's losing me to you. He thinks he's losing his...friend." He paused and then kissed me quickly on the lips before turning to pull out pans for breakfast.

 "Does this mean that our relationship isn't fake anymore?" I said this in a rush, nervous. Harry tensed up, noticeably, making me regret asking in the first place.

 He sighed and turned to face me, a sad look on his face.

 "Sky, I like you...a lot. I really do but I'm so confused right now...I can't tell you exactly what's going on but you have to trust me when I say that I'm not giving you the run around. So, please don't run away from me."

 He said the last part urgently, pleading me with his eyes.

 I walked up to the curly-haired boy and kissed his lips sweetly.

 "I promise you I'm not going anywhere, Dimples." I said, earning a smile from him. 

 "But..I do have to go. I have a Hollister photoshoot today that I need to be at in two hours." I said, heading toward the stairs.

 "Just wear my clothes home." Harry said, with a smile. 

 "The paparazzi are going to go crazy." I laughed, tossing him his car keys. 

 He smiled back at me. "Then let them."