Mixed Up // Harry Styles

Ten

                                                CHAPTER TEN

FROM: HAROLD

I think me and you have some talking to do.

     I sigh as I read the text from Harry, roughly shoving the door key into the keyhole and unlocking my flat door, dropping my bag to the floor as soon as I enter and booting it across the dark cream carpet, letting out a low frustrated scream at the same time, slamming the door closed.

FROM: HAROLD

I’m coming round.

     “Do what you like,” I growl as I read the text, making my way into the living room and throwing myself down on the sofa.

     I swipe the remote up off of the floor from where I left it last night, slamming my thumb down on the power button and watching as the TV flickers on.

     “Harry Styles spotted with mystery girl, could this be the end of his engagement? I’m Cindy and I’ll be bringing you more updates just after ten, up next Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents,” The BBC3 announced concludes her news, the picture of me and Harry in the car disappearing from the screen as adverts for TV show series roll onto the screen.

     A soft purring comes from behind me, a black and white friendly face poking around my head and nudging it against mine when they catch me looking.

     “Hello little fella,” I coo, reaching my hand over my shoulder to scratch behind my cats ears, an even louder purr being his response.

     I sit for another fifteen minutes, with the cat sleepily on my lap, just watching the wild teenagers on my TV screen having a good time whilst disappointment shines in their parents eyes.

     I’m disturbed by the aggressive knocking at the door but I refuse to get up and answer it.

     “Who is it?” I call out.

     “Who do you think?” Their voice grumbles in response.

     I roll my eyes. “It’s open,” I answer and peel the cat away from my lap gently putting him on the sofa cushion beside me.

     Harry strides in, kicking the door shut with his foot still not looking in my direction.

     “Why would you want to ruin my relationship?” He demands for an answer already, standing across from me on the other side of the room with one hand in his hair of curls whilst his other is shoved into his jean pocket. “Are you jealous?”

     “Excuse me?” I begin in disbelief. “What I wrote about us is part of my job, it wasn’t easy and I don’t need you coming round here and making assumptions.”

     “You could’ve disagreed and not wrote the story about it.”

     “And not earn any money for myself? Right, because I’d really do that.” I scoff and fold my arms, looking at him no longer.

     “It’s always about you isn’t it?” He raises his voice.

     “Excuse me?” I repeat. “Always about myself? Ever since you got famous Harry, it’s always been about you! If you haven’t noticed, I’m the girl that’s being called your mystery girl, how do you think I feel for a change? I’m not used to it and thank god nobody knows who I am otherwise I wouldn’t be able to handle the attention like you do.”

     I take a deep breath and look up at him, hoping for him to say something but he doesn’t and he remains silent.

     “When you signed up for X-Factor and you knew there was a slight chance to get something out of it, you were prepared for what could come your way.” I mutter quietly, my voice slightly cracking.

     “I didn’t sign up to get shit from my best friend,” He adds.

     “And I didn’t sign up to get forgotten by my best friend, treated as if I’m shit, and only wanted when they want something. I didn’t sign up for that, Harry! I have no sympathy for you anymore, just get out if you want to be so self-centred all the time! Just get out!” I scream at the top of my voice, getting up off the sofa and storming towards him, shoving my balled fists into his muscular chest sending him stumbling backwards into the nearby wall, a single tear travelling down my cheek.

     “Just get out,” I whisper and rest my fists against his chest.

     He doesn’t budge, he positions one hand at the bottom of my back, the other cupping the back of my head as he roughly pushes our bodies together, him resting his back on the wall. His warm breath tickles my face as he inches closer until eventually my lips are captured with his.

     I clench my hands into tighter balls and push them against his chest, parting us from one another.

     “Harry, you’re engaged. Happily engaged,” I gasp and stare into his eyes as he removes his hands from my body.

     He bites down hard on his bottom lip and stares blankly back at me.

     “Just go,” I demand again, more gently this time.

     He does as I say and leaves my flat, shutting the door behind him quietly. My fingers fumble at my lips and tug them gently as it comes clear to me what had just happened and although I wanted it so desperately to happen, now is the wrong time and I regret ever allowing it to happen.