A Fine Line.

Chapter 8.

SO.

I HEAR SOMEONE HAS BEEN RIPPING OFF MY STORY.

IF YOU'RE READING THIS, YOU ILLITERATE PERSON WHO IS UNABLE TO CREATE THEIR OWN INTELLIGIBLE STORY WORTH ANYTHING, STOP.

I WILL BE TAKING ACTION SHOULD YOU CONTINUE TO USE MY STORY.

To anyone else reading, thank you for your silent support. Sorry for delayed updates.

Enjoy.

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The longer she sat there, the more times Jaycee mulled over the scenario and the harder her heart plunged into her stomach every time. This was the hardest holiday ever, she thought, Harry was acting so different.

Jaycee felt betrayed and embarrassed, upset by the one person she trusted the most.

She swiped at her tears, the numbness of her emotions subsiding to finally let the cold seep through to her, making her shiver. She felt so helpless, clueless and overall stupid.

Swiping soggy strands of hair out of her face, she made her way out and down to the ground, landing ass-first in the mud below.

"Fucking wonderful" she hissed under her breath, grumbling as she looked towards the familiar route through the trees - covered in mud. She weighed her options before stalking through the barrage of trees, slushing wet mud turned into hard, damp sand as she emerged onto the beach. Immediately she was pounded with rain as she stood out in the open, sad, grey waves lapped roughly on the shore, the usually pale blue sky was also a harsh grey.

She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. Frowning, she gazed longingly down at the beach house where the boys were, and Harry. Would he be there? Did he even care? Why did he do that?

Jaycee huffed and sniffled again, her internal questioning broken by the calling of her name, fractured by the rain as it carried across the sand. Turning, a figure in a dark hoodie came jogging towards her. An unintended grin spread across her face as she fell into Zayn's outstretched arms, her paling skin and shivering body greedily took in his radiating heat. He smiled a reassuring smile before slipping his arm around her shoulder and leading her back towards the house. Jaycee was hesitant and almost unwilling but she felt as though Zayn was protecting her, which indeed he was.

As they reached the house, she idly worried how the boys inside were now judging her. Was she stupid for never having experienced the things Harry so menacingly pointed out?

Zayn gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze as they walked through the door.

"He's gone, it's alright. We're all here for you if you want to talk or need cheering up" Zayn whispered quickly her ear. She could hear the grin in his words and she was suddenly overwhelmed by his compassion and his courtesy for not pushing her and bombarding her with questions immediately.

Upon entering the loungeroom, Niall looked up from his position on the lounge, his legs entwined with Louis'. Louis' hair was disheveled and he was snoring lightly, though Niall nudged him and woke him with a start, a giggle escaping everyone's lips. Liam appeared with towels, Jaycee felt instantly relaxed, an almost content smile spread across her lips.

Liam threw a towel at both Jaycee and Zayn who caught it with a chuckle. Louis pulled Jaycee cautiously onto the lounge with him, wrapping her in the towel and the blanket originally draped lazily over he and Niall.

Louis took it as a good sign that Jaycee began giggling infectiously and began drying her and tickling her, before rolling over comfortably so she was tucked comfortably under his arm on the lounge with him, only a few clumps of her hair still wet and her clothes only damp.