My uncle, Paul Higgins *CANCELLED*

Chapter 18. Left in the dark

Alexa's P.O.V

Harry has been on the phone for a while now, his face his concerned, eyebrows knitted together, he is frowning, and it is starting to worry me. Everyone around me is talking, oblivious to my silence, I finally catch Harry's eye. He rolls his eyes and turns away. What. The. Heck. I watch as Harry hangs up the phone in frustration and runs a hand through his hair.

"I'm going to wait on the bus." I say to Brooke.

"Are you alright?" She asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Brooke looks at me hesitantly and I walk towards the arena doors. When I get outside there are fans that have gathered around the gates. They scream my name. I smile at them and manage to wave even though my anxiety is kicking in. I climb into the tourbus and sit down on the couch. Everyone one is either outside or in the arena so I'm all alone.

I turn on the mini T.V, but I'm barely paying attention to the campy old time movie playing. I'm lost in my thoughts. I am sure that the eye roll doesn't have anything to do to me and neither does that phone call. But it feels so much like it does.

I wait a moment more to see if Harry plans on coming to talk to me. No one shows up. I sigh and walk to the bunks, climbing into my bed. I look at the ceiling of the bus. The door opens and I immediately pretend to be asleep. I just want to be alone right now.

A few minutes pass when someone shuffles into the room and sighs. "I know you're not asleep, Alexa."

Paul. "You used to do that all the time when you were little when something was wrong."

Paul stops at my bed. "So, what's wrong?"

"I'm just tired and a little stressed about college I guess." I'm not lying. College starts in less then two months, and the fact I was accepted into a great school adds even more pressure.

"Don't worry about it kiddo, you'll do great at Oxford." I almost forgot that school was over 1,000 miles from my home and parents.

"Thanks, I really hope."

"So have you made the decision whether or not you want to stay at their dorms?" I remember that Paul had asked me a week ago whether or not I wanted to stay with him while I was at college. I liked that idea and the thought of a crazy roommate freaked me out. But then again there's the chance of a totally awesome one... I wonder what Brooke is doing for college.

"Not yet."

"Okay well just let me know." He pats my shoulder before walking out of the bunk room. I groan and at least try to fall asleep. I have too much to worry about.

-&-

I wake up to see Louis hanging above me. "Rise and shine, Alexa."

I rub my eyes and pout. "What time is it?"

He checks the watch on his hand. "12:34pm."

I jump up in bed which results in me slamming my forehead on the ceiling. "Ouch."

Louis laughs. "Time to get up."

I roll my eyes at him as he walks away. I don't even know why I chose to take a nap, I always wake up hours later with no idea what is going on. I shuffle to the front of the bus where Brooke, Louis, Niall, Harry, and Michael? -Are all sitting on the couches.

"Morning Alexa." Brooke smiles. All attention is diverted to me, I hate it when that happens.

"Hi." I sit next to Brooke on the couch, across from Harry. I sit with my knees up, avoiding all eye contact with him as everyone else takes part in a game of Go Fish. I am watching the game when I hear Harry clear his throat. I look up to meet his gaze. He motions towards the door. I really don't walk to talk about it. But I know that this feeling won't go away until I know what's going on.

I follow his actions as he excuses himself from the bus, then walks out the door. Harry is facing the arena when I close the door behind me. I sit down on the steps and he stands against the bus, his hands in his pockets.

He licks his lips before speaking. "I was on the phone with my mom, earlier."

I watch as his eyes dart from left to right. "She was upset about some rumour or something."

I stay silent as he continues. "It had nothing to do with you, Alexa."

I try desperately to meet his gaze, but he just keeps looking around and adjusting his clothing. I gulp, then frown. Tell tale signs of a liar.

"Are you mad?" He asks nervously.

"There is no reason to be mad," Except for the fact you're lying to my face. "I was just confused."

Harry lets out a breath of air. "Okay good, I was so worried you'd be mad."

"Well, I'm not. It's all good."

"Great." He smiles.

Harry takes a step towards me but I stand up then walk into the tour bus. The door slams behind me, then everyone, once again, diverts their attention to me. I fake a smile and walk past them to the bunks. I once heard that even smiling when you're really upset can brighten your mood. Harry's phone sits in the bedroom at the back of the bus.

I curiously pick it up and press his home button. His screen lights up with a photo of us together, he's kissing my cheek and I'm laughing at something he said. His attention was on me and my smiling face was focused on the camera. I remember the day Brooke took that photo of us. It was only supposed to be a picture of me in front of the Eiffel Tower, until Harry snuck up from behind me and pulled me into a hug.

In the midst of my thoughts the phone begins to buzz with a phone call. Do I answer it? Would harry be mad? The next thing I know my thumb is sliding across the phone screen to answer the call.

"Hello?"

"Hi!" The bright loud voice almost makes me drop the phone.

"Um hi? Who is this?"

"I'm Hailey, from Modest! Management. You must be Alexa." Hailey says.

"Yeah, that's me..."

"Oh sweetie, you must be so devastated!"

"Sorry?"

"You know, because of you and Harry having to break up and all." She says it likes it the most obvious thing ever.

"I think you're confused, Harry and I are still dating."

"You are?" She sounds disapointed. "Harry promised an hour ago that he would break up with you as to request?"

"Who's request was it?"

"Their management." A few voices are talking in the background. "Look, it's been a nice chat. But I have to go. Be sure that you guys are over by the end of this week, toodles!"

The line goes dead and fresh questions form in my head, it all makes sense now, but why did Harry agree to this? Why does their management want us broken up? Did Paul know about this? I am furious just as Harry walks into the room, equally upset and glaring at me.

"We need to talk."