Blind Alley

Chapter 15.

HARRY'S POV:

I grab a hold of my coat as Louis and i walk backstage. I tell him to go wait on me by the car with the boys. I need some coffee to survive this day. More is to come. We are going to discuss everything with our management later and hope for the best. I go to the coffee machine and press the button. The warm liquid fills the small cup in my hand. I suddenly feel someone patting my shoulder. I take a sip of the warm coffee and turn around. My eyes widen at the sight.

"Hey what are you doing here!?"

I ask, and it doesn't seem to come out as sweet as intended. It's Eleanor. She looks back at me with widened eyes, confused about my harsh tone. I quickly clear my throat and give her a gentle hug. Gently rubbing her back with my hand.

"I was just coming over to congratulate you guys..." She says and starts searching the room. I immideately know who she's looking for.

"He's not here"

I spit. Why am i being so rude to her? I don't mean to be. I mean, she was the one who helped make this possible and i'm still feeling some type of anger towards her... The feeling is quite familiar. Could it be... Jealousy? Why am i still being jealous? He's with me. Openly. Why am i so worried?

"Yeah well tell him i said hi... He and i talked on the phone the other day and i thought he would want to talk"

She says carefully. She is being so shy and awkward. Guess she noticed that i'm still dealing with a bit of jealousy. And i am! Why did they talk on the phone? Do they really need to do that still? And talk about what? Isn't everything settled now?

"I'm happy for you"

She adds and shakes me from my thoughts.. I nod and hug her once again. This time with meaning.

"Thank you"

I whisper, and almost feel like crying as the knot in my throat grows. I have finally come to a place where i can look her in the eyes and not fall into despair. No matter how many times she has gotten to hold his hand in public or kissed his lips, i am the one he risks his entire carrier for. I am the one who gets to fall asleep with my arms wrapped around him. And I'M the one who gets to love him. And she is not. Not anymore.

When i get to the car they're all having a laugh in the back. Louis takes a break from his laugh as i open the car door. He reaches his hand for me and pulls me up to sit next to him. He puts his arm around me as Niall goes on about some fling of his.

"What took you so long?" Louis asks me quietly, not to interrupt Niall.

"Uhm... I bumped into Eleanor" I mumble and start fiddling with my fingers. Unable to keep eye contact with him. He turns silent for a moment.

"What do you mean "bumped into her?" Was she backstage? Do you know why she was there?" He asks curiously. I shrug my shoulders. "What did she say? Was she looking for me?"

"Yes she was fucking looking for you, why else would she be here!?" I snap loud enough for everyone in the car to turn silent. Niall stares at me as if he's just seen a ghost. Guess they don't expect me to be pissed a day like this. I don't either. But i am. And i'm not really sure why.

"Why are you still talking to her?" I add. Ignoring the fact that everyone is staring at us now.

"Excuse me? Am i not allowed to speak to her anymore? Is that what you're saying?" He says with that sassy face expression of his. I hate when he does this. He turns the situation to make me seem like the stupid one.

"What if i don't want you to? What if i want you to stop talking to her?"

"Then that's too fucking bad. She's still my friend and you know that!" He says and the teasing smile on his face disappears completely.

"So you're saying that i can still hang out with Taylor and it won't bother you?"

"Go fucking ahead! I'll just feel sorry for you in that case."

"Fine, then maybe i will!" I snap.

"Fine!" 

"Fine."

Louis sighs and takes his arm away from me and switches seats with Niall, so that Niall sits between us. We both cross our arms at the same time and stare out the window. I feel bad for Niall, cause he's usually the one to get in the middle when Louis and i argue. But i'm too pissed to apologize already. I don't hate Eleanor. I really don't. I just hate the fact that they still talk and he didn't even tell me. I mean, sure they might still get along but i don't want to be jealous anymore. It's exhausting. But despite all those years i spent disliking her and her job, she helped make this possible. And i remember exactly how.