Tokyo Drift || HS

22 || Unexpected Confrontations

HARRY HASN'T TEXTED ME back yet.

I don't know what time zone he's in, or if he's even awake. I was hoping to hear back from him soon, but It's been several hours and I haven't gotten any response.

"Look, it's not as bad as it seems right? I mean sure, some people might recognize you. But luckily, they didn't use your name! So that's good - right?" Lily says. "And plus, you can only see your profile. That half of your face could be anybody's face!"

Her arguments should be slightly comforting, but it does little to alleviate the betrayal I feel. And even though I'm barely identifiable, that still didn't stop a couple of detective-level fans who have somehow already requested to follow me on my private social media.

I don't know who in Tokyo Journal decided it would be a bright idea to run a whole fucking magazine cover on me, but when I find out, there will be hell to pay. And it's safe to say I already have a hunch.

I try to take deep breaths to calm myself down.

When Harry and I met, I was never interested in his fame. And I would never want him to think that his status is what I'm after. But the fact that he's not responding to my calls has me imagining worst-case scenarios.

A whole magazine article written on us, published by the company that I've been working alongside, doesn't really seem good in any light.

And what's even more unfortunate is we're labeled as lovers, but I don't actually know what Harry and I are. I don't even know when I'm going to see him again.

The door to our apartment bursts open. Christa and Peter come trampling through. I immediately bolt up from my spot on the couch and make a beeline toward Peter.

"Peter, I swear if you had anything to do with this - "

Jalen immediately cuts me off, pulling me back into his chest to give Peter some space.

"Jalen, it's fine. I can handle it." I attempt to shoo him off.

Peter throws his hands up in front of me.

"Wait, I know this looks bad, but I swear I didn't do it." His eyes are wide with alarm. His normally large frame appears miniscule through my wrathful eyes.

"You left early!" I retort. "What do you mean you didn't do it?"

Lily joins the group to surround us - equally as interested in his defense as me.

"Look, I don't know what else to tell you. I'm not that kind of guy. I understand it looks bad, but I really didn't do it."

His words are all of a sudden cut short by another friend rushing through the door. Ryan flies into the foyer, quickly adjusting his glasses with hurried breaths.

"Oh my god, India, I am so sorry." He steps forward in front of us, putting his hands up in distress. "I didn't know he would do that. I didn't think about what I was saying, I should have been more careful. But I just didn't know he was planning on doing something like that!"

My body freezes.

My cool gaze immediately shifts from Peter to Ryan's flushed face.

"Pause." I say sternly. "Explain."

Ryan sits down on the hallway bench immediately. He looks like a dog with his tail between his legs.

"Well, that night everyone was out for karaoke, Sebastian held me back - right? So I was with him, helping him finish out some reports, and he asked me what plans I had. I told him we were all supposed to go out for karaoke. And then he asked with who - so I told him. I said Harry Styles was going to be there, and he all of the sudden seemed very intrigued." His face contorts with worry. "I didn't know he was going to do anything, I swear. But I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have even said anything!"