Ever since, New York [h.s] AU

37 || DIDN'T MEAN IT

"This is the type of candy I can withstand," I say as I eat another one of the SweeTarts Ropes. Ben was finally back and this time, he was staying with me at my apartment and he brought a whole lot of American candy which were by far, way better than the ones Harry had me eating.

"Really, you like those?" Ben scrunches his nose as he chews on a Froot-Roll Ups.

I nod. "Usually candy that has artificial cherries in it gives me headaches for some reason, but surprisingly not these." I say, practically moaning by how good it was.

God knows it was the only action I was getting.

"What's your least favorite fruit?" Ben asks, drinking from his water bottle.

"Bananas for sure," I grimace. I was about to ask him the same question but I am interrupted by the sound of the doorbell making me sit up on the couch.

It was currently 10:30 pm, I wasn't sure who in their right mind would want to be out there in the wind and snow at this time of night. Ben stops me from standing up.

"I'll get it." He says, sticking the rest of his candy in his mouth. The couch was close to the foyer and all I had to do was lean over the armrest to be able to glance at the door but Ben was in the way when he opened the door.

"Brandon?" I roll my eyes, for I knew exactly who it was.

"Ben."

"Sure," he says making me stand up, walking towards the door and peeping behind Ben. "Is Kate's mum here?"

"No," I reply allowing Ben to step aside. "Why'd she be here for?" I ask. Harry looks to Ben before looking at me.

"I came to give her something and she said she'd be here?" He says before shrugging and handing me the bag. "Anyway, it's yours. You left it back there." He says making me look into the bag to see a bra that clearly belonged to me.

"Thanks." I say making him nod. I was about to close the door but he stops me.

"Actually, can I talk to your for a bit?" He asks, hope evident in his eyes. I look unsure. "Please."

"I'll be back there." Ben says, pointing to the living room making me nod before closing the door behind me. I wrap the throw blanket tighter to me as we stand in front of my door.

"So..." I say awkwardly making him sigh. I honestly couldn't see my best friend in his face, not after last time he was here and said all those things.

"I just -" he scratches the back of his neck. "I've been thinking a lot of last time and that fight. It's been a while since you and I actually talked without fighting, actually."

"Get on with it. Are you back to tell me more about how my life isn't as exciting as yours that my fiancé had to leave me? Cause if so, please save it." I retort, remembering what he said.

Embarrassment and regret glazed over his eyes before he looks down to his feet. "Kate, I promise I didn't mean any of it."

"I'm sure you didn't. No one else but you knew that it'd be a low blow for me, and for you to throw it all in my face was definitely you not meaning it."

"Look, I was just angry -"

"At what Harry? What could you have possibly been angry about?"

"If you let me talk, you'd understand!" He raises his voice that when he notices that I jump slightly he breathes out. "You weren't the only one that lost a best friend, and then for you to replace me that quickly with some other guy?"

"I'm sorry, I can't quite hear you because of all the hypocrisy. You lost me as a best friend the moment your fiancé decided to cut me out of your life. So if anything, you replaced me first."

He looks taken aback. "That is different."

"No it isn't, Harry. I never cut you out when Ethan and I were engaged. If anything, I hung out more with you than I did with him, that's why he didn't like you. You and I had more in common than him and I, but I guess that was just me being able to make my own decisions."

"What makes you think I can't decide for myself?" He raises his eyebrow.

"Please. Your whole life revolves around people making decisions for you. When to release music, when to see your family, what to say, what to post what not to post, what gym to go to, what to eat. Your relationship is even decided for." I retort.

"You don't know that." He replies.

"Really. Did Kendall remind you not to see me while you're in London?" I ask making him bite the inside of his cheek. "Exactly my point."

"I just came here to apologize for last time. It was out of pocket of me to do and I didn't mean any of it, believe me or not. I just want my best friend back." He says, looking sad.

"What for? So you can only come talk to me while you're in London alone so your fiancé doesn't see you? Because if we're friends again we won't be able to talk, and quite honestly I don't think I want a secret friendship."

"What the hell do you want me to do? I have no one, you're right. Everyone is fake, it didn't take long for me to see that. You were my only friend. So please, tell me what to do."

"I can't be someone else to make decisions for you, Harry." I say. "You have to decide what you'll do for yourself." I'm about to go back inside but his hand stops me.

"Have coffee with me at least?"

"It's 10. Everything is closed."

"You have a spare key to your work place. Let's go there."