Instagram 2 / Harry Styles

66

(real life)
[harry talks in italics / dua talks in bold]

📍 NYC, The Elk (Coffee Shop)
5 June 2021

Nostalgia rushes through Dua as her eyes fall on him. Making her way towards the secluded table in the corner of the coffee shop, her hands are trembling.

As Harry spots her, he can't help but smile softly. He quickly regains composure though, knowing the answers he's looking for won't be found if he lets his guard down.

Dua takes a deep break and mumbles a quick hi. Harry doesn't respond. His head bows down towards the table, not looking her in the eye.

"First of all, I'm sorry. It's been a while and I can't change what I did last year. I wish I could but I can't."

Harry let's out a sarcastic laugh. She hurt him. He can't leave here with nothing but pathetic excuses and apologies.

"Change what? Breaking up with me out of the blue or for giving me a bullshit reason for doing so."

"It wasn't bullshit Harry. I was so overwhelmed. The media, the fans, the opinions. It all got too much. You must know what that feels like."

"I do. And you know what I did when I felt that way? I talked to you about it. I didn't walk away from our relationship all of a sudden."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have walked out. I know I should have spoken about everything with you but I just wanted to get away."

"From me? Thanks."

"From the fucking media. Stop putting words in my mouth."

"I'm not!" Harry shouted.

Dua was startled. She rarely ever saw Harry her angry. He was never one to raise his voice.

"Don't shout at me." Tears begin to build in Dua's eyes.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't yell. Just...please don't cry."

Harry can feel the guard he'd put up crumble instantly. Seeing Dua cry will never not break his heart. He reaches his hand over the table to grab Dua's. Running gentle circles on the back oh her hand, he tries to comfort her. He's not too sure why. It's him that was left devastated last year. But, he's becoming evermore aware that Dua wasn't as collected as she seemed. Evidently, he hasn't been the only one struggling.

"How did we get here, huh? I thought everything was amazing. I was so happy, Dua."

"I was too. You have to believe me. I've regretted what I said since the moment it came out my mouth."

"Then why didn't you take a couple weeks out. Or even a couple months then come back and talk to me. It's been over a year."

"I don't know-"

"Please be real with me Dua. I'm sick of all the excuses. You said you'd come here and give me an explanation so give me one."

"I've never had such a public relationship before. That alone was stressful. Not because of you, but just in general. Knowing everyone had something to say about us, whether that was positive or not was weird because it's got nothing to do with them. I was having so many panic attacks Harry, I still am. It's terrifying."

Harry doesn't say a word. Instead, he takes a seat next to Dua in the booth they're sat in. Wrapping his arms around her, he places light kisses to her head. Dua cant help but collapse into his side, snuggling her head into his neck.

"I should have come to you straight away but I didn't know how. I've never been good at telling people how I feel, especially if I don't feel great. And I know what you're like. You feel others emotions so deeply. Whenever I was sad, you were. Whenever I was stressed, you were too. I couldn't put you through that."

"It's because I love you, you know that right? That's why I get sad when you do."

"Don't say that Harry."

"But I mean it."

"And I love you, but I don't deserve you to love me back. I hurt you. H, I'm not here to beg for you to take me back. You deserve so much more than me."

"No I don't, baby. I want you."

Dua shifts her head upwards, looking Harry in the eye. She can't quite believe he would want her back.

"Really? After everything?"

"Yes."