Oh God. Laine's here. Harry's there. Oh God.

I grab Laine's hand and swiftly spin him around so his back is to Harry. I don't think he'd notice him anyway, but you can never be too cautious. Maybe I'm simply saving his pretty face from Harry's wrath. Whatever my reasons, all I know is this is a slightly fucked up situation.

Laine, oblivious to it all, chuckles in amusement. "Well, well, well. Someone's eager."

"Shut up, Laine." I try to make my voice sound teasing as to not draw suspicion but even I can hear the shakiness in my tone. 

Lucky for me, Laine doesn't catch it. "Make me," he huskily replies.

Ugh! The one time he has to be horny is in front of my ex-boyfriend? Where was this energy when I wanted to have sex with him a few nights ago? He couldn't have picked a worse time.

"Okay. Hm... should I brag about the time I beat your ass in quarters or the fact that your brothers are teasing you because of me?" I say, skillfully avoiding his hints.

His arms snake around my waist and he pulls me flush against him. I have to crane my neck to see his face. His eyes have a dangerous glint in them that makes my throat go dry. His lips near my ears and he whispers, "I let you win at Quarters."

I freeze. For a second, everything else around me is forgotten. There isn't a soulmate watching me from a distance, there isn't a group of rowdy boys messing in the nearby vicinity, there isn't a loud ass car driving around. Just Laine and I.

"You... you did?"

He pulls his face back, looking smug. "I did. You missed the last shot. I switched our cups so you'd think you won."

I gape at him. All this time, I thought I won! What's worse is that I made a huge deal about it at the time.

"You jerk!" I laugh as I lightly smack his chest. I'm not really mad, just surprised. I really thought I beat him out. I was all cocky about it, too. Now I just feel like an asshole.

His smirk widens. "Hey, I'm not the president for nothing. It was just so cute when you thought you won, so I had to let you think you did. Besides, I liked your way of celebrating." He suggestively wiggles his brows, making me laugh again. I did kiss him that night... a lot.

Blame the alcohol.

Suddenly I'm reminded of the rest of that night. It just so happens to be the night I drunkenly dialed Harry. My stomach churns in the worst way possible. Harry's here now, about ten feet away and listening in to this whole conversation.

"Um, I should go. My roommate and I agreed to talk about our issues tonight," I lie, attempting to keep my tone as apologetic as possible.

Laine nods slowly, the lust slowly disappearing from his eyes. "I hope everything goes well. If not, you're always free to crash at mine." My heart swells from the invite. It makes me so happy that he's willing to give up his space for me.

But since I can't be serious with him, I continue joking on. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" I tease, poking his chest. He smirks and I can't help but roll my eyes at him. "Okay okay, I need to go. Thanks for tonight."

"Of course, babe," he smiles before cupping my cheek and leaning forward. My eyes squeeze shut, only because I'm trying to hide a cringe. Maybe if I can't see Harry, he can't see me either? 

I kiss him long enough to not raise suspicions, but short to the point where it can't turn him on again. He doesn't seem to mind based on the lazy grin on his face. His hand trails and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Goodnight, beautiful."

"Laine," I groan.

He puts up his hands in surrender. "Okay! No beautiful... Ugly?"

"Perfect," I grin up at him. "Good night Mr. Prez."

"Good night... ugly," he forces out. He looks pained to even say those words. I can't help but laugh. "I've never met a girl who doesn't like being called beautiful."

"It's not that I don't like being called beautiful, I just don't like pet names like that." Coming from you. Harry can call me anything he wants.

My brows raise at my inner voice in amusement but I quickly shake the thoughts away. "Okay, I seriously need to go."

"I'll have my phone on standby if you need a place."

My grin only widens. I definitely won't be calling him. Still, I can't help but gush at how cute he is. I stand on my tippy toes and kiss his cheek. "Thank you."

"Now go before I drag you back to my place." He's teasing but I see the edge of lust in his eyes. I smile and step back from his arms.

I start heading to the door and only wait to approach Harry when I know Laine isn't watching. As soon as his back is turned, I march up to Harry, grab his wrist, and pull him inside the building because anyone can see.

As soon as we're out of sight, I turn to Harry. His lips are set in a tightlipped smile but his eyes are hardened. Looking closer, I see his jaw pulsing. He's pissed.

Pissed, but hiding it for my sake.

"What are you doing here?" I hiss, pretending that I'm not openly gawking at him. His face looks good, sexy even, when he's pissed. Like an exhilarating type of danger. His hair is still covered by his hood but I can see his curls poking out.

"Well, I thought you'd be happier to see me," he responds, masking his anger like a professional. If I didn't know him any better, I'd think he was totally okay with me kissing my current boyfriend. I'd think he's moved on.

But I do know him. That's the problem.

I open my mouth to respond but the sound of chatty girls approaching us has me frozen in my tracks. Before I can realize what I'm doing, I'm tugging Harry into the privacy of my bedroom and locking the door behind us.

Thank God Sonia's not here. She'd have a field day with this one. I can picture her smirk right about now.

Suddenly something is pushed in my direction. I look down to see Harry's hand wrapped around a bouquet of bright sunflowers.

My heart melts a little.

"What's this?" I ask, grabbing them from him and looking at the flowers in awe.

"Flowers."

"Gee thanks, Captain Obvious," I grin, all previous annoyance forgotten, and draw my eyes back to his face "Why though? Most people don't get flowers for their friends." I make sure to emphasize the last part. It's very important that we both understand our dynamic, just in case I'm the one who forgets. Because the odds of that are increasing by the second.

His small smile falters a little before he shrugs. "Who says? I thought all friends do this."

"Uh-huh," I skeptically reply before setting the bouquet down on my desk. I spin on my heel to face him and I'm hit with the smell of him. It's the equivalent of a cozy blanket around my shoulders on a cool night. "So, why are you here?"

"Can't friends visit each other?"

The reason for my previous annoyance reemerges and I'm scolding him before I can stop myself. "Yeah, when they're normal people, not a celebrity. What were you thinking? Someone could've seen you!"

He smirks and it's nothing like Laine's smirks. Laine makes my heart jump. Harry makes my heart do a whole dance routine.

Friends. Just friends.

"You sure seem concerned for me." Green orbs are swirling with amusement as he looks at me.

"I am! You could've been mobbed!" I chide. He isn't taking this seriously at all. If anyone were to see him, he would've been hounded until he met with every single fan. It's not like he has security by his side. "Not to mention, you made the trip here. It's not like it was a five-minute drive."

He steps closer and cups my face with warm hands. His thumb strokes my cheeks and I force my eyes to stay open even though I desperately want to shut them from sheer pleasure. His piercing gaze stays on my eyes. "Niall was coming down so I thought I'd visit too."

For a second, we're in our own bubble filled with blurred lines. He's here, I'm here, we're touching.

FRIENDS! FRIENDS! YOU SAID FRIENDS!

I awkwardly avert my gaze to his chest. Friends don't touch each other like this. He notices my discomfort and takes a step back, his arms falling limp to his side. I let out a silent breath of relief, then clear my throat.

Then his words actually process. "Niall's here?" I squeak out. Harry nods. 

Niall! That idiot! He never called me back after our little fight from Orlando. I thought he wasn't mad at me anymore but it seems like he still is. I can barely believe he's so close but he won't bother to see me.

"Did he come to visit Sydney?" I ask.

Harry nods again.

My jaw drops in disbelief. "That bloody bastard! He never returned my phone call!"

Amusement dances in his emerald eyes. "Did you just say 'bloody'?"

I ignore him. "I can't believe the nerve of that guy! Wait – does that mean Sydney was lying when she said he was in California? I mean, they're hanging out right now. I bet if I call, he wouldn't pick up." My head snaps toward Harry and I hold out my hand. "Give me your phone."

"Why?"

"Harry!"

He sighs in defeat and hands me his phone. I take it and immediately call Niall, keeping it on speakerphone.

He picks up right away. "Harold! Can I please get out of the car now? I'm bored."

Car?

I look up at Harry, confused. He avoids my gaze and takes the phone.

Niall chuckles on the other end. "Ah, that's an angry silence if I ever knew one. What, did El kick you to the curb? Or did you see her frat boy? I bet he's all like Oh my God Chad, the keg's running now," he fakes an American accent as he mimics Laine.

I snort and cover my mouth. I know I'm supposed to be mad at him but that was too funny.

"Just stay where you are," Harry sighs before hanging up. I look up expectantly at him, silently demanding an explanation. He sighs again before taking the liberty of climbing on to my bed and sitting. "Niall's not visiting Syd. He wants to see you but I told him to stay in the car."

I snicker before I realize I shouldn't find this funny. Someone has to be the mature one here. I give Harry a disapproving look. "Shame on you! I was just complaining about him and you don't even let me see him? How else am I supposed to give him a good slap?"

He relaxes a little when he realizes I'm not actually mad. He runs a hand through his already disheveled hair and leans back against the wall. "I wanted to see you alone."

Damn, my heart has an intricate dance routine going on right now.

"Well, I don't think friends would do that to each other, right? Come on, let's go bring him up." I force the words out but they taste like bile on my tongue.

"Do we have to?" he groans as he jumps off the bed. I sternly nod and watch as he readjusts his hood to cover most of his face. I silently hope we don't get caught tonight. I'm not ready for the cardio that it'll take to run from fans and I'm definitely not ready for the attention we'll get when I inevitably slow down and allow the crowd to catch up.

I'm also doing an internal happy dance because Niall came to see me and not Syd. It's a little immature but it makes me feel special.

Although, I definitely need to ask him about that when I get my hands on his Irish hair.

"So, so, so! Where is he?" I ask a little too eagerly.

"Ouch, why are you more excited to see him than me?"

"I cannot believe you'd lock him in a car like a dog," I snort, completely ignoring him. I'm practically bouncing around as he slowly prepares to go outside. It's taking everything in me to not drag him by the ear.

God, why am I so excited?

"He acts like a dog."

"Yeah," I smile, thinking about Niall. "A golden retriever." He's always so energetic and adorable.

"More like a mutt," Harry mutters under his breath. I glare at him, which makes him smile sweetly and pretend he never said that. "Let's go before he calls me again."

We walk out of the building in quick steps. Harry keeps his head down to the point where I'm worried he's going to bump into something. There aren't many people lingering around so the odds of being mobbed are slim, luckily.

I gently nudge him as we walk to his car. "You should be nicer to him."

"No."

I roll my eyes. There's the Harry I know and love.

You know... as a friend of course.

"Stop rolling your eyes. They're gonna get stuck like that."

"Stop rolling your eyes. They're gonna get stuck like that," I mimic using a high pitched tone. He scowls which makes me playfully nudge into him again.

Within minutes, we're at the parking lot. My eyes scan around as Harry quickly leads me to his rented...

Minivan?

"Shut up!" I cover my mouth to stifle my laughter but I end up cackling regardless. "No way."

We're standing in front of the most beat-up minivan I've ever seen. It's a deep maroon color and looks like it's been made before I was even bored. The paint is chipped in several different spots and the bumper is practically falling off. One of the tires is missing a hub cap.

Harry glares at me as I double over in laughter, pulling a hand on his arm for support. "It was the most inconspicuous," he mumbles.

"Inconspicuous... Harry... stupid..." I say through gasps of breath. When I'm finally recollected, I stand up straight, trying to hide my grin. It doesn't work. "You would've been better with a flashy car. Newsflash Harry, people would rather walk than be caught dead in that."

"Well now I know," he grumbles before unlocking the door. The door slides open and Niall stumbles out, gasping for air.

"Harry! You didn't even roll the window down?" I gasp, smacking his arm.

Niall notices me for the first time. He runs over, dramatically grabbing at my arms as he goes down on his knees. "Ellie... I'm.... dying."

"Niall, stop making a scene," Harry hisses as he closes the van door. It almost falls off its hinges.

"El... save me! He's being a meanie!"

I lightly nudge Niall with my foot. "Get off me." He makes a devastated face before scrambling to his feet. Then I smack his arm. "That's for not calling me back."

"Jesus woman! You're just as abusive as him," Niall grumbles as he rubs his jeans. Then his arms wrap around me in a suffocating hug. The air is literally knocked out of me but I still manage to wrap my arms around him. This only encourages him to squeeze tighter. I start to feel lightheaded.

Then the pressure is gone. Harry's dragging Niall by the collar away from me.

"Thank... you..." I say through gulps of air.

"Bloody hell, she was going blue in the face," Harry snaps at Niall. "Fucking control yourself."

Niall only cheekily smiles. "Sorry, El."

"It's fine," I huff. "Just maybe try not to kill me next time?"

"Deal!" He grins, slinging an arm around my shoulder. "So, where are we going?"

I start walking and hope Harry is trailing behind us. "My dorm. I don't know what possessed you idiots to drive all the way here but we gotta lay low."

"It's because Harry-"

Niall's interrupted by Harry flicking the back of his head. I laugh at the two, missing these moments. In fact, I miss all the boys together. I'm still in unknown terms with Louis and Liam and I'm not really sure what to do about that. All I know is if I accept everyone back into my life, things are going to get crazy, fast.

I don't know how we do it, but we manage to get back into the building and behind closed doors without anyone getting caught or hurt. Niall seems extra persistent on bothering everyone. While I love it, Harry's the usual grumpy Gus when he's around any of his friends.

"I'm ordering pizza so sit tight," I say as I place an order on my phone. Niall takes a seat on my bed while Harry sits straddles my desk chair. Once I'm done, I sit next to Niall on my bed.

"What's up, El?" Niall asks, nudging my shoulder.

"What's up with you? Why aren't you at your girlfriend's place, huh?" I casually ask.

His smile hardly falters but the light in his eyes dims just a little. "She doesn't know I'm here."

"Let me guess, she didn't tell you to call me either?" I ask flatly. His clueless face is answer enough. She didn't. I totally knew it. "What happened?"

"We fought."

"About?"

He sighs, annoyed. "Jesus. What's with all the questions?"

My brows raise in surprise. "Jeez, okay. My bad." I'm a little hurt by his reluctance to answer. Well, I'm hurt that he has an attitude. A simple 'I don't wanna talk about it' would work just as well.

We sit in an awkward silence for a minute before my phone beeps. I take it out and read over the message.

Laine <3: hello BEAUTIFUL i'm missing you already

Niall peers over my shoulder. "Why did he capitalize beautiful? You'd think a college boy would know proper grammar.

I make a face and tilt my phone away so he can't see my response.

Me: ok mr. prez that was incredibly cheesy

Laine <3: only for you baby ;)

"Are you really dating a frat boy?"

I look up to see Niall peering over my shoulder again. I lock my phone and annoyedly sigh. "You're so obnoxious."

"Just answer the question."

"I don't know, why don't you ask your little girlfriend? She just seems to love me," I say a little too harshly. I don't appreciate talking about Laine in front of Harry. I'm not that petty.

"Harsh."

I hum in response and lean my head against the wall.

Laine <3: How are your roommate issues going?

Me: it's... going

Laine <3: should i pull out the fresh sheets?

"Ellie! The fresh sheets?" Niall dramatically gasps.

I elbow his gut. "Ever heard of privacy?"

Me: i think i'll be good

me: thanks 🥰

Laine <3: any time babe

"Woah. What's going on between you and your roomie?"

That's when I decide to stop texting in front of Niall. I look up at him sheepishly. "She kinda sorta signed me up for therapy."

Before he has the chance to respond, my phone lights up with Macy's picture. Without thinking, I answer.

"Mace? What's wrong?"

"Ellieeeeeee! It's Son-ya. Heh. Son-ya-ya-ya."

I tense. "Why are you calling from Macy's phone?" I hear some sniffling on the line and the worry starts creeping in. "Sones, are you okay?"

"I just," she sniffles again, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I overstepped a line again. I didn't mean to but I thought I was doing what's best. I wanted you to vent because keeping your problems in isn't good for you!"

"Hey, hey. Relax, okay? We'll talk tomorrow when you're sober."

"I can come home right now if you want."

"No!" I all but shout into the phone. Both the boys give me weird looks but I smile and will myself to calm down. "Don't come home. I want you to let loose. We'll talk when you're feeling better, okay?"

"Okay," she sobs into the phone. "I'll see you."

"Bye Sones, stay safe," I smile before hanging up. God, I was worried that something happened for a second. At least she apologized. Sure, she's drunk, but it's something. I hand out drunk apologizes all the time.

Let's just hope she doesn't have a change of heart and come back.

I end up texting Macy anyway, just in case.

Me: under no circumstances do you let sonia come home, okay?

Macy: uhhh why?

I think of a quick lie.

Me: I'm with Laine.

Macy: ELLLLIE ;) TELL ME HOW IT GOES

Niall groans. "I can't believe you're using him as your cover."

I lock my phone and give Niall a smile. "If you're going to be this annoying, we can go visit Syd."

He playfully shoves me, not taking me seriously. "Where's the pizza?"

As if on cue, my phone chimes, letting me know it's here. I jump off the bed and let them know I'll be right back. I just hope I can trust them alone in my room.

When I come back upstairs, I'm happy to see they're both alive. They're sitting in the same spots, looking normal.

A little too normal.

"Okay..." I suspiciously trail, eyeing them. Niall jumps off the bed and grabs the box from my hand. "Tonight, we're eating like college students," I tell them. What I'm met with confused looks, I explain. "I forgot to ask for plates so we're using napkins."

Both disapprovingly shake their heads at me but comply much easier than I thought they would. It's time like this that I remember they're just Harry Styles and Niall Horan, two regular guys who had their younger years stolen from them for fleeting moments of fame.

As the night goes on and we make small talk, I notice Niall getting antsier by the second. I raise a brow in Harry's direction but he just shakes his head to let me know not to ask. I pout which makes him roll his eyes. Looks like he's becoming immune to my charm. A shame.

I decide to just charm the source. Everyone repeatedly told me that I had these boys wrapped around my finger. It's really time to put this to the test. I put my palm against Niall's bouncing leg and groan.

"Niall?"

"Ellie."

"Please stop jittering and tell me what's going on," I jut out my lower lip into a pout. Behind Niall, Harry mockingly shakes his head in disapproval, meaning he thinks it'll work. Niall's face remains stony to which I put my head on his shoulder and say, "Please?"

He lets out a frustrated sigh, causing me to peer up at him from my lashes. Behind him, Harry smiles at us. I don't think he realizes he's doing it though. He's just happy his friends and soulmate get along. I have that same smile when I see him interacting with Drew and Audrey - hell, even Noah!

"Okay, okay. Just promise you won't freak out."

My brows furrow. Why would I freak out? Unless...

"We fought over you."

"Shit," I immediately hiss before meeting his wary eyes. The blue in his irises stands out against his dialated pupils. "What the hell does that mean?"

He clamps his mouth shut, choosing not to elaborate. I'm tempted to extend my arms out and wring my hands around his pale neck. I don't though. Instead, I take deep, calming breaths.

"Niall," I say slowly, enunciating every syllable of his name, "what do you mean?"

"Just tell her," Harry interjects. Now my brows are raised. Harry knows and didn't tell me? Then again, it's not his place to tell.

Niall shoots his friend a dirty look but it's no match for Harry's intense glare. Both have a silent conversation with their eyes and I'm thankful I'm not perched in between them. Not only would I not understand, but their silent words hold so much heat that I wouldn't want to intrude.

The blond is first to succumb. Niall's shoulders slump down in defeat as his eyes stare at the rug under our feet. "She doesn't like when I take away time from her to visit you."

"Oh," I lamely reply as I let his words sink in. Syd never liked me, she made it clear. But now I'm causing problems in their relationship? I didn't know that I was that much of a big deal in their relationship. My hand clamps my mouth down in horror. "Oh my god."

"What?" he asks, panicked.

My face flushes as I recall our brief chat after my therapy session a few days ago. I wasn't subtle about Niall hanging out with me over break. I didn't really realize how suggestive it sounded until now. Any normal person wouldn't see it as suspicious but I'm already drawing a wedge in between them so she probably thinks I slept with him or something.

Oh God.

"Niall, go to her! Jesus!" I hiss, pushing him off the bed. I decide not to tell him about our brief conversation. He'd probably be upset at me for saying that.

"What? No. I'm here with you!"

"Exactly!" I yelp as I jump off the bed and wipe my greasy fingers across my jeans. That'll need a wash soon. "You're such an idiot! I can't believe you'd let your girlfriend be upset for so long. She obviously wants to spend time with you." Using both hands, I push him toward the door. Before we step out, I tug his hoodie over his head. "Go to her. Say it was a surprise or something. Just don't bring me up."

I'm unsure why I'm doing this. After all, Niall came here for me. It must be the guilt. I'm unknowingly hurting Niall. I don't like Sydney, never really have, but I don't feel that it's right that she hates me for no reason. The only reason I don't like her is because of her attitude issues. She acted like she hated me when we bumped into each other. I didn't even do anything!

Harry softly chuckles behind me. "Whipped."

I whirl around and give him a glare. He's discouraging his friend from being romantic.

"Wait!" I yelp before going back to my desk and shoving the flowers Harry brought for me into Niall's chest. "Give this to her."

Niall flashes his pearly whites as I pull us out. Soft footsteps behind us let me know Harry's following closely behind. We don't speak as the crisp Spring air brushes against our faces. My hair whips around in the violent air and I silently curse myself for cutting it to a length where I couldn't tie it. Every time it grows it, I still cut it back to the same length. I'm not really sure why, but I can just imagine Dr. Linda saying something about me wanting a constant in my life or whatever.

We finally ready Syd's dorm and I realize Niall's the one who's been leading us. It's cute that he visits her often enough to memorize where he's going.

He nervously turns to me, wringing his hands nervously. "What if she isn't home?"

"Call her, you dimwit," Harry says from behind me. I glance over my shoulder and playfully glare at him, to which he lazily grins.

Ugh, my heart is doing that dance routine again.

"Right," Niall stutters as he pulls out his phone. I step away to give him his privacy and Harry does the same, touching shoulders with mine. Niall paces in aimless circles as he speaks into the phone. His face controls from anxiety to relief to giddiness. Although I can't hear his words, I just know he's forgiven. A few minutes in, he turns to us with a thumbs up, meaning she's coming down.

Harry and I take that as our cue to leave. We wave and I wink at him as we leave.

"Sorry I gave him the flowers... I just thought he'd need them more than me," I sheepishly admit as we walk the path back to my place. It didn't occur to me at the moment how rude it is to just give away flowers you've received but I think my determination blurred what was right and wrong at the time.

Harry senses my dampened mood and lightly nudges me with his shoulders. His hands are secured in his pockets and mine are stuffed in my hoodie for the sole purpose of not reaching out and touching him. "It's no problem. I get it."

"Thanks."

"Never a problem," he cheekily responds. "It's just an excuse to bring you more flowers."

My steps slow as he continues on. "About that," I nervously bite my lip. Upon hearing my dread, Harry stops and notices that I'm a few paces behind. Neither of us close the distance, choosing to watch from a good number of feet away. My mouth struggles to form a coherent sentence, especially with the way the moonlight highlights his sharp features. To anyone else he might seem hidden in his hoodie, but to me he looks just as distinguishable. "I don't think you should stop by so frequently..."

His dark brows furrow in confusion. "Why not? Niall stops by all the time."

"Yeah, but they aren't friends," I point out and immediately regret it when I see the hurt flash in his eyes. I quickly struggle to add more legitimate reasons. "But also there's other things. Like, this is a shit town with not much to do. It must be boring."

"I'm never bored around you," he softly whispers.

I frustratedly clamp my eyes shut as my breathing unevens. "And driving is so inconvenient. It's a total waste of gas. Not to mention, I'm sure you have better things to do. I'm sure you'll be going back to Cali soon, or even London. You have other commitments, Harry. You can't just abandon them and stay in this shit state." My reasons don't sound too convincing but I slowly pop an eye open to see if he feels the same.

His face is angled downward in thought. He's concentrating on his boots but I know his eyes are unfocused. He's thinking about my words, either trying to find truth in them or analyze the real reason behind me saying them. Either way, I hope it's enough to finally listen.

He lets out a big puff of air before dragging his head up to meet my eyes. "You're right."

I don't register his words and drone on regardless. "Plus, you're a celebrity. College kids are your target audience. What if you get caught and ambushed? It's not a smart move - Wait, did you just agree?"

He nods slowly as he takes a step forward. "I'll leave you alone. I'm sorry."

"No, that's not what–" I start but it's too late. He's already walking away, going God knows where. Suddenly I feel a weight being dropped on my chest. Did I just ruin everything between us? I didn't want to ruin our newfound relationship. I just didn't want him to be here all the time. To pause his life for me.

As if knowing my thoughts, he pauses and looks over his shoulder. "Don't worry. We're still friends."

All I can do is muster a small smile as he leaves. Somehow his reassurance isn't comforting.