Some may think that hangovers are the worst feeling in the world. I'm quite the opposite. They remind me of the memories made the night before, even if I can't recall everything. They also serve as a constant reminder to not drink again.

Not like that ever works.

But this time, the hangover doesn't come.

I wake up refreshed, with no headache, no nausea. How lucky.

Laine's happily asleep on the bed, like most of the people in the frat. I slowly climb out of bed, careful not to wake him.

When I'm in the bathroom, I nearly do a double-take at my reflection. My once perfect makeup is smeared in places it shouldn't. I look like Alice Cooper after a messy night out.

I guess I was too shitfaced to wash my face.

The sink water comes out cold and I scrub my face until the majority of the makeup comes off. There are still remnants that only face wash can remove but seeing how I'm currently in a bathroom shared by twenty guys, the odds of that are slim. Still, I could look worse. 

Someone else casually enters the bathroom and I glance at him through the mirror. He smirks, eyes tastefully skimming my body, before the realization hits him. "You're Laine's girl, right?" I nod and he continues, "Aw, shit. Nevermind." He walks to the other side of the bathroom and turns on one of the showers.

I finish up in the bathroom and sneak back into Laine's room, grabbing all my stuff. My wet clothes are nicely stuffed in a plastic bag, along with my phone. It went into the pool with me, so I'm assuming it's dead. I'll have to stick it in some rice and hope it turns on.

Before leaving, I give a sleeping Laine a kiss on the cheek. I hold my breath as he stirs but he doesn't wake. He was a complete gentleman last night. It was actually kind of amusing how he raided the entire house for a can of soup for me. He didn't make any moves on me and I'm glad. I was too upset last night, not that he knew.

I decide to walk back to campus. It's not far and since it's bright, I feel much safer. It's not like I have a car anyway.

The walk is nice. I clear up my head a little, though I refuse to think about last night until I've had a shower and maybe some caffeine.

Then there's the fact that I look like a mess. My hair is super frizzy from the chlorine and I'm wearing Laine's sweatpants and t-shirt. It's the ultimate walk of shame and the worst part is, I'm coming out of it soggy and I didn't even have sex! The only shameful thing is that I was drunk enough to nearly drown.

Wearing Laine's shirt felt weird, considering that's something between Harry and I, but I couldn't avoid it. My clothes were soaked and I didn't want to sleep shirtless. I feel weirdly guilty, which is so dumb.

As much as I don't want to face Sonia, I need to go home. It's my room too. And I really really need a shower.  I just hope she isn't awake and I can avoid her for as long as possible. There's no doubt a list of ugly words awaits her. 

I let out a sigh of relief when my building comes into view. Trudging up the stairs feels like hell and I wish we had an elevator right about now. When it's time to unlock my room, I put in my key as quietly. The door smoothly opens and I take a deep breath before going in.

Sonia's side of the bed is empty, meaning she's already awake and gone... or she never came home. I shudder thinking about the latter. As mad as I am, I still love her and I'd never wish that upon her.

I definitely feel relieved she isn't here right now though. I tiptoe into the room and nearly scream when I look on my side.

There Harry lays, sleeping on my bed without a care in the world.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I hiss. Leave me alone!

I decide to grab my stuff and maybe sneak to Macy's dorm. At least there I can shower in peace and I know she won't ask questions.

Okay, maybe she will, but she'll at least let me get comfy before grilling me.

When I go to my closet and pull out a duffle bag, a hanger falls and clinks on my desk before bouncing onto the floor. I hold my breath and wince at the same time. Doesn't stuff always sound so much louder in a quiet room?

Harry jolts awake and looks around before fixating on me. The relief on his face shows how worried he must have been.

I will not allow myself to feel guilty. It's my life and I can do whatever I want.

I reluctantly put the duffle bag down. He's here now, so there's no use in trying to leave.

He gets out of the bed and rapidly strides over. He pulls me into a tight hug, which I don't return even though I desperately want to.

He doesn't hold on long. Instead, his eyes fixate on what I'm wearing, scanning me up and down.

Okay, stand your ground. DON'T falter.

"I was... uh... wet. I didn't I have a choice," I meekly explain.

Why did I just do that?

His eyes harden and his jaw tenses. "Did you sleep together?"

Oh buddy, that isn't the right question. I feel my anger slowly rising. How dare he?"Get. Out." I say through clenched teeth.

He laughs in disbelief and runs his hand through his curls. "So you did."

Any small trace of nostalgia and longing is replaced by irritation. "It's none of your business. Now, leave."

"It is my fucking business!" he growls. I'm sure the whole building can hear our argument at this point. Good. Maybe it'll up his publicity as a fucking asshole player.

"Did you sleep with her?" I ask as-a-matter-of-factly. His hard exterior falters and something flashes in his eyes. Ouch. "Thought so. Now, leave."

He awkwardly stands in place, processing the way the tables have turned. He obviously didn't expect the double standard.

"Harry, unless you want a shoe-shaped bruise on you, leave," I pick up a shoe for extra emphasis. Lucky for me, it happens to be my sharpest heel.

"We need to talk."

This time, I'm the one who's laughing. "Funny. If you wanted a nice, civil conversation, you wouldn't have acted like such a... boy." Caveman, more like.

"Oh, I'm immature?" He strides closer, getting in my face. "I'm not the one who ruined a relationship over some stupid contract deal."

Yes, Harry, get mad! Be mad at me!

"I'm not the one who made a stupid contract to date another girl!" I scream back, equally mad. Finally. Finally, I get what I want to say all those months ago.

"You told me too!"

"Well, you could have read over it! Don't you have lawyers or something?"

"I... You...Ugh! You're so damn frustrating!"

In a second of not-thinking, he crashes his lips onto mine. I heatedly kiss him back, letting my anger out. He grips on to my face for better control. His tongue swipes on my bottom lip and I open my mouth, giving him access.

After we pull away for breath, I yell, "I'm frustrating? I didn't just yell and kiss you!"

"You did!" he replies, but in a quieter tone. His face is no longer angry, but rather amused.

I furrow my brows and take a step away from him.

What the hell just happened?

My hand instinctively goes to my mouth. "You... you did this!" I argue.

He scoffs. "Yeah, I totally just forced you to kiss me."

I roll my eyes and exasperatedly throw my hands up. "You're so annoying! God, get out of here!" I throw a pillow at him from my bed.

He swiftly dodges it, which makes me more annoyed. I toss my other one, which he catches. He looks amused, which bothers me more. I just wanna wipe that smirk right off of him.

"Can you let me be mad at you?" I groan.

He put the pillow back on the bed and grabs my wrists. "No, because I don't want you to be mad."

"Well, you should be the mad one. I'm the one who left," I say quietly.

Okay, now where the hell did THIS come from?

He intensely holds my gaze. "Ellie, I know you didn't mean it."

"I did," I lie. "Every word."

He scoffs and lets go of my arms. "I figured you'd realize that I know you too well."

"Okay, seriously, I have a busy day. You have to leave." I rearrange the pillows on my bed just so my hands can keep busy. I don't like this. He's supposed to hate me right now. I'm supposed to be mad at him. "Also, stop taking advantage of Sonia. I know it's you forcing her to do all this shit."

"Oh please, she wanted to help. In fact, she's the one who told me about the party."

"No shit!" I say in a sarcastic tone. "I don't give a shit. You're emotionally manipulating her. Besides, I thought Niall gave you the hint to stay away."

He stands there, not saying a word.

"Why, Harry, did you come back? Was it the fact that I was finally happy again?" I bitterly ask.

He stuffs his hands in his pocket. "He told me about your boyfriend..."

"And?"

"I just thought enough was enough, okay? I don't want to play this stupid game anymore."

"A game?" I ask, offended. "Harry, my life isn't a game. I didn't go out with him to spite you, okay? In fact, there is no 'us' anymore. Get over yourself."

"I didn't mean it like that," he defends. "I want to be with you."

I very dramatically roll my eyes, even though my heart melts a little. "Well, it's not mutual."

God, every lie is sending a little stab through my heart.

"What, because some frat boy came into your life? You're ruining your soulmate relationship for the dude that'll just take over daddy's company when everything's done?" His voice starts to rise again. "I don't buy it. I really don't. And what happens if he meets his soulmate?"

I stand there, taking in his hurtful words without flinching.

He waits for me to respond. I don't.

"Thought so. He's probably using you to get into your pants anyway."

Tears prick my eyes but I turn away before he can see. I don't want him to know how much he's hurting me.

I start rummaging through my closet as a distraction. I secretly wipe away fallen tears.

"You should go," I say quietly.

"You know, maybe I should," he snaps. I watch him collect his stuff and get ready to leave.

As he's passing me, he pauses to look at me. I turn my face away, hiding my hurt. I'm sure he's seen a hint of my sadness by now.

Then, he leaves. The door closes behind him and I waste no time crumbling to the floor. I start sobbing. All the hurt and pain I felt when I broke up with him is rushing back to me and I'm reliving every second of pure agony.

During my heavy crying, I don't even hear the door opening. I'm embraced by a pair of tan arms and I don't fight it this time.

"It's hard, it's so hard," I sob into his chest.

"Shh, I know baby," Harry coos back, stroking my hair. "I'm sorry."

Right now, I don't even care. I don't care that I look like a trainwreck, or the fact that I'm breaking down in front of the man that I tried to stay strong for. I don't even care that he's witnessing me take back all of my nonexistent hatred for him.

I just like being held by him.

Minutes pass before I feel the tears drying up. When I'm in his arms, the world stops. We're just two messed up kids without any ties to the outside.

It's a nice pause but it needs to stop.

"Are you okay?" he asks when I lift my head off his chest.

I wipe my snot with my hand and shake my head. Gross. "No, but I will be." I make no effort to leave his grip and he doesn't seem to mind. Just a few more minutes.

"I didn't mean those things you know. I was just angry," he clarifies. I numbly nod, unsure of how to respond. He still said the words, but then again I'm in no better place. We're just a pair of hotheaded people. It's why we'll never work.

The bedroom door swings open and I instinctually jump away from Harry, but he doesn't loosen his grip on me.

"If you had told me my roommate's life was so wild I would have reconsidered," Sonia rants as she walks in. "I swear she knows everyone..."

Her annoyed energy confuses me, but then I see why. Niall is trailing in behind her like a puppy. He probably used her to find me, just like Harry. It's a bit concerning how easy I am to find.

When they see us cuddled up on the floor, Sonia freezes and Niall accusinigly narrows his eyes.

"Oi, excuse me," he says, offended. "You cannot get mad at me and cuddle with him at the same time!"

"You freaking know Niall Horan as well? Jesus El, how many celebrities do you know?" Sonia asks once she snaps out of her initial shock.

I successfully pry myself out of Harry's arms and stand up. "This isn't what it looks like."

Way to keep it cliche, El.

Behind me, I sense Harry nodding his head, implying it's exactly what it looks like. I kick his shin and earn a groan.

"I was just upset and he happened to be here, okay? Now, if all the non-residents can leave, it would be great." I continue.

Niall raises his brows at me. "Don't I get an apology?"

"Nope, I meant every word I said." I push him toward the door and lower my voice. "Telling him about Laine? Real low, Horan." He opens his mouth to argue but I don't give him a chance. "Come on, Styles. You too."

"Wait a second..." Sonia has a thoughtful look on her face. "So if you're both here, then does that mean you guys are still friends after the band broke up?"

Not the time Sonia...

"No, do this on your own time, away from me. Let's go," I attempt to drag Harry out the door, but he's resistant.

Niall pulls me in a big hug against my will. "Bye Ellie," he hums. "I'll see you later."

"No, you won't."

I desperately look at Harry to get his friend out of here. Instead, he grins and leans in for a kiss. I look at him in disbelief and turn my cheek toward him.

"What's the matter with you?" I hiss.

"I'll see you later, babe," he smirks.

I roll my eyes. "No, you won't. Stop. Leave, I'm serious. Nothing's changed."

"I've missed her," Niall grins as Harry drags him out. I hope they're not recognized, but they probably will be. Hopefully, they can make it out of the building without being spotted. Imagine the scandal of Harry visiting a college campus...

No. Let them. At least they'll learn their damn lesson about surprise visits.

"Now are going to tell me everything?" Sonia asks with a bewildered expression.

I grab her by the shoulders and violently shake. "Are you insane? Like, what the hell? First, you let two strangers up here because they said they knew me? Second, what the hell was last night?"

Guilt fills her face and I know she regrets everything.

I sigh and sit down on my bed. "Sonia, I love you and your optimism, but I need you to understand the complexity of the situation, okay? Acting like you were hurt is not okay. I was so worried about you. Also, you know nothing about my past. What if one of those guys was a stalker? You have to stop letting people in, okay? Just tell me first, please!"

"I'm sorry." She's on the verge of tears. "I just thought that you and him were meant to be together and you needed a push! Things turned out okay, right?"

"Oh yeah, perfect. We got into a huge fight, I had a panic attack, and he came back and comforted me!" I say enthusiastically, then drop my smile. "I would have taken the comfort from a fucking raccoon, okay? I'm begging you, please stop looking for connections where there are none."

She shrinks back in her bed. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

"Good," I smile and pat her head. "And warning, they'll probably show up again. Maybe even other people... don't let them in. If anything, leave them outside and call me, okay?"

"Okay," she squeaks.

I know Sonia means well, but it's starting to get on my nerves. She's meddling a little too much and God knows where that'll lead me. 

Trust me, I've been the meddler before. It's the last thing I need right now.

~

It's not until I started editing these chapters (it's already all written out) did I realize how toxic Ellie can be... Yikes, girl. Get your life together. Heh.

Anyway, I took my chem exam. The grades are muted so I have no idea what I got but hopefully I did well enough to not fail the class. Science is not my strong suit...