*since it's been a while, read forty two again before this chapter.

So sorry this took so long, I've been busy as hell with school and haven't had time to write. I was honestly super discouraged and never had the motivation, but y'all deserve this. hope y'all understand❤️

the end is near.

Poppy's POV
One Year Later

"Poppy, over here!" I hear a loud shout over the millions of voices trying to grasp my attention. I smile firmly and place a hand on my hip, swaying my hair to the side. My vision blurs as flash photography and dozens of cameras blind me.

This has been my life for the past year, publicity, publicity, and more publicity. It's like I can't even breathe without a camera being shoved in my face.

Hours later, I return home, to an empty house of course. Sighing, I drag myself upstairs with my heels in one hand, aching feet slapping against the marble staircase.

Once I make it up to the top of the stairs and begin to walk in the direction of my bedroom, something stops me. Something makes my entire body come to a halt and take a trip down memory lane.

Licking my now dry lips, I make my way towards my parents infamous bathroom.

As soon as I step foot into the grand area, my heart drops. I can feel my ears ringing, my heart beating in my throat. The last time I was in here, Harry and I were together.

I made a vow to never step foot in here again.

My eyes begin to burn, tears blurring my vision. I rub my eyes harshly, angrily wiping away the tears that threatened to fall. What has gotten into me?

So, I stand in the shower, the scorching hot water covering my skin. I look down at my feet, letting the tears fall freely.

Stop thinking about him, I scold myself. He's gone. He has someone else now.

I gulp harshly, my heart burning in my chest with anger and love at the same time. How is that possible? How can I hate him so much, but absolutely still adore him?

"Snap out of it, you little bitch," I whisper to myself angrily, grabbing the bottle of shampoo with a harsh force.

I finish my shower in silence, letting the memories soak up. After tightly wrapping a fuzzy, baby pink towel around me, I head to my room and grab my silk robe. As I tie it around me, I stare at my reflection in the mirror.

I take a deep breath before sitting at my vanity and grabbing the lotion. I lather it onto my legs in silence before turning to face the mirror.

Sometimes I wonder, who have I become? Why did I let the old, evil Poppy back in my life? Why did I become worse? Why did he leave me?

As a hot tear rolls down my cheek, I chuckle quietly to myself. He left you because you're a heartless, selfish bitch that doesn't know how to grow up and think about others.

Harry and I tried to keep the relationship going strong while he resided in London, we really did. But without him here, I lost myself. I lost the happier, kinder Poppy I had become because of him. He wasn't here to hold me, he wasn't here to scold me, my heart grew cold again.

He became so busy, phone calls became shorter, text messages briefer. I had gone back down the road to my past. When he had found out all the trouble I was getting myself into, being California's New It Girl, he was displeased to say the least.

He didn't leave me then, but he tried his hardest to knock some sense into me.

It was one phone call that ended everything.

"You've changed Poppy, and not in a good way," he sighed, "I don't know what's gotten into you, you're different now."

I feel my blood boil at his words. "I'm sorry that we can't be perfect like you."

He chuckles coldly. "This has nothing to do about perfection, you're not the same girl I fell in love with anymore.."

This was enough to make my entire heart instantly shatter. His words were like a stab in the chest. This is it, I thought to myself with a heavy heart, he's done with me.

Hot, angry tears roll down my cheeks as I fumed. "You're just gonna leave me? After everything? You're the one who never made time for me!"

"You know how busy I've gotten Poppy, I told you I'd visit you in three weeks!"

I laugh harshly. "Three fucking weeks, we've gone three months without seeing each other, Harry! It's like I don't even exist!"

"You know what, you just can't think of anyone but yourself, Poppy. Maybe we should take a break."

Those words were enough to make my world come crashing down. I felt every bone in my body ache with sadness and betrayal. How could he just leave me?

"A break? You're breaking up with me?" I cry out.

I hear him gulp. "When I come back to the states, we'll be together again, I promise, but there's things I need to handle here, and there's things you need to handle there."

Suddenly, my sadness turned into anger. I don't know what came over me. But all I saw was red. Bright, flashing red. "YOU'RE JUST GONNA LEAVE ME LIKE THAT? HOW COULD YOU? I FUCKING HATE YOU. I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU! DON'T EVEN COME BACK IF YOU DON'T WANT ME ANYMORE, I DON'T NEED YOU!" I scream as loud as I can, a rush of adrenaline knocking me out, anger pumping through my veins.

As soon as the other line went quiet, my jaw dropped. What had I done?

"I'm sorry I made you hate me, Poppy. But this is for the best, I love you forever."

And with that, he hung up.

And we never spoke again.