I awkwardly stand inside the bathroom for a while after Harry left. I facepalmed as soon as I realized I haven't brought any clothes into the bathroom. With a sigh I reluctantly open the bathroom door and surprisingly find the bedroom empty. I would have thought Harry would be outside waiting for me. I shake my head and sluggishly make my way toward my bag to pull out a pair of black leggings and an oversized maroon knit sweater. I feel the cold air nip at my body as I dress, but I can't seem to find the energy to dress myself any faster. Once I'm fully dresses I pull my still wet hair into a messy bun. I slip on some black pumps and fiddle with a few loose strands of hair before I'm finally satisfied. A few seconds pass of me contemplating what to do next before I grab the duvet off the bed and wrap myself in it. Once I'm fully cocooned I take a deep breath and open the bedroom door. I hear some soft bickering coming from the living area which lets me know someone is still home. I silently walk down the hallway and peek into the living room, what I find makes me almost gasp aloud. Harry is sitting on the sofa surrounded by his friends. Now, all of this would have seemed normal except the fact that Harry is full on sobbing. I don't see his face but I take not of the way his head is rested into his palms and his shoulders shake slightly. I furrow my brows and watch as Lee and James try to encourage Harry that everything will be alright. Tom is sitting on another sofa, biting on his lip and seemingly deep in thought. I take a step back and stumble over a bag, Harry's bag. How the hell did this get here? It wasn't here two minutes ago! I widen my eyes at the realization that everyone probably heard my stumbling and silent cussing. With my head hung low I decide to just face everyone.

"C-can I have a g-glass of water?" I mumble, pretending to be oblivious to what I've just witnessed.

I lift my gaze slightly to find Tom slowly making his way towards me, Lee and James and Harry remaining in their seats. Tom gestures for me to follow him which I do- anything to get out of here.

"You should talk to Harry." Tom suggests while grabbing a glass out of the cabinet. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise at Tom's suggestion.

"Why?" I stubbornly decline before taking a seat on one of the barstools and burying myself deeper into the duvet.

"Look Ashley, I know you probably hate every single one of us, but just try and think about talking to him." Tom whispers and hands me a warm cup of milk. Did I not ask for water?

With a sigh I un-cocoon myself and take the glass of milk anyway. I watch as Tom leaves the kitchen and quickly feel my heart start to ache. I honestly don't even know what to feel. Everything is just so dam confusing. I frown and stare into my cup of milk. Everything is such a mess and so confusing. Why should I even believe anything these four guys say? Why am I even here? I suddenly jump up, spilling a little of the hot milk. I quickly set down the cup and make my way back to the room. I throw the duvet off of my body and hastily make the bed before I pack my bag and ensure that all my things are packed. I grab my phone off the bedside table and pick up the bag before making my way out of the room and down the hall.

"Can someone take me home?" I say with such determination in my voice that I even surprise myself.

At this Harry swirls around in his seat making me gasp at the sight. His eyes are bloodshot and puffy. His lips slightly swollen from crying and his cheeks still somewhat wet. I will myself not to go to him and wrap my arms around him. Reluctantly I break eye contact with Harry and find my eyes resting on Lee. With a quick nod he gets up and walks over to me. He grabs my bag and walks toward the door. I give the rest of the lads a once over, my eyes lingering on Harry.

"A-Ash, please can we talk?" Harry's voice sounds broken, foreign even. The finality in his voice makes me shiver slightly.

I feel my throat slightly close at the thought of leaving him for good which makes me question my decisions for a second. With a shake of my head I hurry out of the house and toward Lee's car. All the way to Harry's house Lee doesn’t say a word and subconsciously I need to keep convincing myself that I'm doing the right thing. I bite my lip as I think about Harry, my heart hammering in my chest as if attempting to persuade me to go back to him. Am I even doing the right thing? Should I just talk to him and have him explain himself?

"Please consider talking to Harry once you're ready?" Lee answers my thoughts.

I notice that we're already parked in front of Harry's house. I feel my stomach clench at the sight. The only thing I can think of is getting my car and going to bed.

"Bye Lee." I give him a tight smile and grab my bag from the backseat. I don't dare answering him regarding me talking to Harry.

I quickly get out of the car and hurry to get inside my car and drive home. I turn once more to find that Lee has already taken off. Having my keys ready, I get into my car without a hassle. The drive back is quick and before I know it I'm standing in the hallway of my apartment. I freeze slightly at the knowledge that I'm completely alone. With a frown I walk through my desolate apartment. Once I get into my room I set my bag down, pull of my shoes and get into my bed. Before I set my phone down on the bedside table I glance at the time and nearly get back out of bed as its only 6pm. I decide against getting out of bed and rather turn on the heating blanket underneath my sheets so that I can sleep. I sit a few seconds before lying down and turning on my side. I stare at my curtains for a while and with a million thoughts and feelings running through my mind, I can't help but dread the fact that I need to go to work tomorrow.

***

I wake up to the sound of my alarm going off. How is my phone still on? With a groan I sit up in bed and reach for my phone to off the alarm. I notice several messages and one missed call on my home screen which make me slightly flinch. I quickly read through them.

08:02 PM From Harry- Ash please just let me explain everything to you.

09:59 PM From Harry- I didn't mean to hurt you!

10:05 PM From Harry- Are you okay?

12:09 PM From Harry- I miss you.

I sigh and delete all the message before setting the phone down and getting out of bed. I absolutely do not want to go to work, but I'd rather be there than be alone in my apartment the whole day. Thankfully I got my car yesterday otherwise I would have had to face Harry again today. Some of my things are still in his apartment, but for all I care he can keep it. I roll my eyes and quickly rummage through my closet to get something to wear for today. I decide on wearing some dark blue jeans, black boots and a light pink sweater with a black scarf. I decide to leave my hair in a bun, but re-do the look as my hair completely fell out during the night. I apply some mascara and eyeliner and then a little pink blush with lip-gloss just to give my dull face some color. I honestly don't want everyone at work knowing that I spent most of my weekend crying and sleeping. I frown at my reflection, the make-up not covering up the fatigue and sadness which is still evident. My eyes look lifeless and my frown lines are more prominent. I shake my head and decide to just wing it. If anyone asks I'll just say I have a hangover. I sluggishly make my way out of the apartment and into my car, only grabbing my phone and bank card on the way out. After driving for what feels like hours, I finally make it to work. I don't struggle to find a parking space and within minutes I am in the office.

"Hi." I firmly greet Rebecca who eyes me cautiously.

"Hi hun." She mumbles and studies me as I hurry past her.

I rush toward the kitchen in the back and quickly insert a coffee tab into the coffee machine. After making my coffee I hurry up the stairs and into my office. I set my cup down on the table and quickly get myself settled. I turn on the computer and wait for it to start as I eagerly sip my steaming coffee. The cold sucks, but I love it.

"Morning." Jacob's voice booms from behind me almost causing me to spill my coffee.

"H-hi." I splutter and wipe my mouth while I turn to look at him.

"How are you Ashley?" He asks sweetly.

"I'm fine and you?" I reply and set my cup down. He eyes my cup for a second before returning to the conversation.

"I'm well thank you. I see you're enjoying a cup of coffee." I nod and notice that he's basically hinting for me to get him a cup of coffee.

"Do you want some?" I offer, knowing that he'll say yes.

"That would be lovely, thank you." And with that he leaves my office.

I shake my head and roll my eyes before getting up from my seat. I should honestly learn how to say no or something. Once I finish his cup of coffee I take it to his office and set it down for him. He scrunches his nose slightly once he takes a sip.

"What?" I snap and feel myself grow slightly impatient.

"I do prefer drinking tea, but the coffee is lovely thanks." Well why didn't you say so? I subconsciously yell but refrain from telling him off. I nod and quickly exit his office before he can say anything else.

"If you don't like coffee then make your own damn stuff." I mutter under my breath as I sit down at my table.

A few minutes pass by of me just sitting at my desk and staring at the computer screen. I finish my coffee before opening the envelope that Rebecca set on my table. A rough draft of a book is found inside which I should edit and send back to her. I take a deep breath and open the first page. Before I know it I'm halfway through the story and enthralled by its contents.

Comment

Vote

Share