"Harry? What are you doing home early?" I asked, a smile breaking out on my face.

"The lads and I got off tour early. Turns out we didn't have any shows after the recent one." He shrugged, a casual smile on his face.

I practically jumped over the countertop, almost knocking a few things over. Harry was shocked at first when I pulled him into a hug, squeezing the life out of him. "Whoa there, tiger." He laughed, his arms snaking around my waist.

I smiled, not pulling away from the hug as I rested my head against his chest.

Once we pulled away, I looked up at him. "Where's Liam?"

"He's getting settled back in." Harry explained, smiling softly.

"Wait, is he back at my house?" I asked with my eyes widened, excitement starting to rush through me. "Duh." Harry chuckled.

I squealed, catching Harry off guard. "I get out of here around 3. I can't wait to see the rest of the gu-"

I cut myself off, Louis coming to mind. "Wait... Louis?" It came out more as a question than a statement.

Harry tensed up a bit, and I automatically knew something was up. He knew something I didn't. "What's up, Styles?" I questioned, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Uh, well.." Harry started, looking down at his shoes that he suddenly must've become interested in. He opened his mouth to speak again, but before he got the chance to, Carly spoke up, "Guys, get to work!"

I jumped, startled a bit when I heard Carly's voice. Harry sighed in relief under his breath, and I shot him a look. "You have some explaining to do later, Harry."

He nodded understandingly, before changing the subject. "So.. that caramel latte?"

*

3 o'clock slowly rolled around, and by the time it did, I was more than relieved. Once I said goodbye to the girls, I headed out the back exit, into the employee parking lot.

I drove home quickly, anxious to see my big brother again. Also, to find out when Harry was about to tell me before Carly interrupted.

"Liam!" I shouted, jumping into my brother's arms as soon as I got inside of my house. "I missed you so much!"

"Hey, Avery." He chuckled, picking me up during the hug and spinning me around, which was normal for us after reuniting for the first time in awhile.

"You're especially cheerful." He commented, and I smiled, putting my feet on the ground and looking up at Li.

"Yeah, I've been alright. Wonderful, actually." I responded, earning a surprised look from Liam.

"Well, good. I'm glad to hear." He grinned, and I turned around to face the other lads. In front of me stood Harry, Niall, and Zayn. I didn't know whether or not to be disappointed that Louis wasn't here, or if I should be ecstatic. Although I couldn't help but wonder where he was.

"Where's Louis?" I asked out of pure curiosity. The guys all exchanged glances. Niall bit down on his lower lip anxiously, "Avery, I think there's something that you may want to know."

"What's going on?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest and raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you see-" Zayn started to speak, and then the front door opened. Everyone's gaze turned to the door, seeing Louis walk in through the front door, hand in hand with a petite brunette standing by his side.

I think I felt my heart shatter into millions of shards right then and there. Yes, I may have 'moved on' or whatever. But that didn't mean that all my feelings for Louis had disappeared.

Louis looked directly at me, a smug smile on his face. "Hey Avery, this is Eleanor."

Was he doing this to torture me?

I kept my gaze on Louis, doing my best to not tear up in front of everyone. I had to make him think that I was okay. That I wasn't still head over heels for him.

Eleanor beamed at me, "Hello! I'm Eleanor."

"Avery." I took my eyes away from Louis, turning to meet Eleanor. Plastering a fake smile on my face, I spoke, "It's nice to meet you."

"You too! I've heard quite a lot about you." She giggled, and I raised both of my eyebrows, keeping the false smile on my lips. "Hope they were good things."

She laughed, waving her free hand aimlessly. "Don't worry, love. Nothing bad."

"I was going to have Eleanor stay here with us for a while, if that's alright with you." Louis smiled, and I could see that he was definitely trying to torture me.

"That's fine." I said through gritted teeth, hiding my anger. Looking down at my outfit, I realized I was still in my work clothes. "I'm gonna go change."

I headed upstairs quickly, walking into the bedroom and changing into something more casual and comfy. My thoughts were clouding my head. I couldn't believe he just moved on that quickly. Then again... it was a good six months ago. Liking someone is one thing, but dating them is another.

Heading out of my bedroom to go back downstairs, I felt someone grab my wrist, pushing me up against the wall. When I opened my eyes, I saw Eleanor shoved up against me. Uh?

"Listen here. I'm going to start by saying this now. I know you dated my boyfriend, and I'm just here to tell you to keep your paws off. He's mine now." She snapped in a low voice, making sure no one could hear her. "I see the way you look at him, and if you keep it up, I will pound you to a pulp."

I furrowed my eyebrows, struggling against her grip. For such a small girl, she sure did have some strength in them little arms of hers. "I don't want your precious little boyfriend anymore. Just enjoy my sloppy seconds. Don't run and come crying to me, or any of the boys, when he cheats on your sorry ass." I grunted, finally pushing her off of me.

She giggled like a little school girl. "Oh honey, he'd never cheat on me."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "I thought the same thing, honey. Just wait. He'll break your fragile little heart into pieces."

Walking past her, I headed back downstairs into the living room, where everyone was still standing. "Did El find the bathroom alright?" Louis asked, a smile on his lips.

"Oh, she found it alright." I snapped through gritted teeth as I walked past the guys, refusing to make eye contact with Louis.

Louis gasped sarcastically. "Is someone jealous?"

I spun around on my heel, turning to face Louis. "Me? Jealous? Ha, you wish." I laughed, a smirk on my face. "You aren't the only one that's officially moved on, sweetheart."

Louis raised his eyebrows, suddenly becoming curious. "Oh yeah? Who tickles your fancy now?" He asks in an amused tone.

"I'm afraid that's none of your business." I rolled my eyes, leaning against the dining room table, my arms folded across my chest.

"Oh, that's right. Because he doesn't exist." Louis laughed cockily, and I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Let's be real, honey-bunch. You're still irrevocably in love with me, and haven't moved on." Louis said in a cocky tone, smirking.

"Actually, that's false. Because I like Harry now." I spat out, completely forgetting that the others were still surrounding us, including Eleanor who had returned from the 'bathroom'.

I heard several gasps, and my eyes widened, turning to face the other guys. "You what?"

--------------------------

Vote for Chapter 33.