Winning chapter, as voted by the readers: chapter eighteen. 
I hope you enjoy!

My phone had already buzzed several times during the previous five minutes, However, I just couldn't be bothered to check who it was. When another text arrived, I realised that I didn't even need to check to know who it was. Harry, of course. It didn't take a genius to know.

I looked up at the digital clock and groaned. It was so damn early! Did the guy ever sleep?

As yet another text was sent my way, I huffed as I rolled over in my bed and picked up my phone. I opened my inbox, my eyes skimming over the block option for a moment. I decided against clicking it. The guy was trying, he really was and I couldn't lie, it was quite fun talking to him at times.

His message read:

Harry:
Are you awake?

I squinted as I replied, the brightness of the screen almost blinding me.

I told him:

Amanda:
Well, I am NOW! I thought I said not to message me after nine?

Harry:
I'm alone :(

The creepy bugger, I thought as I pushed myself up into a sitting position. Irritated for being woken at such an ungodly hour, I typed back, rather angrily:

Amanda:
Harry, it is 2:45 AM! You should be asleep!

His reply was unexpected.

Harry:
I'm sad...

Sad; such a small, meaningful word. I'd encountered many sad people in my life, most of the time they were close friends and family. It was heartbreaking to see anyone upset about something, and my heart instantly ached for Harry. Sad, he'd said. What on earth would Harry Styles be sad about?

I wanted to flood him with multiple questions but I knew that interrogating someone when they were down only made them feel more isolated and alone.

But another thought came to mind: what if he wasn't upset about something? What if it were one of his little schemes to try and make me continue conversing with him? He'd tried it before with homework, so I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

Amanda:
Urgh, you're doing this on purpose so I'll talk to you.

He seemed genuine.

Harry:
Only because I'm sad :(

I sighed as I asked him:

Amanda:
Why are you sad?

It must have been five minutes I waited for his reply. Perhaps he had decided that the apparent sad issue was too personal to share with me - which I didn't mind. Everyone had personal things that they'd rather not share with others and completely respected him if that's what he'd chose.

I was wrong though. For no sooner had I thought that, when his long and rather heart-breaking reply appeared in my messages.

Harry:
I feel down about life after school. That day you were talking to me about how you want to write and aspire to do more got me thinking about MY life and what I want to do. I CAN'T SPEND ALL OF MY LIFE WORKING IN A FUCKING BAKERY! I want to do more with my life but I'm not sure WHAT I want to do with it. I like singing but that'll never turn out to be something I become known for. That's more of a dream. Then there's writing and such. I just don't know, really...

I was stunned. He had seemed so cool about the whole future talk that day in school, brushing it off like he didn't really care. But then again, he did act like a jerk in school at times. No doubt, it was just one of his little acts.

But despite him being a douche at times, I longed to help him somehow, to the best of my ability. Struggling with what to reply, I tried my very best to comfort him.

Amanda:
Oh, Harry, it's OK. Like you said to me, do what you love! If you love singing, go ahead with that! I've heard you and your little boy band performing at school shows, and you're pretty great! You've got a cracking voice, flaunt it :)

I wasn't lying to him. I couldn't bring myself to, no matter how hard and tough I made myself seem when we spoke. The only thing I wanted to do was help him. And also make him go to sleep so that I could also get some sleep.

His band had performed a lot at school assemblies and had even tried out a few music competitions for junior performers. White Eskimo was their name, if I recalled correctly? Something like that, and Harry, truthfully, was an amazing singer. It was one of those raspy, more suited for rock music voices and I knew a lot of the girls in the school swooned over him for that alone.

Harry replied.

Harry:
You're not being sarcastic, are you?

Amanda:
No! I really mean it, you guys are incredible. I'd be sitting front row if you got somewhere with your singing :)

I felt the need to continue praising him, even though I personally wasn't into bands or music artists as much as I was with, say my love for writing. Harry's group was good, there was no doubt about it and just to make him happy, I'd tell him that.

Harry:
Really?

Amanda:
Yes, always. I think it'll be pretty interesting to see you shake your waist-length hair then! XD

I sat up against the headboard of my bed, turning on the light as I did. I'd slowly managed to wake myself up completely and I groaned. Thanks, Styles, thanks a lot, I thought as I awaited his text.

I still couldn't believe he'd woken me up so early. The little shit.

Harry:
I'm not growing it out THAT long! OMG Amanda XD

He seemed to be a little more cheerful, I realised after re-reading the text and I came up with a plan to make sure he stayed that way.

I replied with:

Amanda:
H-ha, I can picture you head-banging on stage with this massive Rapunzel-length weave XD

Harry:
OMG, that would be quite something to see, wouldn't it? Lol

Amanda:
Sure would! Holy shit, imagine!

Then he asked me, every so seriously:

Harry:
So, I should go ahead with my singing? I like it a lot :)

I thought about that. His singing. He was good, there was no denying. But the music industry wasn't the easiest thing to get into, and we both knew that. Hell, everyone knew that! It was like the publishing and writing world as well, ever so difficult to get into.

Harry, a dedicated and focused lad would definitely do whatever it took to make it, I knew that. But did he have the 'whole package' as people often said? He was likeable, talented and cheeky - people loved that.

Amanda:
Yes! Hell, go and audition for something like The X Factor or Britain's Got Talent and you may get lucky!

I wasn't a fan of those stupid shows, to be honest. But there was always the possibility that Harry could do well on them.

Harry:
Hm, not a bad idea. I may just do that :P

Amanda:
I'd cheer you on, Styles.

Harry:
Thank you, I'd appreciate that so much :)
Thank you.

I smiled at his message, my eyes drooping every so slightly as tiredness began to take over me once again. Jesus, it was so early. I made a mental note to kill Harry when I passed him in the corridor the next day.

Amanda:
Not at all, now get to sleep or you'll be knackered in the morning.

Harry:
I'm already knackered ha-ha. I may just skip school tomorrow, I feel a little sick.

I wondered if it was sleep deprivation or the thought of the future that was making him feel ill. I didn't question him.

Amanda:
I hope you feel better soon and consider the singing thing :)

His reply made me do a double take and frown. What the hell?

Harry:
I will, thank you, I love you.

I was shocked, re-reading the last three words over and over to make sure I'd read correctly. He loved me? Pfft, what bullshit. I blamed his sleep-deprivation and worry. People said stupid things when they weren't quite in their right state of mind.

I was about to ask what he meant but he beat me to it when he added:

Harry:
...
*Your advice
:)

Battling tiredness, confusion and worry for Harry, I shook my head and brushed the whole thing aside.

Amanda:
Night, Harry :)

I hope you liked the second non-texting chapter. Let me know what you think?
I'll be posting the options for chapters 21-30 soon.

Cazza