You're Still The One

(Charlie’s POV)


I was stood at the door peeking through its cracks taking notice of Harry’s girlfriend. She knocked quite a few times and I thought maybe after a while of not answering her, she would leave but she was very persistent about seeing Harry this early in the morning. She clutched tightly on her phone, shivering as the cold wind swept her long flowing hair to the side.



I felt bad about leaving her outside in the freezing cold when it was apparent she wasn’t going to leave until she saw Harry. A deep breath was taken in and a harsh swallow joined as I opened the door to welcome her in. The happy expression that dignified her face had dropped when she saw me, a girl she hadn’t known, standing at her boyfriend’s door opening it up to her. I could only imagine what she was thinking.



She frowned at me, taking several steps inside unaware that she just shoved me to the side to get in. She looked around Harry’s house, checking the kitchen, lounge, his bedroom and she was disappointed when she didn’t find him.



“Who are you?” she asked rather rudely. I guess that’s ok. It does seem rather strange for a guy, who has a girlfriend, to have asked another girl to move in with him.



“I-I’m Charlie.”




My answer didn’t seem to satisfy her inquiring mind as her frown seemed to deepen. There was really no title for what Harry and I were. We were more than friends but certainly didn’t deserve the title as a couple and I didn’t know if it was my place to give her the details I knew about, but also it wasn’t fair that she was left clueless. So, I sat her down in the living room and told her everything. I told her Harry was only returning to Holmes Chapel on behalf of my sister’s wedding and how much I didn’t like him then. I, also, explained to her when my feelings for him returned, I told her about the love we made and everything after. My reasons for telling her were so that she could understand that what happened wasn’t intentional. If I knew about how serious she was with Harry, I would’ve avoided all of this yet she still wasn’t satisfied. She was angry.




“I don’t believe you. My Harry would never do that.” She said sounding so sure of herself. “If what you’re saying is true, why would you continue to pursue a man that wasn’t yours?” she asked almost gagging as if the words parting from her lips were sickening. I didn’t bother to respond to anything she said it was clear that she was angry and anything I said would only make it worse.



“What kind of sleazy person does that?”



I tried so hard to give her a break. She just found out her boyfriend has cheated on her. It’s only fair that she gets the chance to react within reason but my own mild temper didn’t need much to fire up. She had done it.



“Excuse me?!” I snapped.



“Were my words not clear enough for you? I was calling you a dirty whore.”




“Okay, it’s clear that you’re upset so why don’t you just come back when Harry’s present? That way he can tell you everything that’s happened,” I wanted her to know that I understand. I’ve been cheated on too. I know how much it hurts especially when they mean so much to you.



“Are you wearing his shirt?” She asked astonished. When she realized I was, she breathed, “You bitch.”



I laughed not really finding humor in her catty remark but I found humor in the bold stance she used to stand against me like she was preparing for a fight.



“I think you should leave, right now.” I nicely demanded.



I was afraid of what might soon happen if she stayed. My patience with Nikki was wearing low. My pulse began racing and it was just a matter of time before she would really piss me off.



“I’m not going anywhere.” She said taking steps closer to me. Out of rage, I grabbed her arm, prepared to literally throw her out. Instead, barely a moment after my hand touched her arm, I felt her twist it around and her free hand connected with my face. I yelped out in pain and jerked lose from her forceful hold. I was now pissed. My heated blood pulsed through me quickly giving me the adrenaline kick I needed. I was pissed that she’d hit me and thought I wouldn’t react. She didn’t even see it coming when I grabbed a fistful of her hair and sent my compacted fist to her abdomen. I followed up by kicking her in the knee, sending her tripping to the floor.



She was down a while rolling on the floor, writhing in pain while I grabbed my phone and texted Liam for the second time that either he or Harry needed to get here soon. I notified him earlier that she was here but maybe he needed a more urgent message.



The bitch sprawled out on the floor, caught me by surprise, scratching me with her claws before fisting my hair and flinging me to the floor. Nikki hovered over me so she could cause more damage to my face. She proved to be a tough one, a lot better than I had expected from her slender stature, but I was confident that I was about to teach this girl a lesson she would never forget. I caught her shoulders and using every ounce of strength I shoved her from on top of me and gave her, a quick blow to the face. There was no stopping me; as much as it would physically pain me to punch her in the face I knew it would hurt her more if I did.



Someone had come crashing in the house at this point. I assume it was Harry. Before I knew it, I was grappled at the waist and pulled from off of her, kicking, screaming and all. At that moment, I was my strongest and to thoroughly stop me from inflicting pain on Nikki, I felt like I would need much more than Harry trying to stop me.



“Let me go!” I screeched heated tears fled down my face. All I wanted was to be free to continue beating the shit out of my adversary. I didn’t care anymore that she was hurt. I didn’t care that she would be heart broken. I wanted her to hurt because of me and I was so angry at Harry for holding me back.



Nikki had the advantage of clawing me in the face because there was no one holding her back until Liam rushed over to the scene to contain the wild girl. Harry hauled me over his shoulder and carried me off to the safe confines of his room. He placed me back to my own feet and I began to pace back and forth with my fists still clenched.



“Are you ok?”



“Do I look ok?” I cried out. My body was trembling and a load of guilt was bestowed on me. I despised fighting. It never solves anything it only leaves you with bruises and aching muscles because after this fight, Nikki will still loathe me and I will still loathe her. I shouldn’t have let her get under my skin.



“What happened?” He asked as if implying that I initiated the brawl. Sure, I initiated contact but it wasn’t hurting her. Overall, she’s the one who started it.



“Shouldn’t you be asking her that?”



“Tell me what happened.” He demanded his tone held a hint of annoyance. His orbs were bold driving me to explain the awful occurrence of my morning. I swallowed whatever pride I had, my dignity went right along with it as I described how this fierce cat fight began. Harry’s eyes never left mine. He stayed one hundred percent entombed to my every thought, feeling and action as I described to him what transpired.



“Come with me.” His voice was low like a whisper. He stood, grasping my smaller hand and tugged me back towards the living area were Liam and Nikki were sat in silence. Her face hidden in her hands. She sat alone on the couches whereas Liam was stood against the wall far from the poor, distraught girl. She looked drained. Her makeup was smeared and her hair was a wreck, thanks to me. Tears were on the brim of departure from her eyes. She wiped them before they fell as she drew back her breath sharply at the sight of Harry and I holding hands. Horror covered her face. Eyes were clenched shut at the ghastly sight of our conact.




“It’s true,” was all she said exasperatedly.



Harry walked me over to where Nikki had been seated. There, he explained his side of the story to Nikki. Without any worry, shame or guilt, he told her he loved me and that he didn’t want to give me up. He said things he never before expressed to me with such candid and earnest passion. His words meant the world to me at the same time they completely destroyed Nikki.



“Just stop, ok? I get it.” She spoke finally having enough.



“I’m sorry, Nikki. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” He said. The sincerity was hidden deep in his tone of voice. “You understand that you and I can’t see each other anymore, right?” He asked lastly.



She sighed, wiping the last of her tears, “No shit, Harry.”



It was blatantly obvious that she held malice, or resentment toward Harry and I which is probably why Liam questioned her motives after this was all said and done.



“You aren’t going to go to the media with this, are you?”




Her mouth was set in a thin line as she glared at Liam with aggression in her eyes.




“I just got my heart ripped out and you’re worried if it will go to the media…?” She asked, briefly pausing, reflecting on the words just spoken. “Maybe I will. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.” She said evilly. Afterwards, she gathered what little belongings she had and stormed right out.



“What if she really does?” I asked solemnly.



“I don’t care. I told you I’d do anything for you and I’m sticking with my decision.” He uttered joining our hands again.



“Well, whatever happens I’ll support you through it.” Liam proclaimed closing his coat tightly around his upper body. “I’ve got to go now. Harry, don’t forget we have a meeting today with the executive producer.” Liam reminded him before preparing to leave out. Harry simply nodded signaling that he understood and with that, Liam parted.



A bit of a shiver of anticipation washed through my body, once we were alone. Slowly, our bodies just melded together. My arms held open before Harry closed the embrace, wrapping his arms around my lower half. I never wanted to let go. I desired to be closer to him. My soft lips brushed against his, teasing him. The kiss continued to build until my knees were folding. Thank God I had Harry there, holding me or I would’ve fainted for sure.



Harry pulled away from the heated embrace, looking troubled. To refrain from allowing my own frantic thoughts to establish worry I asked him, “What’s wrong?”



He hummed in reply lengthy fingers ran through his chocolate brown curls. “I don’t know…Speaking with Nikki made me realize something…” I began to worry. I thought maybe he had come to the conclusion that he had made a mistake and Nikki was really the one he wanted.



“I’m getting sick of trying to explain our relationship to people.” He looked a tad guilty.



“What are you saying?” I choked out.



“I’m saying that we should make this easy on ourselves and just be together already.”



This wasn’t funny but for some odd reason, I was laughing. Not Ha-Ha laughing but a small giggle.



“What are you talking about?” I had some idea of what he meant but I wanted to be sure.



“I want you to be my girlfriend.”



“I don’t know, Harry. Do you have any other girlfriends I should know about because that would be a God-awful way to start a relationship?” I said casually getting up from my seat next to him, teasing him. He grabbed my waist, pulling me onto his lap.




“I’m kidding! I would be delighted to be your girlfriend.”



Our lips were reacquainted in joy. Our kisses were soft and warm. The passionate encounter was beautiful. Harry left me breathless and speechless. And to think that all that was happening was real…



“I’m glad,” He started, slapping his hand on my bum. “Now go make me something to eat, woman.” He pushed me from his lap in the direction of the kitchen.



The perks of being Harry’s girlfriend; oh, joy.

Notes