CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Niall pulled me into the back stairwell of Ed and I’s apartment building, just trying to get me out of the cold. I was already crying by the time he gently pushed me against the cement wall, putting his hands on either side of my head on the wall and leaning into me. He was being so sweet; Niall. I fisted the front of his t shirt and buried my face into his soft neck and sobbed.

“I don’t want to hurt him.” I quietly cried to Niall. I could feel his breath around me as he coated himself over my body, keeping me safe and warm with him instead of in the cold of the real world.

“I know you don’t, neither do I.” Niall responded with a quiet whisper.

Feeling a sharp gust of air, I turned to see Harry walking in the stairwell. Niall didn’t move from in front of me, but I could see Harry from over his shoulder as Niall turned his head, “Mate, I don’t think right now is a good time.” Niall said, before turning back to me and giving me a reassuring smile.

“I need to talk to her alone.” Harry insisted.

Niall looked down at me and I shook my head, trying to keep my face hidden from Harry. After wiping away a few tears I rested my forehead on Niall’s chest so Harry wouldn’t see my tear stained cheeks… and maybe, just maybe I was hiding because I don’t think I can look Harry in the eyes.

“Gia.” Harry snapped, “I need to talk to her alone, Niall.”

The breathing of Niall hitched and I could practically feel his pulse starting to rise. He was doing his best to say calm but Harry was dangerously close to shoving Niall over the edge. I put my hand up to Niall’s neck and slowly rubbed my fingertips there. Niall took a deep breath, “Just leave her alone, Harry.”

“No.” Harry almost screamed at Niall. This time I couldn’t resist; I lifted my head to look over Niall’s shoulder. Harry’s eyes were wild, almost desperate as he fisted both of his hands by his side, “This doesn’t even concern you Niall! This is between Gia and me.”

That was it. Niall cracked; he spun around to face Harry. I kept my hands on Niall’s bicep, spinning with him so that I was between Harry and him. Niall started to shout, “I’d say that’s where you’re wrong, but you have been wrong this whole time, Harry!”

“Baby, please.” I whimpered, looking up into Niall’s eyes.

He didn’t look back down, but just continued, “The fact that you keep upsetting her like this is fucking pissing me off, mate! You have no right to speak to my girlfriend like that! How dare you try to make her feel bad for wanting to be with me because I’m sure if the situations were reverse, you would be rubbing her in my face like some stupid prize! News flash, Harry; this isn’t some girl, this is Gia, and she’s not a prize. That’s why I’m trying to keep it on the down low between us so we don’t upset you. Everything that we’ve been trying to do is to save your fucking feelings. Why? I don’t know because you sure don’t give a shit about ours.”

Wow. I kept a firm grip on Niall’s bicep and kept my hand on his neck, trying to calm him down. Harry’s voice came in a soft whisper, “I know. I’m so sorry… Gia, I’m sorry. Baby, listen to me.” He said. The word baby coming out of his mouth made me shiver. The thought of Harry calling me baby all the time…

“She’s my girlfriend, Harry.” Niall snapped, “You seem to keep forgetting that. Every time you look at her, you’re not just trying to steal some guy’s girlfriend; it’s me, your best friend. You’re hurting me every day, every second you try chasing her, and I keep letting you off the hook; but not anymore.”

“Please stop.” I croaked, my throat and voice terribly dry. I turned away from Niall to face Harry. I slowly shook my head. Now he finally got to see that I was sobbing because of him. He had thought I was just angry but now he realizes how hurt I was by his words.

He took a step forward, coming into my personal space. His hand cupped my face, “I didn’t mean what I said out there… I was just angry, baby, and… Gia, I can’t believe I made you cry.” His eyes were soft, forgiving.

Slowly, I brought my hand up and flattened it over the Harry’s that was currently on my cheek. I curled my fingers around his soft hand and pulled it from me. Harry gave me one last look of desperation, and then I looked away, new tears forming in my eyes. Niall wrapped his arm around my shoulder and tugged me up the stairs towards the apartment.


When we got up there; everyone seemed to have cleared out the front door because our apartment was empty. Niall lingered in the doorway of my room, “Do you want me to stay, or?” He quietly asked.

“I want you to stay.” I whimpered.

He nodded quickly, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around me, “Don’t worry, Gia.” He soothed, “Harry will get through this, and we will all get through this. We just have to trust each other.” He helped me get into the bed, and he crawled up next to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“Can I ask you a favor?” I whispered, letting out a small laugh.

“Anything.” Niall insisted.

“Sing to me, please.”

“What would you me to sing?”

“Just one of your songs… just sing something sweet to me.”

“Ok.” He said, starting to think.

In the silence of the room, an angles voice rang in my ears. I knew it was Niall by the perfect sound and tone, it floated throughout the room sweetly, making my chest hurt with the feeling it brought to me.

Cause you were mine for the summer, now we know it’s nearly over.
Feels like snow in September but I will always remember.
You were my summer love, you will always be my summer love.

***

Two weeks. That’s the last time I spoke to Harry. And that last time was when we were screaming at each other in the bitter cold of the night, and then I cried on a stairwell while Niall tried to protect me from facing Harry… oh, Niall. To say that he was amazing, was to be saying that Zayn Malik was just plain pretty… it was a huge understatement.

Every night, I’ve found myself either in his bed sleeping in his arms, or he was in mine. We’ve been together for almost three months now and I can’t help but be excited every time he is near me. But that’s cliché. I’m not cliché. I know that in a week it’s going to be Christmas, and Harry is going to be at the party.

My eyes were tired… very tired. It was a rainy day here and to be honest, sulky. I’m just about ready for summer already so I can wear shorts and stay out late without worrying about getting a cold from the bitter weather.

“Hey.” Niall said when he got into my apartment. Ed is currently on tour in America with Taylor Swift so I have the apartment to myself; and Niall. He threw his coat down on the chair and plopped down next to me on the couch, giving me a peck on the lips.

“You look hot today.” I winked.

“I’m wearing sweater.” Niall laughed, giving me a lingering kiss before leaning back and looking on at the TV show, “Are you excited for the holiday?”

“I guess.” I shrugged, “At least I get to spend it with you… my parents have decided to go visit Ed in America so I’m all alone.” I whimpered, curling our hands together.

“That’s right.” Niall winked, “You’re going to be glued to my hip during the days.” He smiled at me, “That’s the only way I want it.” He allowed me to lean my head on his shoulder, then he sighed, “Have you spoken to Harry yet?”

“No.”

“You should… Gia, you two have been best friends since you met. It’s silly to let him go just because you have a new boyfriend. I’m used to Harry trying to steal the girls I like, I think I can handle it if you two are friends at least…” Niall shrugged.

“But what he said to me… I don’t even understand how he could do that to me… or even think it was justice to say that. Niall, he’s such a man-whore and now he’s telling me that I’m using you for your body?”

Niall laughed, “Are you?”

My face brightened at his humor, “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” Niall then pulled me up onto his lap and smiled, leaning up and kissing me hard. After a few minutes, he flipped us over so my back was on the cushions of the couch.

His smile was beautiful above me, “This couch is never going to be the same to you when I’m done.” He laughed before pulling his shirt over his head and kissing me hard, his hands running up through my long sleeve shirt, unbuttoning my pants at the same time.

***
HARRY’S P.O.V

“Baby, just come back to bed.” She called. Who? I don’t know… I don’t know her name. We had sex last night though… she was a beauty. But not as beautiful as someone else I know.

“Why don’t you call a cab?” I offered coldly, grabbing my house phone and tossing it to her. She huffed, dialing the cab while she sat naked in bed, the sheets up around her chest.

After she left, I grabbed my sheets and threw them into the hamper. It just doesn’t feel right anymore. Before, when I would have a different girl every night, it would just feed into my ego but now it makes me feel like shit… why, I don’t know. Sighing, I took myself into the shower.

I haven’t seen or talked to Gia in two weeks… since I made an ass of myself in front of her and Niall, losing my cool about their relationship. It’s not like Niall even rubs her in my face, I just can’t stand the idea of him kissing her in bed, his hands exploring her body, his name leaving her name in huffs as she rides out her pleasure for the night.

Ugh. This isn’t making me feel any better. My hands ran through my hair, washing it with the soapy shampoo. I should call her though… see if I can talk to her before Christmas comes around. I don’t want us to be all awkward that night. I just want us to go back to normal.

When I finished my shower, I grabbed my phone while still wrapped in my towel. I finished typing my message and pressed send with my thumb just as there was a knock on my door. I wandered over there, tossing my phone on the bed. It’s probably the girl that was just here. She probably forgot something.

Opening the door, Gia’s face appeared in front of me. Her cheeks were lightly red from the cold, as well as the tip of her beautiful nose. She was freezing , a scarf wrapped around her neck, “That was fast.” I said like a dumb idiot.

She looked confused, “What?”

“I just sent you a text asking if we could talk and here you are.” I smiled, allowing her to come in. She threw off her coat and shoes, instantly walking into my bedroom, climbing under my covers.

When I raised my eyebrows she just sighed, “Your bed was always warm. It’s practically like a blizzard out there… how could I resist?”

“You’re lucky… I just changed the sheets.” I said, trying to lighten the mood, sitting on the edge of the bed and sighing, “So you’re here. How are you?” I whispered.

“I’m ok.” She responded with a small nod, “Um, can you please put on some clothes.”

I looked down to see that I was still sitting in my bath towel. I gave a small laugh, walking to my closet. I dropped my towel when I knew she wasn’t looking and pulled on some sweatpants and walked back to the bed, plopping up by the pillows on the opposite side.

“I need to apologize.” I whispered, looking up at her.

“You do.” She stated.

“I’m sorry about what I said… I know you have feelings for Niall… real feelings. I just got upset because I realized that… I thought maybe I was the one you just had lust for, and that hurt so I tried to make you think that Niall was the guy that you just had lust for.”

“I loved you, Harry.” She said, furrowing her eyebrows, “I still love you. You just weren’t right for me at the time and Niall was… I should have said the things that I did, either.”

“But you were right.” I insisted, “If I hadn’t messed up that night, it would be me with you every day, it would be me holding you while you slept in my arms, it would be me who was making you feel better when some jackass tried to tell you that you’re a slut.” I laughed, “If I was Niall, I would have kicked my ass.”

“Oh, trust me. He was getting there.” She smiled.

“I really was a prick that night, Gia. I’m sorry.” I whispered.

She smiled at the sheets, “Just give me a hug already.” I got on my knees and crawled over to her, letting her wrap her arms around my neck, her chest rubbing against my bare one until I pulled back, plopping down where I was before. Her laugh emitted in the room, “I’m thinking that we need some Harry and Gia time.”

“That sounds amazing, if Niall wouldn’t mind.”

“Niall.” She smiled, “He would understand.”

“So he’s good to you?”

“He’s great to me.” She smiled.

“I would be better.” I whispered. A soft frown appeared on her face, but I let out a small laugh, “I’m kidding, I’m just glad that he’s treating you well.” I wasn’t kidding, though. I really would treat her better than any other guy could even think about treating her. And I feel like she’s beginning to realize that.

“He’s really good to me, Harry.”

“So you haven’t… you haven’t told me that you guys have had sex yet so I’m assuming that you’re waiting or something like that…”

Her cheeks blushed red, “Normally, I wouldn’t tell you, but I did make a promise that I would; we haven’t.” she whispered, “We haven’t had sex yet.”

“Do you think it’s coming soon?”

“Maybe…” She shrugged, “I don’t know… l mean, I want to go there with him but I don’t know… he just doesn’t push me… like at all. How am I supposed to get there with him?” I asked Harry.

I shook my head, “I can’t believe I’m about to tell you how to get into Niall’s pants…” I let out a laugh, then shrugged, “Just… just kiss him like you want too… he will get it. I have a certain kiss that shows people that I want to have sex with them.”

“You have different kisses for different things?” She laughed, “Harry, you kiss way too many people.”

“I know, I know.” I said waving a hand, “But anyway, he’ll get it. Do you want to practice on me?” I then asked, scooting closer to her on the bed.

She raised an eyebrow, “Wouldn’t that mean I’d have to pretend that I want to have sex with you?”

“Don’t pretend like you don’t think of it when you’re alone at night and your hormones are climbing up the charts and you just want to touch someone, or have someone touch you.” When I finished, I was leaning over to Gia, my lips brushing against my ear.

Her palm flattened against my chest, “Harry, please don’t do this.”

“Why? Don’t think you can control your lips? Just kiss me, I won’t tell Niall.” I lifted my head to look at her. I leaned closer to her but she moved my head to the side.

“Don’t make me tell Niall.” she whimpered, “If I kiss you right now…” She gulped, “There was no way I can hide if from him.” I leaned in closer and Gia started to take in my breath as her own.

Without touching my lips with hers yet, I moved so I was on my knees in front of her, my long fingers playing with the hair by her neck. My hand was shaking as I moved it underneath her hair to cup the sides of her neck, my fingertips brushing against her softly.

“He’ll kill you.” She whispered, finally catching herself and moving away from me. I plopped back against the pillows, “Harry, if we had kissed, Niall would be crushed.”

“He wouldn’t know.” I said matter of factly.

“Yes he would.” She snapped, “I would tell him.”

“I understand.” I sighed, “I just want us to be ok again, Gia.”

“Then stop trying to kiss me every single time I’m with you, Harry.” She complained, getting up and walking into my front room.

I followed her, “I know, I’m sorry. It won’t happen another time, I was just caught in the moment that’s all, and you just look so pretty today and…”

“Harry.” She snapped.

A laugh escaped my lips as I shrugged my shoulders. Gia shook her head at me with small smile on her face. She really his beautiful… her mouth curves up perfectly, when she shows her lovely white teeth and sometimes she smiles with her tongue slipped between her teeth slightly. She only does that when she’s being real playful… which she is right now. I can’t believe that I love her so much that I’ve memorized her different smiles and their uniqueness.

Her long fingers were positioned on her hip with a few rings decorating them; Niall is so lucky to have her… just imagining her fingers wrapped around me or exploring my body gives me tingles. Her hips too… they were curvy, but not too thick, swaying to the side when she walks, but just slightly. Then my eyes traveled down her long legs… she is tall for most girls, but still is much shorter than me and the rest of the boys besides Louis.

When my gaze reached her face again, her eyes were narrowed at me. She still had a playful expression on her face, “You’re just going to kidnap me if we don’t spend some time together, are you?” She giggled.

“I might.” I answered honestly.

“What if I was one of those girls who only wanted to hang out with her boyfriend?” She then asked, leaning on her other hip. She was kidding of course, just trying to play with me.

I got off the bed and fixed my shirt, “Well, then, I’d have to catch you.” When I took a step forward, she spun around and sprinted off into the kitchen, with me sprinting after her in tow.

She slid around the counter and island in the kitchen with her socks, trying to stay ahead of me. She screamed when I was close enough to grasp part of her long sleeve shirt. My hand let go of her when I slipped on the shiny floors in my socks, allowing her to get ahead of me.

Gia started off running towards the bedroom again, her hair flying behind her as she ran. I followed again at full speed, “I’m going to kill you!” I laughed, stopping at the side of my bed. She was on the other side; letting this become a game of chicken and running around the bed to avoid each other.

“If you catch me first.” She then teased, stepping around the bed, opposite of every single step I took. I started running around, and when she took off, I dove over my bed and grabbed the edge of her shirt, yanking her backwards. She plopped down on the ground and I crawled off the bed, getting on top of her to hold her down despite her screams.

“I told you I’d catch you.” I grinned.

“Yes, you did.” She laughed, “I’ll give you that.”

I raised an eyebrow at her, indicating that I was pressed on top of her, in perfect grinding position against her perfectly sexy body. She groaned, shoving my shoulders in one push. I allowed her to flip me off and leaned against my bed while I sat next to her on the floor. She stayed on her back, “That was fun.” She smiled, turning her head to look at me.

Her hair was spilled around the carpet, allowing me to see her face and her profile perfectly. I admired it while I caught my breath, “Yeah it was. Seems like the old Hia.”

“Who’s Hia?” She laughed, out loud. It was loud. She’s in a good mood; maybe even a little giddy.

“Harry and Gia. The fans thought of it.”

“What? We don’t need to have a ship name!” She cried, groaning, “One Direction’s fans are so weird, I hope you know that, Harry.”

“Oh I know.” I responded with a laugh.

“Did you look at the hashtag Nia on instagram? There are literally millions of edits with me and Niall… I like can’t even comprehend where they all got those photos of me…”

“Maybe you should take a look at the Hia hashtag.” I said matter of factly, “its worse…”

“Maybe I’ll check it out.” She shrugged, sitting up with an elderly lady groan, her hand placed on top of mine, “I should get going… but seriously, text me back Haz. I want to hang out with you again… maybe go out once and a while. Have you noticed that we never go anywhere?” She then ranted, “Like I want to go out on the street, but no. We all just congregate in Ed and I’s front room.”

“I’ll work on that. We can have a friend date out and about on the town.” I winked at her.

“Sounds fantastic.” She smiled, giving my hand a squeezed before getting up.

Notes

who thinks that harry and gia will be able to hang out as just friends

comment and tell me what you think