*Reagan’s POV*
I stopped momentarily in my tracks before I continued on, hoping that she hadn’t seen me. Why is she here in the first place? I figured it was probably to scheme up something else with Peyton before starting the day off. When I saw her make her way towards us, I stopped again just short of the car causing Harry to look suspiciously towards me to see what was wrong.

“What’s up glasses? You’re gonna be late for work come on...Reagan?” His gaze followed mine and I could hear him inhale sharply before he pressed a button on his remote to start the car. I shook my head and reached for the door handle, but before I could get in the car she had reached us.

“Reagan, can we talk please?” When Harry tossed my phone to me earlier this morning, the face time chat from my mom wasn’t the only call that I’d missed.

“I’m running late for work Laurie.” I went to get in the car with Harry, but Laurie grabbed my arm.

“I have classes. I’m going there anyway, I’ll take you. I just want to talk and explain myself Reagan please?”

Laurie spoke with a type of desperation in her voice and I couldn’t help but notice the sincerity in her eyes. Harry turned the ignition off and was looking at me perplexed before he spoke to Laurie. In the midst of our argument last night I wasn’t even able to tell him that Laurie is the culprit behind my early dismissal from Maudsley. I turned my attention fully back on Laurie and even though I was skeptical, I hadn’t really given her the chance to talk after I heard Peyton’s half. I nodded to her causing a small smile to appear on her face before I turned to Harry. His eyebrows were raised still confused by my hesitation to go with her.

“You’re riding with Laurie then?”

“Yeah, but I don’t really want to. I’m forcing myself to.” Harry raised an eyebrow at me obviously still in the dark. I leaned in the car to give him a small peck on the lips and smiled to myself when he grabbed the back of my head and planted a kiss on my forehead. When H. pulled away there was a small smile that played across his lips before he yawned and waved me away.

“Laurie is saving me money on petrol,” Harry smiled at me and then said ‘gas’ causing me to roll my eyes. “Go, you’re gonna be late. I love you.” I mouthed the words back to him before he waved at Laurie and pulled off. I turned around with reluctance weighing heavily on my shoulders as I followed L. back to Niall’s car.

There was an awkward silence that fell over us as she started the ignition and I couldn’t help the way my mind started to wander to last night. Every event started to unfold in front of my mind and my anger rose again when I remembered Peyton’s words.

“Tell her how you would tell me that you could do a better job at it than her and that she needed to go back home.”

When Laurie spoke she broke up my daydream. I hadn’t even realized that she had begun to drive. I fumbled with the buttons of my coat and then crossed my arms in front of me. Laurie said that she wanted to explain herself, but right now all I hear is rambling and her trying to make small talk with me. I began to get anxious and annoyed. I could have gotten a ride with Harry and been comfortable.

“Laurie, I highly doubt you drove past your school to meet me at the Savoy and force me into riding in the car with you so that you could babble. Excuse me if I’m less than enthused to hear about whatever it is you were just talking about, but can we just get to the point?” Laurie darted her eyes over towards me and then back to the road as she merged into her right lane. We were more than halfway to the university so whatever she has to say it better come out fast.

“Alright,” she paused, “it’s hard for me to tell you this because I do consider you a friend. You’re a sweet girl Reagan and I feel so bad for what I said, but I did say some of those things to Peyton. It was early on before I really got to know you and Channel. I was jealous Reagan but it wasn’t me.” Laurie’s eyes began to fill with tears as she nodded her head. I started to feel bad, but how do I know that this is not another act that she’s putting on? Peyton echoed in my ear again and he became louder than all of my reasoning’s.

“It’s not me that you have to look out for.”

“Peyton said that your relationship with Harry was a perfect opportunity for me to tell on you, but why would I do that knowing that it would jeopardize my relationship with Niall? Niall is one of Harry’s best friends and I love him. Don’t you think it would be a bit messy for me to try and sabotage you while I was looking into transferring to London so that I could be with him? If I were to do that, Niall wouldn’t be talking to me now if he knew that I was part of the reason that his best friend was hurting so badly.” I shake my head and scoff out loud to her questioning. That doesn’t matter. She pulls into the university commuter parking lot and searches for a space all the while running out of time trying to win me over.

“Laurie it wouldn’t have mattered if you were trying to be with Niall or not. You put on an act for me and you’re obviously doing it for him now. I’m not falling for it again. You have him around your finger clearly.” I gesture to the fact that she’s driving his car and I see her face flash with hurt.

Laurie pulls into a space and as I get ready to get out of the car she locks the door again. I turn to her annoyed as my anxiety starts to stir once more. The look on her face shows as if a light bulb has just illuminated her thoughts and I become annoyed.

“Let me out Laurie. I’ve had eno-”

“I quit Reagan.” Laurie spoke quickly and my eyebrows furrowed in concentration and I took my hand off the door.

“It wasn’t me, it was him! When you got fired, I had already been gone for two weeks. I hadn’t even bothered to show up when I quit, I just stopped showing up. I didn’t give a fuck about Maudsley or my internship or yours then for that matter after I started dating Niall! Do you realize what he’s doing to you now?” I felt like a deer caught in headlights once again made to be a fool.

“Laurie, I...” I trailed off not sure of what to say or do. How can I apologize to her? If I knew where to begin I would start now.

“Do you realize what he’s doing now? I only went to meet up with Peyton that day because he said that he wanted to apologize to me for what he had told you. I’m your friend and here for you Rea, please tell me you get it now!” The tears that filled Laurie’s eyes finally allowed themselves to fall and I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached over the console to give her a hug.

I told her that I was sorry and tears of anger began to fill my own eyes. Peyton’s voice had finally been drowned out and this time it was replaced with what H said to me early this morning.

“You fall for his shit every time! How are you supposed to be a psychology major when you can’t even read into the little shit that he does?”

I got out the car and headed for the building with a vengeance. I won’t bring outside into work, but when we get off Peyton has one coming. I made my way to the office frazzled and angry and this time instead of trying to avoid eye contact with Peyton, I searched the room for him, but he was nowhere to be found. Dr. Koch eyed me before he made a tsk noise while furrowing his eyebrows, and nodding his head towards my desk and all of the folders that were there.

I knew a fourteen hour day was ahead of me. The work was doubled because of Dr. Koch’s mystery absence, but I couldn’t focus on one thing that was in front of me. I tried to piece together other lies Peyton has told me over time in my head, but with a lot of things I kept drawing a blank. The night I slept with him came into my mind and I quickly cringed and became disgusted with myself. Everything about that night is a question now. I put it to the back of my mind and continue with my work, hoping to see the top of my desk soon

I found myself yawning a lot and every time I did Dr. Koch would shoot me a death glare. Reading and annotations when you’re tired is probably one of the worst things to have to do. I don’t understand how H. can force himself to stay up nights on end. I feel dead on my feet right now so I’m sure he does too. I take out my phone to check on him and as soon as I sent the text out I received a reply.

To: Harry Pleassssse?!
I really need to change your name in my phone to something that doesn’t make me blush every time I text you or call. How are you? What are you doing? I’m so tired.

From: Harry Pleassssse?!
You like being reminded of the things I can do to you. I'm sure the name wont change ;). I'm trying to relax before session, but of course you interrupted -_- .

My heart fluttered and I couldn’t help but try to suppress a smile. This is new. Harry has never sent me a picture before and my stomach flips and tightens at the one that he did send. He's in bed with my favorite smirk on his beautifully sleepy features, His hair seems straighter than it was this morning, but I know that has to be from him lying on that side flattening out his curls. He's shirtless, I can tell that much but not much else. My mind goes where it shouldn't be right now, but I am brought back once more by another text from H. I save the picture before I read and respond to the message.

From: Harry Pleassssse?!
How was your ride to work and did you do what I asked you to? I mean it Reagan you better have done it!...I’m still angry with you!

The tingly feeling is replaced and I ignore his first two questions. I know he doesn’t want me to bring up matters about Peyton anymore to him, and I haven’t requested a change in hotels yet from Dr. Koch. I don’t know how to do it without him getting suspicious and this is definitely something I want to deal with on my own.

To: Harry Pleassssse?!
The ride was interesting. I haven’t yet but I will. I’m going to be here for a while :( I know you’re still upset. I’m still so sorry.

From: Harry Pleassssse?!
Mhmm.. If he says no, then you’re staying here with me! Now leave me alone I’m tired xx and all that sappy shit...I love you.

I ignore his first comment, but then chuckle to myself picturing Harry’s face while he sent the text. Before I can reply a new batch of folders is placed in front of me along with Dr. Koch’s snarl.

“Put the phone away and work! We have a lot to get through.” I knot my eyebrows and feel a headache coming on. My work is being doubled because Peyton isn’t here.

“Where is Peyton? I finished more than half of my files.” I only had a few more left.

“It’s none of your concern where he is! All you need to do is finish what I’ve placed in front of you now!” I sigh heavily and prepare myself for a long day ahead of me. If I wasn’t on the verge of hating Peyton before I definitely am now.

---

Time moves slower with every hour that passes and every time the minute hand moved on the clock, I got more and more fed up with both Dr. Koch and Peyton’s sudden illnesses. I get to the last file on my desk and skim through it, highlighting random things and annotating as I went and as soon as I finished I stood from my desk and walked the finished case summaries over to Dr. Adams. He took them and smiled at me and I realized he’s the only one here I don’t mind working with. He’s always pleasant. I have half a mind to ask him where Peyton was today just so that I can find him and do as much damage to him as possible. Right now, nothing would please me more than to strangle him to a close death, revive him and then strangle him again, but I know I can’t do that.

I linger at Dr. Adams desk and ask him where Peyton was in order to entertain myself and he simply tells me that he felt ill today. It seems everybody is catching a mysterious one day sickness. I thank Dr. Adams for telling me and roll my eyes once my back is turned. As I approach Dr. Koch I’m greeted with a sour glance over reading glasses, hoping he has nothing else for me to do today and that he can accommodate with changing out my hotel without asking me too many questions about it. I wouldn’t want to impose on Anne or have her asking why I have to stay at her house. I spend the night there enough as it is.

“Yes, Miss. Stoger? The lighting in this office is dim enough without you standing over my shoulder casting shadows.” I move out of his way not speaking and he throws his hands up haphazardly before he tells me to talk or move away from him. He’s such an ass.

“Do you have anything else for me to do today?”

“No you’re free to leave tonight.” I lingered at his desk and then turned to leave not even bothering to ask about the hotel. I call Harry as soon as I’m outside. I’m not sure what to tell him, but I have to think of something. I tie the belt on my coat as if it would give me extra warmth from the chilly autumn wind and wait for him to answer. He picks up the phone on the seventh ring.

“Whats happening love?” He sounds groggy and irritated and the background noise lets me know he’s at work. The last thing I want to do is irritate him further.

“Hi, I umm...Dr. Koch was too busy today and didn’t really let me ask him about the hotel situation.” Harry sighed through the phone before he replied to me.

“Call a cab and go to my house. My mum is home today she’ll let you in. I’ll pick up your stuff from your suite on my way home from work. You left a room key in my car a while back.”

“Harry I can just go back to my room. I won’t try to-”

“You’re not staying there Reagan! Please don’t argue with me right now. My mood and my day has been shit enough without another argument from you! Please love just go to my house?” I agree with him and call the taxi giving the cabbie his address as I get in. Harry is not the only one who is tired of arguing today, but I know that I am more mentally worn than physically just from the information that I’ve registered from these past two days alone.

Notes

(Harry getting ready to take Reagan to her hotel early in the morning)



(the picture Harry sent Reagan)

Hi loves! Another late post :( I'm sorry but I hope you enjoy it anyway. Did you like the pictures I found? Tell me what you think about this chapter in the comments below (cant wait to read them!!! ;))! Also, I know where I can end this story, but my question to you is, should I leave this book with the truth about Reagan and Peyton and start the third and more than likely last part of it with the wedding of Harry's mom or should I just make this book longer than the last one and stop when the full story is over? Load me up with both comments on the chapter and hopefully an answer to my question and please subscribe and vote if you want me to continue. I haven't had any new subscribers in a minute :( LOVE YOU ALL FOR READING!!!~ Xx