No Regrets

*HARRY’S POV*

To say that I was upset was an understatement. Unfortunately, I was about to have to go and act like the Harry Styles that everyone thinks they know, when my mind was completely wrapped around Liz. I had called her and even asked Niall to call her multiple times, since he was there and could back me up, but each call went straight to voicemail. Her phone was off. I was so worried. What had I done? Well, it wasn’t necessarily what I had done, but what I condoned. I should’ve not gone out that night. I should’ve not gone to dance. I should’ve not agreed to take that picture. She was probably going to break up with me. I know she is. It’s my entire fault.

“Harry? Harry? HARRY!” Louis called out, snapping me out of the revolving door of blame that was going on in my head.

“Sorry. What?” I asked.

“Still no word from Lizzie?” He asked concernedly. I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair. “Right now, there’s nothing you can do. Just try to take your mind off of her for the hour and get through the interview. Then we can sort out this mess.” He was right, like always. I just needed to get through this interview, and then I would do whatever I had to do.

Before I knew it, Zayn, Louis, Niall, Liam and I were being dragged backstage to walk out on our cue. They had the standard, overly-long couch for all of us to sit on, and a pretty impressive audience, but I wasn’t worried. Talk-shows were so much easier than actual concert-shows. The beginning of the interview was pretty standard, asking about the tour and the TMH album, as well as future album plans. Then, I should have been expecting it, but it was time for the interviewer to attempt to pry into our private lives and ask as many girlfriend questions as possible. I kept quiet and looked away.

“Now that we’ve spoken to Liam and Louis, why don’t you talk to us, Harry?” said the perky blond woman. I had forgotten her name. Now, I was forced to answer, damn.

“Talk to you about what?” I tried to play dumb, but this just incited a few chuckles from the crowd.

“Tell us about your woman Harry! You probably have loads to tell us right now, considering the picture that’s been circulating non-stop this morning!” On the screen behind us was the picture of the fan attacking my face at the club last night. I had to hand it to her, it did look pretty believable.

“Uhm, that’s not what it seems. There’s quite a story behind that picture.” I tried to begin to explain.

“We’re sure there is!” The interviewer interjected in her perky manner.

“Niall was with me, so he can verify this, but I was honestly posed for a picture with this fan, and she turned and said that I had to kiss her on the cheek for the picture, and I said of course, because fans have some weird requests sometimes ya know? Anyway, right as her friend took the picture, the fan turned her face and wrapped her arms around me so that it looked like we were snogging, which we were not. I politely asked her to delete the picture and offered to take a new one after, but the fan just slid the phone into her cleavage and denied. At this point, I left the club. I have a girlfriend. I don’t do that.” I sat back and looked over at Niall, who was nodding his head in approval.

“WOWZERS. You just dropped some pretty big bombshells!” The interview woman cried out. “Not only did you, for the first time, publically confirm your relationship, but you also confirmed that this picture was real! You kissed a fan last night!” This set me off.

“You shouldn’t focus on that part. That’s not what I was trying to say at all. I was trying to clarify the story, because I have a girlfriend whom I love very much who saw this picture and was very torn up about it, as was I. I was just trying to clear some things up, so that I’m not painted as some cheating, manipulative, ‘ladies-man’ as the press so often calls me, because I’m not. Now that I’ve said that, I think I’m done here.” At this point, I did something I never thought myself to do. I stood up, politely shook the woman’s hand, and walked out of the interview. I had more important things to do than sit there and let her slander my reputation. I had a girlfriend I needed to apologize to.

*LIZZIE’S POV*

I had successfully stayed hidden in my apartment for a full day after the embarrassing picture of Harry came out. It was a Monday when the picture came out, Tuesday that I stayed home entirely, but now it was unfortunately Wednesday, and I needed to go back to school. I still hadn’t turned my phone back on, which I knew was worrying everyone, but I just didn’t want to talk to Harry right now.

School was honestly a blur. I didn’t talk to anyone except for Emma and Nicole, and declined my guidance counselor’s invitation to have lunch with her. I didn’t want anymore questions; I just wanted everyone to forget about it. Getting cheated on was bad enough, but to have the whole damn world know made it so much worse. I practically ran out of there when we were finally let out of last period. While riding the streetcar home, I decided against my better judgment to turn my phone back on. I set it down as all of my notifications popped up. In the two days it had been off, I had 179 missed calls and 32 texts from Harry, 56 missed calls from Niall, 3 texts from both Danielle and Eleanor, and surprisingly, one text from Louis.

Choosing to deal with Harry’s texts later, I opened Louis’ text first. It was a link, with a message attached.

From: Louis
First time he’s ever defended himself. He’s telling the truth. He loves you.
http://www.youtube.com/watchhh?v=djjPMADWrxQ

That was what Louis typed. Unsure, I tapped the link and was redirected to my YouTube app where I realized I was about to watch their interview from Monday. However, I chose to pause it and wait until I got to my apartment, where I could watch in private. I sprinted up to my apartment after I got off the streetcar, but I decided to stop and check my mailbox in the lobby on my way up. As I rode in the elevator, I went through the letters. I got to one with no return address, but I could tell by the handwriting it was from Harry. I couldn’t tell if my heart had stopped, or if it was simply beating so fast I could no longer feel it. I put the letter in the back of the stack, and unlocked my apartment. Sitting myself on the couch with the letter and my phone, I loaded the video and pressed play.

When I finished watching the interview, I nearly dropped my phone. I was shocked, and of course the tears started all over again. Even watching on my crappy little iphone screen, I could tell he was telling the truth. I felt like the biggest jerk in the world, I never even gave him a chance to explain. I just turned my phone off. This reminded me of the letter, which I practically ripped in half I was so eager to open it. I was shocked to see that as I unfolded the paper, two plane tickets were printed out inside. I put them to the side and began to read.

Lizzie,

Hopefully by now you know the truth. I’m sorry that all of this caused you so much pain.

I love you.

I miss you terribly, and I would be knocking on your door right now if I didn’t have concerts this week. So instead, if you still love me by this Friday, use these tickets and come spend the weekend with me?

Again, I love you, and I’m sorry.

Xx

Harry

I couldn’t control it anymore. I was full on crying. He was officially the sweetest person in the world, and I felt like this terrible monster. I had to make it up to him. I quickly picked up my phone and dialed his number, which was answered almost immediately.

“Liz?” Harry sounded relieved as he answered, and quickly began a spew of an explanation mixed with an apology, “I’m so sorry, just know that it was her. But it was my fault. I shouldn’t have gone, I should’ve just gon-”

“Fucking shit, Harry. Calm down. I love you.” I cut him off.

“That’s the most wonderful thing I’ve heard in days.” He said with a gentle laugh, “I love you, too.”