Harry's POV

I wake up feeling extremely unrested, but very awake at the same time. I didn't sleep much last night, I was too excited after what happened at Lana's house. I kissed her. I actually kissed her. I didn't even really mean to, it just happened. I kind of hoped the first time I kissed her again would be a little more special than as a result of us arguing about Chase, but I guess this will have to do. It felt amazing to kiss her again. I've been dreaming about that for way too long.

I get out of bed and take a quick shower, then get dressed and go to the kitchen for some breakfast. It's Friday, which means Lana has her test today. Niall is in the living room watching TV.

"Hey, Ni. Do you have to work today?"

"No, I don't think so." I get a bowl of cereal and sit next to him on the couch. "What did you do last night?"

"Nothing. I was at Lana's helping her study but only til like eight o'clock."

"Why so early?" I shrug. "Did something happen?"

"You could say that." I look over and he's raising his eyebrows expectantly at me, waiting for an explanation. "Well..I kissed her." I can't help the smile that appears on my face when I say the words out loud, but Niall's reaction is far from joyous. He looks pissed. "What?" I ask, scrunching my eyebrows in confusion. He turns off the TV and gets up, exhaling loudly as he walks into the kitchen. "Niall, seriously, what is your problem?"

I set my bowl down and stand up, crossing my arms as I wait for his explanation.

"I don't have a problem."

"Yes, you do. You've been acting weird lately."

"No I haven't."

"Cut the shit, Niall. I've known you since we were four years old. Tell me what the problem is or I'll beat it out of you." He knows I'm kidding, but in all seriousness I need to know what his deal is. He hasn't been his happy-go-lucky self lately and I don't understand why.

"Drop it, Harry," he says in a warning tone.

"I don't think I want to."

"Trust me, you do."

With that he walks to his room, slamming the door shut behind him. What the actually fuck is his problem. This is starting to get ridiculous. He might as well just tell me at this point, because all the reasons I've cooked up on my own are probably worse than what's actually happening.

Lana's POV

"Well? How did it go!"

I practically jump out of my skin when I hear Shelby yelling excitedly at me. Apparently she was waiting for me outside the room. I just finished my test.

"You're insane," I say, laughing and shaking my head. "Were you out here the whole time?"

"I didn't have anything to do," she says, shrugging. "How did it go?"

"Good. I think I did really well, actually. I feel like I knew almost all of them."

"All of that studying with Harry paid off then," she says with a hint of suggestion, nudging me. I told Shelby and Courtney what happened with Harry this morning during the class we have together. They're my two closest friends besides the three that I moved here with, and with El being in Holmes Chapel I really needed some female advice.

"So, what are you going to do about that anyway?"

"I don't know yet."

"I saw Chase earlier. Wait, isn't that him there?" she asks, pointing to a table in the cafeteria. "Yeah, that's him. Hey! Chase!" she calls, waving to him. He looks around for a sec and smiles at us, waving to us to come over.

"I'm going to kill you," I whisper as we get closer.

"Shut up, you look hot." I blush and pull my top down a little to cover my stomach more. "Hey Chase, fancy meeting you here," she says coyly, linking her arm in mine so I can't run away. "Mind if we join you?"

"Please do." I sit beside him reluctantly; somehow Shelby had conveniently gotten on my other side so I couldn't hide. "Didn't you have a test today?" he asks me. I nod, yes. "How was it?"

"It was good I think."

He nods and takes a bite of his sandwich. Shelby nudges my elbow. I glare at her and she kicks me under the table in response. I kick her back and she kicks me again, hard this time.

"Ow!"

"What?" Chase asks, confused and oblivious to our nonverbal exchange.

"Nothing. So, I think I'm going to get going. I'm super busy," Shelby says, getting up and throwing her bag over her shoulder.

"No you aren't. You just stood outside my classroom for an hour because you didn't have anything better to do," I remind her, narrowing my eyes.

"What? No, I was just..." she stares at me blankly for a few seconds, trying to think of an excuse. I shake my head slightly, silently begging her not to leave me here. "Well, doesn't matter. I'll call you later, Lana." She waves and walks away before I can protest. Well then. Looks like I'm going to have to actually handle this. Shit.

I slowly turn back to Chase who is looking at me with an amused expression. "She's subtle."

"Totally," I agree sarcastically. He stares at me for a while and I pick my nails awkwardly.

"Lana, I can't help but feel like you want to talk to me about something." I look up at him again. He's smirking at me, obviously taking pleasure in how uncomfortable I am. "Is this about last night?"

"I just thought maybe you would want some sort of explanation."

She shakes his head. "You don't owe me one. It's none of my business."

"Maybe I don't, but I want to give you one." He nods and puts his food down, pushing his tray back and leaning his elbows on the table. "Harry and I...we aren't....he and I..." I pause and think about it. I hadn't really planned this conversation and there wasn't exactly an easy explanation for whatever I have with Harry. If I don't understand what's going on how is Chase going to?

He chuckles and I smile at him. "Okay, here's the thing. We haven't..." I pause again and furrow my eyebrows. This is not easy.

"Lana, don't worry about it. I get it, it's complicated. Clearly I never had a chance."

"No, it's not that. It's just, Harry was gone for a long time and I wasn't expecting him to come back. Now that he's here I haven't really had a chance to figure out what that means for me."

"So where does that leave me?"

"I..I'm not sure."

He nods and leans back. "Maybe it would help if we went out again." I raise an eyebrow. "Yeah, I think it would be a good. Fun night out away from the stress of Henry."

"Harry."

"Sure. And you can never get enough of me, so that's a win." I laugh and he smiles, proud of himself. "Come on, you promised me a second date."

"Did I?"

"You did."

"Well then I guess I have to."

"Great, then I'll see you tonight. I'll pick you up at eight." He gets up before I can argue and walks off, sending me a wink. I blush and look down. Maybe it's not a good idea, but what if it isn't?

Why do I over-think everything?

I get up from the table and walk out of the cafeteria, quickly joined by Shelby. "You are a horrible friend," I joke as she links her arm in mine again.

"That was necessary. What happened?"

"We're going out tonight."

"Well, I wasn't expecting that. Is that what you want?"

"I'm not really sure, but it's too late now."

---

"What about this?"

"I still like the first one."

"I don't really want to wear a dress."

"Well, it's your second date so he's probably going to do something a little more...intimate."

I start feeling nervous. Shelby came over to help me get ready for my date with Chase, and now I'm starting to freak out. What if I have fun? What if I like him? I'm really hoping I don't, to be honest. It would make my life a lot easier if I didn't have any feelings for Chase. Then I could just focus of figuring out whatever is going on with Harry. Dealing with one boy is easier than two. Also, I've never had this problem before. I don't like it.

Wow, I'm pathetic. Two guys want me, my life is so hard. There are probably girls everywhere that want to slap me.

"Still, I'm not sure about a dress."

She continues looking through my clothes. "Did he kiss you last time, I can't remember."

"No, I didn't really give him a chance. Why?"

"Just wondering.What about this skirt?"

"Yeah, that could work. So, what about you, any boys?" I ask, wiggling my eyebrows at her. She laughs and shrugs. "There totally is! What's going on?"

"I met a guy last weekend at the library. He's really nice."

"He's nice? Is that all you know about him?"

"Well, he's smart. He's in some type of pre-med program. Also, he was at the library, so you know he's different. When do guys hand out at the library. Anyway, we're going out tomorrow night so we'll see what happens."

"That's exciting. So you're done with Jared officially?"

"Yes. I can't do all the back and forth anymore. The drama just isn't worth it."

I chuckle and nod in agreement. "You're correct. Okay, how about this?" I hold up a skirt and crop combination. She agrees and we start doing my hair. Shelby always says that she would love to be a stylist and make up artist, but her parents would never let her do that. So, she's getting a degree. Her little talent comes in handy for me, though, I have to admit. I always feel too lazy to do my hair for dates or parties. I do my hair once in the morning, why would I want to do it again at night?

When I'm ready I look through my expansive collection of shoes for some black pumps. "So? What do you think?" I ask, spinning for her in my complete outfit.

"You look fantastic. So, what happens when he kisses you? Does that count as like...cheating on Harry?"

"I wouldn't think so. Harry and I aren't actually together."

"Then what are you?"

"Well we...we're kind of..." She raises her eyebrows at me, holding back a smile. "You know what, I have no idea. Why do I have to have an explanation for everything? Why doesn't someone ask Harry to explain what's going on!"

"Okay, calm yourself," she says, holding up her hands. "I was just wondering. I should get going. Have fun tonight. Don't go too crazy."

"Thanks. I'll text you tomorrow."

She gets up and slides her jacket on as there's a knock on the door. She smiles deviously and runs to answer it, me following closely behind to try and make sure she doesn't embarrass me. I have heels on, however, and she does not. So she gets there first.

"Chase! What a surprise!"

He smiles. "Hey, Shelby."

"Lana, look who it is," she says, opening the door wider and stepping to the side so I can see him. He smiles at me and does a double take, eyes scanning my body.

"Wow. You look..." he shakes his head, seemingly lost for words. Shelby giggles and waves to me, squeezing past Chase and down the hall. "Ready?"

"Sure."

---

Harry's POV

"Lou, I'm not kidding. I swear, something is up with Niall."

"Maybe, but it can't be something to do with Lana."

"Why not? You should have seen him glaring at me during the movie last weekend. And when I told him that I kissed her he had a mini temper tantrum."

"Hold on, you kissed her?"

"Yeah," I confirm, smiling at the thought. He looks confused, though. "What?"

"It's just...Chase told me he's seeing Lana tonight."

My heart drops. "What?" She wouldn't do that, would she? Can she really be interested in him? Is she just over me? "Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure, yeah."

I look down at my watch. 10:30. She would be home by now, right? Maybe I should talk to her.

"Don't go down there, mate."

"How do you know what I'm thinking?"

"It's written all over your face. She's confused. She's trying to figure out how she feels. Let her."

Suddenly the door swings open and Lana steps in, looking around until her eyes find Louis and I in the kitchen. She points at me. "You."

She walks towards me with her pointer finger still extended. She looks hot. "Yes?"

"Why did you do it? Why did you have to do this to me?"

Shit, she's drunk. What the heck kind of date did he take her on? "Sorry?"

"I can't get you out of my head!" she shouts in frustration. "Chase is a perfectly lovely person, but no. You have to just get stuck up here," she says, pointing to her temple, "and now everything he does just doesn't cut it. Know why? Because I compare everything he does to YOU. And you know what? Nothing even comes close! He's a great guy, but he has no chance! All because despite how much you hurt me, I still love you! Do you know how annoying that is?"

"I don't-"

"Why did you have to leave?" she says tiredly. "If you had just stayed, then everything would have been fine and I wouldn't be so bloody confused."

"I know," I agree, putting my arms around her and pulling her against me, making slow circles against her back. Louis looks really confused. "I'm sorry."

She hesitantly wraps her arms around me, sighing against my chest. "I can't date Chase."

"Why's that?"

"You."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I would say I'm sorry, but I'm not."

"I know."

"I don't understand this," Louis says, getting up and taking his bowl of chips to his room. Lana and I stand there holding each other for a few more minutes in silence. I don't know what happened tonight, and I don't want to either. Something is happening here and it seems to be to my benefit. I'm not going to ask questions.

"Harry?"

"Yes, love."

She pauses and I kiss the top of her head, encouraging her. "Please don't leave me," she whispers.

I smile and kiss her head again. "I promise."

"Good." She stays quiet for a few minutes. "And Harry?"

"Yea?"

"If you do, I will come after you this time."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. But not in a good way. I will find you and I will kick your ass."

I laugh and put my chin on the top of her head. "Thanks for the warning."

For the first time in two years, I feel completely happy and...peaceful. I know this doesn't mean that all is forgiven or that we're back together, but she's admitting that there's still something there. It's a small step, but it's progress none the less.

And I could not be more excited.

Notes

so this kind of happened fast but..shit was getting rediculous. lets be honest.

so i hope you guys like it :) im going a little slower with this story, really trying to figure out how i want it to go. suggestions are always helpful :)

thanks for reading!

rate, subscribe and comment!
<3