The Deal

*Olivia Harper*

I looked at my phone. Thirteen missed calls from Dylan.

What the hell was happening? Since when had Dylan become so interested in our relationship? And the way he was behaving…it scared me. I didn’t want to keep any ties with him at all, but he didn’t seem to want to let go. I was going to have to figure something out soon, before things got way out of hand. I’d seen the look he’d given Harry last night, and I knew it all too well—that was the look he wore when he didn’t get something he wanted. I also knew he would go to any lengths to achieve what he desired. Dylan wasn’t exactly someone who knew where to draw the line.

My phone buzzed again, but this time, it was Harry.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Harper,” his deep voice emanated from the other end. “You free right now?”

“Why, do you want to come over, baby?” I asked teasingly.

He growled. “Can you not talk to me in that tone?” he asked, sighing. “I wanted to ask you something.”

I laughed. “Ask.”

“We’re all going over to Niall’s house for lunch tomorrow.” he told me. “Wanna come?”

I hesitated. “You want me to come out with you to your friends’ house?”

Harry chuckled. “Niall asked me to call you.” he told me. “He was all ‘you’re friends with her now, right? call her’ so i said okay.”

“Niall?” I asked. “I don’t know, I mean—”

“Oh come on, Harper,” Harry sighed. “It’s just lunch. And it’s nothing lavish, we’ll probably order pizza and watch movies.”

I thought about it. It didn’t seem like a bad idea. It was only for a few hours, and it would help me take my mind off the Dylan issue. Besides, I liked Niall. He was nice, Harry was nice, so I figured the other three couldn’t be that bad.

“Okay.” I told him. “I’ll be there.”

“Great, I’ll pick you up on my way,” he said. “Get Lexi too, if you want.”

I laughed. “I think she’ll be a bit out of place.” I told him. “Besides, she doesn’t know….”

Harry sighed. “Olivia, you should tell her.” he said.

“What?”

“Yeah,” he said, “she’s your best friend. Tell her before she finds out another way. She’ll feel really bad.”

“Have you told your friends?” I asked him curiously.

“No,” he said. “But I told you they think something’s up. Louis knows. You should tell Lexi too. It’ll make you feel lighter.”

It was true. Maybe telling her would make me feel less tensed. I was finding it extremely hard to deal with all her questions as to where I was or why I wasn’t answering my phone or why I said no so many times when she wanted to hang out. Telling her would make things easier.

Fuck Harry for being so persuasive. “Fine,” I told him. “I’ll tell her. I don’t know if I should call her though…”

“Mm, that’s up to you.” Harry said. “Just show up.”

“I will.” I promised. “Bye, Harry.”

“Bye, Harper.”

He hung up and I dialed Lexi’s number.

“Liv!” she answered.

“Lexi, can you meet me at the coffee shop behind school in half an hour?” I asked her.

“Erm, sure.” she muttered. “Why?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

—-

“So…you’re basically using each other for sex?” Lexi confirmed, still looking slightly shocked. “But you’re not dating?”

“We’re not using each other…” I mumbled. “But, I guess…yeah. We have sex, but we’re not dating.”

“What if you start liking him?” she questioned, sipping her coffee.

I shook my head. “I’m not going to start liking him.” I told her. “And he isn’t going to start either. We’re only…it’s only about the sex.”

“Are you guys friends?” she asked me. “Like…friends with benefits…”

I laughed, only because I remembered what Harry had said when we first made the deal. I thought the whole purpose of being fuck buddies is that you’re…buddies. ‘FRIENDS’ with benefits? Fuck ‘BUDDIES’? We’re friends now, Harper. “I guess you could say that.” I told her.

“I thought you sleeping with him was a onetime thing.” she said.

“So did I,” I told her.

“Wow.” she breathed, sitting back. “That’s…”

“I know.” I said. “Look, Lex, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”

She nodded. “it’s okay.” she said. “But oh my God, Liv. Harry is hot!”

“I didn’t know you thought so…” I raised an eyebrow.

“I never thought about it till now.” she shrugged. “Lucky you.”

I chuckled. “I guess.”

“Is he good?”

“He’s great.” I told her truthfully.

“Hmm,” she said thoughtfully. After a few seconds, she added, “So if I fantasize about him in front of you, will you kill me?”

“We’re not dating, Lexi.” I said. “You can fantasize all you want.”

“Wow.” she said again.

“I know.” I repeated. “Hey, by the way, the boys—like, Harry’s friends, they’re all going to Niall’s house to spend the day? Wanna come?”

“You’re going too?” she asked me.

I nodded. “Harry thinks it’s a good idea.” I shrugged. “I don’t know, come along.”

“Okay.” she said happily.

—-

*next afternoon*

Lexi and I got into Harry’s car, parked right outside my house. Lexi beat me to the front seat, and I took the back seat without a word.

“Hey there, Harper,” Harry winked at me through the rear view mirror, and I grinned. “And Lexi. How’re you?”

“I’m fine, Harry.” she giggled. “How’re you?”

He smiled politely at her. “I’m good.” he told her. “I see Harper told you about…”

“Your deal?” Lexi asked. “Oh, yeah. How’s that turning out for you?”

Harry smirked and shot me a look through the rear view mirror. “You know it’s…Olivia is great so…it’s turning out to be amazing.”

Lexi giggled again and turned around to wink at me, and I blushed. “Shut up.” I mumbled.

Throughout the time that it took for us to reach Niall’s house, Lexi and Harry chatted away animatedly. Well, Lexi chatted, Harry was only able to get a few sentences in here and there. I sat in silence throughout the ride, hoping they’d turn around to include me. But they didn’t.

We reached Niall’s house and Harry parked the car. He hopped off the car and turned around to open the car door for Lexi. I got out myself then, and shut the door behind me.

“I’m excited.” Lexi said. “I’ve never even spoken to any of your friends before, you know?”

Harry chuckled, ringing the doorbell. “Yeah, they’re pretty excited to see you both. Especially you, Harper.” he winked at me, and I laughed.

The door opened to reveal a tall brown haired boy in a simple grey shirt. He smiled at us.

“Hi, guys.” he said in a deep voice, letting us in.

“Liam,” Harry greeted him, clapping him on the back as we stepped inside.

“And you’re Lexi,” Liam said, looking down at Lexi who smiled at him brightly. “And of course, Olivia.”

“Hi, Liam.” I said.

“Liv!” Niall ran at us, and pulled me into a hug. “Thought you wouldn’t show up. And Liv’s best friend right? Hi, Lexi.”

“Hey,” she said.

Louis and Zayn walked in. I was pulled into a hug by Louis as well, while Zayn smiled shyly at me. I couldn’t blame him—I was a bit awkward around them. Sure, I’d seen them all in school, but this was the first time I was actually talking to them.

“Olivia Harper.” Louis breathed, smiling down at me. He was slightly shorter than Harry, but still managed to tower over me. “I’ve been dying to meet you.”

“Right, Lou, please act a bit more desperate.” Harry joked.

“Hi, guys!” Lexi said brightly.

The boys greeted her, as Niall led me inside. “I thought you weren’t going to get her.” he said, as we sat down on the couch.

“I don’t know, I just thought…should I not have asked her?” I asked nervously.

“No, I didn’t mean that.” Niall said quickly, as the other boys and Lexi walked in. Harry and Lexi were talking animatedly. I saw Harry wink at me before he settled down on the other couch with Lexi. I turned to Niall.

“I’m not sure if she’ll…”

“She’ll what?” Niall asked. “We’re friendly people, she’ll like us. You like us, right?”

“I don’t know you guys.” I chuckled.

Niall’s eyes widened in mock hurt. “You know me.” he said, putting a hand over his heart.

I laughed. “You’re right, Niall, I like you.” I said, patting his knee.

“Alright then,” Liam said, drawing our attention towards him. “Pizza will be here in half an hour. I’m sorry ladies, if you were expecting some lavish cooking. Usually Harry does that, but he’s a bit lazy.”

“Or maybe sleep deprived.” Louis said, shooting me a grin. I looked down to hide my smirk.

“Yeah, alright.” Liam said, smiling very slightly, “I hope Pizza’s okay.”

“I don’t know,” Lexi said, “we’ve been eating out a lot, right Liv?”

“Erm…” I said, unsure of how to respond. “One time won’t kill us, Lex.”

“I know but…” then she gave a dramatic sigh. “Fine.”

“Uh, okay, then.” Liam muttered. “So…what do you want to till then? I’m sorry, if you thought we plan these things out in advance,” he looked at me, “because we’re pretty bad at that.”

“Liam, stop apologizing for everything.” Harry said. “It doesn’t take much to keep Harper entertained, she’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure your ways of entertaining her are very different from ours, Harry.” Louis joked, causing everyone burst into laughter. Harry mumbled a ‘shut up’ and chuckled a pillow at Louis.

“Does anyone want anything to drink?” Zayn asked, getting up. “Niall has a few Breezers in the fridge, I think.”

We all agreed to have them, and Liam left to help Zayn fish them out and carry them back.

“Alright, girls, which movie would you like to watch?” Louis asked.

“What movies do you have.” Lexi asked. “Do you have, like, chick flicks?”

Louis looked at Niall, who laughed. “I’m sorry Lexi, I don’t have any chick flicks.”

“Oh,” Lexi said, looking slightly disappointed.

“Sorry,” Niall muttered.

“Oh,” I said suddenly, “Niall, do you have Orphan?”

“Yeah!” Niall replied, and then got up to check a set of drawers under his television set.

“Orphan?” Lexi asked. “Oh my God, Liv.”

“What?” I mumbled. “I love that movie.”

“It’s scary!” she insisted.

“Which is why I like it.” I told her.

“Found it.” Niall said, holding up the DVD, just as Liam and Zayn returned with the Breezers.

“Found what?” Zayn asked, handing us the drinks.

“Orphan.” Niall said. “Liv chose it.”

“Nice,” Liam grinned at me.

A few minutes later, we’d all settled to watch the movie. I was sitting between Niall and Zayn, while Louis and Liam chose the bean bags. Lexi and Harry were on the other couch, sitting closely together. A few scenes into the movie, the pizza arrived, just in time for the scary scenes.

“I’ll get that,” Harry said. “Lexi, want to come and help?”

“Sure!” Lexi chirped, and the two of them walked off to answer the door.

I watched as they walked away together, surprised. It was very unlike Lexi to help someone. Usually she just sat and watched everyone do work, making up excuses for why she couldn’t help. And why did Harry ask her for help? He could have asked any of the boys…he could have asked me.

They returned with the boxes and set them down on the centre table. We hurriedly grabbed our pizzas before Louis pressed the play button to continue the movie.

Throughout the entire movie, Lexi continued whimpering in all the scary scenes, and move closer to Harry, till she was literally clutching to him. He kept looking down at her and smiling reassuringly, placing his giant hand on her knee, murmuring in her ear. I watched them with a slightly uneasy feeling in my stomach. I tried to move my attention back to the movie, but every time Lexi whimpered, I couldn’t help but look over at the two of them.

“You alright?” Niall whispered in my ear at one point. “You look really upset.”

“I’m fine,” I said hurriedly, shooting him a quick smile. I tried to focus on the movie, hoping I wouldn’t let Niall, or anyone, catch me again, but I still couldn’t help but steal a few glances.

The last scene was going on, where Esther and Kate were struggling in the pond. I sat, tensed, as I watched the scene unfold. I’d seen this movie quite a lot of times, but it never failed to give me chills. I heard a soft noise and looked over at Lexi, who was literally on Harry’s lap. Harry was smirking, but his eyes were on the TV.

About seven minutes later, the movie ended. Even as the credits rolled, we all sat still in our places, not saying a word. We let the ending sink in, and finally, Liam broke the silence.

“Wow.” He said, and we all chuckled. I let out a huff of breath and looked around. Liam and Louis were sitting really still, Lexi looked like she was about to cry. Niall was still staring at the rolling credits. Zayn looked a little traumatized.

“You okay, buddy?” I asked.

He looked over at me and grinned, his eyes still wide. “This movie…”

“I know.” I nodded.

“Damn kid set the tree house on fire.” Niall said.

“Damn kid wasn’t really a kid.” Louis said, turning to look up at him.

“Right, let’s clear up the place.” Niall said, getting up.

“So you can mess up the place again?” I grinned up at him.

“That’s the plan.” He winked at me, offering me his hand. “Wanna help?”

I took it and got up, nodding. “Sure.”

We all got to picking up the boxes the empty Breezer bottles. The only ones who didn’t move at all were Lexi and Harry. They were busy talking softly to each other. I tried to listen in, but I couldn’t catch what they were saying.

“Liv?” Louis asked, holding up a tall stack of empty boxes. “Can you take a few and help me carry them?”

I shot Harry and Lexi a look once more, before walking up to Louis. “Sure.”

—-

“Alright, is everyone settled well?” Zayn asked, as we sat in a circle with an empty bottle resting in the centre. We’d decided to play the usual boring party game—truth or dare. I’d protested in the beginning. The short while that I’d spent with these five boys together was enough for me to get to know that they wouldn’t leave a single opportunity to embarrass me about Harry. Playing truth or dare wouldn’t help my situation.

“Do we have to?” I grumbled, crossing my arms.

“Oh come on, Liv!” Lexi complained, giggling. “Be a good sport.”

I glared at her. She wanted me to be a good sport? I noticed how close she was sitting to Harry. She kept looking over at him and smiling, and he would look down to return it with his classic crooked smile, showing one dimple clearly. I watched as she poked his dimple, and he chuckled. So cute, I heard her say. I remembered that night that Dylan had almost barged into my house, when just after sex, I’d reached up to poke Harry’s dimple. The particular memory of it made me blush furiously and I stared as Harry Lexi’s hand lingered on his cheek for a bit too long before coming back down.

“Let me warn you all,” Louis said, “that this game is not going to be innocent. It will get dirty.”

“Great,” I mumbled, causing everyone to laugh.

“Alright, I’m spinning it.” Niall said, and spun the bottle. We all watched in silence as it spun furiously and then slowed down to a gradual stop. One end of the bottle was pointing at Harry, while the other pointed at Niall.

Niall looked up and grinned at Harry. “Truth or dare?”

Harry’s smirk was confident as he replied, “Dare.”

Niall nodded, and then suddenly, his expression brightened. He got up, and told us to remain sitting. Her rushed into the kitchen and came back seconds later with a can of whipped cream.

“Want me to lick this off your tummy, Horan?” Harry winked at him.

Niall smirked. “Nope, not mine.” He said, and then looked at me. “Olivia’s.”

I stared at him. “WHAT?” I asked, bewildered. “Why am I involved in this? Niall—”

“Man up, Harper,” Louis joked. “I refuse to believe you guys haven’t already tried this out.”

“Actually,” Harry said, getting up to take the can from Niall, “we haven’t. Hmm, Olivia, doesn’t seem like a bad idea, does it? Next time you come over, I’ll keep this handy.”

“Harry, shut up.” I said.

“Lie down.” He instructed.

“No way.” I shook my head, wrapping my arms around my stomach. “No, I’m not letting you—”

“Don’t be a pussy, Liv.” Louis said. “Just do it.”

“I—fuck, I hate you all.” I spat, but I lay down. I reached up to pull up my shirt, but Niall stopped me.

“Let Harry do it.” He said.

“Are you that desperate for porn?” I snapped at him. “Just go on the internet.”

“Live is always better.” He joked.

I grumbled profanities under my breath at all of them, as I watched Harry kneel down. His legs straddled my thigh, and set the can of whipped cream down. His hands reached up to lift my shirt to reveal my stomach. He lifted the can, and shook it once or twice, before spraying the cold substance on my bare skin. I flinched automatically at the coolness of it, feeling uncomfortable. Harry slowly lowered his head—almost too slowly—and flicked his warm tongue against my skin. I bit my lip as his hands came to rest on my thigh gently, and his tongue continued to lap up the cream on my stomach. I had to resist the urge to wound my fingers in his hair. A familiar feeling began to settle in my stomach, like it always did whenever Harry touched me.

Harry pulled away, wiping his mouth, his eyes dark. I sat up as Liam handed me a cloth, and I wiped my stomach.

“Mm, that was interesting.” Niall said, and everyone laughed. I blushed furiously as I pulled my shirt back down. Harry winked at me, and I wished everyone else in the room wasn’t present at that moment, so I could jump on him then and there.

Niall spun the bottle again, and as it stopped, the two ends pointed at Lexi and Zayn.

“Truth or dare, babe?” he asked her.

“Dare.” She said.

He sat thinking about what dare to give her. After a few moments, he said, “Alright. Kiss the guy you think is most attractive here.”

“Kiss?”

“Yep.”

I watched curiously as Lexi looked around the room. “Can I kiss Liv?” she asked, and I looked up to smirk at her, remembering the time we’d gotten really wasted and ended up kissing each other. That was the one and only time I’d kissed a girl, and hopefully last.

“No, I said guy.” Zayn said.

She sighed dramatically, before turning to Harry. She grabbed his collar and kissed him full on the mouth.

I watched as Harry’s eyes widened, totally surprised by the kiss. I felt very uncomfortable all of a sudden; as I watched Harry’s lips, which were so familiar to me, move against hers. The kiss seemed to happen very slowly, and when Lexi finally let go of him, I felt like I’d just watched them kiss for hours together. Harry looked at me, but I hurriedly looked down before we could make proper eye contact.

“Interesting…” Zayn muttered.

“I thought I was the most attractive guy here.” Niall said, running a hand through his hair. “Liv, please tell me you think I’m the most attractive guy here.”

I looked at him and smiled, trying to do away with the sudden urge to get up and leave. “You’re the most attractive guy here, Niall.” I assured him, and he winked.

—-

*later that night*

I walked into the kitchen for a glass of water. Lexi had already left, along with Liam and Louis. The only ones in the house were Harry, Zayn, Niall and I. Zayn planned to sleep over at Niall’s, and Harry was going to drop me home.

I heard someone enter the kitchen, and I turned to see Harry walking in. I calmly gulped my water down, and set the glass down gently near the sink. Harry stood against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed against his chest as he watched me.

“Fun day, huh?” he asked, when I’d put the glass down.

“Mm, yeah.” I nodded. I bet it was, for you. “Quite…eventful.”

“Yeah.” He agreed, and then slowly smiled. “I think the highlight of the whole evening was me licking the whipped cream off your stomach.”

“Or maybe your steamy kiss with Lexi.” I said, sounding more bitter than I had intended to.

Harry’s eyebrows knitted up in confusion at my tone, but almost immediately, his bewilderment was replaced by his customary smirk. He moved closer to me, trapping me between the kitchen counter and himself. “Is that jealousy I sense in your tone, Harper?” he asked me softly.

“What—?” I asked, revolted. “Jealousy—what the—are you—no way—”

“Mm, I think it’s jealousy.” He nodded, still grinning. “Were you jealous, Olivia?”

“Are you crazy?” I rolled my eyes. “I was not jealous.”

“Sure,” he nodded, obviously not convinced. “Seeing me kiss Lexi like that…got you all worked up, didn’t it?”

“Harry, shut up.” I snapped at him.

He leaned forward, and bent down to whisper in my ear, “Don’t worry, baby,” he said, his warm breath fanning my ear and making me shiver. “I’m all yours.”

“I don’t—”

Harry pulled back slightly to move the collar of shirt to the side to reveal a bruise that I had formed there only recently. “See? All yours.”

“I was not jealous.” I said, but my voice was shaking slightly, as I eyed the mark I’d left on his smooth skin. I wanted to lean forward and form more, but I restrained myself.

“You can keep saying that, but I know better.” He said, and leaned down to kiss me.

To my disappointment, just as our lips were about to meet, Niall and Zayn walked in.

“Whoa!” Niall said. “Guys, I make food here. Please, somewhere else.”

Harry laughed and moved away, and I mumbled out an apology.

“No worries,” Niall said.

“We should be heading out.” I said. “We have school tomorrow.”

“You can stay for a bit,” Zayn offered.

“Nah, mate, she’s right.” Harry said. “Plus, I’m really tired. And mum would be waiting up.”

Niall and Zayn walked us to the door. I hugged the two boys and thanked them for inviting me.

“I never thought you were this nice,” Zayn said, as he finished giving me his hug.

“Only to people I like.” I told him, grinning. “Goodnight, boys.”

They each replied before a final wave, and shut the door behind us. As soon as we stepped out, the wind hit us. I shivered slightly, surprised by who cold it was today.

“Slightly chilly today, huh?” I said, wrapping my arms around myself.

“Yeah, I didn’t even realize.” I said. “Niall’s house was really warm.”

Harry looked at me. “Are you cold? I don’t have a jacket to give you, or I would have.”

“How romantic.” I rolled my eyes.

“I am,” he smiled, unlocking the car. He held the door open for me, and I got in. He walked around the car to get in himself, and shut the door lightly.

“Were you really jealous?” he asked me.

I looked at him, and stuck my tongue out at him. “No.” I told him. “Stop assuming things to make yourself happy.”

“There’s no point in lying,” Harry grinned at me. “You’re incredibly cute when you’re jealous.”

“I wasn’t jealous!” I insisted.

“Good, because I asked Lexi out for coffee on Friday.” He told me.

“WHAT?” I asked, stunned. “You—you what?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Is that a problem?” I could see he was trying to fight a smile, but failed.

I gritted my teeth. “No.” I said.

Harry laughed. “Harper, you’re an idiot.” He shook his head.

“I didn’t think she was your type.” I said.

“I don’t have a type.” He shrugged.

I looked away from him. “Whatever. Have fun.”

Harry chuckled, and I glared at him.

“Why do you keep laughing at me?” I snapped at him.

“You’re an idiot,” he said again, “that’s why. Of course I didn’t ask her out, Harper. Lexi isn’t my type at all.”

“I thought you didn’t have a type.” I pointed out, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel slightly relieved.

“You’re my type.” He winked at me.

I fought back a smile and simply looked down. “Shut up and drive.” I murmured, earning his tinkling laughter in return.

Notes