Leave me alone. I need to be alone. The words swirled in her head but she did not utter a word as she barged down the corridor and as far away as she could get from the scene she had left behind.

She did not look back. It was only once she reached her apartment that she was able to let her emotions flow freely. As she wept, she happened to glance at her reflection in a nearby mirror; and then just as suddenly she stopped.

She had consistently run away every time a difficult situation arose in their relationship and now she was doing it yet again. It finally dawned on her that she had to stop running. Lara wiped the tears from her face and headed for the door. Without a second thought, she made her way to Harry’s apartment. She tried calling him a couple of times, but his voicemail sounded each time.

The look on Harry’s face flashed in her mind as she settled in the back of a taxi. His expression had switched from uncomfortable to anger so quickly and she had not stuck around to see the fallout. She did not know if he was home, but she was now operating on pure instinct.

“Come on.” She muttered at the relentless London traffic

When she finally reached his building, the doorman shook his head.

“He’s not here?” Lara asked breathlessly, only for him to shake his head again. She dialled his number, only for it to go straight to voicemail, yet again. Minutes later she was on her way home again and checking her phone only to see that the battery had died.

“Great.” She muttered.

She was fumbling with her phone and handbag as she walked up the steps and into her apartment when she looked up to see her roommate Camille staring at her open mouthed. It would have been comical, if she didn’t feel so upset but before Lara could even question her, Camille spoke.

“Did you see him?”

“See who?” Lara asked.

“Harry. He was just here a couple of minutes ago-”

Before Camille could even finished her sentence, Lara darted out the front door and down the steps. She looked up and down the street, finally spotting a figure clad in black in the distance.

“Harry!” She called and he instantly turned to face her. It only took one beat before they both moved toward each other, Lara allowing Harry to envelope her in his arms.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered in her hear.

“I’m sorry too.” She replied.

“I did it all for us.” He said. “I just wanted you and I didn’t know how… I didn’t know how to do it.”

His voice sounded husky and she lifted her head to see tears in his eyes.

“Everything is changing so much.” Harry continued. “But I just want you to know that all I care about is us. That’s all I care about. I just want it to work. I tried so hard to get you back… I don’t wanna lose you now.”

“You won’t.” Lara murmured.

They stood there in silence for a long time, locking the world out as they wrapped their arms around each other.

X

Harry’s comment about everything changing was an understatement.
Ben’s employment with Modest! Management came to a swift end that very day. He had violated many aspects of this revised contract and was threatened with legal action. It took only one meeting with Julian and the legal team for him to leave with his tail between his legs.

The news of One Direction going on hiatus broke around the world only days later. Although they were effectively breaking up the group, Management tried to emphasise that One Direction were only taking a break.

“They will be back one day.” They said, but it was clear that their break did not have an end date. The boys were suddenly given the opportunity to either pursue a solo career, take a well-deserved break or even make a complete career change.

Zayn was the first one to announce his plans, by revealing his plans to release a solo album. Singing other people’s songs and being confined to a certain style of music had only made him tune out of the whole process. He had checked out a long time ago, so it was no surprise to hear that he had been writing his own songs and was keen for people to discover his style.

Niall expressed a desire to release a solo album, but he and Louis decided to take a break first. Louis intended to get into music production, but in the meantime, could only think of recharging in the Maldives. He bought a ticket and disappeared within days of the announcement.

Liam was keen on a solo career too, but was more intent on spending time with his family. After a few big night outs in London, he soon disappeared off the radar, promising to reignite his career sooner rather than later.

Harry was the only person who it seemed was embarking on a new career. His contacts in LA came through for him straight away, encouraging him to go down the acting route. It was something he had been urged to do time after time over the years and it was only now that he started to seriously consider an acting career. It was an exciting time and he could not help but share his thoughts with Lara.

She listened with interest, secretly happy to hear that he was considering new opportunities, rather than dwell on the breakup of the band.

They were officially together again and spent every waking moment together. Lara felt at peace for the first time in a long time but she still remained in her flat, preferring the security of having her own home, regardless of her feelings for him. But there were moments that flashed randomly during the day or night when she was alone that she found herself missing him.

A couple of weeks after the announcement, Lara heard a knock at her door. She smiled when she saw Harry standing there, his eyes shining.

“I’m moving to LA.” He blurted.

“LA?” Lara repeated and he nodded.

“I’ve been offered a movie. No audition, no nothing.”

“A movie?” Lara said. “Oh my God, Harry that’s great news.”

He had barely walked through the door so she stepped aside to let him in.

“They’re gonna start shooting soon so I need to get my shit together.”

“When do you have to leave?” She asked.

“I need to be out of here by next week. I-I can’t even think straight. I need to do a thousand things before I go, but the only thing that matters is you.”

“Me? You don’t need to think about me.” She said but the words rang hollow.

“You know that’s bullshit.” He said. His tone was firm, but the touch on her cheek was gentle.

“I want you to come with me.”

“Harry…”

“I want to move there. I wanna be in LA…” Harry told her. “Come with me?”

His eyes were wide as he regarded her face closely anticipating her answer.

“It could be a new start for us. Just think about it… California’s awesome. Remember our trip?”

She did. It had been a long time ago, but she still had warm memories of California. Lara had always wanted to move away from London. In the early days of her relationship with Harry she had been fixated on the idea of moving to New York. She had even accompanied Harry to New York on a promo trip, but it was California that held all the memories.

The warm weather, the impulsive dips in the ocean, the necklace…

“I got something for you.” He had whispered in her ear and then pulled away to dig into his small suitcase. He took out a paper bag and sheepishly handed it to her.

“Sorry I didn’t wrap it.”

“I don’t mind.” Lara said in what was the understatement of the year. She took the bag into her hands and peeked in to see a small box.

“Go on and open it.” Harry said when she paused for too long.

Lara opened the box to find a silver necklace with a small charm hanging from it. She touched it with her finger to see it was a little heart.

“It’s nothing too fancy.” Harry said sounding a little embarrassed. “I bought it from one of the markets… so it’s not-”

“It’s perfect.” Lara said. “Thank you.”

Lara’s eyes focussed on Harry’s green eyes as she took a deep breath.

“I’ll come with you.”

X

Life in California was completely different to anything Lara had ever experienced. It took her a while to get her affairs in order, transferring her studies to LA, helping Camille find a replacement roommate, handing in her resignation to work and tying up all the loose ends.
But she was able to breathe easy, almost as soon as she stepped foot in the United States. Harry had property in the US, so moving in was not as traumatic as she thought it was going to be. Everything was pre-arranged and organised and after packing her bags, she did not even have to look back.

Los Angeles was just as she had remembered. The vibe of the city resonated with her and the fact that she was sharing this experience with Harry made it even more exciting for her. He had started work on the film and would return home full of stories of his time on the set. It all seemed to come naturally to him and he could often be found studying his script as he lounged around the pool.

It was as if they had been injected with a new lease of life. The swaying palm trees, the ocean breezes, the hiking trails, the warm weather… they took advantage of everything this new place had to offer. Whilst Lara stayed in the background when it came to any public appearances with Harry, in his everyday life she was a definite fixture.

One night, they had just finished dinner and had wandered into the back garden to enjoy the cool breeze and the view. As they stared out over the city, Lara could not help but gaze at Harry’s profile. His long hair had been cut short for the role and while he had hated it at first, Lara had convinced him that it was a nice change. His eyes were clear and green, his expression calm and relaxed. His physical transformation had been nothing short of amazing. He had changed from the bleary red-eyed and jaded London Harry, to the relaxed and peaceful Californian Harry. She was not sure if it was the location or whether his new venture was responsible for his transformation- it was as if he had a new purpose in life. Or perhaps it was because they were both finally together. No secrets and no holding back. Not anymore.

He glanced her from the corner of his eye and smiled when he discovered her watching him.

“Can you believe we did it?” He said, gesturing out to the twinkling lights of the city.

She snuggled up to him in response, resting her head on his chest.

“I think coming here was the best thing we ever did.” Harry told her quietly. “And I don’t think I could have done it without you.”

“I love it here too.” Lara replied. “And being with you is the best part.”

“It’s me and you again.” Harry murmured. “For keeps.”

Despite everything they had been through, they were together.

Harry had played for keeps, but they had both won.

Notes

Yes, it's the end!

Secrets, Black & White & Playing for Keeps - the trilogy is over :)

I want to thank everyone who read, enjoyed and commented on my story; I have enjoyed writing it and sharing it with you.

Please leave a comment letting me know what you think... I always check my comments and love receiving them.
:)