Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Lara knocked on Harry’s front door and waited. A minute passed before she tried again. A few minutes went by before she was tempted to leave. What a great excuse it would be to ningtell Julian: ‘Harry wouldn’t let me in’. But as soon the idea came to her, the door opened.

“I thought you weren’t here.” She said

“Sorry, I was asleep.” He replied huskily, rubbing the back of his neck. He wore his boxers only, his hair a mess of curls.

“I had to drop my stuff off early, I have school today.” Lara walked in and placed her suitcase on the floor. “Where do I put my stuff?”

“I only have one bedroom Lara, so I guess it’s going in there.”

“Um no, I’m not sharing your bedroom or your bed.”

“Why not, we’ve done it before.” Harry yawned and made his way into the kitchen.
She marvelled at how blasé he could be about things like that.

“What would Louis say?” She said with a smirk.

Harry gave her an unimpressed look, as he reached for a box of teabags. Without asking her he made two cups of tea. Disappointed that he hadn’t taken the bait, she stood around awkwardly.

“How’s school going?” He asked as he gestured to her tea on the counter. She didn’t feel like drinking it, but she accepted it nevertheless.

“Okay…” She said vaguely.

“You know, I was thinking of talking to Julian about getting you transferred.”

“Transferred?”

“Yeah, to a course that you actually want to do.”

“Harry, no.” She said feeling the anger build up again. “Just stay out of it.”

“Why are you wasting your time doing something you’re not interested in?”

“Because.” She replied petulantly. “It’s just easier this way.”

“Well that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” He said flatly.

“Yeah well it’s not up to you.” She said abruptly standing to grab her school satchel.

“Grow up.” She heard Harry mutter to himself as she slammed the door on her way out.

****************************************

Lara cautiously walked toward the apartment and reached into her handbag for her key when it dawned on her that she didn’t have one. She was supposed to have picked one up from Julian’s office that afternoon but between school and then going to the library afterwards she had completely forgotten.

She knocked on the door, hoping Harry was home, even though she was dreading seeing him again. It wasn’t long before she heard footsteps.

The door opened and Harry let her in, and then turned to walk away without even acknowledging her. She sighed as she dumped her library books on the couch and her bag by the door. Harry glared down at the mess silently and then looked back at Lara.

“Give me some space and I’ll move my stuff.” She said helplessly.

He wordlessly picked up the books and bag and disappeared into his bedroom. He emerged a few moments later and flopped on the couch where he continued to watch television. Lara was still standing in the same spot, looking at him not knowing what to do next. When it became clear that he was not going to talk to her, she ventured toward the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and sat at the table. She could hear the TV blaring from the living room, as she flicked through a magazine. She then inspected the fridge. It was virtually empty.

“Great.” She muttered to herself.

It didn’t take long for Lara to figure out that Harry was the master of silent treatment and that she was effectively exiled in the kitchen. An hour later, her stomach was rumbling and she barged into the living room.

“I’m hungry. What do you want for dinner?”

Harry eyed her with a frown, and shrugged.

“Fine, be like that.” She snapped, returning to the kitchen. She searched through the cupboards until she found a packet of spaghetti. It didn’t take long for Harry to venture into the kitchen and peer over her shoulder as she prepared a sauce. She gave him an annoyed look and he returned the glare.

Without a word Lara piled two bowls of spaghetti and plonked them on the table. They sat down and began to eat quietly, not looking at each other.

Harry stared at a spot above her head, while she focussed on the fridge. There were a few photos stuck on it, and she noticed a picture of Harry and Louis. It was a happy shot of the two with their mouths comically wide open, Louis’ arm slung around Harry’s shoulder. She wondered what was really going on between them. In fact she burned with curiosity but couldn’t bring herself to ask.

Dinner ended and they silently began to clean up in silence, when the phone rang.

“Hi Julian.” Harry said after a moment. “Yes, she’s here… uh huh… I don’t know… okay. Yep…”

The conversation went on longer and Lara pretended to not be interested, although she listened closely. Harry hung up and looked at Lara.

“Julian asked why you didn’t drop by the office today to pick up the key.” He said abruptly.

Lara looked at him defiantly, not answering.

“Well you’d better come up with an excuse because he’ll be asking you about it tomorrow.”

“I forgot: is that a good enough excuse?” Lara said. “What’s happening tomorrow, anyway?”

“Documentary premiere.”

Another thing she had completely forgotten. One Direction had just filmed a documentary about their life on the road, and the premiere was going to be a big event. There was to be a press conference, the premiere and then an after party, and Lara of course was expected to attend.

“Do I have to go?” She asked, hoping against hope that he wouldn’t want her to go.

“Yes you do. And you have to look like you’re enjoying it too.”

“You sound like Julian.” Lara said before narrowing her eyes. “So does that mean we’re talking again?”

“Why are you so mad at me?” He asked suddenly.

I liked you… I thought maybe you liked me too. You like someone else… and it hurt more than I thought it would.

The words were simple to say in her mind, but harder to say out loud.

“I was just surprised about what I saw.” She said lamely. Harry looked uncomfortable, shifting from one foot to the other.

“Yeah well, I’m sorry about that. It’s just that not many people know…” He trailed off.

“That you’re gay?” Lara prompted.

“Who said I was gay?” Harry made a face.

“But you and Louis-“

“So? Doesn’t mean I’m gay.” He said and she stared at him dumbfounded. He lowered his eyes and shrugged to himself. “We have this… thing. We… I can’t really explain it, but it’s been going on for a long time.”

“So you’re not together?” She asked.

“It’s on and then it’s off... it’s complicated.” He said, as though he himself did not know the answer and was figuring it out for himself. “He can get jealous though which is why he probably hasn’t been very nice to you.”

Lara went quiet as she tried to process these new revelations. Harry put his hand on her arm.

“You okay?” He asked.

“I think so.” She said. He looked relieved and they continued to clean up. They were soon on the couch, laughing at a silly show on TV when Harry’s phone beeped. He instantly checked it and answered not long after. She could tell by the guilty look on his face that it was Louis, probably checking up on them. The thought made her smile, and the wheels began to turn in her head as she began to formulate a plan.

Notes