Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Lara flinched as he reached over to slam the door behind him.

“Were you with Harry?”

She felt her breath quicken as she wrapped the robe around her a little more tighter.

“Answer me.” He said grabbing her arm as if to punctuate his point.

“No.” She said, her voice sounding small and unconvincing.

“Did he fuck you?” He looked down to see her holding her robe together, suddenly aware that she had nothing on underneath.

“No.” She repeated. “Nothing happened.”

He looked at her as if didn’t believe a word she was saying but loosened his grip anyway. His face softened when he noticed her staring up at him with a fearful look on her face.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just that I was looking for you everywhere.”

“Well I’m here aren’t I?” She said.

“You are- now.”

They stood looking at each other for a moment, and he smiled kindly.

“Are you hungry?” He asked. She shrugged, but didn’t respond.

“I need to have a shower and get dressed.” She finally said when she noticed his eyes travel down her body, and she wrapped the robe around her tighter, hoping she was covered appropriately.

“I’ll wait for you.” Ben said, stretching out on the bed.

“No. Please no. I want to be alone. I’ll meet you in half an hour.”

He nodded slowly, and looked over to see her pink bikini lying next to him.

“You looked hot in the bikini today.” He said, picking it up and casually twirling it with his fingers. “Harry couldn’t keep his hands off you.”

Lara looked away, not knowing what to say.

“Learn to take a fucking compliment Lara.” He said good-naturedly. “The photos will be awesome; that’s if they can Photoshop his boner out of them.”
He chuckled at her shocked expression.

“Sweet, innocent Lara.” He said with a fond smile.

“Ben-“She said in a warning tone.

“Maybe not so sweet and innocent now after all?” He persisted. When she remained silent he sat up.

“Okay, okay I’m going.” He tossed the bikini back on the bed. “But I’ll meet you at the café downstairs in half an hour okay? I’m starving.”

Lara nodded, just happy to be left alone. She closed the door firmly behind him, and shook her head as she went over the day’s events so far. She let her body collapse on the bed, feeling utterly exhausted.
******************************************
Harry returned to the hotel room that night to find Lara asleep.

She had spent the majority of the day with Ben, who took her out for lunch and then convinced her to go for a little sightseeing.

They strolled along Hollywood Boulevard, and Ben smiled at Lara who kept her head down as she read the names of the Hollywood Walk of Fame out loud as she walked along.

“Watch where you’re going.” He warned, as she almost bumped into a pole.

“This is amazing.” She couldn’t help saying, wanting to take in the sights around her but too in awe with the Hollywood stars that stretched into the distance. They had returned late in the afternoon, and she was secretly glad when he let her return to her hotel room alone.

She heard Harry enter the room and pause as if he had just noticed that she was asleep. His movements grew quieter as he tried not to wake her. A part of her wanted to wake up and greet him, but for some reason she held back. She was about to turn over and speak when his phone rang. He heard him swear under his breath and enter the bathroom to answer it.

“What?” She could hear him say, “No, you can’t. She’s sleeping.”

His voice dropped to a whisper, and she struggled to hear what he was saying.

“You haven’t spoken to me all night, why now?”
Lara lay wide awake in the dark, listening with fascination. She tried to ignore the feeling of jealousy that seemed to gnaw at her.

“No I’m not coming. I’m tired… I wanna get some sleep.” She heard Harry say. “No, don’t…”

The conversation must have ended because she heard a loud sigh. He emerged from the bathroom and she closed her eyes quickly, pretending to be asleep. She could feel him pause for a moment, and she could imagine him checking to see if she was still asleep.

He must have been satisfied because he then switched on the TV and turned the volume down low. A few moments later there was a soft knock on the door and she felt him move quickly to answer it.

“What are you doing here?” Harry whispered.

“Why didn’t you come with me?” She clearly heard Louis’ voice. She opened her eyes to peek, and saw Harry being pulled out the door.

“Shhh… she’s sleeping.” He said, holding back.

“So?”

“I’m tired Louis.” He whined.

“I hate being alone.”

“So call what’s-her-face.”

There was silence for a few moments and Lara could only imagine what was being said or done. She had a burning desire to take a quick peek, but fear of being discovered listening stopped from her doing anything. She lay stiffly as she listened to them argue briefly, catching only a few words here and there.

“… Ignoredme… that guy… so what…” She was sure that was Harry.

“Fuck… what do you want me to do… yeah right.” Came Louis’ response.

“Good night.” Harry said firmly, before closing the door in his face.

She could hear his clothes fall to the floor before he carefully climbed into bed next to her, trying not to wake her.
********************************************

Lara hung back as the boys and members of the entourage milled around the breakfast buffet the next day.

She had woken up early the next morning to the sound of the TV still on. Harry must have fallen asleep whilst watching television last night, the remote control sitting on the edge of the bed. She fought the urge to snuggle up to him, instead dragging herself out of bed to change for breakfast.

She waited while they heaped their plates high with food, when she noticed Louis standing nearby. He was staring into space, a tired expression on his face, when Lara spontaneously sidled up to him.

“Sleep well last night?” She asked.

Louis looked at her as though he was trying to disguise the surprised look on his face. She had never initiated a conversation with him before, and she could tell he was caught off guard. He replaced it with a bored expression as he regarded her coldly.

“Yeah, why?”

“Just wondering.”

“You?”

“Really well.” She said with a smile, surprising even herself. Louis made a face at her and moved away. She thought she heard him mutter ‘fuck you’ under his breath, but she wasn’t sure. Lara then looked up to see Harry watching her curiously from afar. They had barely spoken since yesterday, and she couldn’t help but smile at him. He smiled back uncertainly, his eyes flicking to Louis briefly. He looked like he was about to approach her, when Ben suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” He said. “Upstairs.”

She reluctantly followed him, casting a sad look toward Harry. Ben led her back to her hotel room.

“Open the door.” He said.

She sighed as she unlocked the door, and walked in. She turned around to face him, a questioning look on her face.

“What is it?” She asked, trying not to sound
impatient.

“I just wanted to see you alone.” Ben said. Lara moved to walk away, but he stopped her. “Please, just wait.”

She looked up at him, her light brown eyes waiting for him to speak. He cleared his throat nervously.

“Lara, I just wanted you to know how I much I care about you.”

“Ben-“

“And I want you to know I’ll wait for you. Once this year is up, you’re welcome to come live with me.”

She stared at him incredulously.

“Where is this coming from?” She asked. “You’ve never been interested in me before.”

“I don’t know what it is. It’s just that in these past few weeks, I’ve seen a different side to you. I really want to get to know you more. Once this whole Harry thing is over, maybe you can try and get to know me too.”

“Ben you’re old enough to be my-“

“Your what- father?” Ben couldn’t help but smile. “I’m only thirty four Lara… give me a break.”

“But still-“

“But nothing.” He said as he gripped her arms.

Before she could protest, his lips pressed onto hers and he kissed her.

The door suddenly opened and Harry stood there. Lara twisted away to see him staring at them open mouthed, a look of shock and disgust etched upon his face.

“What the fuck-“He said, unable to finish the sentence. He fists seemed to clench as he advanced forward as though he wanted to lash out.

“Harry!” Lara exclaimed as she grabbed his arm to stop him. He looked at her and roughly shook his hand off her. Without another word, he walked away.

Notes