Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Lara ignored the phone calls from Harry over the next few days. At first it had been very hard not to pick up the phone and hear his deep voice say her name. But by the third day she barely glanced at the phone. She couldn’t bring herself to switch it off, but still felt empowered by her ability to just shut him out.

Harry eventually called from another number that she didn’t recognise, and she answered to hear his tentative voice.

“Don’t hang up. I need to let you know something.” He said quickly.

“What?”

“Something’s going to happen in the next few days.” He said in a quiet voice. “And I want you to know about it before it does.”

She fell silent and waited for him to continue.

“There’s going to be a photo… a photo that’s going to be released of me.” He paused. “And Paige.”

Lara felt her skin quickly turn to ice followed by the prickly sensation of hot jealousy. She had only just started to process the fact that Paige and Harry had been involved in the past, and now she was being hit with another revelation.

“What kind of photo?” She said in a small voice.

“I don’t know which one they’ll show… but it’s a picture of us together… probably kissing.”

He took a deep breath. “It was one of my stupid ideas last week. I was drunk and I thought it would be funny if we fooled around and took some photos. I wasn’t thinking straight…”

“Why are you telling me this Harry?” She said tightly.

“Because I wanted to explain… I didn’t want you to see the photos without hearing from me first.”

“Well we’re not together so it’s got nothing to do with me.” She said.

“Okay Lara.” He said with a sigh. A few moments of silence followed.

“When did this happen again?” She suddenly asked, her mind ticking over.

“Last week.” He said.

“And to think I felt sorry for you!” She cried, realising that he had done this while they were supposedly still together. “I felt bad that you were forced to go out with her… you looked so tired and- I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

“We just kissed. And it didn’t mean anything.” Harry said. “I promise you, it didn’t mean a thing.”

“Well it does to me.” She replied before hanging up on him.

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

For the first time in a long time Lara didn’t bother googling Harry’s name, but was still confronted with his name popping out on the computer screen.

Harry Styles Caught in Compromising Photo

She stared at the headline numbly before she clicked on the link.

Harry Styles’ ex-girlfriend must be a distant memory if this new photo has anything to do with it. A new photo has been circulating of Harry in a compromising position with model turned actress Paige Harrison. The two have been spotted socialising during recent events, but things have taken an unexpected turn with the release of this candid photo.
The photo shows the two seated on the floor with Paige kneeling between Harry’s legs. Although we can’t clearly see what’s happening on the other side, it appears as though the new hot couple are kissing. When we contacted Harry’s people, they claim that the photo was a personal moment not meant to be shared with the public, and that the source of the photo still remains a mystery.

Reading the words felt like a slap in the face. This had all occurred when they were still supposedly together… while she sat around waiting for him at home like the puppy dog Louis said she was.

Nothing seemed to stop the pain, and she valiantly tried to find ways to smother it. Days passed and she found herself seeking solace in Ben’s company. Spending time with Ben however, inevitably led to her drinking with him, and she slowly began to feel her inhibitions disappear as she willed the pain to leave her body.

When he pulled out his stash of cocaine, Lara found herself staring in fascination. As she idly lay on the couch she watched as he snorted a line. She had seen Ben do this more than once since that first time in Los Angeles. It had since become a familiar sight, and although she had never been interested, she now could now feel a strange desire to try it stir within her.

“Can I have some?”

Ben looked up in surprise and nodded. She kneeled down next to him and he instructed her on how to do it, pulling her long hair out of her eyes as she dipped her head toward the coffee table. A slight burning sensation made her wrinkle her nose. It didn’t stop her from trying again, as she mimicked the way Ben always did it. She felt nothing at first but it wasn’t long before a wave of euphoria managed to override the numbness.

“I want more.” She said her eyes glazed over, ignoring the quickening of her heartbeat.

“I don’t think so baby girl.” Ben shook his head with a smile.

She stuck to alcohol for the rest of the night, and didn’t put up a fight when she felt Ben’s lips press upon hers. Even in her drugged haze she could feel how different this was to being with Harry. From the way his lips moved against hers to the way he touched her. Ben tentatively kissed her as though he expected her to push him away at any moment.

Only she didn’t.

Notes

Oooh don't get mad! This was hard to write!

Please let me know what you think... we've almost reached the end...