How could someone not miss you at all?

Lara felt a pair of strong arms pick her up. She opened her eyes slightly as she felt them gently place her on a chair.

“Lara?” She heard a voice and she looked up to see Harry’s nervous face peering back at her.

“What?” Lara spoke feeling dazed.

“Are you okay?” He looked relieved that she had replied. “Can someone get her some water?”

Lara felt Harry’s hands on her shoulders and watched as he glanced around at the small crowd that was beginning to form around him.

“The show’s over guys. Give her some room to breathe.” He said and she was relieved to see everyone back away. She accepted the glass of water and took a tentative sip.

“How are you feeling?” Harry asked.

“A little weak.” She admitted. Not to mention highly embarrassed. The combination of alcohol and a flirtatious Harry had managed to effectively knock her off her feet.

“I think it’s time for you to go home.” Harry smiled down at her. He clasped her hands and lifted her up to her feet. He held her by the shoulders to make sure she was steady on her own two feet and then looked around.

“I don’t see James anywhere.” He said. “Did you want to call him and find out where he is?”

Lara reluctantly took out her phone and glanced down to see a text message that was sent minutes earlier.

I saw you with Harry… don’t want to interrupt. You guys look like need to sort some stuff out… and I think I’m getting lucky tonight ;) See you at work on Tuesday.

Lara toyed with her phone for a moment.

“I don’t really want to talk to him right now.” She said.

“Don’t blame you. The bastard.” Harry said darkly. They took a few steps before Harry quietly
spoke to one of the security guards posted at the door.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked looking at her concerned.

“I think so…” Lara said slowly. Her head was spinning and she was relieved when he placed his hand on her arm to guide her to the back door exit where a taxi waited.

Lara sat in the backseat and looked surprised when he sat next to her.

“What was your address again?” He asked. Lara looked at him blankly, not knowing how to respond to his simple question. She could give him a fake address or be honest and let him know she still lived with Ben…and both options didn’t appeal to her at all.

“Can we just go to your house?” She asked in a small voice, unable to meet his eyes. When she finally looked up at him, she could see he looked uncomfortable.

“I guess.” He said and glanced up at the waiting taxi driver. Moments later the taxi hurtled down the road, making her stomach lurch. The entire taxi ride was spent silently hoping she wouldn’t be sick.

“We’re almost there.” Harry placed his hand on her thigh and she looked at him miserably.

He helped her up the steps and through the door. Her eyes darted around to see that everything seemed to look the same, even if it was a tad messier than she remembered.

“Do you want to-“He began to say and watched as she ran for the bathroom. She slammed the door shut and immediately kneeled before the toilet. Minutes later she was staring at herself in the mirror, her face still pale, and her make up running down her face, her eyes glassy. Lara splashed cold water on her face and managed to remove most of her make-up.

She looked for Harry’s toothbrush but was met by the sight of two toothbrushes on the counter. Which one was Harry’s… and who did the other toothbrush belong to, she wondered as she squeezed some toothpaste on her finger and swiped it over her teeth. She grabbed Harry’s comb and tidied her hair before accidentally knocking over a few toiletries that sat on the sink.

“Are you okay?” Lara heard Harry knock on the door.

“Yeah, be out in a second.”

Once she had tidied the mess she made, Lara took a deep breath before looking at her reflection one more time. She then opened the bathroom door, almost bumping into Harry.

“Feeling better?”

“Kind of.” She said looking up at his tired eyes. ”You?”

“I’m okay now but I think I’ll feel like shit tomorrow.” He said.

An awkward silence followed, and Harry suddenly looked nervous.

“Are you staying the night?”

Lara shrugged and smiled shyly. Harry half nodded in response before gesturing for her to follow him into his bedroom. He pulled out a large T-shirt from a drawer and held it up.

“You can wear this.”

Harry then glanced down at his bed.

“You can sleep here.” He said. “And if you’re going to freak out like you used to, then the couch is all yours.”

Lara shook her head and slipped out of her dress. She turned around modestly and unclipped her bra, and then held her hand out for the T-shirt. Harry handed it to her and she quickly slipped it over her head. She looked down to see how it skimmed over the top of her thighs, and that it was at least two sizes too big for her. She glanced up at Harry with a small smile and he looked back at her with a slightly surprised expression.

She knew what he was thinking. A year ago she wouldn’t have had the courage to voluntarily undress in front of him let alone agree to share his bed without at least putting up a bit of a fight. But a lot had happened in the past year, and the person responsible for that was Ben.

He had moulded her into the type of girl who didn’t ask many questions and took what she could when handed to her. With Ben it was drugs, with Harry it was the sensation of closeness.She was reminded at that moment about how much she had missed that feeling since they went their separate ways.

Lara climbed into bed and pulled the covers to her chin, inhaling the scent of Harry that clung to the sheets and pillow. Harry paused to look down at her, the dumbfounded expression not leaving his face. He began to undress, until he wore nothing but his black boxers. He pulled back the covers and lay down on the bed, leaving a gap between himself and Lara. Very unlike Harry, she thought to herself as she looked over at him. He stared up at the ceiling, as though he were deep in thought.

“Thanks for letting me sleep over.” She said softly. He glanced at her briefly before replying.

“It’s okay. I hope you’re feeling better.”

It was a stilted yet polite response but at that moment she didn’t care. Her head felt heavy and her eyes were closing, but she had not felt this safe in a long time. She fell asleep without replying.

X

The next morning she awoke to see Harry’s sleeping face merely centimetres away from her face. She sleepily stared at his pouted pink lips and the way they gently blew warm air into her face. He then shifted slightly in his sleep and she watched as his brown curls fell over his closed eyes.

Lara lifted her head from the pillow and instantly regretted it. Her head was pounding and her body felt like it weighed a tonne. With great difficulty she slowly got out of bed and wandered into the bathroom. Lara stepped into the shower and relished at the sensation of the warm water splashing her body. She quickly dried off before slipping Harry’s shirt on again. She peeked in the bedroom to see he was still fast asleep. Lara then quietly padded into the kitchen where she switched on the kettle. Black coffee was definitely needed, she thought to herself. Once she sat down and took a sip she couldn’t help but slightly jump when she heard the front door open.

She vaguely wondered if Harry had opened the front door, before realising that it might be Samantha. Was she really Harry’s girlfriend? Lara wondered, and what would she think if she found Lara making herself feel at home in Harry’s kitchen clad in his T-shirt and nothing else?

Lara’s body tensed up when she heard footsteps approach, and she rose from her chair, even though there was no escape. The only way out was through the living room but she knew that they were now walking through that very room. She felt her breath quicken as she contemplated what to do next, but before she knew it she found herself face to face with the mystery person.

They both flinched with surprise as they stopped short of bumping into each other.

“What the fuck-“Louis Tomlinson yelped.

Notes

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