Something’s gotta give now

Lara didn’t hear from Harry for a few days. With each day that passed, she came up with a different reason why he wouldn’t contact her.

Day 1: Reason - Louis

Louis and Harry were not only back together again, but they were now living together. Maybe this was their first serious step toward being a proper couple.

Day 2: Reason - James
Harry was backing off because he thought Lara had a boyfriend. James was caught chatting up a random girl at a club with his girlfriend only a few feet away. Things looked complicated enough without him wanting to get involved too.

Day 3: Reason - Just not interested
Maybe he just wasn’t interested in her. She was just a friend… albeit one of his more unusual ‘friends’. They shared a strange history, but that was pretty much it. He had more than enough willing girls at his beck and call. Why would he need Lara too?

Lara tortured herself with these thoughts for three days, until her phone rang on the fourth day.

“Hello?” She said casually even though she knew exactly who had called her.

“So did you kick his ass to the curb?”

She couldn’t help but smile at the sound of Harry’s familiar deep voice.

“Who are you talking about?” She asked.

“Your boyfriend. The lovely James. The guy hitting on that girl. Remember now?” He said in his slow melodic voice.

“Very funny. “ Lara said.

“So did you?”

“Let’s just say we had words.” She said.

“Words? I was thinking more along the lines of a smack down.” Harry said.

“I told him that I spent the night at your place so now we’re even.” Lara said trying not to laugh.

“You what?” Harry asked sounding as mortified as James had a few days ago.

“Just kidding.” She said.

“I hope so.” Harry said, suddenly not sounding as confident as he did at the beginning of the phone call.

“Speaking of boyfriends… you never explained about Louis…” She said casually and heard him make an undistinguishable sound at the word ‘boyfriend’.

“It’s no big secret. He’s renovating his apartment… painting it or some shit like that… so he’s staying over for a couple of weeks.”

“Oh.”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t come over though.”

Lara opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Instead she felt her breath hitch at the sound of his low tone.

“You don’t have to tell your boyfriend everything now do you?”

Lara didn’t give him a straight answer and he didn’t push it, but it was another week before she heard from him again. A text message popped up on her phone one morning.

Okay I’m having a party at my house. Now will you come over?

She let out a deep breath that she felt she had been holding for a week. She then instantly called James, and begged him to go with her.

“I don’t know Lara.” He said sounding unsure. “It looks like you really like him. Why do you want me to tag along?”

“I need someone there with me… I don’t think I can go alone.”

X

Lara greeted the doorman at Harry’s apartment with a smile. It was the same man as the previous year, and he had come to recognise her well. He glanced at James by her side with interest, but professionalism soon took over and the surprised look led to a polite nod.

As they stood in the elevator she caught James staring at her outfit. She had worn a tight black singlet and black jeans, which was very unlike what she usually wore and now she suddenly felt self-conscious.

“What?” She asked him, and he snapped out of his silent stare with a smile.

“Sorry, I guess I’m not used to seeing you dressed up.” He said.

“Do I look okay?” She asked nervously turning to peer in the elevator mirror. The doors suddenly opened and when James walked out without responding she grabbed his arm.

“James?”

“You look lovely Lara. Poor Harry’s not going to know what hit him.” He said as the door opened. It appeared that James’ premonition was correct as they looked to see Harry’s eyes lower down to take in her tight outfit and then looked up to see James standing right beside her. His jaw seemed to tighten

“Hi.” He said almost inaudibly before opening the door to his apartment.

The first person Lara noticed was Louis, but he was too busy chatting to notice her enter.

She tentatively walked further in, realising how small Harry’s apartment was and wishing that there were more hiding spots.

“Drinks are in the kitchen… feel free to help yourself.” Harry said. He looked as though he wanted to say more, but was distracted by someone at the door.

“Sheesh if looks could kill.” James said as Harry walked away.

“Oh stop it, he barely looked at you.” Lara grumbled back. James glanced up and Lara could see him instantly avert his eyes.

“Well he’s definitely looking at me now.” He murmured. Lara stopped herself from looking over her shoulder.

“What’s he doing?” She whispered.

“He’s giving me the evil eye, that’s what he’s doing.” James began to look uncomfortable. “You have to tell him the truth about us Lara… I can’t keep doing this.”

“I haven’t told him anything… he’s the one who thinks it.”

“Well make him un-think it.”

“Okay, okay.”

“Now lead the way to the kitchen because the only way I’m going to get through tonight is with a drink.”

Lara led him through the living room and her eyes locked with Harry’s as she did. He merely watched her walk by, his face betraying no emotion. The kitchen was filled with people milling around the table topped with snacks. James went to pick out a drink, and Lara turned to come face to face with Louis.

“Hi Pup.” He said with a smile. She felt her body tense up, as they inadvertently bumped into each other when someone accidentally brushed up against her.

“I see you brought your boyfriend.” He said approvingly, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “He’s kinda cute.”

“Yeah well, hands off.” She said with a wry smile, and was surprised to see him burst out in genuine laughter.

Louis wandered away and Lara looked over to see James in a deep conversation with someone he had just met. She sighed softly before moving to the living room where she saw the blonde girl with the purple streak in her hair. She was the familiar girl Harry had been with that fateful day he had bumped into Lara at the café. The girl was now speaking to Harry, and Lara struggled to place her.

She looked over to see Louis walk by and enter the office with a sly backward glance. Maybe Louis would know who she was, Lara thought and without thinking twice she followed him until she was hovering outside the door, debating on whether to walk in or not. She finally half opened the door and peeked in to find Louis seated at the table.

“Good timing.” He said with a smile and she quickly joined him only to hear a snicker behind her.

She turned to see one of his friends walk in and take a seat on the small couch. Before long Lara was snorting lines, only to hear amused chuckles.

“Mate, make sure she leaves some for us.” Louis’ friend said and Louis shook his head in disbelief.

“I still can’t believe you…” He said. “Harry always said you were so innocent.”

“Did he now?” Lara asked curiously.

“Uh huh. You were like this innocent little girl… he felt so guilty about corrupting you.” Louis said.

“Well I’m well and truly corrupted now.” Lara said, thinking more of Ben than Harry.

“If only he knew, huh?”

“Why, are you going to tell him?” Lara suddenly asked.

“Nope… but then I don’t want you to tell him about me either.”

A short silence followed before Lara remembered the blonde girl from outside.

“I needed to ask you something.” Lara began.

“Not now. Talk to me outside.” He said abruptly. “We need to get out of here before he notices we’re gone.”

Lara didn’t hesitate before quickly slipping out of the room. She returned to the party feeling pleasantly buzzed, and was casting her gaze around for Harry when she crossed paths with Louis soon after.

“Full of surprises aren’t you?” Louis murmured close to her ear. She almost didn’t know how to respond to his sudden friendly tone as she eyed him with interest.

“But maybe we should keep it our little secret, yeah?” He reminded her and she quickly nodded. Lara didn’t know if you would keep up his end of the bargain, but she was willing to go along with it. She wasn’t sure what Harry’s reaction would be if he knew, but she wasn’t looking forward to being questioned on how and why she had started taking the drug in the first place. It was easier if he just didn’t know.

“Who’s that girl?” Lara suddenly asked and she nodded her head toward the blonde girl.

“One of Harry’s strays.” He said almost dismissively and she gave him a disapproving look.

“What?” He held up his hands innocently, “Have you met any of Harry’s friends?”
Lara couldn’t help but recall Michael and Samantha from the club and the way their attitude had put her off.

“Insufferable.” Lara agreed.

“Exactly.” Louis nodded and then laughed before moving away.

Lara looked over again and happened to catch Harry’s eye in the process. He smiled and winked and before she knew it he was at her side.

“Is Louis harassing you again?” He asked.

“Believe it or not… no.” She replied looking over to see Louis shoot her a small smile.

“So where’s your boyfriend?” Harry asked, and Lara found herself turning toward him.

“If you’re talking about James, then I don’t know.”

“That seems to be an ongoing problem for you.”

She looked up him to see he was her closely.

“If he doesn’t watch it then someone might just take you away.”

“I don’t think anyone would want to do that.” Lara shook her head.

“Do you want to try me?” Harry’s voice was as slow as dripping honey and she found she couldn’t tear away her eyes from his locked gaze. Instead she inadvertently took a small step back, and felt his hand grip her arm to pull her closer.

“I want to show you something.” He said. “Wait a second.”

He disappeared for a moment, before returning with a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses. Lara smiled uncertainly at the mysterious look on his face as he took her by the hand and led her out the front door.

“Where are we going?” She couldn’t help but ask, but he shook his head. He led her up to the top of the staircase, and then stuck out his hip.

“Can you get the key out of my pocket?” He asked, gesturing that his hands were full. She reached into his pocket and quickly took out the key, before unlocking the door. It led out onto the rooftop of Harry’s apartment, unveiling an uninterrupted view of London.

“Harry… wow.” Lara could only find the words to say as she turned around to take in the whole landscape. Lights twinkled in the distance and she looked over to see Harry smiling at her awe.

“Why haven’t you shown me this before?” She asked.

“I lost the key.” He said with a grin. “Didn’t tell anybody about it… and then they changed the locks recently and gave everyone new keys.”

“This is amazing.” She exclaimed sounding like a tourist in her own city. Harry settled back
on the small couch and patted the seat next to him. Lara paused for a moment before taking a seat.

“I thought we could crack this open.” He said as he opened the wine and poured two glasses. She accepted the drink gratefully and leant back to admire the view.

“I can’t see the stars.” Lara said.

“Lights of the city are too bright.” Harry replied as they tilted their heads back. Without a second thought Lara shifted closer and placed her head on his shoulder.

“You feeling okay?” He asked jokingly.

“What?” She asked.

“I was just about to say get comfortable.” Harry chuckled.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He said his voice low. ”Nobody’s watching.”

Lara let her head rest back on his shoulder, and stared into the distance.

“It’s nice being alone with you.” He said. “I’ve missed you.”

“Really?” She asked.

She heard him take a drink of the wine before placing it on the table beside him. It was then she felt his hand on her thigh, squeezing it gently.

“Really.”

Lara closed her eyes at the sensation of his familiar touch, so slow and deliberate. In the past she would have jumped slightly at his touch with a shyness that would make him smirk at her. But the drugs made her brave, the feeling of euphoria shot through her veins and she felt herself unable to hold back. She surprised him by knocking his hand away from her knee and rising up to straddle him on the couch.

Their lips were now a breath away from each other, but Lara found herself transfixed by his eyes. They stared at her with a faint look of surprise, his breath deep and even as she then focussed on his pink lips. They were slightly parted as though he had wanted to say something but had changed his mind at the last moment. She could feel him grow hard beneath her, and she couldn’t help but gently press her hips against him to hear a soft sound escape from his lips. His hands rested on her waist and with her eyes firmly set on his mouth, she leant in to kiss him.

The sudden shrill sound of a phone sounded, causing them to both slightly jump in surprise.

“Ignore it.” Lara murmured not particularly caring whose phone it was. Her lips were now hovering over his, touching them for a brief moment.

“I think it’s for you.” Harry said, and she found herself sighing. She grabbed her bag and checked it quickly and then looked at his expectant face.

“James.” She said and his hands fell from her waist.

“I guess you’d better go and find him.” He said dully.

Lara lifted herself from Harry. She knew James must be wondering where she had disappeared to, and she felt bad. Whether he was her boyfriend or not, she had brought him to this party and effectively dumped him to do coke with Louis and then kiss Harry. If it hadn’t happened to her she would have thought it sounded like a crazy coked up fantasy and the thought made her want to laugh.

They both walked down the stairs in silence but once they reached the bottom Harry turned to her.

“You go in first… I’ll come in a bit later.” He said. “I don’t want him to see us together.”

Lara nodded solemnly and turned to leave, but changed her mind and looked up at him.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” She said quietly.

“What?”

“James is not my boyfriend.” Lara said. “I just wanted you to know that.”

Harry stared back at her confused, but didn’t say a word when she opened the front door to return to the party.

Notes

I wasn't going to update so soon, but I couldn't help it.
Your thoughts on the chapter??