No you, you like playing games

Harry on hiatus seemed to transform him into a social butterfly. It seemed as though he was cramming in as much as he could before they were all summoned to return to work. So when he texted Lara to let her know that he expected to take her out that night, she had to explain that the rest of the world had to work the next day. As expected, this prompted Harry to call her immediately.

“Come on Lara, you only live once.”

“Aren’t you afraid we’re going to get caught?” Lara asked, memories of Harry fucking her on an open rooftop and in a car park flashing through her mind.

“I don’t care what Julian thinks.” Harry said boldly, although they both knew it wasn’t true.
“And anyway, it’s a private party. Most of the people there wouldn’t give a shit if we were seen together or not.”

Lara’s mind raced ahead as she tried to figure out the logistics of her going out. She would have to sneak out, and if Harry wanted her to stay over, then it would cause even more problems. But as usual she found herself saying yes to Harry, and promising to meet him at the club.

Sneaking out was easier than she thought. Ben had an early morning start the next day and was in bed by 9.00pm, leaving Lara to sneak out soon after.

Lara had slipped on a pair of Modest Management allocated skinny jeans with a shimmery black singlet top, her hair swept up in braid that rested over one shoulder. She still owned all of the clothes they had issued her and insisted she wear during public appearances with Harry. She couldn’t help but smile at the memory of Harry laughing at her when Julian had insisted she needed a stylist, after turning up in her usual casual bulky clothes and makeup free face.

Just to spite Harry, she had applied the dark lipstick to her lips, accentuating her cupid bow, and then applying a coat of mascara and only a little eyeliner.

As she walked into the VIP area, the first thing Lara spotted were the members of One Direction hanging around the bar. Lara could feel her heart accelerate and her mouth go dry and she was just about to spin around and walk the other way, when Harry’s head turned and he spotted her.

The other boys turned to look at her before huddling together to whisper and laugh before glancing back at her. Lara felt like she was back in high school all over again as she made what seemed like a long walk toward them.

Zayn’s hair was styled into a quiff and he was clad entirely in black. In the past he was the one that had spoken to her the least, until the last time she saw him.

“I think you’re good for Harry. He needs someone who-“

He had been interrupted and never managed to finish the sentence, but that one line had pretty much made up for all the other times he had ignored her.

Liam had always been polite and distant, more interested in his real life girlfriend than having to make small talk with one of Harry’s PR appointed girlfriends.

She knew Louis was among the group. He was practically the first person she had noticed as soon as she had walked in. He now had his usual smirk on his face, but the smirk now had a double meaning, which made her feel even more nervous.

Niall had at least made an effort with her. He had always been friendly and kind and she chose to focus on his smiling face now as she drew near.

“Lara.” Harry stepped forward to embrace her and then sling an arm around her shoulder.

“Hey Pup.” Louis spoke up with a grin, Niall and Harry quickly shooting him a wary look.

“Lara, it’s good to see you.” Niall embraced her close, while Liam and Zayn settled for a brief polite hug.

“I think we’re pretty well acquainted now.” Louis said with a quick wink and she gave him a pointed look not even bothering to greet him. Niall engaged her in conversation for a while, asking about her studies and telling her about the tour. He had just returned from Ireland, after visiting family, and he wished he was still there.

“This break has been good for us. Especially not having to see these four faces day in, day out.” He said, gesturing to the others and ignoring Louis pulling a face at him.

Speaking to Niall was nice, but she was aware of Zayn and Louis eyeing her as they spoke, and it made her uncomfortable. Zayn had always scared her, although she knew that he wasn’t as intimidating as he appeared to be and Louis was just being Louis. The usual smirk on his face, the glint in his eye with that knowing expression…as though he could see right through her.

“You didn’t tell me they were going to be here.” Lara whispered to Harry once Niall turned to speak to Liam.

“If I did, would you have come?” Harry asked amused. Lara’s annoyed expression clearly said the answer would have been no. She had never felt comfortable around the group. It seems as though they didn’t approve of their Management’s PR stunts and so had never really made an effort to get to know her. They had been baffled when they discovered that Harry and Lara had taken their relationship to a different level, and now one year later, Lara was back on the scene. In a way she could understand their reserved behaviour around her, but it didn’t make things easier for her.

“Why haven’t I seen them before now?” Lara asked him

“Are you kidding? You heard Niall- we just spent months on the road together. We needed to take a break from each other.”

“Everyone except for Louis?”

“Do you remember what happened the last time you got jealous?” Harry whispered in her ear and her mind flitted to the image of sitting on Harry’s lap in the car. She looked at Harry from the corner of her eye to see him lean in again.

“Lipstick again?” He asked. “I’m going to have to lick it all off.”

Lara felt her stomach tighten at the thought of Harry’s tongue tracing over her lips, her eyes lowering to the poutiness of his own lips that were now slightly parted.

It wasn’t long before Harry excused himself to go to the bathroom, promising to get drinks on the way back and Lara found herself standing alone. She saw the other boys engaged in a conversation that didn’t include her and so she quickly snuck away, walking toward the bathroom so she could meet up with Harry once he emerged. Lara was standing at the end of the hallway when she felt someone tug on her braid. She turned half expecting to see Harry, only to see Louis smiling at her.

“Can you stop calling me Pup in front of everyone?” She hissed at him.

“I was just trying to stay in character.” Louis said in mock innocence. “If I start being nice to you, then they’ll know something’s up.”

“Well quit it.” She said. “You hate me. We all get it by now.”

“Would you feel better if I told you I have a little something something for you?” He said in an almost dreamy voice, and when she studied him closely she noticed how languid he appeared, as though he were floating on a cloud. Before she could respond, he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“E.”

“What?” Lara asked feeling uncomfortably.

“E… I got me some E. It’s just starting to kick in I think… it bloody took its time too.”

Lara pulled away, her eyes darting around in case Harry was around to see.

“Ectasy?” She asked.

“Starts with E, so it must be.” Louis giggled. “Want some?”

“No… I need to find Harry-“

“Harry would have some if he could. He’s just scared to do it in public.” Louis said. “Come oooonnn. Have some fun with me.”

“Nah, I’m just going to get drunk, I think.” Lara lied, stepping back when Louis seemed to stumble closer, his blue eyes unfocussed as his hand brushed over her shoulder.

“I have to go…I have to find Harry.”

“Okay, let’s find Harry.” He slung his arm around her and she reluctantly walked with him back to the bar area.

“Come and say hello to the girls.” He said and he led her to a bank of couches, and Lara looked down to see Eleanor and Sophie sitting there chatting. Empty cocktail glasses sat on low tables in front of them, as they sat cross legged looking impeccably groomed and pretty in their short dresses. Just like official girlfriends should, Lara thought darkly, starting to feel more like an outsider.

“Hi Lara.” Eleanor said warmly. They had only met on a couple of occasions but she had always been friendly and Lara had never had a reason not to like her. The same went for Sophie and Perrie.

“Hi guys.” Lara greeted both of them, and they offered her a seat.

“I was looking for Harry.” She said awkwardly.

“He’s over there.” Sophie gestured toward the bar, and she saw Harry cradling a drink whilst speaking to Liam. “The boys will be over here soon, you might as well have a seat and have a drink with us.”

Lara smiled weakly and sat down next to Eleanor, looking up to see Louis shifting from one foot to the other.

“So who’s gonna dance with me?” Louis asked loudly and Eleanor looked up at him, a slightly annoyed expression crossing her face.

“Are you drunk?” She asked.

“Nah, I’m just happy babe… I wanna dance.” He took her by the hands in an attempt to pull her up, but she steadfastly remained seated.

“No, I don’t feel like it.” She said, looking somewhat embarrassed. “Come and sit down.”

“Fuck that.” Louis muttered before wandering off. Eleanor glanced at Lara and Sophie and then rolled her eyes.

“So tell us what’s up with you and Harry.” She said, changing the subject. Lara gave her an edited version of how she and Harry were friends. Lara sipped on a cocktail heavily laced with rum and quickly followed it with another. Four cocktails later, Lara did not even bother resisting when the girls convinced her to go on the dance floor. Soon the three were dancing, and Lara could not help but feel pleasantly buzzed as she closed her eyes and let her body move to the thumping beat of music.

It wasn’t long before she spotted Harry near the dance floor, and she beckoned for him to join her. He merely winked at her and continued to down his drink. Lara hid her disappointment with a shrug, continuing to dance on her own, as Sophie made her way back to Liam, and Eleanor excused herself to find the now missing Louis. Lara glanced around to notice Harry standing on the other side of the dance floor, cheerfully chatting to a group of girls. The old Lara would have either walked out the door or at the very least cried. She had barely spoken to him all night, and here he was now blatantly ignoring her.

When she felt someone approach her from behind, she didn’t stop dancing. She let the stranger lightly touch her arms as she felt him slowly bring his body close to hers. Lara raised her arms in the air, and let his hands rest on her hips which she suddenly let loose, as she swayed to the beat. She didn’t miss Harry looking back to take in the scene before him, nor did she miss the flash of jealousy that darkened his expression. But she didn’t feel an ounce of guilt as she let herself get carried away with the music.The dance floor was now crowded and she lost sight of Harry, as the guy became bolder by wrapping his arms around her. She struggled slightly, not wanting to make a scene, but still wanting to escape his clutches, when she suddenly felt someone grab her by the hand.

She blinked up at Harry, who grimly enclosed her small hand into his before shooting a fiery look at the guy who had now stopped dancing. Harry wordlessly pulled her along, marching her away from the dance floor with no intervention from the guy who just stood there gaping at Harry once he recognised who he was. Lara tried to not stumble in her heels, feeling a little disoriented as he led her back to where their group were now standing.

“Lara, I want to introduce you to somebody.” Harry said.

Lara smoothed down her hair nervously and tried to collect her thoughts when she saw the girl with the platinum blonde hair and the purple streak looking at her curiously. Harry put his arm around the girl and turned to Lara to say.

“This is Sky. She’s my new discovery.”

Notes

" />

"Nor did she miss the flash of jealousy that darkened his expression."