But I know you're only hiding. And I just wanna see you

The photographers seemed to spring into action as soon as they appeared, jostling each other to take the perfect picture and yelling out questions or comments.

“Who’s the girl Harry?”

“Take the sunglasses off!”

Lara raised her hand to shield her face, just as Harry had instructed. She knew she must have looked silly, her face and hair completely obscured by her disguise, but at that moment she didn’t really care. All she could focus on was the car that was thoughtfully parked a few metres away.

Harry was already sitting in the driver’s seat and was switching on the ignition when Lara tried to open the passenger door. For some reason the door stuck and she could see an impatient look on Harry’s face as he reached over to open the door for her. He let the car slowly accelerate, careful of the crowd beginning to form around them.

“I don’t know how you put up with this.” Lara couldn’t help but say.

“It’s all part of the job.” He said with a shrug.

Once they hit the road and safe in the knowledge that nobody had followed them, Lara peeled off the beanie and perched the sunglasses over her nose until Harry chuckled.

“You alright?” He asked, his hand reaching over to ruffle her now messy hair.

“Yeah… just sad that I have to go home. The three days went so fast.” She tried to keep her tone light, and pretended to pout for extra effect, but the truth was the feeling of dread was starting to weigh heavily upon her.

“I know… I know.” Harry said. “But I’ll be home before you know it.”

Lara nodded sadly as she stared at the palm trees that lined the winding road.

X

“Is it just me or does Lara have a tan?” Ben asked, his finger trailing down her sun kissed
arm. “It’s been raining here for days… are you telling me that Brighton had beach weather?”

Lara shrugged his hand away, as she wheeled her suitcase toward her bedroom. Ben looked to Claire for confirmation but she only stared back blankly.

“I don’t know Ben, it was sunny on Saturday.” Claire replied in a disinterested tone.

“Hmm… maybe.” Ben said doubtfully before turning his attention back to Lara. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Yeah.” Lara said lightly. “We had a great time catching up.”

“Well do you want to catch up with me now… I was just about to go out for dinner with Claire.”

Lara had just endured a ten hour flight, and all she really wanted to do was have a shower and then crawl into bed. But before she could answer, Claire spoke up.

“I haven’t got time for that Ben. I’ve got to go and pick up Derek.”

“Who’s Derek?” Lara asked without thinking. She could see Ben tense up and Claire look annoyed as she gathered her handbag and gave Ben a quick peck on the lips. As soon as she had left, Ben turned to Lara.

“Real smooth Lara.”

“What?” She blinked innocently.

“Derek’s her husband.”

“Claire’s married?” Lara asked incredulously. Ben gave a little nod and then raised his eyebrows as though he were waiting for her to challenge him.

“So let me get this straight… you’re dating your married boss?” Lara said and she couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re too much Ben… you really are.”

She shook her head as she headed to her bedroom and turned when Ben called her.

“I missed you Lara.”

She gave a small nod of acknowledgment before she closed her bedroom door behind her.

X

As Lara stared out the rain splattered window of a London bus, she couldn’t help but wonder if her trip to LA was just a dream. It had only taken two days for the memories to take on a dream like quality.

She fumbled with her phone and looked up the story that had broken upon her return to London.

Harry Styles’ Date in Disguise

It looks like there’s been a reason to Harry’s continual trips to LA if these pictures are anything to go by. Harry was spotted leaving a West Hollywood restaurant, closely followed by a mystery girl. Harry has recently been linked to fellow label mate Sky Taylor, but it was hard to tell who he was with on this day.

Despite the sunny LA weather, the girl not only wore a beanie and sunglasses but also covered her face for good measure. Whoever she was, it was clear she was not willing to reveal her identity. We hope it was Sky Taylor… otherwise Harry has a lot of explaining to do!

The thought of Harry having to explain himself to another girl filled her with annoyance. But she couldn’t help but smile at how they had managed to evade the press.

It wasn’t long before she was in Harry’s arms. He had returned from LA just a few hours earlier and had texted her as soon as he landed.

“I’m so glad you’re back.” She murmured as she felt his arms snake around her waist and to hold her close.

“I’m glad to be home too.” He murmured back. “I missed you.”

“You did?” Lara couldn’t help but ask pulling back to look at him.

“Sure I did. I knew I’d miss you before I left. Why do you think I asked you to come with me in the first place?” He asked with a grin.

She snuggled close to him, resting her head on his chest like she always did.

“I got something for you.” He whispered in her ear and then pulled away to dig into his small suitcase. He took out a paper bag and sheepishly handed it to her.

“Sorry I didn’t wrap it.”

“I don’t mind.” Lara said in what was the understatement of the year. She took the bag into her hands and peeked in to see a small box.

“Go on and open it.” Harry said when she paused for too long.

Lara opened the box to find a silver necklace with a small charm hanging from it. She touched it with her finger to see it was a little heart.

“It’s nothing too fancy.” Harry said sounding a little embarrassed. “I bought it from one of the markets… so it’s not-“

“It’s perfect.” Lara said. “Thank you.”

Lara placed her hands on each cheek and brought him forward for a kiss. She then turned her back to him and held up her hair so Harry could clasp it on her neck. As she admired the necklace in a nearby mirror her mind flashed back to the memory of Harry on her birthday.

He had given her a silver bracelet and she remembered how excited she had been to receive a gift from him. It wasn’t long before she was informed by Ben that the bracelet, not to mention the flowers and the party had all been paid for and arranged by Harry’s management. At their final meeting, Lara had tried to return it to Harry.

“Before I forget… you can have this back.”

Harry looked at it blankly.

“It’s not mine to take.” He had answered simply.

Lara had carefully placed it on the edge of the table.

“It’s not mine either.” She said.

As she stared in the mirror she saw the face of a girl who had changed a lot in the past year.

Her expression was slightly world weary, slightly more guarded, as if she knew that not everything in life was cut and dried. Not everything was black and white.

“What are you thinking?” He murmured, his lips descending upon her neck.

“Nothing.” She replied as Harry lifted her hair up and trailed kisses down the back of her neck. She closed her eyes and savoured the feeling of his touch, whimpering softly when he nipped her shoulder gently

“I want you to be happy.” He told her. Lara didn’t reply, her eyes instead flickering to the mirror to see Harry watching her intently. She saw his fingers pop open the button of her jeans, and then slip them down until they were halfway down her thighs. They stared at their reflection in the mirror as Harry slipped her shirt off, followed by her bra. She quickly stepped out of her jeans, casting them aside and then straightened to see her nude body in the reflection of the mirror. Lara’s hand reached up to gingerly touch the heart necklace, the only item she was left wearing.

No, not everything was black and white. But Harry was her little bit of colour, and as he stared at her body intently before turning her around to face him, she knew that he was all the colour she needed.

X

It had been three days since Lara had seen Harry but she had been busy doing extra shifts at the café, as well as cramming for upcoming exams. She sat down at the breakfast table opposite Ben who regarded her with a raised eyebrow.

“Orange juice?” He said gesturing to the tall glass she had placed on the table. “What happened to coffee?”

“Just thought I’d try something different.” Lara responded. It was her little reminder of California, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Have you looked at the paper?” He asked, and she shook her head as he pushed the newspaper toward her.

“Looks like your ex-boyfriend has found a replacement.”

Lara looked down to see the headline:

Harry’s New Girl

Harry Styles he has now been spotted on a date with fellow record label mate Sky Taylor. There is speculation that Sky was the LA date girl in disguise but her management have refused to comment.

Harry must have been forgiven or maybe he was making up for it, because he seemed keen to impress Sky, taking her onto the London Eye before enjoying a long lunch. Sources say the two seemed to only have eyes for each other with Harry protectively holding her hand as they left the restaurant.

Sky is set to begin promoting her new album ‘Memories of You’ next week.

Lara felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she stared at the printed words, avoiding Ben’s gaze. Burning anger rose within her which she tried to disguise with no success.

“Fuck no, not again.” She heard herself growling.

Notes

Thanks again for the lovely comments you've been leaving... they're so nice to read. Hope you keep enjoying my story :)