Couple billion in the whole wide world
Find another one 'cause she belongs to me

Lara took a deep breath and looked over to see Harry fumble with his phone.

“What are you doing?”

“Just checking something.” He muttered to himself. He quickly read what looked like a news article and when Lara craned her neck to have a look he handed her the phone.

Harry Styles Rushes to Hospital

Harry Styles has made a dash to visit his ex-girlfriend Lara Ballantyne who was admitted to hospital late yesterday. Sources have revealed the twenty year old student suffered a drug overdose. The couple have not been spotted together since their sudden breakup, although there have been rumours circulating that they were often seen together at various industry events.

One Direction are in the middle of a promo tour and were expected to be leaving for Australia today. It appears the rest of the band have already arrived in Sydney without Styles, who opted to stay behind and remain with his ailing ex-girlfriend.

Styles’ rumoured current girlfriend, rising star Sky Taylor is also believed to be in London, after recently accompanying Harry on their promo tour of the United States.

We have contacted Modest! Management for a statement, but have not received a reply.

“A drug overdose?" Lara moaned. “I didn’t have a drug overdose.”

“They found drugs in your system… that’s all it takes for the press to twist it around.” Harry told her. “They’ll say whatever they want… especially if we don’t tell them our side of the story.”

“Well why can’t we tell them then?”

“It’s better to just stay quiet Lara. And anyway, you do take drugs. If they do a little bit of digging and find out for sure then they’ll just throw it all back in your face.” Harry said.

Lara wordlessly handed Harry the phone and then faced the front, waiting for him to start the car. With a heavy sigh Harry turned on the ignition and made his way toward the apartment. A few stray photographers hung around outside, but Harry managed to manoeuvre his way into the underground garage and they were able to slip inside without having to face anyone.

They tentatively entered the apartment to the sound of someone tersely speaking on the phone. Lara could feel herself go from hot to cold at the sound of Julian’s voice, which echoed as he paced the kitchen. She looked over to a tense Harry and they stood there awkwardly until footsteps approached.

“Well, well, well. I never thought I’d see you again.” Julian said glaring directly at Lara. She
shrank under his gaze and felt Harry bump into her side, as though to remind her he was there. Julian edged closer to the couple and Lara felt her body stiffen.

“Sit.” He hissed and they shuffled to the couch.

Lara could recall the many times before when she and Harry were in this position; sitting side by side and looking up at an annoyed Julian. It seemed so long ago, and yet here she was back again.

“Can you tell me what were you thinking?” Julian asked Harry. “That is, if you were even thinking at all?”

“I was thinking I had to go and help a friend.” Harry said quietly.

“And since when have you two been friends?” Julian scoffed.

Harry and Lara remained silent and Julian nodded.

“I see… “He paced up and down before returning his attention to Harry. “So you thought this was more important than your work commitments then?”

“I just missed one day.”

“And since when have you ever missed one day?”
Julian countered. “When was the last time you missed anything when it came to work?”

Harry fell silent and Lara could tell it was true. He had never blatantly done anything like skipping work, for anyone or anything. She glanced at him and could see him hang his head with a pensive look on his face which reminded her of the very first time they had met. He had sat next to her that day in the same way he was now, bumping elbows as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

She could feel the anger rise inside. Maybe Julian could control Harry, but she was not going to let him control her.

“So how do you propose we get out of this mess?”
Harry and Lara stared back at him expectantly.

“Oh, you expect me to do it?” Julian mocked.

“I just want them to leave Lara alone.” Harry spoke up. “That’s all I want.”

“My job isn’t to protect Lara.” Julian snapped. “My job is to make sure that you and the rest of the boys stay in line and keep up your end of the bargain. There are other people involved in all of this you know.”

“Yeah I know that.” Harry mumbled so quietly that Lara almost did not hear him.

“You’re not the star of the group, no matter what you may think.” Julian continued as though Harry had not spoken. “There is a lot at stake here. Including my reputation. Not to mention your reputation. And let me tell you, it doesn’t look good when you’re chasing after an ex-girlfriend who has managed to put herself in hospital because of a drug overdose.”

“It wasn’t a drug overdose.” Lara protested.

Harry hunched lower in his seat as Julian turned his full attention on Lara.

“Regardless of that, I have a non-disclosure statement that I want you to sign before you leave.” He said.

“I’m not signing anything.” Lara heard herself say firmly. It was hard to look people in the eyes these days, but she found herself steadily holding Julian’s gaze.

“Oh yes you are. You’ll sign this and then you will walk out of here and never contact Harry again.”

“I said I’m not signing anything.” She repeated.

“Yes you will. You will sign this and leave.”

“It’s not as if I’m going to run to the tabloids.” Lara said.

“How am I supposed to know that?”

“I never did it before why would I do it now?”

“Because you weren’t a drug addict then!” Julian suddenly exploded. “Who knows what you will do now for a quick fix!”

“That’s not true.” Lara cried. “Harry that’s not true.”

“Lara maybe you should just sign it.” Harry said in a tired voice. Lara stared at him disbelievingly for a moment and she could see that he looked as defeated as he sounded. She defiantly crossed her arms.

“Nope. I don’t have to sign anything and I know you can’t make me.”

“You’ll keep.” Julian said. “And as for you Harry, I expect you to be on that plane. Skye wasn’t going, but I’ve changed plans. She’s thrilled to be joining you actually.”

Julian smirked at the hurt expression on Lara’s face before he carefully placed a document on the table.

“This doesn’t end here Harry. I’ll be in touch with you later tonight.”

Harry trailed him wordlessly before closing the door behind him. He turned around to face Lara with a resigned look on his face.

“You should have just signed it.” He said.

“Why? Because I’m a drug addict who can’t be trusted?”

“No because I’d rather keep him off my fucking back than have to listen to him bang on about it nonstop.” Harry replied.

Lara looked toward the document on the table for a moment before striding over to grab a pen.

“Nothing he can say or do will change the way I feel about you.” Harry told her as she signed on the dotted line. The pen clattered to the floor as she walked into his embrace.

X

Harry was awake, showered and dressed by five the next morning but took the time to crawl into bed next to Lara.

“I’m leaving soon.” He whispered and she turned to face him, their faces only inches away.

“I want you to stay here okay?” He told her. “Don’t go back to your old place… sit tight for the rest of the week and then I’ll be back. Do you have school on right now?”

“School starts in a couple of weeks.”

“Good. Did you call James?”

“Yes… he’s given me a couple of weeks off.”

“I want you to rest up. I’ve left you some money on the table-“

“Harry I don’t want your money.”

“I’ve left it in an envelope and I want you to use as much as you need.” He ignored her protests to say. “Whatever you do, don’t go back. Please.”

“Who said I wanted to go back?” Lara mumbled.
Harry kissed the tip of her nose in response and then checked his watch.

“Shit, I need to call Julian. They were meant to pick me up ten minutes ago.” He turned back to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. They had not been intimate for what seemed like ages. Lara could barely remember the last time Harry had properly touched her, and she could feel herself aching for him now. Harry hoisted himself from the bed and caressed her hair.

“I’ll be back before you know it.” He said, and before she could answer he was gone.

It was strange living in Harry’s apartment alone. Lara did not venture out for a couple of days, too afraid to face any photographers who may still be lurking and also relishing the time alone to rest up just as Harry had advised. Before Harry and Ben had entered her life, she had always been quite independent. She had been left to her own devices from a young age, thanks to parents who spent most of their time working. After living an almost claustrophobic existence with Ben, it was now almost a liberating feeling to live on her own now, without anyone looking over her shoulder. Harry texted a couple of times and called her once but she had been asleep and had missed the call.

Lara noticed that the non-disclosure document still sat on the table. Harry must have forgotten to take it when he left, she thought to herself. She had not even bothered reading it when she had signed it, but she knew she would never break Harry’s confidence, whether she had signed it or not. Despite what Julian said, Lara thought angrily.

On her third day, Lara found herself dozing on the couch whilst watching daytime TV. The sound of a key jiggling in the lock caused her to sit up abruptly. Harry was not due back for another few days, so surely it could not be him. She watched as the front door swung open to reveal a smirking Julian.

“What are you doing here?” She cried abruptly sitting up.

“It’s time to go.” Julian said, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Go where? I’ve got nowhere else to go.”

“Oh yes you do.” Julian replied swiftly.

Lara’s mouth dropped open as Julian stepped aside to let another person come into view.

“B-Ben what are you doing here?” Lara stammered.

Notes

:)

PS: I have another Harry story on this site called 'The Wrong Woman'... let me know what you think!