Coming Home

H.P.O.V

It gets hard sometimes, and I don't feel as good as I know you want me too.

"I've got to go out today," Presley says surprising me. She steps out of the bathroom fully dressed, phone in hand. "I'll be back soon, okay?"

"Where are you going? I'll come with you."

"No, it's alright. You stay home and rest. It gets crazy when your fans get whiff of you coming out." She says as easy as she possibly can.

"Presley," I say while sitting up. I run my hand through my hair, and yawn. "Baby, where are you going, and why won't you tell me?" I take in her dressed figure, and I don't like the sight of her putting on her shoes.

"I'm going out with Ben," I think that's a lie. "I promise I'll be back soon." Hm, maybe another lie. How do I let her know I don't believe her, without upsetting her?

With a frown on my lips, I mumble, "Okay, if you say so." Presley has been going through subtle changes since Harvey. I haven't figured out if I like it yet. It scares me. What if I'm the next change? Oh God.
I stand to walk her out, heart thumping nervously against my chest. Presley's never lied to me before. Why is she now? I don't know, maybe she feels like I deserve it.

"Call me if you need anything," call me if you need me, and I really hope you will.

Presley smiles, a smile I haven't seen before. It irks me. She kisses me briefly, eyes averting mine. "You call me if you need anything, okay?"

I need you to tell me where you're really going. "I will. I love you, Presley. Come home to me soon."

Presley is taken back, and I think she knows I know she's lying. Why won't she come clean then? It's terrifying. "I love you too." With one final kiss, she walks out, closing the door softly behind her.

I don't like this. Fuck, I really don't like this.

****
"I don't know, mum," I sigh over the phone. My mum may not be the best person to talk to about this, but I've been on edge since Presley left. Louis would call me stupid, and I don't want to deal with that. "She seemed really weird this morning."

"Oh baby, maybe she needed space? Don't fuss over nothing, love. After everything she doesn't seem like the unfaithful type."

"That's not what I'm afraid of..." It actually is, I just don't want my worry to scream that. "Mum, I don't want to loose her." I shudder.

There's noisy movement on mum's side, "H. Who said anything about you loosing her? Baby, you're jumping ahead of yourself."

"Mum, I've been a horrible boyfriend. This very well could be karma."

"Harry, love, you're being ridiculous."

I think I'm being rational, and normal. I mean, who doesn't freak out when they're significant other won't tell them where they're going, and when they suddenly decide to leave?

I sigh already done with this conversation. "Mum, I'll let you go. I've got a lot of errands to run."

"Alright my love, but remember that Presley loves you, and she has every right to go out, and not give specifics as to where she is going. If she says she's with a friend, then she is. Don't fret. Relax, call her to check in if you're so stressed. I love you."

"Yeah, love you too, bye." I hang up, deciding my mum was no help.

This morning reminds me of our past. Of all the times I walked out in the middle of the night, angry and on a vengeance. I wouldn't come home until morning, and Presley always cleaned me up, always held me when I started to come back, remembering everything I said to her. Presley, at least, told me who she was with. She wasn't upset, and she loves me.

I love her too. I love her a lot, even though I know she's just lied to me.

****
I decide to visit Louis. He's not always a pain. I hope today is one of those times.

"So, how's everything?"

Louis' smirks, the kind of smirk I want to slap off. "Fine, Harry. How are you? Where's Presley?"

I blink in surprise. I was sure Louis' would know since his boyfriend is out with her. "What do you mean, 'Where is Presley'? She's with Ben isn't she?"

Louis frowns unsure, "Erm...yes." His tone is unsure, and I think I'm being lied to again. What. The. Fuck.
"Do you want a drink?"

"I want you to tell me what's going on." I want someone to fill me in. I want to know why my girlfriend disappeared this morning, and I want to know why my friend is covering for her.

"I'm about to get you a drink, is what's going on," Louis replies slowly.

"Louis--"

"Tea, coffee, or something strong?"

"Louis--"

"Tea, good choice," Louis mutters purposely ignoring all of my pleas. "Sit, I'll get some snacks. It's good you came over, I want to run a few song ideas I had."

I can't focus on work right now. I don't even think I remember how I drink my tea.

Louis comes back with two steaming mugs. He places one in front of me, and sits on the stool beside me.

"Okay, I was thinking about a few ballad idea--"

"Louis', please tell me." I interrupt him. It's eating me alive. Not knowing where Presley is, wondering why Louis is lying to me too. It feels like a bad joke, and I'm the punch line.

Louis sighs, and takes a sip of his drink. "I honestly don't know, Harry,...just that when you said she was with Ben-- she's not. Ben is at the café right now, since Presley is still, you know."

"So, she's not with him? You have no idea where she could be?" No, hell, please not today.

"I don't think you'll like what I'm thinking," Louis mumbles.

I know I won't like it. I just need to hear it. "Louis, tell me." I reply sternly, watching as Louis has a brief internal fight.

He licks his lips, "Yesterday Ben was telling me these really cute kid stories of him--"

"Lou, that's great but I want to know about my girlfriend, not your boyfriend's kid memories."

He rolls his eyes, "You're missing out. Ben was the cutest fucking kid."

"Lou--"

"Okay, okay. As I was saying, Ben was telling me how he ate six slices of cake, when Jesse, his brother, rang." Jesse is-- well, I fucking hate him. "I made the same face," he utters, chuckling at my glare. "Ben said Jesse was trying to get in contact with Presley. I don't know what for, and Ben told him it was best to leave her alone, but. I don't know, Harry. She told you she was with Ben, and I know she's not...then maybe, it's possible--"

"That Jesse convinced her to meet up with him," I bitterly finish. It makes sense. Fuck, it makes so much sense. "Do you know where?"

Louis shakes his head, "No, but we can ask go ask Ben? We'll just have to tread lightly, make sure no one spots us."

That might be the most reasonable thing Louis has ever said to me.

****
As Louis parks along the curb, he says. "Harry, don't freak out. We don't know what's going on for sure, and Ben's at work. Don't make a scene, okay?"

"I'll try," I answer shortly. Right now I just want to interrogate Ben, find my girlfriend, and try my best not to go off.

We manage to make it inside the bakery undetected, and luckily the café isn't busy. Louis' makes a fuss over Ben (who suddenly becomes very nervous when he sees me, and. Ha, I know he knows) in a apron. They share a quick hug, and Ben grins at me.

"Harry--"

"Where is she," I'm not here for pleasantries. I want to know where Presley is, and I want to know now.

Ben sighs knowing humor won't work right now. "How did--," he looks at Louis, "Oh you're in trouble," he sings at Louis. He goes beet red, and that's cute and all, but I still haven't been told what I need to know.

"I can't tell you if you're going to do that thing you do, and freak out."

"I wouldn't be freaking out if she didn't lie to me." I snap.

"She wouldn't of had too, if you were better at controlling your protective shit."

"Oh, come off it."

"Harry, don't start with him," Louis warns. I forgot he was here. "Ben, if you know where she is then, tell him. That way he's not thinking she's in a ditch somewhere."

"Promise you'll--" Ben doesn't get to finish when a man's laugh booms around the room. I quickly hop to the back, and follow it to their kitchen, Louis' right at my heels.

I push the swinging door the rest of the way open, and look into the eyes of my guilty Presley.
In a way she was with Ben. She just forgot to mention someone else would be here too, and that it would piss me off to know end.

Notes

@msjagger you're the absolute cutest. Hope to drink a Starbucks with you one day! Xx
P.S. This is not meant to be creepy. /).(\