(A/N: I’M DISCLAIMING THE FACT THAT ALL MY KNOWLEDGE OF NYFW COMES FROM TABLOIDS AND MY OWN RESEARCH I DID ON IT. IF SOMETHING IS NOT UP TO PAR, THAT’S MY BAD. I TRIED TO MAKE IT AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE. SORRY IF I FAIL YOU. ALSO, I DID SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH THE POVs IN THIS CHAPTER. ENJOY LOVE BIRDS xx)





"Why are you calling me from your office phone?" Zayn asked into the receiver. "Are you still there? It's almost midnight."

“Yes, I'm still at the office." I rolled my eyes. "The shows start in 2 days, I have to get the garments perfect."

"But you're gonna wear yourself down before you even get to the show."

"Zayn, baby, I've done this three years in a row now, I think I'll be okay." I smiled at his concern.

"How long are you gonna be there?"

"Until I'm done." I shrugged.

I did the same thing every year since being invited to present at fashion week. I get the pieces made, I finalize them, I watch the test walk after the fittings and then I pick and poke at them until they are perfect. Every piece, every thread, every inch of the outfit had to move and flow perfectly. There was no other way. I put way too many hours into this but it's my career, my life. I have too.

"Spencer Delaney." Zayn tisked.

"Okay don't start, seriously. You know nothing you say is going to change my mind about going home."

"I'm just saying you need sleep."

"I'll sleep after this is over." I slumped in my chair.

"Spencer."

"Listen, I called for a reason, not to hear your concern for my health."

"Okay, fine. I'm done caring, what's up?" Zayn snapped back.

"I got you two seats for the show. I sent the 'official invite' to the apartment here." I said.

"Why two?"

"I don't know maybe you'd wanna bring someone? Because Louis has his own seat since Emily is in the show, and Liam and Niall are back home so I figured I'd leave it up to you. If you don't want too, I'll invite someone else."

"No, that's fine. Maybe I'll bring a girl."

"You have no girl to bring." I rolled my eyes.

"You don't know that." I heard him huff.

"I do because I'm your best friend and you tell me everything including when you meet girls."

"Damn. You're right. I'll find someone to bring. I have plenty of friends in the city."

"Sounds good, you'll just have two seats with your name on it so it doesn't matter who you bring."

"Excellent, I'm excited to see what you're putting out."

"You always are." I chuckled. "Speaking of, I got to get back to finishing this up. I'll call you sometime this week, okay?"

"Sounds good, get some sleep too."

"Shut up. Bye."

I hung up and let my head fall to my desk. Zayn was right. He always was. The past few weeks I had basically lived at the office. Everything has to be perfect though. I had only gone home to take a nap, shower and change clothes. Pete was pissed off, just like he was last year during fashion week. I didn't care though, this was my life. He knew that. He wasn't mad about the fact I was never home, he was mad that I wasn't even talking to him. It wasn't my intentions but I was just so busy. That's why I called Zaynat midnight, that's the first free time I've had. Pete doesn't always understand the world I work in. After 2 years now, I figured he would have caught on. Unfortunately, he hasn't.

I closed my eyes to give them a quick rest before I started back up on fixing every tiny detail. My mind ran wild with every thought possible. Was all this worth the fights with Pete? Was it worth it at all? Was straining my health and friendships what I had in mind when I started this company? I know it's all worth it, it only makes me crazy for a few weeks at any given time, but still was it worth it?


-----------


"Spencer, Spencer." I heard a hush tone whispering. I groaned, not fully waking up. I felt someone shaking my body softly, pulling me from my day dream.

"What?" I asked, eyes still closed.

"Hey sleepy head. Sure you aren't over working yourself?" I heard Zayn chuckle as my eyes focused.

"What time is it?" I yawned.

"Almost 2."

"Shit I slept for 2 hours. I can't be wasting time."

"You obviously needed it." He sighed, leaning against the desk to look at me.

"Wait, why are you here? How did you get in?"

"The security guard let me in, he didn't even know you were still here. I brought food." He nodded towards the bag on my desk.

"McDonald's?" I groaned.

"It was the only thing open at this hour!" He retorted.

"I'm supposed to look the best I've ever looked in two days and you're feeding me McDonalds."

"It won't kill you. Plus you lost weight this past month and don't think I haven't noticed." He opened the bag, setting the food in front of me. "I'm gonna have some too."

"Yes but you're on hiatus! You don't need to be in shape."

"You're going to look gorgeous and you're going to fit in whatever outfit it is you have planned. Stop being so crazy."

"I'm not, I'm just making sure everything will go perfect."

"It will, it always does."

"I know." I sighed taking a big bite of a cheeseburger. "Oh my god this is so much better than a kale salad."

"Told you. Eat up."

"I hate you sometimes."

"Love you more. So other than fashion week, what has been going on?"

"Nothing, Pete is pissed, thinks I'm staying late to avoid him. He thinks I'm sneaking around with Harry, who I don't even know is in the city or not, he thinks I care about you more than him, he thinks I don't want to be in a relationship with him and he hates my job he's told me."

"Shit. He always does this though when you have a big project for work." Zayn sighed, taking a seat across from me.

“I know, I know. But something is different about this time around.” I looked at him.

“How so? It’s Pete, he knows he’s got a great thing going, he’s smart, he’s not going to throw this away because you’re working 70 hours a week.”

“No, I know that. But I’m telling you it’s different. I can’t really explain it, I just know it doesn’t feel right.” I finished my cheeseburger with a sigh.

He was right. Pete was reasonable. There had to be something more to this than Pete was telling me. He never got as upset as he was now. Last year was hard, but it wasn’t anything compared to this. He’d call me late at night before he went to bed to make sure I was okay, he’d randomly stop by the office to say hi or bring me food, but he wasn’t doing any of that this year. He hadn’t stopped by and he didn’t call me at all. The only time I talked to him was when I went home and he was there, or if I called him.

“What’s on your mind?” Zayn pulled me from my dark thoughts.

“He only talks to me when I talk to him.” I pouted. “Why?”

“Maybe he’s just overwhelmed.” Zayn tried.

“But he went through it last year and was so supportive.”

“Maybe something’s going on at work?” he tried again.

“I wouldn’t know, he doesn’t talk to me.” I stuck out my tongue.

“Fair enough.” Zayn chuckled. “What are you going to do?”

“Probably just wait it out and see what he’s like after this is all over. I don’t really know what else to do. I want to be with him, I just wish he would see that.” I shrugged.

“What about Harry?” Zayn questioned.

“What about him?” I snapped, looking him directly in the eyes.

“Come on, stop playing stupid. You like Harry again.”

“I do not.” I protested.

“Every time I’ve seen you guys together, you’ve been cozying up to him.”

“What that one time at the club a month ago?” I rolled my eyes.

“Spencer, I know you guys talk sometimes.” Zayn looked at me. “He told me.”

“Okay, well that doesn’t change the fact that I’m in love with Pete.” I glared at him.

“Are you?”

“Oh my god, yes. I want to be with Pete, not Harry. I love Pete, not Harry.” I said sternly. “Get that through you head.”

He held his hands up in defense. “Okay, fine, fine, I get it. I don’t believe you, but I get it.”

“Believe what you want, but I know how I feel.”

I wasn’t about to argue with Zayn about my feelings. I loved Pete and that was the end of it. I don’t care who thinks I’m falling for Harry again, I’m not. I know Zayn has the best intentions at heart, but he also has to realize if the wrong person hears him, it’s done.

“So what do you need help with?” Zayn asked, looking at the various mannequins draped in my designs.

“Nothing, you don’t know how to do fine sewing.” I laughed.

“True. I’ll just keep you company then.”

“Good, that’s what your best at.”

“Hey, I’m good for a lot of things!” he whined.

“Oh yeah, good for high notes too.” I winked. “High notes and keeping someone company.”

“I’m the whole package basically.” I heard him snicker, still seated in front of my desk.

“Right, that you are.” I rolled my eyes with my back to him. “Should have found my own Zayn Malik type before I got into any of these other relationships and I’d never have to worry.”

“I need to find my Spencer McMichael type soon, too.”

“What? No, you don’t want a girl like me.” I joked. “I’m a mess.”

“But a beautiful, caring mess.”

I froze in place. What was he doing? He never talked to me like that. We joke around and laugh about how people think we’re together, or hooking up. We never once considered it. And here he is, saying I’m beautiful and caring? I stared at the dress in front of me, back stiff as a board. He must have noticed how uncomfortable I felt, because he broke the silence.

“You know I think you’re beautiful, every guy does. Anyone with eyes can see how much you care about everything too. Don’t get weird on me. I mean yeah sure, in another world I would have loved to meet you first, we just flow. It’s natural. But that’s not how it worked, and I’m not, like, dishing all my feelings for you, I’m just being honest. You’re amazing and you know it.”

I spun around slowly, trying to read his expression. “Zayn.”

“Spencer, you don’t have to retort with anything. Just accept my compliment and make Spencer McMichael Industries a billion dollars by fixing your already perfect dresses.” He smiled.

I felt my cheeks blush, but he was right. I was caring and I was beautiful. I looked at him with a huge smile on my face, making my way over to him. I plopped myself down on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder. He snaked his arms around me and pulled me in tight. I felt the first tear fall, silently trying to blink it back. I let out a soft sniffle, peaking his attention. He pulled back from me, tilting my face to look at his.

“Why are you crying?” He asked, wiping a stray tear.

“I needed that.” I smiled slightly. “No one that I need to hear those words from tells me them anymore.”

“Spencer, you have to believe more in yourself. Don’t let Pete being a prick drag you down. You are always a great person.”

“I know, sometimes it just gets hard though. Like feeling like your biggest support system doesn’t care at all, and doing all of this work with the team and I’m the only one who stays, I feel like they don’t care. This is my future, I have to do this.”

“And no one is saying you don’t. Do you give your team the option to stay or go home? Cause something is telling me you tell them all to go home and that you’re right behind them but end up staying.”

“You’re right. I guess I choose to stay but that doesn’t change the Pete thing.”

“Fuck Pete. I mean don’t get me wrong I like the dude, he’s great. But if he’s treating you like this right now, when you need him most, fuck him.”

“I guess.” I sniffled back a laugh.

“You’re strong, everything will be okay.” He smiled up at me.

“Thank you.” I smiled back, getting off his lap.

That was something I loved about my friendship with Zayn, nothing that just occurred was weird. At first, I thought he was going to profess his love for me, I’m glad he didn’t. Every single person on this planet needs a friend like Zayn.

We spent a few more hours talking, me trying to fix nonexistent problems, and him highly distracting me. I saw the sun start to peak through the window, knowing it was nearly time for the team to come back in for the day. As cliché as it is, time really does fly when you’re having fun.

“Go home.” I said looking over at the clock. “It’s 6 in the morning.”

“So?” he ruffled his messy hair.

“So you’ve been here all night and I feel bad, go home.”

“Fine, fine but only if go home too.”

“I can’t. Everyone will be here by 8.” I sighed.

“Okay, so call them and tell them to come in at noon.” He shrugged.

“Zayn, fashion week starts tomorrow. We have so much to do today, we have to transport the shit to the venue, and I have to make sure everything is perfect.”

“Spencer, how long have you been up?”

“I don’t know like 48 hours?” he gave me a stern look. “Fine, I’ll compromise to going to the nearest Starbucks to at least get out of the office for a bit. Okay?”

“Fine, I’ll take it.”

“Let me get my life in order and we can walk out together. Did you drive?”

“Nah, took a cabbie.” He shrugged. “It’s fine, don’t give me that look.”

“Whatever you say, let’s go.”

We headed out of the office towards the elevator in the hall. He fished in his pocket for a bit before pulling out a pack of cigarettes.

“Do you want one?” he asked, flipping the pack open towards me. I looked at them for a second before hesitantly taking one. “Just don’t inhale too hard, it’s not like weed.”

“I’ve smoked a cig before, Zayn.” I rolled my eyes as the elevator dinged open into the lobby, already scattered with a few people here and there. As we got closer to the door, we saw a small crowd of paparazzi.

“Always.” I tugged my bag up onto my shoulder.

We pushed the doors open to be greeted by the flashing lights and wide smiles of paps and fans alike. They had been staking out in front of the building trying to get whatever information they could on my line for fashion week. I was tight lipped as always, only giving a cordial greeting. Zayn lit his cigarette as soon as he was out the door, handing the lighter to me. Pete was going to kill me. I lit my own, hearing an uproar from the cameras.

“SPENCER ZAYN, WHY WERE YOU THERE SO LATE?”
“SPENCER, ARE YOU SICK?”
“ZAYN ARE YOU AND SPENCER TOGETHER?”
“SPENCER, ARE YOU READY FOR FASHION WEEK?”
“WHEN DID YOU START SMOKING?”
“IS EVERYTHING OKAY BETWEEN YOU AND PETE?”
“ARE YOU WORKING THINGS OUT WITH HARRY?”
“ZAYN! IS ONE DIRECTION GOING BACK ON TOUR SOON?”

We kept our heads low as we silently smoked our cigs. Zayn finished his before me, being an avid smoker. He chuckled, looking down at me.

“I always laugh when they ask if we’re together. How many times do we need to clear that up?” he smiled.

“We will clear that up for the rest of our lives.” I rolled my eyes, dropping my cigarette onto the sidewalk.

“I know, people are so stupid. Is Pete going to get mad you made time for me but not him?” he pouted

“Technically, I didn’t make time for you. You came to me and I worked the entire time.” I shrugged. “He can’t be mad about that.”

“I know, I just want everything to be okay.” He said as we came upon the nearest Starbucks. “Call me if you need to today, for anything.”

“I will, thanks for coming by last night.” I smiled, pulling him into a hug.

“Go home tonight please, you need a shower.” He placed a chaste kiss in my hair.

“Asshole. I know.” I punched him in the arm. “See you tomorrow, don’t be late!”

“I’ll be there. Bye, love.”

I smiled as I watched him head towards the curb to hail a cab. That same stupid smile never left my face as I placed my order for basically the entire office. If I was making everyone else come in early, I should sure as well provide them with the energy for it.


-------------------------------------

(Zayn POV)

My trek back to the apartment seemed to take what felt like forever. I was tired and hungry, two things that didn’t make for a pleasant Malik. I paid the cabbie and quickly headed to the flat for some food. Harry was back in the city and I knew he’d cook for me. It was what he did.

I fumbled with the keys, finally getting into the place. I instantly smelled food. Excellent, I didn’t even have to ask.

“Hey man.” I said, coming into the kitchen, shrugging my jean jacket and shoes off.

“Don’t leave them there.” Harry mumbled, not even turning around from the stove. “There’s mail for you on the table.”

I was confused as to why someone would mail me something here, and not back home in England, and then I remembered Spencer sent me something about the show. And then it dawned on me.

“Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?” I asked, finally peeking his attention enough to get him to look at me, he wasn’t a morning person.

“Nothing probably. Why?” he raised an eyebrow at the envelope in my hand.

“Want to some to a fashion week show?” this made him pause.

“Who’s?” was all he said. “Is that what the fancy envelope was for?”

“Yes.” I said, looking down at the SM seal.

“Who’s?” he repeated.

I looked between the SM and Harry’s face before answering. “Stella McCartney.”

“Why are you going to that one?” he chuckled. “But yeah, that’s fine. I’ll come.”

“Sweet. I’ll call someone to arrange a car or whatever. I don’t like this hiatus and them making us do our own thing.” I sighed.

“Me either, but at the same time I do.” He shrugged.

“Yeah I know what you mean.” I nodded as he placed a plate on the counter in front of me. “Thank you.”

“Yep, figured you’d be home sometime today. Where were you anyways?” he asked, sipping coffee from a mug.

“I was just out.”

“Booty call?”

“Ehh, sure.” I chuckled, not wanting to even mention Spencer and have him put two and two together.

“Lucky.” He murmured.

“Dude you’ve been single for like less than a month.” I rolled my eyes.

“I know but dick can’t suck itself.” He laughed.

“True, but anyone with a mouth can.”

“Yeah, but you know I just don’t hook up with anyone. It’s too risky.” He shook his head. “I’ve never been good at being low-key like you.”

“It’s all in the times you choose to prowl.” I joked.

“Whatever, I’ll be fine for now. It would just be nice.”

I nodded, knowing what he meant. I placed my now empty plate in the sink before scooping up my shoes and heading into my room to make a few phone calls then nap.



--------------------------------


“Cars here!” I shouted down the hall towards Harry’s room.

“Give me like 5 more minutes.” He shouted back.

I looked over at Louis rolling my eyes. We had all decided to get Penny, who was luckily from New York, to come over and do our hair and what not for us. We picked some nicer looking clothes from our closets and went with it since we didn’t have time to plan full outfits. I knew this was coming, but I was never one to plan things. Louis came over to have his hair quiffed because he was going to the same show, obviously. Harry was happy to find out we were all going together, little did he know.

“So he still has no clue?” Lou asked.

“Nope, he thinks we’re all going to Stella McCartney.” I smiled.

“He’s going to kill us.” Louis shook his head. “No wait, he’s going to kill you.”

“Why just me? You’re in on it now too.” I shrugged.

“Yes, but you invited him.” Lou laughed.

“Someone has to push him in the right direction.”

“I think it’s more like, someone has to push her, in the right direction.”

“She’s being really stubborn about him.” I shook my head.

“Do you blame her?” Louis looked at me seriously.

“No, but at the same time it’s written all over her face how she feels.” I added.

“I know, she thinks we can’t read her. Anything you want to know about Spencer is written on her face.” I nodded in agreement. “She’ll come around eventually.”

“Good news though, Pete is pissed at her, so maybe we can use that as leverage.”

“Break them up?”

I rolled my eyes at him again, refilling my glass with scotch. We were pretty well boozed up, but not enough to make it obvious. I was worried about today but also confident it was going to help.

“No, we let that happen on our own, we just make sure Prince Charming is in the right place, at the right time.” I said.

“And that we can do.” Louis smirked.

“What are we doing?” Harry asked coming into the kitchen.

“Doing another shot.” I smiled at him, sliding him a glass.

“Fair enough. Toast?” he asked as he poured himself a fairly healthy shot.

“Yeah, yeah. A toast to good friends, great health and hot models!” Louis said as he raised his glass.

We let the glasses clink, downing the dark liquid. I shook my head as it slid down my throat with a burn that felt just right. I smiled at the lads as Penny rounded the corner into the kitchen.

“Maybe the two of you…” she pointed between me and Harry, “can get some of those hot models to sleep with you.”

“Penny!” Harry practically shrieked.

“What? You’re moping and it’s because you haven’t gotten off proper in, like, a month.” She shrugged before turning to me. “And you? Well we all know you’ll go home with one.”

“Penny, you devil.” I chuckled. “The coolest hair stylist we’ve ever had.”

“I’d say, she gets my hair to do this.” Louis shook his locks into the perfect mess.

“And then you go and ruin it.” she rolled her eyes. “Stop touching it so much.”

“Sorry.” Louis blushed. “Is it okay?”

“God, now you sound like Niall.” Harry groaned. “Too bad the other mates couldn’t join us.”

“Yeah, that would have been cool.” I agreed. “But the car is here, ready?”

“Let’s go.” They agreed.


-------------------------------------------------

I felt my palms begin to sweat as we pulled up to the venue. There was a small red carpet we had to walk down to get inside and I knew he’d realize what was going on before we made it in. I looked over at Louis who looked equally as nervous. As the car came to a stop and the door opened, I held my breath. Louis got out first, then Harry. I followed the guys out and towards the entrance of the carpet. We were instantly approached by a man with a clipboard.

“Right this way gentlemen!” he said, scribbling something down quickly. “Okay, one at a time at first please and then at the end they’ll have you stand together for obvious reasons.”

We all nodded silently following him. As we got closer to the carpet you could see the backdrop very clearly. Various sponsors were scattered across the black background with a very distinct SM mixed in. It was obviously unmistakable to Harry almost instantly as he stopped.

“No.” he said.

“Come on, we’re here now we have too.” I tried.

“No.” he said again.

“Harry, you have to at this point.” Louis added.

“No.”

“It’s one show. 20 minutes tops. You’ll be fine.” I clapped him on the back, moving him closer to the entrance, cameras flashing in our direction.

“Awe, look. They know you’re here, so now you have to go.” Louis fake pouted.

“Fuck both of you.” He snapped, before heading out into the spotlight.

“Told you he’d be mad at both of us.” I chuckled.

“He’s going to murder us when he finds out we’re going to the after party.” Louis noted.

“Yes, I’m aware. That’s why I’ve been steadily getting him drunk.” I sighed.

“It’s worth it. It makes for good press for them, and it shows her that he still cares.” Louis smiled. “Now I’m gonna go get my picture on.”

I rolled my eyes at him as he strutted towards the cameras. He would always be a joker, no matter what. I waited until the clipboard man urged me on. I did my thing, smiled when I felt necessary and made my own way down the line. We posed for a few pictures all together and then headed inside to find our seats. Of course, we had front row views. Louis’ girlfriend was the head model for the show, and I was the designer’s best friend. It wouldn’t happen any other way. We made small talk with the celebrities packed into the room. Spencer always had an amazing turn out. She knew who was in and why they needed to be there.

As the lights dimmed and we took our seats, we made sure to place Harry in between us. He acted like he was unpleased to be there, but deep down we knew how excited he truly was. After all, Harry was one, if not, Spencer’s biggest support while she was starting the business. He would always gush about how talented she was and how proud he was to call her, his. The twinkle in his eye was still there today, he couldn’t fool us.

The show started, Emily opening it beautifully. I kept to myself most of the show, only commenting when Harry had something to say about a piece, all of which he loved. He smiled practically the entire show, and it wasn’t just from Louis’ playful comments.

To say Spencer was one of the most talented, young designers I knew would be an understatement. She was beyond amazing. Her work was perfect, as she slaved over for weeks. The models did every single piece and look great justice too. She knew how to make clothes and she knew how to pick the girls who wore it.

The final model parade took the stage, looping back around the runway for one last look. Cameras were flashing, celebrities, reporters, and critics alike. Spencer had to be proud. And she better of gotten some sleep last night. I watched the models go back behind the curtains, one by one, before Spencer and Emily popped out hand in hand. The audience stood, clapping loudly. Spencer waved and smiled at everyone she could, looking over to Emily every now and then. She hugged an older man I didn’t recognize before moving down the runway further. As the girls approached us, they both lit up. Emily stayed professional and let Spencer do her thing, hanging back. Spencer stopped in front of Louis, detaching her hand from Emily’s to hug him.

“She’s amazing.” Spencer told Louis, smiling back towards Emily.

“You’re amazing.” Louis chuckled, placing a soft kiss on her cheek before letting her go.

As she pulled back and her eyes scanned the three of us, she froze for the slightest millisecond, not expecting Harry to be there. She never let her smile falter as her eyes landed on Harry. I was curious to see what her next move would be. As if she wasn’t shocked to see Harry, she pulled him in for a hug as well. He stood still for a second before returning it.

“Thanks for coming.” She whispered just loud enough for me to hear. “It means a lot to me.”

She leaned back slightly, leaving her hands on Harry’s arms, his still around her waist. I was as surprised at her words as Harry was. She didn’t have to add the meaning of it, but she did. Maybe Louis was right, maybe this would be easy once we got Pete out of the picture.

“Yeah, yeah.” Harry stuttered at first. “You look beautiful. I mean the line is beautiful. Just, good job.”

I laughed at his awkwardness, as Spencer’s eyes never left his face. If I didn’t know better, I would have never thought they broke up in the first place. This looked like the old Spencer and Harry. But as quick as it came, it was gone and before I knew it, I was being wrapped in a huge hug.

“Perfect.” I said, kissing the top of her head.

“Thank you for coming, I’m surprised at your date though.”

“But it means a lot that he’s here.” I stuck my tongue out at her, before remembering all the cameras on us.

“Shut up.” She blushed.

“We’re going to talk about this later.” I said.

“Yes, I’m sure we will.” She rolled her eyes.

She turned away, taking Emily’s hand once more. Spencer McMichael is a confusing, yet perfect woman. Little did she know, we were all in on getting her and Harry back together. It was the way the world was meant to turn and if they couldn’t realize it, we’d help.



-----------------------------------------------


(Spencer POV)


Fashion design was a rewarding profession. I could have been anything I wanted to be, but it wouldn’t feel as right as this did. This is what I was made to do. I was born to make clothes. Nothing made me happier than seeing my final product being worn down a runway, cameras flashing and people aweing at it.

I had gotten most of the press and obligatory pictures with fashion icons out of the way, meaning I could just get shitfaced and relax for the night. Fashion week was over. It was a bittersweet feeling. All that work and it’s over in a short catwalk. I was very proud of my work and my models today. I was hearing great feedback, as well as potential orders already.


“Why the fuck is Harry here?” Emily asked as we meandered through the after party.

“Zayn brought him.” I shrugged.

“Yeah, I know. Why?” she looked at me.

“I don’t fucking know! Because he wanted too?” I rolled my eyes.

“Pete’s gonna freak.” She sipped her drink.

“Yes, but Pete is also the asshole who couldn’t make it. So quite frankly, I don’t give a rat’s ass what he has to say about it.”

“I’m still mad about that.” Emily said.

“You’re mad about it? How do you think I feel?” I sighed.

“Dump his ass.”

“It’s not that simple.” I moaned.

“Harry incoming.” Emily said quietly.

“Hey.” He said as he reached us. “Em, mind if I have a word?”

She eyed him curiously. “Fine, have her back in 5.”

I watched as she clicked away from us, going over to join Lou and Zayn where they stood watching.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Do you want to get coffee tomorrow?” he blurted out.

“What?” I asked confused this time.

“Well, I was thinking, we really haven’t talked about anything since it all happened. I feel like maybe some closure or whatever would be good.”

“3 years later?” I rolled my eyes, starting to walk away.

“Spencer, stop. Hear me out.” He said, grabbing my arm to make me stop just as a man with a camera appeared.

“Can I grab a quick photo?” he asked.

I understood that these people were hired to take pictures of the event and people in attendance but this man could not have picked a worse time. I smiled, politely as Harry took a step back out of the frame.

“The two of you, actually would be better.” He smiled, and I knew that smile. He smiled like he just got the juiciest gossip of all time. Ex’s talking at a party, sound the alarm, big fucking deal.

Harry politely placed his arm around the back of him, as I slipped my hand around his. We put our game faces on, smiling as the man snapped a few, very bright, pictures of us. He thanked us and went on his way.

“Fucking twat.” Harry murmured. “Anyways, I just think we should talk. I don’t care if we talk about what happened, the sun, One Direction, I don’t care if we talk about the fucking solar system. I just think it would be good to sit down and talk like real adults.”

“Tomorrow?” I said, unsure of what I was agreeing too.

“Yeah, say around noon?” he smiled.

“Fine. Where?”

“I’ll text you when I wake up, I never know where I want to go until the moment.”

“Yes, I know. Fine, text me tomorrow and we can talk. Whatever that means.” I rolled my eyes, heading back over to the group.

“Did you agree?” Louis asked as soon as I reached them.

“Judging by the smile on Harry’s face, I’d say so.” Zayn added, as Harry joined us.

“Who’s getting me shots? I want three shots.” I said, looking between the guys ignoring them all together.

“Three shots it is.” Zayn said. “Let’s get fucked up.”

And that’s just what the five of us did. We got fucked up, in more ways than one.

Notes

This is a long chapter. I just didn’t know where to end it. So I made it one big super chapter. 25 pages on word docs. Oops. I hope you enjoy(ed) it. Let me know what you think about it, and what you thought about having a Zayn POV. I know he’s not in the band anymore, but he’s just too crucial of a character from the first story. (And I’ll always love him, green/white hair and nose piercing or not). Anyways, rate it, like it, read it over and over again. Whatever makes you happy!

Sorry for such a delay in between updates as well. College is well, college.

Thanks for reading, much love xx