Fitting Together Again

“Well? How did I do? What’d you think?” Cried Tilly as she skidded to a halt in front of us. She had just finished her grand performance before the entire Conti family, their guests and villa staff.

"Tilly, I hope to be as good of a musician as you someday,” I cried. “I want to be just like you when we grow up!"

Tilly let out a giggle, "Harry that doesn't make any sense!"

"It doesn't?" I cried in disbelief.

"No! First of all I'm younger. And second, age doesn't make you better at something - practice does.”

“What a wise old fart you’ve turned out to be,” chuckled Louis.

"Looks like you all need to sign up for lessons with Tilly!" Thalia smirked, patting her sisters head affectionately.

“Yeah an’ Harry’ll need weekly lessons," teased Niall. “He needs all da help he can get.”
I shot him a look as Tilly beamed. "And if we do Sunday lessons that means you can start coming to Sunday suppers again!"

I tried to ignore the pain in my chest as I smiled back at her. Sunday suppers at the Kalfis home had become a tradition last summer, one that I lost when Thalia and I broke up. The longing for it washed over me like an ice bucket challenge. Sitting around that table with Thalia and her family was one of the few moments when I could forget the fans, the press, the pressure and just be normal.

"I could think of nothing I'd rather do more," I replied honestly.

I looked up to see Thalia staring at me. Her eyes were wide and her breath shallow as she realized what Tilly had said. A moment later she snapped out of her trance and smiled down at Tilly.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," she said warily. "

I heard a snort and turned to see Nicola glaring at the sisters. She locked eyes with me before giving the most dramatic eye roll I had ever seen and disappearing into the distance. Marco too shot me a look from the corner of his eye and I immediately jumped up to go after his sister.
“Nicola! Nicola wait,” I called, catching up with Nicola on the edge of the patio. “Hey, talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” She cried, whirling around to glare at me. “Everything Harry. Everything is wrong.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Why would we need to talk when you already know what I’m going to say?”

“I don’t know what you’re going to say. So why don’t you just say it and get it done with.”

“My god you are such a bastard,” Nicola muttered under her breath before jabbing a finger towards the rest of the party. “Thalia.”

I frowned. “What about her?”

“You are clearly not over her!”

“Nicola-“

“I was so stupid! To believe that we could be anything with her lurking in the background."

"Our relationship doesn't have anything to do with Thalia." That was a lie. It might not have begun that way, but that's how it ended up.

Nicola's eyes flashed. "It has everything to do with her!"

"Look Nicola, us not working is because we don't work not-"

"We don't work because I'm not her!" Nicole screamed. "What does she have that I don't huh?"
"Nicola please, just keep your voice do-"

"We both know I have a better body. And I have more more time, more money to spend on you."

"No it's nothing like that Nicola," I snapped, my tempter rising at her complete lack of understanding for the situation. It was unimaginable that I had nearly fallen for such a superficial girl when Thalia's qualities, the things I loved, were anything but. "Thalia's just..."

"Just what? Stuck up? Stubborn?"

"Real."

"What, you're saying I'm not real?" Nicola grabbed her breasts. "This is all real Harry."

"No, not that kind of real. Real as in raw. She doesn't have to pretend to be anyone she's not. She's normal. She works hard and loves what she does. She's passionate. She-"

Nicola rolled her eyes. "Your infatuation with her normality is pathetic Harry."

I frowned. What on earth was she talking about?

"Thalia is not normal. Her life isn't normal. She dated you - Harry fucking Styles, flew across the world with you on trip of a lifetime, broke up with you and won an award to come study in Italy under a renowned master, meets a new rich man and has the possibility for an amazing life. The life other girls dream for that is anything but normal."

I stared at Nicola her words sinking in slowly and painfully. Nicola was right; Thalia wasn't normal. Not really. Her life was one strange situation after another. But her life was more normal than mine...revolving around family, friendships, and love. Was it that which drew me to her? Or perhaps it was the way she handled the situations with such fierce compassion and determination.

Chancing a glance back, I found Thalia standing near my bandmates, her head thrown back in an laugh that seemed to illuminate the space. It wasn't her normalcy that attracted me - it was her very existence. It was the way she moved, her carefree smile, and the way her eyes lit up in excitement or looked deep into your soul. It was everything about her.

“I watch you watching her...all the time," Nicola practically whispered. "It's like she’s the only girl you’ve ever seen. You don’t care…you don’t give a damn about me.”

I turned back to see Nicola's dark eyes, filled with a mixture of sadness, confusion, and anger on me. I let out an apologetic sigh, "Nicola I-"

"Save it Harry. I was a distraction.” She stated simply, blinking her eyes and taking up a defensive posture once more. “I didn’t realize it at first but after Roma it was obvious. It’s okay to admit Harry, we both used each other.”

“What? What are you talking about?"

Nicola cocked her eyebrow as a look of disbelief crossed her features. “You said her name that night or do you not remember? You fucked me to get over your ex and I used you to further my career. We are even.”

“Well why didn’t you just break it off then if you knew?” I asked bitterly.

“Aw mi amore,” she tutted. “You were so desperate.”

My jaw locked as the memory of that night resurfaced. “That’s fucked up Nicola.”

“You want to talk about fucked up? How about being so disgustingly in love with your ex girlfriend that you decide to sleep with her current boyfriend’s little sister just so you can stay in the same house as her. You are fucked up too Harry. Don’t pretend you are not.”

"I didn't mean for it to happen," I repeated.

"Well it has,” she snapped. “And it is time for you to leave. I’m leaving tomorrow for Paris and I don’t want to find you here when I come back.”

“Don’t worry. We’re leaving in the morning. I’ll be out of your life soon enough.”

“Out of her life too.”

“What?”

“Stay away from her Harry,” She warned. “You already took my happiness, don’t take my brothers too.”

“She doesn’t belong to him.”

“And she doesn’t belong to you either! Do you hear yourself! God! Get a life Harry!”

“She is my life.” The words slipped out before he could stop them and for a moment, both Nicola and I were frozen in shock.

“Ugh. What did I ever see in you? You are so pathetic!”

“Nicola,” Marco called, making his way over. We had drawn the eyes of everyone in the party and Marco looked determined to make sure this ended civilly. “What are you yelling about?"

"What's so special about her?" Nicola cried, her eyes alight with anger. "Why does everyone worship her words like she's some sort of fucking goddess? She has you all wrapped in her fingers and you don’t even notice!”

“Nicola. Lower your voice.”

“Why? Don’t like what I have to say about your fiancé?”

Nicola's words were like a knife to my heart, physically ripping through my body and tearing my soul. Fiancé? Thalia had agreed to marry Marco?

“No. I don’t.” Marco hissed. “Fate attenzione a quello che dici.”

"The moment she steps into the room it’s like you’ve lost all of your senses!" Nicola continued, her voice raising with her anger. "Why? Please tell me why you both are so obsessed with her! Is it because for once in your lives you've met a girl who is too stubborn to say yes to you?”

“Marco did you-oh!” Thalia had appeared, the smile slipping off her face as she analyzed the situation in front of her.

I wanted to say something to save her from having to hear Nicola's jealous rant. But my words stalled as I watched her, Nicola's words echoing in my ears.

“Everything alright over here?” Thalia asked hesitantly.

“No!” Snapped Nicola. “Everything is not alright. You’ve brainwashed my boyfriend and my brother you bitch!”

“Nicola!” I cried out while Marco yelled, “Sorella!”

“Excuse you?” Thalia asked, her frown deepening.

“You heard me.” Nicola stepped forward, putting herself in Thalia’s face. “Smetti di fingere! You try to act all innocent but we know the truth! Sei solo un po’ mignotta. A nobody who sleeps with rich men to get attention!"

“Ha! That's rich coming from you." Thalia snapped back, her hand flying to her hip as she glanced Nicola up and down. Her cool composure was enough to send shivers down my spine. "Everything you do is for attention."

"Everything I do?" Nicola squeaked. "I'm not the one who's obsessed with fucking rich bachelors. Is it because you've realized you're not good enough to make it on your own?"

"Look honey, I go to bed with someone to make love not headlines which is more than you can say," Thalia smirked.

Nicola raised a hand and Marco immediately stepped between the two while I pulled Thalia back. This turned out to be more difficult than expected as Thalia struggled against my grip and readied herself for a fight.

"Come on Thal, it's not worth it," I whispered, pushing her back. We locked eyes and she began to slowly relax, that was until-

"Why don't you just go back to that slum you crawled out of?" Screeched Nicola.

Thalia clenched her jaw before shooting Nicola a deathly glare. Nicola called out more profanities as I pulled Thalia away from the impending fight. I knew Thalia was more than capable of holding her own having grown up with foster brothers had taught her well. But Nicola wasn't worth what a fight would cost Thalia.

"Harry stop." Thalia said, shaking me off once we had returned the the patio. She was fuming, her nostrils flaring as she attempted to calm herself.

"Thalia I-"

"I know Harry.” She snapped. I instantly let go of her as she blinked in surprise, both of us having been startled at her tone with me. Then her features softened and her shoulders relaxed as she stared up at me. “I’m-it's okay.”

“Are you sure?” I asked hesitantly.

“Of course” She replied. “But you know you really should be consoling your current girlfriend rather than your ex…looks a little fishy don’t you think?”

I gulped. “Thal-"

"Thalia!" Cried Louis, skidding to a halt beside us. "You alright babe?"

"I'm fine," Thalia replied, still watching me. "Just a misunderstanding. Now, where's Tilly? It's time for bed."

"She's with Liam," replied Louis. "Didn't want her to see anything go down."

Thalia snorted, a smile creeping it's way onto her face. "That's cute that you think she's innocent."

"She's twelve," Louis frowned.

"Age is just a number Lou," Thalia winked. She laughed and mine and Louis' expression before turning and heading back to the party.

"You know she took that surprising well," Louis said as we watched her hug Tilly. "I'm surprised she didn't let Nicola get to her."

"She did," I replied. "She's just doesn't want any of us to know about it."

"You alright Haz?" Louis frowned. I could feel him watching me as I kept my gaze firmly on Thalia.

"Fine.”

“Bullshit.” I turned to Louis with a frown. He rolled his eyes and added, “I thought you had a rule about saying ‘fine’ because it means you are anything but.”

I looked back at Thalia to see her and Tilly's figures retreating into the house. Louis was right; I was anything but fine. How would I possibly be okay knowing that Marco had made true his promise of asking Thalia to marry him? And worse, that she had said yes. Thalia disappeared into the house that I realized would one day be hers. Would she think of me when she was roaming those corridors? Or when she wandered the garden?

I felt hot, angry tears burn my eyes and, shrugging Louis off, headed into the house and up to our room. I felt foreign as I moved through the villa. With each passing room all I could see was Thalia in her new life. I imagined her serving tea and coffee in the parlor, greeting guests in the entryway, calling out to her future children from the bannister.

I ran my hands through my hair as tears slipped from my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. Those were supposed to be our moments. My moments.

As I shut the bedroom door I let my emotions get the best of me. Slumping against the wood, I broke down. The tears fell freely as I took deep ragged breaths. Every emotion, every feeling from the past two weeks seemed to come crashing down upon me. This trip, seeing Thalia, was just a reminder of all I had lost.

I heard voices coming and I hurriedly wiped my face. Niall, Louis, and Liam walked in warily not a moment later.

"What's going on mate?" Liam asked the moment he saw my face, a deep frown appearing on his own.

I shook my head and fell back onto the bed dramatically. I just wanted to be left alone to wallow in my misery.

"Was it the fight?" Liam pressed. "I saw you and Nicola going at it."

"It's just something she said." I winced at the hoarseness of my voice and cleared my throat to add. "Forget it. It's nothing."

"Well that's the biggest lie I've ever heard," replied Louis. "Come off it Harry what'd she say?"

I shook my head defiantly as more stupid tears slipped from my eyes. The guys let out resigned sighs as I attempted to master the lump that had formed in my throat.

A minute later I croaked, "They're engaged."

The words felt vile on my lips, and I scrunched my face is distaste. The guys reaction was immediate.

"What!"

"Who?"

"Who do you think?" I roared, my fragile emotions getting the better of me. "Thalia and Marco!"

Silence filled the dark room as the boys stared at me in shock. I felt my temper rising once more.

"Like hell she is!" Louis cried, breaking the painful silence. "She wouldn't marry that idiot!"
"I'm telling you it's true!"

"Bullshit."

"Why the fuck would I make that up?" I nearly screamed, my chest rising and falling as I attempted to calm myself.

"Who told ya that?" Niall asked.

His interruption made me pause for a moment. He was watching me curiously, his head cocked to the side as a small frown appeared. "I-Nicola. She called Thalia Marco's fiancé while she was screaming at us."

Another painful silence followed my words until-

"And he didn't correct her," frowned Liam.

"No."

"HA! She fuckin said that! Oh shit this is just too good!" Cried Niall, his chipmunk-like laughter shattering the shock of the other two.

"It's not funny Niall," hissed Liam, shooting a glance in my direction.

Niall shook his head and bit back a smile. "Yer all in for one hell of a surprise."

"For fucks sake Niall just tell us!" Louis cried impatiently.

My heart pounded painfully in my chest as Niall's mischievous little eyes locked with mine. I needed him to say it. Needed to hear the words aloud to have any hope of believing they were true.

"She ain't marrying him," he replied simply and after a small chuckle, continued, "She don't love him. He proposed this mornin' an she never gave him an answer."

I fell back into the bed as relief washed over my body. I could cry for the relief Niall's words gave me. And for a moment I just lay there soaking it all in.

"Hang on, how do you know all this?" Louis quizzed.

I snapped my head over to Niall, who shrugged in response. "Thal told me on the boat today. She was going to tell Marco when they had a moment alone. I think she's running away again."

"That would make sense," nodded Liam. "Seeing as she asked me if she could leave with us in the morning."

"What!" I cried. "You knew all of this and you didn't tell me! Do you know-do you even realize how...fuck you."

The boys chucked and Liam said, "Sorry Haz, we didn't know you thought that or we would have said something."

"You know what this means don't you?" Louis asked, his eyes brightening. "Operation TAHU is back on."

Notes

I know. I'm the worst. These past few weeks have been insanity and I've hardly have enough time to think let alone write! But now I should have some more time on my hands now and I'll have more updates headed your way!

Hope you like this new chapter - I wanted you all to get a taste of what Harry's going through at the moment. Up next: Thalia vs. Marco. Hold tight. Things are about to get crazy!