A/N: Chapter Playlist

"Mystery Colors" - Astronauts, Etc.

"Half a Heart" -1D

"The Enemy" - Andrew Belle

"Beside You" -5SOS

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Pink and lavender walls with posters of pregnancy stages and contraceptive methods face me no matter where I turn. I'm hoping this doesn't take very long; I'm supposed to meet my mom for our pedicure appointment once she gets off work. I planned to do this eventually but with the sudden change of plans, my procrastination has reached its limit.

The cordial receptionist invites me to go down the hall and collects the clipboard with my personal information. There's too many colors and disturbing graphics on my way to the room, proving these visuals are more of an overload than knowledgeable gain. Sitting immediately upon entering, my gaze hits the floor to not face another chart.

The nurse comes in shortly and daggers away at her series of questions while filling out another form; some answers are simple while others make me blush on the spot. Then she goes through painstaking descriptions of each method and brand of birth control until I make my decision. Goodness, I thought I'd never get out of there with my prescription!

Next, I'm dashing to the designated pharmacy on my way to the nail salon. Eventually holding the case in my hand; it seems so surreal. Smiling like a devious little girl embracing womanhood, I'm carrying a secret in my purse that no one would suspect. . .especially my parents.

Before I walk into the salon, I shoot Harry a quick text. Not sure why I'm so eager to let him know, but I figure it would either make him smile with a crafty thought or ease his mind about our future cuddlefests.

I'm officially on the pill now :) -J<3


I hug my mother and sit beside her till it's our turn. She reminds me that the school's concert is tonight, so I offer to take pictures since she'll be conducting the event and last time dad's photos came out blurry. I hear the excitement in her voice as she tries to decide on which polish to match her dress. Narrowing it down to three selections, we end up choosing the dark maroon.

Mom begins to flick through the magazines while we wait for our toes to dry. I keep busy by texting Linda about my conversation with Calvin yesterday, explaining how I'll be working with him and the publicist of the Canadian band One Direction selected to join their tour. I have yet to hear more about them but from what I was told, I'm supposed to write a weekly blog of their activities, one on one interviews and assist in their social media exposure to build their fan base.

When we get back to the house, I return to my dungeon and continue to slave over my final papers. Finally, half way through my last one, it seems like its taken longer than the rest of them. The distractions are endless; I either come down with a hard case of munchies, narcolepsy, or vivid fantasies of Harry. None of these help my productivity but I can't deny how much I miss that English accent, since we didn't get to talk yesterday. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well either.

I have an hour and forty minutes to get ready. Checking my phone once again before I take a shower, there's still no reply from Harry. Knowing he's busy with tour rehearsals, at least I get to see him soon. It's just hard for my mind to reason with my heart, sometimes they're not on the same page, always boasting on who obsesses over Harry the most.

Making sure to shave all the essential parts, my shower goes longer than planned. I wrap myself in a towel and wonder if I'm hearing things or my phone is going off. Swinging the bathroom door open, I suddenly sprint towards my room before the ringing ceases, catching the call a bit short winded.

"Hell-oh?!" I breathe hard into the phone while my pulse is on a rampage.

"Hey babe. You aright?"

"Yeah. . . I just, got out of-"

"Are you free to chat? I want to see you."

"Absolutely, let me log back on."

I haven't picked out my outfit yet as I look around to see what clothes I can jump into. Thinking I had a minute or two, Harry is already calling my computer and I'm still gripping my towel.

"Hey!" I answer, already flushed at his possible reaction.

"Hellllooo, did I. . . just catch you comin' out of the shower?"

"Yes, that's what I was trying to tell you earlier," I roll my eyes and smile.

"Brilliant timin' then," Harry says while pretending to look further down his screen. "You know..."

"Don't even think about it. How's rehearsals going?"

"It's goin' well. I like the sound of this new band. . . We all went out for a late dinner. I just got home," he replies in the midst of a good stretch in front of the camera.

"How's your back?"

"Fine. I miss you," Harry doesn't seem interested in talking much about anything else with the way he's looking at me.

"I'm serious, does it hurt at all? Even a smudge?"

"I miss your voice. Does this look familiar?" Harry moves his laptop around and I immediately recognize the couch and catch a glimpse of our bed.

"I wish I was there now, believe me."

"Your collarbone is shimmerin'."

I look down and see the tiny pearls of water scattered abroad my chest and shoulders. Then I'm hit with a clever idea. I quickly check that my door is locked and when I sit backdown, looking at my image on the screen to make sure nothing will show, I release the towel.

"Whaaaa-did you just?"

"So anyway, tell me more about this band."

"I don't wanna talk about the band right now, baby. Will you stand up for me?" He asks and I notice movement around him, realizing he's now on his bed.

"Shhhh! I don't want my parents to hear this."

"You started it."

"You're doing it again, that evil grin. You always do that when you're thinking about something raunchy."

"Shhhh. Stand up," he orders me in a low tone with that bewitching smirk.

I'm slightly embarrassed now. Why did I think I was bold enough to do this? I wrap my towel back around and stand up to get a pair of intimates.

"Come back here!" he whispers aloud.

Tucking strands of wet hair behind my ears, I return to the desk in a burgundy lace set. It is then that I witness two rosy cheeks with deep indents.

"This is torture! I want you here now!" Harry shakes his head and flattens his lips together. "Do you have an ear piece?"

"Yes, why? You going to speak dirty nothings into my ear?" I grin back.

"That and I don't want your parents listenin'," he winks.

"As much as I would love to participate in your little game, I have to get dressed."

Harry's pout forces me to take a deep breath. It's such a treat to see his sleepy eyes but not being able to touch him makes me twitchy.

"I understand, freckles. Do you know what you're wearin'? I'd love to see."

"Freckles? That's a new pet name," I lower my chin onto my shoulder and smile flirtatiously.

Shifting the laptop to face my closet, I search through an array of dresses and remove one of the hangers. Picking a thin indigo cocktail dress with small gems along the neckline, I glimpse over at Harry and see him giving me two thumbs up.

"I wish I could help you slip that on."

I blush, almost matching the shade of my outfit, though not quite. I see Harry laying on a pillow with the camera angling right upon his flawless face. His eyes are getting smaller but his smile holds the same strength. I then find my beige high heels to complete the ensemble and show Harry one last time.

"Sweetie, why don't you go to sleep, it looks like you're about to pass out."

"Okey. We'll talk tomorrow, yeh?"

I nod and blow him a kiss and he does the same. Now I really have to hurry. I pick my hair up halfway and comb my fresh cut bangs to the side. This and a pop of mauve lipstick will do. I get the warning knock on the door and know I'm down to a couple of minutes.

We hurry to my dad's SUV and I see my mom fidgeting with something as she sits in the passenger seat. Moments later we're on the road, on time and with a few minutes to spare.

"Shit! The camera's batteries are dead."

I rarely ever hear my mom cuss, so when she did, dad and I spun our heads immediately.

"Dad stop at the super market straight up ahead. I'll run out and get some."

"Yes, thanks honey. Get a four pack of double A batteries."

I zoom out of the car once dad aligns along the entrance. Speed-walking in heels isn't a skill I'm good at, seeing how its taking a lot of effort to balance and not slip. Suddenly I feel a mild cramp, prompting me to slow down in my aisle of interest. Pressing my hand over the side of my lower abdomen, I mentally count the days thinking I must ovulating. Isn't it strange to actually feel that?

"Jude?"

I twirl around after I snatch the battery pack off its hook and see an unexpected face.

"Ethan! How are you?"

"I'm great! I just got back last week from doing that internship in New York."

"Really? I'm jealous. Are you visiting then or are you going back?"

"Nah, I'm staying for a while. I'm going to your graduation, which reminds me, some girl called me asking all these questions about you."

"Funny, why?" I scowl lightly at the frightening coincidence.

"Yeah, she said she was calling friends and family members of the graduates, something about making a documentary for the students. I think they might play it at the graduation."

"That's interesting. Who did you say called you?"

"Ummm, I believe her name was Carly."

"Ohhh," my tension eased now understanding. "Yeah, she's been working with Roger a lot now. Looks like he gave her another assignment."

"Are you no longer doing your columns for the website? I still read them, just haven't gotten around to it in the last few months."

"No, that kinda died down. I mean, I don't remember quitting or being asked to stop writing them. It was just assumed. Especially after he gave her a piece that he had previously assigned to me."

"Huh ok. Well at first I didn't think anything of it, but then the questions got a little personal, asking about our relationship and stuff."

"Geeeze, is Roger getting the dirt on everyone or what? I wonder how personal this documentary is going to be."

"Speaking of our old friend. Did he . . .ever get around to asking you out?"

"What? God no, why on earth would he do that?" I chuckle nervously.

"Man, what a coward! I thought he would have had the balls to do it by now. Unless he was really waiting till you graduated."

"What are you talking about, Ethan?

"You still don't know? I guess he can't kill me now if I told you. . . He's had the hugest crush on you since the day you started at the Phoenix Journal with us. I caught on and teased him about it. He denied it and denied it until I pushed it further, thinking he wouldn't mind if I dated you then. And when we broke up, he finally confessed to it. I asked him if he would ever ask you out and he said he was thinking about it . . .waiting for the right time."

"Oh my gosh. I never saw it. I never saw him that way. . ." I look down at my hands and remember that my parents are waiting on me.

"At least now I have something to tease him about next time I see him."

"Well I started seeing someone. I think that might have ruined his plan."

"Really, dating someone? Who's the lucky guy?"

"Yes, well, I prefer to spare you with the details. But I'm happy and it's quite serious."

"No need to be mysterious. That Carly girl told me."

"Why would she feel the need to reveal that information to you?"

"She said something stupid like "How does it feel to be the ordinary ex boyfriend?" And when I asked what she meant by that, she just said you were dating a celebrity. . . so who's the lucky guy, Jude?"

"I'm sorry, I really have to go. My poor parents have been waiting for these. It was nice running into you!"

Ethan shrugs his shoulders, making me question if he really was that intrigued to know my answer. I quickly wave goodbye although he probably thinks he'll see me soon, at the graduation. As I pay for the batteries and rush out to the car, I quickly apologize and mention my unfortunate run in.

It's not that I don't want to shout to the world that Harry's my boyfriend, but our lives ought to remain private, like Sophia advised. Second of all, it's not like Ethan and I are that good of friends. It's none of his business who I date; even if it ended up being Roger or not. Third, what kind of interviews are being done that Carly needs to be digging so deep? What does personal relationships have to do with the career path I'm pursuing once I graduate?

It all boils down to Roger, after all he assigned the piece. What boggles my mind is I feel like I didn't know him well at all, either that or he's a good actor. Maybe he's starting to have some feelings for Carly? As weird as it sounds, I think she and I look quite alike, minus the four inches she has over me.

I try and think back on all the occasions when we were alone or in his class. Slowly, like tiny fragments, I recall instances when his gaze lingered on me while he gave his lectures. And every time I entered and exited the room he'd always acknowledge me, not so much with the other female students. Gosh there was even that time when Ethan and I were holding hands in his office, now I remember, his eyes were always falling on our fingers and then at me.

I'm still slightly shocked, unable to brush off my thoughts on the drive over. For the longest time I thought it was just a protective act, like an endearing brother. So if Harry wasn't in the picture, would I have dated Roger? My answer is yes, I think I would've.

However, being in this relationship with Harry makes all others seem pointless. I frankly couldn't love another man with the same passion and urgency; they would only be second best. It may sound unfair but I know Roger could never mount up and it has nothing to do with being a celebrity. If that were the case than I'd have reasons enough to end it, for no one desires that kind of strain in a relationship.

This love that I have with Harry is beyond anything I've ever heard from true love stories or seen in heart clenching films. It's crazy, selfish, obsessive and intense. We hold nothing back in expressing our affections towards one another and I find that very unique. Yet there's a foundation there, a connection that sustains us from being merely a physical relationship.

Even though it didn't seem that way at first, it was a risky move to shoot straight to the good stuff and cheat our way out of a commitment. I thought surely this couldn't last longer than my stay in London. Then surely this couldn't possibly be real love. But I was proven wrong not once but numerous times. If I could do it over again I wouldn't change a thing.

Harry often mentions his regret with the way things began between us, instead I rejoice in the way things evolved. I predict these next six months will bring some interesting trials and experiences to grow together, very much like a "honeymoon". I'll have plenty of opportunities to learn about his habits and pet peeves. We'll discover more wonderful things about each other as well as things that might get under our skin. I'm excited for it all. . . oh and my dream job too.


The concert is beautiful and deserving of my full attention, but my mind is scrambled from the recent conversation with my ex. After shooting a considerable amount of pictures, I walk out of the auditorium and find a staircase nearby. Taking a seat, I pull out my phone and begin watching the videos of Harry and I. Just the sight of him eases me, knowing that pretty soon I won't have to miss him. Still, in this very moment I do and I'm left with only my imagination as I lay beside him.

Notes

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!! Thank you so much for your fabulous comments. . . and patience. This is going to be an amazing year, I just know it. And the ideas for this story just keep on coming, I can't contain it. I already know the ending to this story but I can assure you it would require like two more sequels to get there.

Speaking of sequels... I've come up with the perfect solution (thanks to your help and enthusiasm). BUT, it's a surprise. I like to play the unpredictable card, as you may or may not have noticed. Again, I'm floored by your responses, votes and subscriptions :) They mean the world to me. And don't think your comments go unnoticed, although I try to respond to them all. You can be sure, I check up on your stories and vote for them right away (because I liked them of course ;)

So I hope you liked this chapter as we prepare for good things to come. I apologize for the wait and hope it was still worth it.

Question: Do you guys like the playlists that I add in the beginning? I have two girls that seem to like it, but if it bothers you or seems unnecessary than please feel free to let me know. I like to consider those little things. I didn't start the playlists till halfway into the story, along with the gifs and pictures, which I really like and will keep doing.

I wish you all a peaceful and relaxing Sunday! xoxo



P.S. There's a few shout outs I've been meaning to do and will be sure to in my next update;)