I woke up the next morning, and Harry was gone. He was out at the studio to record the new album. I had gotten used to him not being here when I woke up. I got up, and took a shower, and then got dressed.
I had made myself breakfast, and was sitting down to eat when I checked my phone. I had a few missed texts from my mom; she still didn’t know I had moved in with Harry, or that I was dating him. I called her, because she needed to know.
“Hi honey.” She said answering on the first ring.
“Hey mom, will you come over to my new house so we can talk?” I asked.
“Yeah, um new house?” she asked.
I gave her the address, and she said she would be over soon. When she arrived I sat her down in the living room.
“How are you ever going to afford this Alana? Where are you getting this money?” she asked.
“That’s what I need to talk to you about.” I said.
“I am not helping you pay, if that is what you want.” She said angrily.
“It’s not mom, I’m living with Harry. That’s where I have been since that day I told you I was behind on bills. I’ve been staying with Harry in his apartment. But, now Harry and I are together. Like we are dating, and this is our house. He asked me to move in with him, and I said yes. He is keeping up with the bills, and everything.” I said.
“So you are free loading off him?” she asked.
“No mom, I’m in love with him.” I said.
“When did this happen?” she asked.
“When he got back from tour.” I said.
“And what about Timmy?” she questioned.
“I broke up with him. We weren’t good together anyway, and I wasn’t happy.” I said.
“Well, then, if Harry makes you happy, then I am happy for you.” she smiled.
“Thank you. It means a lot.” I said.
We talked for a little while longer, but then my mom left. I was glad she approved of Harry and I dating, it meant a lot to me, knowing I had her support.
After she left, I had flopped on the couch, and was scrolling through my Twitter. I saw a lot of hate comments, and I tried not to let them get to me. I didn’t want to read them, but I had to. It’s like one of those situations, when you know something is bad for you but you keep doing it because you just have to.
I needed to know what people were saying about me. I had been talked about a lot at school, and even online, being Harry Styles of One Direction’s best friend, but never this bad. Everyone was saying that I was ugly, and fat, and worthless. They said Harry deserved better than me, and that I was forcing him to be with me. Others said that I was a beard. Just like Eleanor had predicted. A lot of people were telling me to go die, or that they would kill me.
Before I knew, hot tears were forming in my eyes. I couldn’t handle this. There was not one nice or supportive comment anywhere. I logged onto Tumblr, to say what they said on there. Most Tumblr girls were quite nice. There were a few good comments, but the rest were tearing me down, and saying that Harry and I were better off friends.
I couldn’t believe people could say such terrible things. I tried to fight back my tears, but I just couldn’t do it. I know I said I wouldn’t let this affect me, but I was so far wrong.
I shut my phone, and ran up to Harry and my room. I curled up in a ball on the bed, and cried. I don’t know how long I was there, but I soon heard a car door.
Harry was home.
“Babe?” Harry called when he got inside.
I said nothing, but I got up and walked downstairs. Harry saw me, and noticed I had been crying. My lip trembled, but I tried to hold in my tears.
“Alana, what’s wrong? What happened?” He asked coming toward me.
“Harry, I…I know I said…that the hate, I wouldn’t let it get to me and all, but…but…” I said, my voice cracking.
Harry stood still.
“But…it did, and I can’t take it, and, and I, I don’t know what to do, and I just…it makes me feel terrible, and Harry I can’t do this.” I said stepping forward into him and letting all my tears come pouring out.
Harry wrapped his arms tightly around me, and held me close to him. I sobbed into his shoulder.
“Harry I can’t do it.” I cried.
“It will be okay, I promise.” Harry said.
“How do you know that?” I said.
“Because, Lana, I promised I would fix it, and I will. Don’t worry.” Harry said.
I didn’t say anything, but I held onto Harry and continued to cry into him. He never let go of me once. After a while, he took me upstairs, and laid down on the bed with me.
“I need to make a phone call.” He said softly.
“Okay.” I said.
He pulled out his phone, and dialed a number.
“Hey, Paul? It’s Harry.” He said.
“We need to set up an interview tonight.” He said.
I couldn’t hear the responses, but I knew that Paul was agreeing. Harry explained the whole hate thing and how upset I was. He hung up the phone.
“Liam, Louis, Zayn, and I are doing an interview tonight. We are putting an end to all this hate.” Harry said.
“No, don’t. I don’t want your fans to think you’re mad at them. Then they’ll hate Danielle, Eleanor, Perrie and I more.” I said.
“Maybe someone has to get mad at them, to make it stop.” Harry said.
My eyes welled up with tears.
“I just don’t want to ruin things between you and your fans.” I said.
“That won’t happen. I love them, and they know that, and a lot of them don’t send hate, but for the ones who do, they need to learn that it does hurt people.” Harry said.
I nodded my head, and Harry leaned down and kissed me.
“Everything will be fine. Okay?” Harry said.
“Okay.” I answered.
Harry held my hand for a little while, and then the doorbell rang.
“Who is that?” I asked.
“I texted Liam, and told him to bring the other girls over so you could watch the interview together. For like a moral support thing. They know what you’re going through, so they can help you better than I can.” Harry said.
Harry stood up, and went downstairs to get the door. Soon enough Danielle, Eleanor, and Perrie rushed into the room, armed with ice cream, and a bunch of other comfort foods.
“Babe, I am so sorry they did this to you.” Danielle said engulfing me into a hug.
I hugged her back. Harry walked in the room.
“Alright I’m headed off to the interview, you guys have fun. Live on Channel 7.” Harry said.
“No goodbye kisses for your girlfriend?” Perrie joked.
“Ha. Ha.” Harry said, coming over and giving me a loving kiss on the lips.
All the girls laughed, and I smiled.
“Well finally a smile, I was starting to miss that.” Harry said.
“Goodbye Harry.” I said.
“See you guys later. Don’t get fat.” He joked.
We all laughed, and started talking.
“It’ll get better babe.” Eleanor said.
I nodded.
“I hope.” I answered.
“Hey, at least they acknowledge you as his girlfriend, all the fans just say ‘Where’s Perrie?’ about me.” Perrie said.
“They call Alana and I beards.” Eleanor said.
“Because of that Larry thing.” I added.
“That must be annoying. They just call me ugly, and say that all my success is based on Liam.” Danielle said.
“They say that I am using Zayn to get Little Mix more publicity.” Perrie added.
This went on for a while, us going back and forth and sharing stories on what the boys fans said about us. It was terrible, some of the stuff they shared, but it was comforting knowing that I wasn’t alone. We talked until the interview came on T.V. then we were completely silent.
“Hello, and welcome to our special interview with One Direction. How are you boys today? And where is Niall?” the interviewer asked.
“Niall wasn’t needed for this interview, as he doesn’t have a girlfriend.” Louis stated.
“Oh alright.” The lady said.
The boys nodded.
“Well, it was said that you four have something important you need to share with the fans?” the interviewer questioned.
“We do.” Liam said.
“Well, go for it, start with you Zayn.” She said.
“As you all know, I am dating Perrie Edwards of Little Mix. She is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Everyone hating on her needs to understand that I am happy. She makes me happy, and I love her. Your words can hurt, and it doesn’t feel good to be called the things you have been saying to her.” Zayn said.
They then moved to Louis, who explained about the hate on Eleanor. After was Liam who talked about Danielle, and finally there was Harry.
“Harry, you have been quite quiet, let’s hear what you have to say. You and Alana have not been going out for that long, so what’s on your mind?” the interviewer said.
“Alana has been my best friend all my life, as a lot of you know. She is my entire world outside of music, and the band. Recently, I have fallen head over heels in love with her. We moved in together, and were very happy, until today. I came home from the studio to find her crying and broken. She ran into my arms, crying, because of everyone hating her. People told her she was a cover, for Louis and my secret relationship. Well newsflash people, Louis and I are not gay. Okay? We are both happily in love with our girlfriends, and that won’t change. I love Louis, I do, but as a best friend, and nothing more. He is like my brother. Hating Alana and telling her and Eleanor that they are covers for this “secret relationship” is rude and disrespectful. Seeing my Alana, all hurt and broken and sad makes me want to crumple into a little ball and cry. My whole world falls apart when I see her hurting. If you don’t like her fine. You don’t have to. No one said you did, but you have to respect her, and her feelings. Put yourself in her position, innocently being in love, and having millions of girls tell you how worthless and gross you are. It won’t feel good. Everyone has their breaking point, and this hate has brought me to mine. I’m not saying all the fans hate on our girlfriends, but there is a lot who do. All we came here to say is stop. If you hate on them, and don’t respect our relationships, then you can’t call yourself a Directioner, because that is not how we see you.” Harry said.
Immediately after, all the boys took off their mics, and left the stage. The interviewer sat in shock, and so did all of us back home.
“I didn’t tell him to say that.” I blurted out.
All the girls laughed.
“He was really mad.” Eleanor said.
“He has never been that serious in his entire life.” I said.
I was so shocked, that Harry went off like that. We all sat, and waited for the boys to come back. We heard car doors soon enough, and all got up and ran outside. We were all wearing the boy’s pants, and tank tops, but we didn’t care. There were paparazzi outside, but we ran out anyway. I jumped into Harry’s arms, and buried my head in his neck.
“I love you Harry. Thank you so much.” I said.
“I love you too. I will do anything to make you happy.” Harry said into my hair.
He spun me around and kissed me. I laughed and giggled. Everyone else had left. The paparazzi came running over to us.
“Why did you do that interview?” One shouted.
“I love my Alana, and refuse to see her hurting.” Harry said.
They screamed a few more questions at Harry, and he stayed and answered a few. He held me the entire time.
Harry and I sat outside for a while, and a few fans came by to talk.
“Alana?” one said.
I looked up at her.
“I never sent you hate, and I don’t hate you. I think you and Harry are amazing together, you make him happy and I love you for that, I am really sorry about what those girls said to you. It’s evil. Can I hug you?” she said.
“Thank you and of course come here!” I said.
She gave me a big, hug, and Harry smiled.
“Thanks babe, do you want a follow on Twitter, and picture autograph? Anything?” Harry asked.
“Yes, but most importantly, I want you to be happy, and never change.” She said.
Harry smiled, and I took their picture. She was a really sweet girl. Later when I checked twitter, the top worldwide trends were: #SorryAlana, #SorryPerrie, #SorryDanielle, and #SorryEleanor.
Maybe things would start to turn around.