She's Not Afraid

My eyes are still closed, but I'm having a hard time sensing where he is. Harry could be behind me, at the end of the sleeping bag, or walking to the opposite side where his body slept not too long ago. I feel his knee push down behind me and the shadow of his body hovering mine as he places a hand not too far from my head.

“Charlotte?” I hear him whisper with such caution, forming instant goosebumps. I stay perfectly still and unresponsive. "Love, wake up.”

His efforts in waking me up are really lacking credibility. I'm trying hard not to smile for I don't know who would even hear that weak attempt. But then I feel his full lips press upon my cheek, intentionally pausing for a few seconds before his nose nudges me. His arm is shaking a little and that causes me to crack, forming a discreet grin. Harry exhales and chuckles, I know I've been discovered.

"Love, wake up" I mock him, groaning into my pillow.

“That was horrible. The worst Irish accent I've ever heard.”

“I wasn't trying to sound Irish, silly.”

“Ugh. Even worse. Let's stick to your native tongue shall we. I don't want you embarrassing yourself in public.”

Harry makes me laugh with his disgusted smirk. I know I can't pull off the British accent but it's still fun to try. And its even better to hear him speak it. His grin combined with his burrowing brows is a hilarious image. He gets up and looks back at me, shaking his head again in playful shame.

“Sooo dramatic,” I laugh in disbelief, as he leaves the tent.

“I heard that! ” Harry says poking his head through the sliding opening in the tent.

"Come on you two, enough fooling around. Pack up your stuff.. we gotta get on the road before noon." Liam says, and then it hits me, today is the last day at Liam's cabin.

I am still very unsure about what happens next... I know the boys have to leave america to continue their tour in Europe, but what about Louis and I? I don't know, maybe if management knew the situation, I could end the contract now, but then again I signed an agreement. I am so screwed, but I guess its worth a try.

I ask Zayn to borrow his phone, I figure if I can get a hold of whoever Is in charge of publicity, I maybe have a chance to forget this relationship ever happened, I mean its possible that Louis and I haven't been known yet as a couple. I go through his contacts and dial modest management.

An man answers, he sounds familiar. "Hello, who is this?"

"Charlotte, I wanted to talk."

"What do you want." he replied rudely

"Well...um-" I take a second to gather my thoughts. "Louis and I have been having difficulties together, and I know the boys need to leave america soon, can I get out of my contract somehow?" I ask confidently, biting my lip. I notice that the boys are listening, so I sneak off into a empty hallway.

"What difficulties, may I ask?" he says sounding curious.

"Eleanor Calder, an old friend of mine...which I had no idea that she still had feelings for him, I would have never invited her to the cabin, I am actually not quite sure if she does or if its the other way around... Anyways Louis kissed her, and i just don't wanna do this anymore. please" by the last sentence im in tears and sound like I am begging.

"Well it sounds like this is your fault, and not Louis's problem, you obviously could have prevented this. and even if I wanted to.. I couldn't. You signed a contract for 6 months and as for the boys leaving to Europe, you will be going with them and anywhere else Louis goes. That is unless you decide to pay the fees to get out of the agreement."

I know he took no pity in my situation, now i am desperate. "What is it?... anything."

"Well it would be $10,000 that we offered and also an additional $25,000 in lawsuits and court and of course additional charges."

"Why so much?" I ask, falling apart inside, I know I have no where near the money to pay them back.

"I do not have time to explain, but you should obviously know that you and Louis are obviously trending immensely and very popular in the public eyes, have you checked social media? its booming, now if you would excuse me I have some serious business to attend to since the boys have been missing for the last month. Goodbye Charlotte."

I end the call without another word, thinking about the things he said. I sit down in the hallway alone, checking my phone on the social media websites, and do a random Google search of my name. Many headlines pop up that surprise me. "Are Harry and Charlotte secretly dating behind Louis's back?"




I personally don't even recognize this photo from first glance but then it hits me this photo was taken 5 days ago. Which means this was the night Harry and I went out alone to go to the club. Nothing happened between us two, at least from what I can remember, I must have been wasted when the picture was taken.

I didn't even remember seeing the paparazzi, they must have sneaked in a couple of pictures before we were escorted to a vehicle. Harry and I had both promised to never tell anyone, especially Louis.

Could this be the reason he kissed Eleanor? To get back at me? I need to talk to him like now.. before this eats away at me, I have to know. I leave my spot in the hallway and run like hell up the stairs before anyone noticed where I am. I could have sworn I heard them calling me earlier.

I check my watch its 11:45, great I have 15 minutes. I swing open the door that belongs to him, shutting it quietly behind me, catching my breath. Louis looks at me confused gulping a glass of water, before he can open his mouth and speak. I Interrupt.

"We need to talk-" I say sitting down on the bed beside him where he stands zipping up his suitcase. "-Listen Louis I need to know why did you kiss Eleanor?"

He looks at me unsure, pushing his hair back with his hand. "I don't think we should talk about this right here right now."

"Yes we do"

"What? Did your offer to break the contract get refused, Charlotte I cant talk about this right now, okay?"

"No its not 'okay' Just hear me out I think i know the reason that you kissed Eleanor is because you think that Harry and I are together, but were not, that picture you saw I can explain."

"Charlotte you cant be going back and forth between Harry and I."

I open my mouth to protest but then I realize but he's right. I have been playing with their hearts, I know that wasn't my intentions at first, but its obviously not fair for both of them to continue this love triangle thing. I need to choose.

But there really is no choice, I don't know what I want or who I want more. I have feelings for them both. I cant just let one of them go. but I need to do whats right so that means it had to be Louis...I really do hope harry understands.

"Wait-" I say I grab Louis's arm and turn him around from the door. Its him, it has to be him, it needs to be him. I repeat this to myself. I grab his hands and look into his blue eyes, taking a deep breathe.

"-I choose you" I say this with certainty and confidence. He pulls me closer and places his lips on mine.

"I am so sorry Char-." Louis says, wrapping his arms around me, planting a kiss on my neck. "-Forgive me?"

I nod slowly pulling away. "We better get going." He agrees dragging his suitcase behind him. we make our way downstairs, where the boys wait for us by the front door.

Harry stops me for a moment by grabbing my arm. He asks me what happened up there. I don't know how to answer so I stay silent, tugging my arm away.


When I realize Ashley and Elena have already left with Eleanor, I admit I got pretty upset. There probably taking her side anyways, because I know I haven't been such a good friend over the years with minimal to no contact at times. Why do I even care?

I climb into the SUV, waiting for the boys to pack up the rest of the stuff. With in minutes were already on the road. While everyone is laughing and enjoying themselves.

I sit quietly with my head pressed against the window. The snow covered trees sway in the light breeze, everything is so peaceful in the forest. I close my eyes for a moment and begin to drift to sleep with the gentle movement of the car.

Notes