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Stars & Stripes

How could you do this?

Olivia woke the next morning to a vicious bout of whooping cough, struggling to make her way to the bathroom to throw up her stomach contents into the porcelain toilet. She rested her head against the rim, catching her breath, beads of sweat forming as heat radiated through her body. A weak hand pushed down on the lever and the toilet swallowed the debris.

She felt ten times worse than yesterday. She couldn’t breathe through her nose; her throat felt raw, like it had been lit on fire. Coughing only made it more unbearable. And on top of all that, a migraine was starting to form in her left temple.

Olivia forced her body up, willing herself to make it back to bed before she collapsed. As she pulled herself out of the bathroom, she almost bumped into a tray-toting Harry.

“You’re up!” He declared, pouting slightly, “I was coming to bring this to you.” He glanced into the bathroom. “What happened? Did you throw up?”

It was like Harry had done a three-sixty over night. It was like last night had never happened.

“Just a bit.” Olivia confessed, collapsing back into Harry’s warm bed. “I just need to lie down for a few hours.” Harry set down the tray of various breakfast foods: scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, watered-down orange juice, and coffee with cream. All Olivia’s favorites. “What’s this?”

“I made you breakfast in bed.” Harry said casually, sitting down next to her, pulling out a thermometer and a box of tissues. “I ran to the store this morning, got a bunch a vitamins. Not sure which ones will help.” He pulled out a bag from the ground and split at least a dozen types of pills out onto the quilt.

Olivia sat in awe, coughing a bit, holding a hand to her chest. Her hand found the necklace and she smiled lightly. “Thanks, Harry. You didn’t have to do all this. I’ll be fine, really. It’s just a cold.”

Harry furrowed his bright green eyes at her. “I wanted to. This is my job, to take care of you. You always take care of me, yeah?” He held out the thermometer. “Take this. Let’s see what the damage is.”

Olivia put the tube in her mouth and Harry stared at his watch for a few moments before taking the tube out and examining it very serious-like. “You’ve got a bit of a fever.”

“I could—” Olivia coughed, “—have told you that.”

Harry grinned at her stubbornness. “Looks like someone’s staying in bed all day.”

Olivia’s eyes widened in concern, “But, what about tonight? It’s your big night. I can’t miss you meeting the Queen!”

Harry ran his hand through her messy, slightly damp hair. “It’s not that big a deal. People meet the Queen all the time. Odds are, I’ll probably end up making an ass out of myself and you’ll wish you weren’t there anyway.” He chuckled as she tried to protest. “Get some rest, Olive. There’ll be other award shows and events that I can take my stunning girlfriend to and show her to the world. I promise.” He pressed his lips to her warm forehead. “Now, sit back and try to eat something. Want me to turn on the telly?” He snatched the remote from his side of the bed and turned on the large flat-screen television across the wall. Then he handed the remote to Olivia and made to leave. “Oh, your dad called, he wants you to call him back. I’ve got to go meet up with the lads but they send their best wishes. They’ll probably insist on checking up on you after the show so expect an early night. I’ll see you in a few hours, Olive. I love you.” He exited the room swiftly.

“I love you, too.” The words felt funny now. Soon after, she heard the front door shut and Harry was gone.

Olivia nibbled on Harry’s apology breakfast for awhile before giving up. Her stomach wasn’t going to hold anything down. She flipped through the channels, putting on some sci-fy movie and grabbing her phone from the night stand, giving her father a call.

He picked up on the second ring, “Olive, sweetie!” His voice was loud and full of life, “How are you? I miss you. Have I told you that lately? Because I do. I really, really do.”

Olivia snorted but it sounded phlegmy and painful. “Yeah, dad, only every time we talk.”

“Are you okay?” His voice was flooded with fatherly concern, “Are you sick?”

“Yeah, I just caught the cold or something.” Olivia sniffled, “I’m be fine, dad.”

She could almost hear the smile in his voice: “Is that Harry boy taking care of you? Cause if he’s not, I will personally fly out there and—”

Dad,”Olivia chuckled, “Harry’s out being an international pop sensation at the moment, but he did make me breakfast in bed this morning.”

“He’s a keeper that one.” Charles yawned, “What’s my favorite daughter up to?”

“Your only daughter is just having a lazy day, missing out on seeing Harry meet the Queen.” She sighed, turning the channel again. Dr. Who covered the screen.

“The Queen?” He whistled,” Well, ain’t he the crème de la crème.”

“He sure likes to think so.” Olivia blew her nose noisily. “How are you doing, dad?” She asked sincerely.

“Chemo knocks me out but my hair’s growing back.” He joked lightly.

Dad,”

“Honestly, Olive, I’m getting better.” He said seriously, “I want you and Harry to come out here for Christmas and I’ll prove to you how much better I am.”

“I’d love to.” Olivia grinned, “Harry would too. I’ll bring it up once he gets back tonight.”

“Okay, sweetie. I’m going to let you go.” Charles said, “Get some sleep. I’ll call you in a few days with your Christmas plans.”

Olivia chuckled, “Sounds great, dad. Tell Julia I miss her. Love you.”

“I love you, too, Olive.” It sounded so much warmer and more heartfelt from her father.

Olivia sighed and tossed the phone across the bed, flopping her head against the pillow. Within seconds of closing her eyes, she fell asleep.

When Olivia groaned awake, the sun was setting and Harry still wasn’t home. She wasn’t exactly expecting him home until well after dark. Knowing the boys, they’d want to celebrate afterwards so she didn’t bank on seeing him at all tonight.

Sick of staying in bed, Olivia stretched her aching body, dying to move around. Olivia hopped out of bed, putting some Uggs on her chilly feet and pocketing her phone in case Harry called to check up, and made her way into the living room. She grabbed a glass of water, rehydrating her sore body.

After rinsing the cup and putting it away, Olivia found herself back on the couch with the television on. She stared aimlessly at the falling dusk, her eyes drooping once again. Her pocket vibrated lightly, informing Olivia that she had a text. Harry was probably letting her know he was about to perform.

She snuck her hand in the pocket and pulled the phone. But it wasn’t Harry’s name that flashed across the screen. It was an unknown one. Furrowing her brows, Olivia opened it, reading:

How much does Harry love Sally? Turn on channel 3.

Olivia grabbed the remote with her other hand, switching to channel three. The words ‘Breaking News’ covered the screen of some gossip show.

“We just received word of this shocking leaked video.” The perky blonde woman said into the camera, “It shows one of England’s favorite member of the massively popular boy band, One Direction, in a not-so positive light. We all knew Harry Styles was a bit of a ladies’ man, but as of late, he had dropped off the lady-radar.” Olivia stared at the screen, unblinking, “This video shows that maybe Harry hasn’t changed as much as we all thought because,” The woman stopped for some grand effect, “Harry Styles has just released his first sex tape.”

“Scandelous!” Her brunette companion egged.

“Quite,” She smirked, “And not only is Harry Styles featured in this video, but his assumed-ex has a cameo: Caroline Flack.” Olivia fumbled with the volume on the television, trying to make sure she heard right.

“Harry Styles and Caroline Flack are back on?” The brunette gasped gleefully. “Oh, the Directioners will have a field day!”

“Here’s a bit of a taste of the world’s most scandalous couple,” The blonde grinned and the screen changed to a slightly blurry video of two scantily-clad people kissing passionately in bed. The quality wasn’t great but the man in the video had curly brown hair and Harry’s bird tattoos across his naked chest.

Olivia gaped at the screen. Last night made sense now. She dropped her phone to the ground, racing back to the bedroom, unable to breathe. Tears were streaming angrily down her face. She couldn’t believe how stupid she had been.

“I’m so sorry, Olive.” He cried, leaning down to cry into her shoulder. “Please forgive me.” Sobs raked his tall frame violently.

This was unforgivable.

Her hand ripped the dirty necklace off, and Olivia watched as it toppled to the ground.

+ + +

Niall jumped on Harry’s back, shouting gleefully. Harry threw back his head and howled.

“Lads,” Louis collected them backstage, “We just met the bloody Queen.” He curtsied dramatically.

Liam grinned madly. They had done endless amounts of things, but meeting the Queen of England? That was downright amazing.

“Vas happening?” Zayn shouted, feeling that this was an appropriate time as any to bring back his old catch phrase.

“Can you bloody believe this?” Harry sighed contently.

“I’m hungry!” Niall whined suddenly. The other four glanced at the Irishman, guffawing.

“When aren’t you hungry, Nialler?” Liam asked genuinely, throwing an arm over his shoulder.

“Well, let’s go back to my place and check on Olivia.” Harry suggested, missing his girlfriend, “We can feed Niall there.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Louis agreed, “I’ll let Eleanor know.”

Louis whipped out his phone as the rest waited patiently. Harry thought about texting Olivia about them coming but he wanted it to be a surprise. Louis hung up and grinned, “Let’s go back to Hazza’s.”

They began walking down the back hallway to their SUV when Paul’s familiar face came into view. It didn’t go unnoticed by anyone that he looked less than pleased—in fact—he looked downright disappointed.

“Oi! Paul!” Zayn called out, “What’s with the long face? Did we do something wrong?”

“Is her Majesty mad at us?” Niall questioned. Paul only had eyes for Harry.

He breathed in deeply through his nose, shaking his head. “This aired ten minutes ago. It’s been circulating around the globe since then.” Paul held up his phone, playing a small clip of some gossip show. “Here’s a bit of a taste of the world’s most scandalous couple,” The voice of the peppy, blonde made Harry cringe. A video graced the screen and Harry almost fainted. On screen was his biggest mistake.

“No,” Harry murmured, shaking his head. This couldn’t be real.

“Is that a sex tape?” Liam asked, snatching the phone from Paul’s hand. He, Zayn, and Niall crowded around the screen.

“You and Olivia made a sex tape?” Niall furrowed his blonde brows, almost laughing.

Louis didn’t need to get a better look like the other lads to know that the woman in the video was most certainly not Olivia.

“Harry,” Louis said coldly. “How could you? Caroline bloody Flack?”

Harry stared shame-faced at Louis, “I’m sorry.” He trembled.

“I’m not the one you need to grovel to.” Louis spat. The rest of the lads looked on nervously.

“Oh, God,” Harry’s eyes widened in terror, “Olivia! We have to get back to the flat!”

“What were you thinking, Harry?” Paul sighed heavily, “How could you be so careless? So selfish?”

“Yeah, Harry,” Louis repeated shortly, his blue eyes no longer held care for his best mate, “How could you?”

+ + +

Harry couldn’t breathe.

The air had been vacuumed clean out of his throbbing lungs.

He couldn’t hear or see or breathe. Harry was a mess.

As he ran down the familiar hall to his flat, his throat burned from running five blocks and ten flights of stairs because the cab and lift weren’t fast enough. Nothing could get him there fast enough.

He kept replaying Paul’s words over in over, seeing the obvious disappointment. The worst part was he wasn’t even angry. Paul had finally given up on Harry. The looks on his mates’ faces told him that they were about to give up, too.

Harry couldn’t breathe.

He arrived at the door, terrified about what he was about to find behind it. Would Olivia scream? Would she be broken on the floor? Would she hit him? Harry would deserve it. Part of him hoped she would.

The rest of the lads’ footsteps echoed in the hall as they caught up. No one was speaking as Harry shoved open the unlocked door. They piled in at the same time, almost tripping Harry. An elbow connected with him on the way in, either on purpose or accident, he didn’t know.

The television was on channel three, the channel the video first aired. Olivia had seen it. Harry felt bile rise in the back of his throat. He couldn’t speak.

They inched into the room, canvassing it like police at a crime scene. The room was dark except for the television and the light from Harry’s room at the back of the hall.

Liam pulled out his phone, dialing a number. Harry wanted to ask who he had to call at this moment in time but was answered when he heard that familiar ringtone. It was Harry’s and Louis’ scream: the personalized tone they had created for Olivia when they had stolen her phone last month.

Louis walked forward into the living room, snatching up the lit up iPhone. Louis forced it in front of Harry’s face, “Recognize the number?”
Harry read the text, feeling shaky; a cold sweat was forming. Then his eyes scanned upwards to the number and he wanted to break something. That was Caroline’s number.

He forced himself to run back to his room, “Olive! Olivia!” He cried, hoping foolishly for an answer. As soon as he entered his room, Harry knew Olivia was gone. Drawers were torn up, clothes were strewn about. The closet was wide open and her suitcase was gone.

Olivia was gone.

As Harry was about to return to his mates, his eye caught something glittery on the floor by the bed. He bent over to examine it and stifled a sob. The infinity necklace sat curled in a hectic pile of silver. The clasp was broken, like she had ripped it off in a rage.

Harry had fucked up big time.

He brought the evidence of Olivia’s goodbye with him to the living room where the lads where searching in vain for any trace of the American. They stopped what they were doing at once when a shocked-Harry stared at his palm, croaking, “She’s gone.”

Harry swallowed and slowly looked up. He blinked, and when he opened his lids back up, a fist collided painfully with his nose.

The Brit didn’t have time to react. Louis slugged him powerfully again, knocking Harry to the ground.

You fucking asshole!” He shouted, his usually sweet face contorted with unstoppable rage. “You just couldn’t keep it in your pant, could you, Harry?” Again and again, Louis’ clenched fists pounded into Harry. The other lads tried to calm him down to no avail. “She deserved so much better than you! You told her you loved her? You’re not capable of love, Harry. You’re a pathetic excuse for a man! How could you do this to Olivia, you fucking prick?” Blood trickled down Harry’s face, his eyes swelled shut. He gurgled some nonsense words but Louis didn’t stop. “You bloody wanker! How could you do this?” He shouted again. Harry was vaguely aware that Louis’ body was being lifted off his. The boys had finally got a hold on the eldest member of One Direction.

“Louis, calm down, mate!” Zayn said, in complete shock that Louis had lost it like that.

Through half-shut eyes, Harry saw Louis glaring at his best mate with such hate that Harry wanted him to finish the job. Louis’ slender frame heaved up and down as he nursed his bloody hands. Niall tried to calm him down, but Louis shook him off.

“I’m done,” Louis said shortly.

“Good,” Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair, trying to figure out how to fix this. “Let’s just talk—”

“No,” Louis shook his head, grimacing, “I’m done.”

Niall caught on, “You don’t mean that, Lou.” He was almost in tears.

“I can’t do this anymore. I can’t be around him. I can’t watch Harry fuck everything up even more for us.” Louis’s hand connected with the door knob and wretched it open. “I can’t be in One Direction anymore.”

And with that, Louis slammed the door behind him.

Niall choked on his breath, tears streaming down his face. Zayn hurried out the door to try to talk some sense into their leader. Liam stared accusingly down at a bloodied and beaten Harry, finally losing all respect and hope he had left for the youngest member.

Harry stared up at his white painted ceiling, giving up. He didn’t move or try to talk as he listened to Niall cry softly. He didn’t watch as Liam tried to comfort the blonde Irishman. Harry didn’t do anything as his world crashed down around him. He laid there and took it helplessly.

Not only had Harry utterly broken the girl who loved him unconditionally, but he had somehow managed to break up One Direction in the process. As he listened to Niall finally break, he knew he had done something so much worse than cheat on Olivia. He had hurt every single person he loved and millions of people who loved him and his brothers.

Harry couldn’t breathe.

Notes

The end...
Eep! You guys have been amazing. Thank you all so much for reading my story. All your comments warmed my heart! Merry Christmas (hope this didn't ruin your holiday...haha)!
I did start a sequel on Mibba, but, honestly, I'm thinking about deleting it. As horrible as this ending is for Olivia and Harry, I like it. Realistically, endings aren't always going to be happy, and this just sort of fit. But, don't take my word for it. I probably won't delete it and the sequel will most likely be up eventually. Just look out for it.
Have a good new year! Xx realtalk

Comments

@realtalkproject


I can't find it on mibba did you change the name?
@realtalkproject

Could you post it on here?
@CURLY13
I apologize! I thought I had put up the first chapter! RuthlessAdandon is correct. It is up on my Mibba page.
@RuthlessAbandon
oh ok thanks :)
@CURLY13

It's on her Mibba page under the same username.