Isabelle's P.O.V

*Later that night*

I stared up at the ceiling, feeling a cold circle right where the small of my back was. I quickly pushed the feeling aside. I craned my neck to look up at the ceiling, and a wave of anger washed over me again. Why couldn’t Harry just listen to me, and answer me when I wanted to be answered? Why wouldn’t he just tell me the truth? We were in a relationship now; weren’t we supposed to be completely open with each other?

You’re not exactly telling him everything either, a voice in my head spoke, and my mouth suddenly went dry. I shook my head, refusing to think about Cameron. Desperate for something else to do and focus on, I slipped out of bed and padded down the hall to the kitchen. Quietly I opened the refrigerator door and poured myself a glass of water. I was just about to drink it when a voice came out from behind me. “Can’t sleep?” I whipped around, almost spilling the water, only to find, wearing only boxer briefs and tired eyes, Harry.

I immediately went on edge and stood taller. “Yeah,” I said, my voice clipped. Harry nodded and came closer to me. His hand reached out, and at first I thought he was reaching for me, but he grasped the fridge handle behind me. I tightly moved out of the way and sat at the table, drumming my fingertips on the rim of my cup.

“So,” my boyfriend muttered, pouring a glass of water for himself, “Why can’t you sleep?” I shrugged, not really wanting to answer, still feeling cross about the fact that he wouldn’t open himself up to me. We had arrived back home, acting as if nothing were wrong. But then, when Anne asked how our day was, I’d said, “Why don’t you ask Mr. I-don’t-open-up-to-anyone over here?” Anne had pulled Harry into the kitchen afterwards, when I’d left to get ready for bed, and I hadn’t seen him since.

“Just can’t,” I replied gruffly. Harry sat down across from me at the table and his leg brushed mine again. I pulled down my shorts self-consciously and pulled in my legs, trying to show him that I was still mad. He sighed, “Look, love, I’m sorry.”

“Whatever,” I shook my head and took a sip of my water, my throat feeling cottony. Harry looked like he was really trying to make me understand, but for once, I wanted him to see how it felt to be the one who always tried so hard to make the other happy. I stared down at the table, willing myself to not make eye contact with him.

“Will you look at me?” I heard Harry ask, and a moment later, before I could object, he cupped my chin and made me look up at him. Frozen, I didn’t move. I wanted to, just to show him that he couldn’t just use me like that, but I felt as though my body were stuck in this position. “I’m sorry,” Harry said again, making me get lost in his bright green eyes. They seemed to glow in the darkness.

“Harry,” I said tightly, “Would you just tell me what’s going on?” he pulled back, clearly not expecting me to start up with that again. Taking a deep breath, he stood, leaving his cup, and held out his hand. I took it timidly, also forgetting about my water. Harry led me to the living room, where we sat down facing each other on the couch. He reached for my cheek and started stroking it absentmindedly.

“They want me to become thinner,” was all he said. At first, I became confused, but then my brain slowly began to process it. My confusion turned to disgust which turned to rage.

“What?” I spat out, “Who? Your bandmates?”

Harry shook his head vigorously, “No, not my mates. They don’t even know about it. Just management. They say that thin bodies sell more.”

“Only in the cases of prostitutes,” I said savagely. I couldn’t believe it. Why would anyone ever want Harry to change? Whether it be his personality, or the way he looked? Harry was just…Harry. Nobody could ever change that.

“Shh,” Harry cooed, not wanting me to get too worked up over this, “Don’t worry. I’ve got it under control.” I shook my head, “You can’t seriously be considering this,” I hissed, unable to read the expression on his face. He shifted around uncomfortably, and my jaw dropped,
“That’s why you haven’t been eating. You’re actually doing it.”

I shook my head again and stood up, “I can’t believe you,” I whisper-screamed at him, “How you could possibly do that to me…and to yourself?” he gritted his teeth and his eyes hardened, “I knew you wouldn’t understand.”

“No, no,” I said, seething, “I understand perfectly. They want you to starve yourself…and you’re giving them what they want!” Harry looked annoyed, “I’ve got it under control,” he said abruptly, rolling his eyes. I shook my head for the third time, “No, you don’t. You would actually destroy your body just to sell an extra few albums?” I stared at him like he was crazy.

“Whatever,” he said, and he stood and pushed past me, stalking off down the hall. I watched him go, utterly speechless. How could he even consider doing something like that? It was insane, for God’s sake! And now he was getting mad at me, because I was voicing my opinion about it? Maybe it wouldn’t have been such a big deal if he’d told me before! Oh, who am I kidding, it was still a huge deal. People were trying to change my Harry. I couldn’t let them do that. Excuse me if I wanted to keep him healthy and safe.
I fell back on the couch and began to cry.

***

I was being shaken awake. Groggily I opened my eyes and yawned. My gaze landed on a familiar curly-haired boy with green eyes. I groaned and spun around, not wanting to see him, “Harry,” I moaned, “What time is it?”

“Five in the morning,” he replied gruffly, “I needed to talk to you without Gemma or my mum interrupting.” I shook my head, “Just go away Harry. I don’t want to speak to you.” He chuckled, “You’re speaking to me right now.”

“This doesn’t count,” I snapped, feeling tired and annoyed. How could he leave me last night after we fought and then act as if nothing was wrong? I adjusted my position on the couch as
Harry sighed, “Look, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. I was being a dick. I know that the only reason you opposed me is because you cared about me.”

“So then don’t starve yourself,” I snapped again. Harry closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. I back around to face him, eyeing him warily, prepared just in case we had another brawl like last night. “I know,” he finally admitted, “What you said got me thinking. I don’t have to change for others. All that matters is how you feel about me. I’m going to call management today and tell them that the deal is off.”

I couldn’t help it; a small smile found its way onto my lips. “Really?” I asked, and Harry nodded, grinning sheepishly at me, “Really.” I sat up and took in his appearance. He’d changed into sweatpants but his chest and his feet were bare. His hair was a sexy and unruly mess of bedhead curls, but his eyes sparkled. I stood on tiptoe and tenderly pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thank you,” I whispered, pulling back a staring into his eyes, smiling. “I hate it when we fight.”

“Me too,” he murmured, kissing my lips again. He quickly moved his mouth from my lips to my cheek, my forehead, and my neck. I batted him away, giggling quietly. “Come on,” he said, offering me his hand, which I gladly took, “I want to lie with you.”

He pressed a dainty kiss to my knuckles as we entered his bedroom and slid under the covers of his bed. I turned to face him, running my hands down his chest and pushing some of his hair off of his forehead, he grinned at me, and I pressed a tender kiss to his bare shoulder, “I’m glad we made up.” I felt his whole body rumble with a low chuckle, “So am I.”

“Can we just—?” I pulled back and gazed dreamily at him, “Agree to be honest with each other? No matter what? Please?” he nodded, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled cheekily at me, “Yeah, I think I’d like that.”

“Good,” I said simply, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, moving closer to him. He enveloped me in an embrace and rested his chin on the crown of my head. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, smiling, and feeling like everything was okay between us.

***

I woke up a few hours later and noticed that Harry was gone. Groggily rubbing my eyes I sat up, calling out, “Harry?”

There was no answer. I groaned and padded over to the washroom, opening the door. There he was, brushing his teeth, his mouth a foamy mess. I ran my fingers through my hair and smiled at him wanly. He flashed me a very soapy grin.

“Mm,” he said, and then leaned down to spit in the sink. He reached for a towel and wiped his face, and turned to me, foam-free. I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorway.

“Hey,” we said at the same time. I smiled sheepishly.

“Why were you brushing your teeth?” I asked, smirking. He shrugged and then shot me a playful look. “So that I could do this!” he said loudly and in a moment, he had picked me up and was carrying me back into his bedroom. I laughed and pounded on his back, catching my breath when he finally dropped me onto his bed.

I scrambled up and twined my hands in his curly hair as he pressed his lips to mine softly. I arched my back and let my legs wrap around his waist, my ankles locking, pulling him down onto me. Pulling back, I smiled at him, and told him as sincerely as I could, “You are amazing.”

“As are you,” he replied gruffly, and I giggled and pressed my forehead to his. I let my hands roam from his curly locks to his neck, sweeping down his shoulders and his arms, along his toned abs and his inked chest. He chuckled breathily and kissed me again. I sighed contently, blush rushing to my cheeks.

Then the door opened.

I shrieked and Harry bounced off of me as Gemma stepped into the room, holding her hands up in surrender, “Jesus, sorry.” Quickly regaining my common sense, I took a deep breath and put my hand to my forehead, “Gemma, you made me scream.” Gemma, being Gemma, smirked, and I suddenly realised what I’d set myself up for.

“Please,” she muttered, grinning naughtily, “I think my baby brother here was about to do that instead.” I blushed and Harry clenched his jaw, “Gem, dammit,” he grumbled, “Why you always have to ruin everything, I’ll never know.”

Gemma just giggled and cocked an eyebrow. I put my face in my hands and tried not to giggle nervously. Gemma rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever Haz. I was coming to talk to Isabelle.” She gave me a hard stare and I tried to conceal my gulp.

I stood timidly but Harry grabbed my hand, looking up at me from where he sat on the bed.

“You don’t have to you know,” he whispered. I rolled my eyes and tried for a smile that looked decently natural, “Relax Harry. She’s not going to kill me.” Still looking unsure, Harry let go of my hand, his lip caught between his teeth. I smiled, leaned down, and pecked him on the lips.

“This is really sweet and all,” Gemma said in a bored voice, “But I think that I’m going to barf.” I laughed at how straightforward and blunt Gemma’s personality was. “I’m coming, I’m coming. Don’t get your knickers in a twist.” Harry chuckled as Gemma stared me down. I rolled my eyes.

We stepped out of the bedroom, and Gemma immediately crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. “Well,” she said, sounding slightly surprised, “I’ll admit, I was expecting you guys to be cuddled up together, maybe holding hands, but I never expected to walk in on you guys sucking the lips off of one another’s faces.”

I blushed and frowned, trying to stand my ground. “Yeah, yeah, you’re so funny,” I muttered, “What’s up Gem?”

“Okay,” she clapped her hand lightly, and for a moment, I saw the real Gemma, not the one that put up a façade just to sound cool. In reality, Harry’s sister was actually quite sweet and funny, without the sexual jokes.

“So, have you been thinking about what we talked about yesterday?” Gemma asked quietly. I nodded. I had been doing some thinking. “I don’t know Gem,” I admitted, feeling a little sad,

“I still don’t think he feels the same way.”

“Nonsense,” Gemma waved my worries away, “Of course he does. I know Harry, and I can see that he totally loves you. He’s just too much of a pussy to admit it first,” she chuckled to herself and I covered my mouth with my hand, smiling.

“Anyways,” Gemma said, snapping back to her serious tone, “There’s a party tonight at my friend Harmony’s place. Want to tag along?” I shuffled my feet nervously, “I don’t know Gem. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“You will not be intruding,” Gemma rolled her eyes as if she couldn’t believe that I was this polite, “I’m invited, so I’m bringing a plus one. You are my plus one. And Harry’s your plus one.”

“Um,” I chewed on my lip, “I don’t exactly think it works that way.”

“What do you know?” Gemma shook her head dramatically and I rolled my eyes, “You’re coming Isabelle, whether you want to or not. Come on, have some fun!” she slapped my arm playfully as I thought about it. It would be nice to drop this whole serious demeanour, even if it was just for one night.

“You know what?” I said, beginning to nod slowly, “What the hell? I’ll come.” Gemma squealed and clapped her hands, but I quickly put an end to her happy little rampage, “Wait,” I said, something suddenly dawning on me, “I don’t have any party clothes. I wasn’t expecting this.”

“Pish posh,” once again, Gemma waved my nervousness away like it was only a minor setback, “You can wear something of mine. I’m sure that you can fit into my clothes. You look like the same size.” I nodded unsurely and tucked a strand of my hair behind my eyes, still gnawing on my bottom lip, “Um,” I said, trying not to stutter incoherently, “Um, okay.”

Gemma smiled at me and then grinned deviously, “Now go back to your lover.”

“Gem!” I cried out, annoyed, but I was laughing. She giggled, “See ya tonight!” Shaking my head and rolling my eyes I shuffled back into Harry’s bedroom.

Notes

Mostly a filler chappy! The next one will be more eventful, don't worry!
Anywho, please COMMENT, VOTE, and SUBSCRIBE! Don't be shy!
And I won't bite, you know ;) so don't be afraid to message me!

That awkward moment when you laugh along at a joke that you don't
even understand...