Dreaming Of You // If I'm Still Dreaming

As soon as Pat and I made it to the hotel in Amsterdam the boys jumped over me. I guessed Louis had already brought them up to date. God, he was fast. They wanted to know every detail but I wasn’t really in the mood. I didn’t want to be there in the first place. Niall kept insisting for me to tell him if I asked Jeanne to update ‘Bizarre Love Triangle,’ and was pleased when I told him she had promised to do it that very day.

One by one they left to their rooms until Liam and I stayed alone in the lounge area. He didn’t seem too worried about the Twitter thing and it sort of surprised me. Well, it hadn’t been that bad after all. Neither fans nor media were linking us romantically and the issue was slowly fading away. Paul came a moment to greet me, and congratulated me for keeping my word as a nicely behaved boy. After patting and kissing my cheek he went away, proud of me. I felt quite proud of myself too for the strength of will I showed leaving Paris, but part of me simply couldn’t believe I wasn’t actually with her anymore.

“I’m sorry, Harry. I know it’s quite surreal but I think Louis is right in this,” Liam said in a light tone. Well, that was weird. Louis’ righteousness wasn’t something he was particularly bound to admit.

“Probably,” I muttered, absentmindedly. Her whole reaction to the affair was just strange. I didn’t really even know what was on her mind. I wondered if I had been asking the right questions.

“We’ve been watching her Twitter’s profile though,” he snickered and I glared at him. They were absolutely impossible. “Is this the girl I made you follow about a year and a half ago?”

“She is,” I asserted, bowing my head at him.

“It’s just amazing–––Liam mumbled, shaking his head ‘no.’ And her profile picture is the same than in the site.” I nodded, twisting my mouth, but he was as speaking to himself. “She was right in front of us.” ‘I already noticed that, thank you, Liam,’ I thought. “What were the odds?–––he blurted. She doesn’t give too much information but it would had made the difference.” I already knew that too. “You follow her, for almost any reason…–––he muttered, perplex. I feel as quite a matchmaker…” There was a pride on his voice and he was beaming. I couldn’t help but smile. I knew he had felt sort of excluded from our research due to his reluctance to the ‘French and older’ thesis, and probably he was still feeling guilty about the incident with Louis on their last day in Paris.

“I don’t know what you saw on her but you sort of are…” I said reassuringly, tapping his shoulder. Liam chuckled happily, half-shutting his eyes.

“I remember we saw her follow together and her user name blew my mind, so I made you go to her profile. Do you remember we read her motto?–––Liam tapped my chest anxiously. ’All this and brains too’!–––he exclaimed, amused. I told you she was hot!”

“She is,” I stuttered. And one hell of a self-confident person.

“She hasn’t changed it…–––he shook his head again, as thinking. It’s from a Prince’s song.” Of course. “I like her!” We chuckled. “Oh, little Harry–––he teased me. You are in so much trouble–––he said coming near to hold me with one arm. Falling for a brainiac who’s hot as hell… Because, with all due respect, that’s what she is.” Yes, and she was irremediable as a strong, sweet liquor. “And all those guys writing her sweet nothings…” Fuck, he had noticed them too… He should be thinking I was a hen-pecked. I only hoped the rest of the boys hadn’t noticed it, but it was foolish. I’m sure Louis was the first and set the alarm on the others. “Do you think it would be hard on you to bear? You are a bit possessive…” He warned me cautiously. ‘Of course it would be hard,’ I grunted in my mind. ‘And it would be hard on you too if guys were constantly hitting on your girlfriend,’ but I didn’t told him that.

“I don’t want to think about it,” I mumbled, turning away.

“The boys are desperate to follow her,” he carried on. I rolled my eyes. “You know they have a big crush on her…” I turned around to glare at him. He lifted his hands in a defensive attitude. “Please, don’t be mad. It’s not my fault…”

“You aren’t helping, Liam,” I grumbled, poking his chest.

“But it’s platonic, it’s just platonic–––he claimed, moving his hands in front of him. I promise they haven’t downloaded her photos…”

“I’m murdering those bastards!” I jumped, straightening up to rise on my feet.

“I’m joking, I’m joking–––Liam said grabbing my arm and pulling me down. I have no idea, I swear it!” I glared at him one more time. God, he was being a greater asshole than Louis, and those are big words. “So, are you coming back to Paris after Portugal? I thought you were going to see your mum…”

“Yes,” I said, instinctively letting my head to fall forward. I still had to explain her my sudden change of plans. She knew nothing about Jeanne and wouldn’t be too happy, although we hadn’t big plans as the previous year. “I’m unsure about taking a commercial flight. I don’t want to be spotted again.” I would be pushing luck too far.

“Well, El is joining us in Portugal after her graduation but she and Louis won’t be coming back to England, and as Niall will flight directly to Ireland it would be just Zayn, you and me–––he explained. Maybe we could make a scale in Paris before London. It’s a bit longer for us but at least it’s a private flight…”

“That would be great,” I said tapping his shoulder and standing up. I needed a little rest before the show, as I hadn’t practically slept the night before. The memories of Jeanne were so near I shuddered.

“Harry, you are mad about her, aren’t you?” Liam interrupted my leaving.

“I am,” I stated, turning back to him.

“I’m so glad for you, mate–––he asserted, grinning profusely. It was time already.”

–.–.–

I’m lying in bed but there is absolutely nothing I can do to get the rest my body needs, because I’m literally aching for Jeanne; her warm body near me, being able to breathe her scent, kiss her full lips, just listen to her speaking about strange things. These two weeks are going to be a torment, I can tell. I didn’t want to do this and I’ve been avoiding it for an hour now, but I reach out for my laptop, resting by the end of the bed. I open Firefox and repeat the ritual of these last months. I never thought I would carry on doing this after we met, but here I am. My heart speeds up. I only hope she’s online. Goddamned dejà-vu.

ILoveTommoBear: This is ridiculous. Give me your number.

Please, Jeanne, be online.

DreamingOfYou: What for?

She is. What is she doing? What is she wearing? Is she nude underneath her robe? Because that’s how she was when we came back from the bistro and snogged under the sunlight until I had to leave. Has she showered yet? I don’t want to shower. I smell like her. I know I will have to eventually. Well, for sure after the show.

ILoveTommoBear: For me to talk to you.

DreamingOfYou: You are talking to me…

Oh, that relaxed stubbornness of hers. Could she be more irresistible? She is exasperating and it drives absolutely insane.

ILoveTommoBear: You know what I mean, Jeanne. You are… Just forget it.

DreamingOfYou: How are you?

I miss you, but I know I can’t tell you that because I’m exhausting and I don’t want to stun you.

ILoveTommoBear: I’m heading for the concert in a while. How are you? Do you miss me much? Have you left to Lolo’s already?

I laugh at my cheekiness. I still can’t believe I affected her that much… I wish I was able to see her face right now. I bet she has that grimace on the lips. God, I just want to kiss her.

DreamingOfYou: I’m just having a glass of wine and proofreading. Tell Niall next chapter will be up in half an hour.

How come she’s so relaxed all the time? Like, I’m a mess already, and she’s serenely enjoying a glass of wine sitting on her desk wearing nothing more than a light robe. I’m glad I have ruined sushi for her.

ILoveTommoBear: I believe we’ll read it back from the show.

DreamingOfYou: Have a nice show!

ILoveTommoBear: Just give me your number…

DreamingOfYou: What for?

Argh, she’s infuriating. I miss her so much.

ILoveTommoBear: Forget it, Jeanne. Talk to you later.

–.–.–

We jumped into the van after the concert and I knew everyone was reading the new chapter of ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’ on their devices. They were all laughing to themselves under their breaths as I glared at them from above my MacBook.

“She’s the sister! Jeanne is the sister!” Niall snapped at some point of our ride. I was knackered but his remark made my body tense up.

“How do you know that?” I asked him, annoyed. The rest of the boys were snickering at each other.

“Because she wears no bra…” Niall muttered, glancing around to seek support on them. Louis glanced up.

“How do you know Jeanne wears no bra?” I blurted out, leaning towards him.

“Tommo told me,” Niall grinned, raising his hands, and we both turned towards Louis. I just wanted to murder him. I’d told him that in confidence. He surely could not be trusted on discretion.

“Fuck you, Louis,” I grumbled, pointing at him.

“Don’t blame it on me, mate,” he claimed. Liam and Zayn were clenched over their stomachs. “You are mad because Laila fancies that drummer…”

“Get lost, Tommo. Leave me alone…” I flicked my hand at him, trying to look unworried, but inside I was going under. How could she do that to me? George, truly? She told me once she crushed on him and then wrote a chapter where Laila and him were flirting? I was starting to believe Fan Fiction was all about fantasy.

“Can’t wait for her to update again–––Niall muttered. I’m sure she’ll put the story on hold once Harry return to Paris in two weeks. All because of you…” He tickled my belly.

“Find your own Fan Fiction’s writer and get off my back!” I grunted at him, crossed.

“You are mad because of George and because she secretly fancies me too, as she’s the sister and the sister and I are shagging…” The boys burst into laughs. Yeah, of course. He was thrilled about the whole idea.

“Can someone ask the driver to stop? I want to change vans!” I asked, infuriated with them.

“Come on, Harry. Learn from Jeanne and take things more lightly, bro,” Zayn told me as he composed himself a bit. Were they thinking they just knew her now? Who gave them the right?

–.–.–

As soon as I reach my room I start to type violently on my keyboard. It’s not that late and she’s probably working at her desk. I can’t believe I’ll be sleeping alone tonight.

ILoveTommoBear: What was all that?

DreamingOfYou: Hello, there. Did you have a nice show?

God, she is so proper.

ILoveTommoBear: Don’t change subjects, Jeanne. You know what I’m talking about.

DreamingOfYou: I don’t, I’m a bit sleepy.

And I want to sleep with you, Jeanne. So badly. Why do you do these things to me? I just left Paris and I’m already going insane. And I’m so mad at you for that stupid chapter. But you surely were expecting this because you see me coming all the time.

ILoveTommoBear: George! What was all that about George? Did you just write it?

DreamingOfYou: No, it was already written. I was proofreading earlier, I told you.

ILoveTommoBear: Why didn’t you change it?

DreamingOfYou: Why would I change it?

I stare at the screen, puzzled.

ILoveTommoBear: Just because!

DreamingOfYou: Are you jealous of fictional George?

God, it is as if I were seeing the little grimace on her words. I’m murdering her. With kisses, yeah, and hugs. Why am I rambling?

ILoveTommoBear: No, I’m not jealous! But you once said you had a crush on him.

DreamingOfYou: When I wrote it I wasn’t planning on meeting you.

That doesn’t make me feel any better, Jeanne. Come on, you know me.

ILoveTommoBear: You could have changed it before posting it…

DreamingOfYou: I’m not changing my story to please you.

God, she’s so frustrating sometimes.

ILoveTommoBear: It’s my story too!

She doesn’t answer. I think I’ve taken this too far… I’m such a fool for her. Please, Jeanne, say something.

DreamingOfYou: You are adorable. Do you know that?

God, you make me weak, Jeanne. I just want to beam me up to Paris.

ILoveTommoBear: Yeah, I know. I’m a peach, remember?

I’m a desperate fool.

–.–.–

Notes

DreamingOfYou and ILoveTommoBear are back! And for the next few chapters xD Who was missing them? I adore lovesick Harry!!!

If you thought the boys were too hard on Harry just wait for the next chapters... Absolute madness is in the house. Come on, they're five boys!

Don't forget to read this story: Until Next Time. Liam Payne just deserves it, and @softballchick79 is an amazing writer. Don't miss her.

Thank you, my goddess @Ciao Niccie, amazing @Morgan_Who and lovely @Softball79 on your comments! I'd be lost without you! You are the most amazing readers! Love you all.

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