Stephanie's POV

"Are you ready?" Niall asks as I sit on the bed staring at my phone. Harry text me last night asking to see me before I leave, but I can't face him. It's best to leave quietly and promptly. I look to Niall and nod as I lock my phone and put it in my coat pocket.

It's just Niall, Lucy and I going home today. Chloe wants to stay a couple more days with Zayn as they've hit it off well, even though I tried to warn her that she doesn't even know him. But she's reluctant to listen, and when Chloe knows best, then you're better off to stay quiet.

"It was good seeing you Sis." Jed says as he hugs me protectively. I'm not very good at saying goodbyes, I hate leaving people and often feel as if I'll never see them again. But that's just me being emotionally attached and as I've learnt, London brings my emotions out in the strangest ways.

We say goodbye and I whisper to Chloe that she has to stay in contact during her duration here in London. I know I'm going to be worried, but not as much as Niall as she's his cousin. The only way we can rest our minds is knowing Chloe is a clever girl and she's usually good at making judgement of people.

We make our way to the train station in a taxi. I'm officially fed up with using taxis and I look forward not having to rely on them for a while. Everyone seems to be suffering from last night, we're all quiet which is very rare. Niall sits in the front looking out the window and I wonder if he's thinking about our conversation. I hope he doesn't change his mind. I turn to Lucy and she's too looking out the window. She doesn't seem herself but I don't think she'll appreciate me asking her what's wrong in a taxi. I'll wait untill we are on the train.
I turn away and look out of my window, a small smile creeps up on my lips as the taxi driver must be thinking we're such a happy bunch.

---

Harry's POV

Stephanie hadn't text back. I don't know whether to just go over there as I want to see her before she leaves. I have so many questions in my head and I know she needs space, but I can't wait. She will have all the space she needs in Manchester. I just want her to understand how I'm feeling.

I really want to see her and just try to get into that head of hers. There must have been feelings for me on her behalf as she wouldn't have turned up here otherwise. I can't just sit here debating with myself, action speaks louder than words in many ways. I have nothing to lose I guess.

"Harry, I'm cooking a Sunday roast, come help!" Louis calls and I quickly put my shoes on. I don't bother with a coat and I quickly head to the door. "Harry?" I hear Louis question as I open the door and I quickly walk out.

I'm not really sure what to say to Stephanie if Niall's there. It's not going to be easy expressing how I feel. This isn't fair on him either so maybe I'll be forcefull and tell her she has to make her mind up. But what if she chooses Niall? I guess I wouldn't blame her due to my mistakes, but how can I possibly be ok with her being with someone else. It makes my blood boil just the thought of it.

The drive here seems as if it's only seconds away. I'm going to get a ticket at this rate. I slam my door shut a little too forcefully and I quickly run to press the buzzer. Jed's voice answers and I frantically tell him it's me.

"Harry? Wait there." He says and it goes quiet. I step back as I see him walking towards the door. He opens it and I quickly ask for Stephanie. "You've missed her.."

"What?" I ask in defeat as I knew I shouldn't have took so long to decide coming here. She didn't even want to say goodbye.

"Yeah sorry man, she left about twenty minutes ago." Jed says and I run a hand through my hair. I get a horrible feeling she left quietly to avoid me, she's obviously made her mind up. I look to Jed and nod.

"Okay.." I sigh and I thank him as I start to walk away.

"Harry.." Jed calls and I turn around. He walks towards me and puts his hands in his pockets. "She's still the girl you loved. I know she went to you last night, I know my sister better than she gives me credit for." He adds and I sigh.

"It's not how you think.." I start and he nods.

"She's all over the place. Seeing her with Niall was slightly odd. He's a great guy, but she's not the same as she was with you. She doesn't sparkle like she did when you were together. She doesn't know what she wants Harry and no matter how much she tries to convince everyone she is over you, I see straight through it." Jed explains and I lean back on my car. I wasn't expecting this from Jed.

"So why did she ignore me about saying goodbye? She's chose him and that's what I have to accept." I mumble and Jed frowns curiously.

"Did you ask her to choose?" He asks and I stand up straight and shake my head.

"No, but I made it obvious she had to decide what and who she wants." I answer and Jed nods and sighs heavily.

"Stephanie is most likely trying to do the right thing, rather than doing what she wants. Let her realise you're still there without pressing on her too much. Drop little reminders to her that you are and can be in her life." Jed suggests and I'm taken by surprise.

"That's not fair on Niall." I say shaking my head.

"None of this is fair on Niall. He's caught up in the middle of this mess that's Stephanie is creating. Play it well and let her decide." Jed says and he turns away. "See you soon." He says as he opens the door and glances at me. I nod at him and unlock my car with his words floating around in my head.

It's not easy as Jed makes out, what if Stephanie really doesn't want anything to do with me. Maybe she's ready to completely move on. Fuck sake, this is so frustrating. I don't want to give up on her. I also don't want to be the one to destroy Niall's happiness. I guess the only thing I can do is what Jed suggested, play it cool and remind her I'm here.

---

Stephanie's POV

"Do you think that Zayn guy is good for Chloe?" Lucy asks and I look at Niall who starts to answer her.

"We've only just met him, I don't have a clue. But we have to let her take the risk." Niall says and I nod in agreement. I look back out the train window as it starts to pull away. Being in London was short and sweet, well not so much on the sweet side, probably more sour if anything. I had a clear head before I came here, now I don't know what's right and what's wrong at the moment.

My phone goes and Lucy continues to question Niall about his cousin. I open the text and I feel anxiety kick in as it's from Harry. I turn my phone on a slight angle as I try to discreetly turn the screen away from Niall's view.I read it quickly:

Sorry I couldn't say goodbye,
but I gathered your ignorance was a hint.
You've made your mind up, so if anything, I'd like to be friends.
We have too much history to just let everything go.
Harry x

His words make my anxiety ten times worse. Harry and I as friends? Can that seriously work? I wish he was right, but I've not made my mind up, my mind is all over the place. I glance to Niall who is laughing about something with Lucy. He's such a sweet guy and I'm flattered he likes me. I look back to the text and I type:

I guess we can try and be friends.
I don't like goodbyes,I've heard them too many times.
Steph x

I don't know why I wrote my name at the end. But that's not the highlight of the text, I've got to work out how I'm supposed to be friends with Harry.

"Everything okay?" Lucy asks and I look up at her. Niall looks at me too questioning look. I put my phone down and smile.

"Yes, everything's fine." I say and Niall looks away to Lucy. I look back out the window when they start to talk about the bar Lucy rented out. My phone goes again and I do the same as last time, quickly I read:

Okay friend, we no longer shall say goodbye.
We'll say, see you soon ;) x

I don't reply as I know I need to pay attention to Niall and Lucy, I can't help thinking I'm doing something wrong by texting Harry. I'll have to get Niall alone to explain as I can't keep this from him.

My ears suddenly perk up as Niall is telling Lucy when he's going back home. I had no idea it was his last week in Manchester.

"When do you come back?" I ask worried as I don't want him to leave. He looks at me and sighs,

"Won't be until after Christmas." Niall answers and my eyes widen. Christmas? I repeat to myself that's a month away. He smiles sympathetically at my reaction. "I have to go home sometimes Steph, but I'll be here for New year as my family are coming to Chloe's." He adds and I slowly shake my head, I haven't even thought about Niall having to go back home.

"I don't want you to leave." I mumble and Niall puts his arm around me comfortingly. Lucy smiles as she watches him pull me closer to him. Why does it feel everything I touch just slips away from my fingers.

Notes

Sorry this Chapter is short, I've had a little time to write due to a family emergency.
But, I do hope you liked it.
How do you think Stephanie will cope when Niall goes back home?
and will this 'friendship' work between Harry and Steph?

let me know what you think,

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