"I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt you boys cooking." Susan apologises as she looks at me then to Liam, who is now looking at me confused.

"It's fine, uh Liam this is Susan, Stephanie's Mum." I say as I place my knife down and I wash my hands quickly.

"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Liam." Liam smiles as he politely shakes Susan's hand. She smiles and starts to explain how she is pleased to finally meet him.

"Hey, I heard voices." Louis says and he stops as he looks at Susan.

"Susan this is Louis, my other flat mate. Louis, this is Stephanie's mum, Susan." I say and I run a hand through my hair nervously.

"Good to meet you, So where's Stephanie?" Louis asks and I roll my eyes as Susan tries to explain she is at home.

"Shall we go through to the living room?" I ask Susan as I prevent Louis asking her any further questions. Susan looks at me and nods.

"Lou, you're on cooking duty with me." Liam says as we leave. I feel my heart start to race as this is completely out of the blue. I turn the TV off and I sit next to her on the sofa.

"You have a lovely place Harry." She smiles and I thank her. I don't care if she thinks it's great or shit, I just want to know why she is here.

"Susan, has something happened to Steph?" I ask even though I know nothing could have as I was on the phone to her earlier.

"Stephanie won't tell me, but I think she'll was attacked." Susan says and she looks down at her hands in her lap. Attacked? When the hell did this happ- wait a minute.

"Do you mean the scratches on her face? " I ask and she looks up frowning.

"You do know?" She asks shocked and I sigh as I lean forward and I look at her.

"She wasn't exactly attacked, Stephanie got in a fight with Amy at college. They both got suspended." I explain and Susan sighs with relief but then her eyes widen.

"Are you sure? Stephanie never gets into fights, that's not like her at all." She says as she begins to gently shake her head.

"Amy was winding her up and Steph just snapped. She's not a fighter Susan, she's just in a rough place at the moment." I try to help Stephanie but Susan looks disappointed no matter what I say.

"Harry, I'm worried about her. She's not been herself and sometimes I look at her and it's as if she isn't even there." She sighs as she looks at me.

"Does she know you feel this way?" I ask and she smiles sympathetically.

"Steph hardly talks to me when it comes to this sort of stuff. I've spent the afternoon with Jed hoping she had opened up to him, as she was in London at the weekend. But he tells me, your the person who'd know more." She pauses as I look away. "But I thought you two weren't as close as before?" She adds.

"Stephanie turned up here Saturday night." I start as I look up at her. "She was really hit and miss, I first went to see her and she basically told me where to go. Then when she came here, it was different. She was more calm and more the Steph that I knew." I explain and Susan frowns as she takes in my words.

"She'd go mad at me if she knew I was here." Susan sighs and I smile.

"I have to say it's a pleasant surprise." I say and Susan looks at me and smiles. "Steph isn't going down the wrong path, she's just lost her way." I add and Susan nods.

"Thing is Harry she's losing everything. She lost Amy, she lost you, she's suspended from college and if she doesn't sort her act out she could get kicked out. Oh, and Niall in going home in a couple of days for a month or so. That's going to top it all off." Susan heavily sighs and I look at her and raise my eyebrows.

"I forgot Niall will be going home for Christmas." I say and part of me selfishly enjoys hearing that.

"She was getting upset the other night, I heard her on the phone to someone about how she will be on her own again." Susan explains and I bite my lip.

"I don't know what to say Susan, if there was something I could do to help I would." I smile and Susan looks at me with a serious look.

"So how did you know about Steph? Are you still close in contact?" She asks and I shrug unsure what she means by 'close'.

"We weren't really in contact until Saturday. I spoke to her earlier as I saw her Facebook status that she was suspended. That's the only reason I knew." I answer and she looks away.

"It's a shame things didn't work out for you both. But I'm glad she still opens up a bit to you, she is so fond of you. Jed was right to send me here." She smiles and I smile too.

"I'm fond of her too." I say and Susan nods.

"I hope you didn't mind me stopping here Harry. I just wanted to ask if you knew anything before I head home." She looks at me and I have to say, it's been quite nice speaking like this with her.

"Of course not, I'm glad I could help." I smile and she stands up.

"Well I better go, Ryan will start to worry." She smiles and I stand up. "Thank you Harry! Please don't be a stranger and visit us anytime." She says as she hugs me.

"I'll visit soon." I say as I walk her to the door. She quickly pops her head into the kitchen and says goodbye to Louis and Liam. I look at her as she walks back to me.

"I'm meeting your Mum tomorrow for lunch. I'll let her know how wonderful you've been Harry." Susan smiles widely and I thank her. The mention of Mum makes me feel a little weak, I miss her so much.

I wave Susan goodbye and I slowly close the door. Well that was something I really wasn't expecting, Susan May at my door.
I shake my head and I walk into the kitchen to be met by curious eyes.

"All I can say is, if that's her Mum, then I can't wait to meet Stephanie!" Louis grins and I roll my eyes, I'm unable to stop myself from laughing at him.

---

Stephanie's POV

I snuggle into Niall, I just stare at the TV having no idea what's going on. No matter how I try to.ignore this feeling, being this way with Niall just doesn't feel like it should. I don't get butterflies at his touch and I don't feel nervous like I did with Harry. The first time I ever saw Niall I thought he was beautiful, because he is. At first I couldn't believe my luck that he liked me back, I was literally over the moon. But deep down in my heart I know it doesn't feel right. Partly I've been selfish as I've just wanted to be loved and needed. I thought Niall was that person to do that, but he's not. I can't feel about him the way I did about Harry. I really wish I could.

I sigh as I sit up away from Niall and he looks at me a little puzzled. I run a hand through my hair and I can't believe I'm about to say this.

"Can we talk a minute?" I ask and Niall nods and pauses the film.

"You're feeling it too aren't you." Niall asks as he looks away from me. His words surprise me I try to think what to say back."It's not been right since London. I know we weren't anything then, but you've changed because of him."He looks at me and I turn to him.

"I'm sorry Niall. It's sucks so much as I really like you, but I just can't do this. It doesn't feel right." I say and I can feel myself becoming emotional. He nods and runs a hand through his hair.

"Because of Harry? Of course it is. I knew we should have left things in London like I suggested. I was stupid to think you'd want me like you wanted him." Niall snaps frustradedly.

"I really wanted to try, I didn't want to lose you or to screw this up. I really do like you." I close my eyes as I feel his frustration.

"I liked you too. But this can't continue, I'm sorry we couldn't break you through Harry. If you're never going to move on then just be with him!" Niall sighs as he stands up and starts to gather his stuff.

"I thought I was over him! That's the problem, I've messed my head up so much. You don't understand how crazy I am going inside." I feel tears start to prick in my eyes.

"Only you can sort your head out. You're the hottest girl I've been with and this is so hard to know I'm losing you." He looks away and I feel so horrible. "I have to go." He opens the door and leaves. I quickly jump up from the bed and chase him downstairs.

"Niall I'm sorry!" I cry as he opens the front door and steps outside. He turns to look at me and nods.

"So am I." He mumbles loud enough for me to hear and he walks off. I step out into the cold air closing the door behind me and I sit on the door step. I let the tears slowly fall down my cheeks, I can't believe I've thrown it away with Niall, even though I know I've done the right thing.

---

Harry's POV

"This isn't too bad Styles." Liam smirks as he takes another bite of dinner.

"Well you two ended up doing it." I laugh as I take another bite and it does taste good. Louis doesn't say anything as he tucks into his plate. My phone goes off and I dive in my pocket pulling it out. It's from Louise:

Oh, I'm quite sad that you want to stop seeing
each other. I really enjoyed your company.
Sorry you didn't feel the same. X

I suddenly feel like a complete idiot. I sigh and show Liam and Louis ask they ask who it's from. Liam frowns and looks at me with sympathy.

"Maybe texting her wasn't such a good idea" Liam asks and I bite my lip. I read out loud as I text her back:

Please don't feel like that, I did enjoy your company.
Why don't you come over, the guys made cottage pie
if you want some? ;) x

I hope that texts lightens the mood. I should have never done it over text, I should have met her and explained what is going on. I didn't want to hurt her but it turns out my stupid ways have just done exactly that.

"It wasn't such a good idea trying to brush her off, especially in a text. I don't know why I agreed to your uselessly advice." Liam says whilst looking at Louis. I smile at him as Louis simply defends himself.

"It has always worked out fine for me doing it that way." Louis says and I look at him.

"Only because you're not with them long enough to increase feelings." I laugh and Louis shakes his head.

"You should never give someone the cold shoulder, but Harry you're trying to sort things with Steph. Please just tell Louise the truth." Liam pleads and I look at him shocked by his reaction, although I know he's right. I sigh as my phone goes so I look away and read the reply from Louise:

I don't want a sympathy dinner Harry.
I'd rather you just tell me where I stand. X

Her reply is fair enough, I can't exactly argue with that. Except it's not a sympathy dinner, it's more of a sorry I was a dickhead dinner. So that's exactly what I text her back.

"So are you going to tell us why Susan came here?" Louis asks changing the subject and I look up at him. I start to explain what's happened with Stephanie and why Susan had to see me. Louis smirks and shakes his head. "So the family are fond of you, you're so going to get her back." He adds.

"All I can do is hope mate.." I sigh and the conversation falls silent.

Notes

Hello,
Bit of a small chapter as I just managed to squeeze it in, I do hope you like it.
So poor Niall :( it's a good job Steph let him go before they took things any further..
What are your thoughts on this chapter?

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