Stephanie's POV

I send the last text to Chloe and throw my phone heavily on to my bed. She told me Niall has informed her about everything, I thought she may have got a bit funny with me for 'messing' her cousin around. Niall must have softened it up as Chloe was really good by asking if I am okay. I'm thankful he's not told her now frustrating I have been, or that I've been in contact with Harry. I know she wouldn't care about Harry and I talking if I am single, but I guess if I was seeing someone who is so close to her heart, it's going to affect her.

I do miss Niall already, he was a good friend of mine. I sort of regret taking things further than friends as it automatically makes everything change. I also feel similar to Harry, although my feelings for him are completely different to Niall; I wish we never jumped into things so quickly.

Harry and I could have been good friends, we probably would have become best friends. But then would he have opened up to me like he did as a friend? He's changed so much it's like looking at a completely different guy. I don't understand how he expects me to be fine with idea of being friends with him after everything that has happened. My thoughts are suddenly intruded by a knock on the door.

"Come in" I say as I sit down on my bed. I watch my door slowly open. I gasp as I see those familiar grown out curls and my heart starts to race. I quickly jump up, his green eyes locking on to mine. "Harry.."

"Hi Steph. Your Dad let me in." Harry says coolly as he closes the door.

"What are you doing here?" I ask in shock as I study his beautiful face. He smiles and I feel my heart melting, how is he able to do this to me? Stop it Steph!

"I've come home for the weekend. You said we needed to talk, so here I am." He says as he walks over to my bed and sits down. "Let's talk."

"Well I don't know where to start.." I answer nervously as I sit next to him.

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Harry's POV

I watch her closely as she looks away and pulls her thinking face. I can't help but smile at her, she knows what I mean but she's avoiding bringing us up into a conversation. So I inhale deeply as I begin to ask her about something I really don't like discussing,

"How are things going with you and Niall?" I ask and she looks at me a little puzzled, she sighs as she looks away from me.

"There is no 'Me and Niall', we decided it wasn't going anywhere." She answers whilst staring at the floor. I feel my heart start to skip happily as those words ring beautifully to my ears. She looks up and raises her eyebrows as I must have made it over obvious to how happy I am to hear that. I do like Niall, he's a good guy, but I'm glad he's no longer seeing Stephanie.

"Why the smug look?" Steph asks and I look to her and frown.

"I don't have a smug look. I'm sorry you two didn't work out." I say and she shakes her head looking away from me.

"Yeah well, it's made me realise I need to be alone and sort my head out for good." She says as she avoids looking back up at me. My heart no longer skips happily, I can feel it sinking lower down towards my stomach.

"So you want to stay single then?" I ask in disappointment. She looks up at me and nods.

"Harry, I've screwed everything up. I need to stay boy free. I need to sort out college, I need to take work more seriously. I can't be involved with anyone at this point. Losing Niall the way I did has made me realise I've been selfish and now it's time to sort myself out." She folds her arms across her chest and I let out a sigh as I run a hand through my hair.

"So what about us?" I ask as I look down at my hands in my lap.

"I love you Harry, but I can't be with you." She says and I look at her. "Trust me I want too, but for now I need to be on my own." She says and I shake my head.

"I love you too and I want to be with you as well. So why fight how we feel?" I ask and she coughs to clear her throat.

"Because I'll only screw us up as well. I'm not mentally strong enough to be with you, I need to work on myself before I can be with you Harry." Her eyes start to water and I look away as I feel so shit right now.

"So I'm supposed to spend Christmas with you, as friends?" I ask as that's one thing I want to change.

"We can take everyday as it comes, once I've sorted my head out I know I want to try again with you." She says as she reaches over and takes my hand. I pull away from her and stand up, she looks at me with sad in her eyes.

"I'm not just going to wait around forever Steph. I've waited months to have this chat with you, I had to put up with you being with Niall! Now you're single you're still brushing me off. I don't get it, if you feel the same about me then why fight against it?" I ask as I look down at her.

"Harry I'm not fighting against it, don't you see how bad it could go if I'm with you when I'm a mess?" She asks and I feel myself starting to lose patience.

"Fine. I'm not going to beg, you clearly need to be alone. So you win.." I snap as I walk to her door.

"Harry! How can you say that! I don't win, I'm the one losing everything! Just try and see it from my point of view!" She snaps as she stands up.

"How about you try and see it from mine?" I snap back and open the door, closing it behind me I quickly head downstairs and walk out to my car. That didn't go exactly as I hoped.

How can she do this to me? She knows I want her so bad yet she's making me wait, it's not fair. I roughly shut the car door and start the engine. I'm so annoyed I just want to get home, why did it ever become this complicated?
Every time I get that little bit closer to her, she either knocks me back or something is in the way. I thought love was strong enough to fight for but clearly it isn't. Maybe I am just stupid and naive to think things can go back to how they used to be.

Fuck sake Harry.

I try to stop thinking about her but my head is just spinning her name round and round in my mind that I actually feel slightly dizzy. I accepted the fact I couldn't have her when she was seeing Niall, but to be rejected when she's single is something I really can't describe. This is probably the worst feeling I've felt in a long time.

Notes

I think Stephanie has done the right thing, this time around.
She's taking her responsibilities first, sorting out everything that she's messing up and trying to once and for all, sort that head out.
But poor Harry just can't see why he still can't be with her...
What do you think of this chapter? What are your thoughts?

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