The Misfits

I woke up with the sun streaming through the open window and the sounds of the street filling my ears. I let out a yawn and stretched my stiff limbs before rolling over to grab my watch. Seven o'clock. I let out a sigh pulled myself out of bed.

It may seem odd for a twenty-three year old to actually enjoy waking up at such an early time, but that was something else I had grown accustomed to since moving here. Rome was truly an unbelievable place.

I stumbled into the kitchen to put on a pot for tea. That was something I had missed. The coffee here was to die for but some days I just needed a nice cup of hot tea. Today was one of those days.

It was June 20th. The one year anniversary of that horrible day. I tired to push away the memories that had come flooding back as I poured my cup of tea.

A year ago today Harry and I had broken up. One whole year.

I let out a huff as I leaned against the balcony door. The hot Italian sun warmed my skin as a gentle breeze blew trough the house. I had moved to Italy last September to continue my art studies. As much as I denied it, I had really taken a liking to painting. I had been invited down to Italy in somewhat of an apprenticeship. It was an easy decision for me, but not for Harry.

"Thalia?" I turned to see my roommate Francesco frowning at me. "What are you doing up?"

"Morning!" I smiled. Lately turning off my feelings had become as easy as flicking a switch.

He grabbed an apple before joining me in the threshold. "When is your friend coming again?"

"Maeve? She'll be here at 2. I have to go pick her up from the airport." The thought of my best friend coming to visit instantly put me in a better mood.

"And we're taking her out tonight right?" Francesco broke into an elated smile. He loved partying. And he loved showing off his home city.

Francesco was a historian. At six foot he towered over me, though he hardly seemed threatening with his impeccable style. He had short jet black Italian hair and a scruffy beard. I had met him on my first night here and moved in with him and his friend Gina a week later.

"Of course we're taking her out!" I laughed. "She's been looking forward to this for a month!"

"Fantacimo!" He cried out in his thick accent. "I have to go before I'm late. I will see you and your friend later. Ciao Bella!"

"Ciao ciao!" I called as he slipped out the door. I had purposefully taken today off so I could get ready for Maeve's visit.

I quickly changed into a dress and sandals before throwing my hair into a bun. July and August were Italy's hottest months. Most locals left the city in the summer to escape the heat and flocks of tourists. Gina and I had escaped every weekend by visiting the beach.

I flew down the three flights of stairs and headed out onto the bustling street. The hustle and bustle of the Rome was similar to that of London's so I hardly noticed the honking cars and reckless driving.

Today was Thursday. And if I hurried I would be able to sketch at the pantheon before it got too crowded. I ran to catch the tram, narrowly made it through the doors and ended up next to a smelly old man. I held my breath for the remainder of the ride. London's tube may be more crowded then the tram but at least people showered. After a ten minute tram ride I jumped out an made my way to the pantheon, dodging tourists as I walked to my favorite spot.

It wasn’t too crowded as I sat down on the steps of the fountain situated in the middle of the Piazza. I held my hand over my eyes as I looked up at the impressive monument. I couldn’t get over the fact that this building had been here for 2,000 years, hiding in the middle of these winding Roman streets. I pulled out my sketchbook as a violinist began playing across the Piazza. I could spend hours here.

"Thalia?"

I looked up from my drawing and froze. This could not be happening. Josh and a few of 1Ds other band mates were standing in front of me.

"Oh shit! It is you!" Josh laughed. "How the fuck have you been?"

“Good.” I gave him a smile, though it had felt like I had just been punched in the gut. How on earth did he find me here? “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing!” He took a seat next to me and looked up at the Pantheon. “We’re on tour. We’ll be here for a few days. How long have you been here?"

"Since last September...so nearly a year now," I smiled. It was still crazy to think that I had been here that long.

"Well shit you're practically a local!" Cried Josh. "Hey do you know where the Trevi Fountain is? We've been looking for ages."

I let out a laugh at his frustration. I looked down at my half finished sketch. I could finish it later and the boys would never find it based on directions. Besides I kinda wanted to know from an insider how Harry was doing.

"I can take you if you like?" I offered. Their faces lit up. I stood and brushed the dirt from my clothes. So where are the others? Did you ditch em?"

"Yeah. They're at the colosseum," Josh answered. I began leading them down one of the side streets, twisting and turning through the maze of buildings.

"The colesseo is pretty cool," I agreed. "So how is everyone? How's it going?"

"They're holding up," Josh answered hesitantly. I paused to shoot him a confused look and he added, "there's been a lot of changes lately. Your dad left. Then Zayn. Louis and El broke up...it's been a lot."

"But everyone's handling it okay right?" I had been following the guys via Internet and news articles. How could I not? Zayn's decision had been international news within seconds. I had spoken to him twice since, but he and Niall were the only ones I had contact with.

"Considering what happened yeah," he shrugged. "But it was definitely a blow...but what are you doing here in Italy? Still studying?"

Dang, they really were keeping this thing under wraps. I put on a smile at his change of subject, "I'm...well I guess you could call it an apprenticeship."

"For drawing?"

"Drawing and painting," I replied. "I actually just had a show about a week ago. I've been invited to paint at one of the villas in Tuscany. I'll be heading out next week."

"That's insane!" He beamed. I began giving them a tour of the city as I lead them through the winding streets of Rome. I had easily adopted the city and now considered it my home away from home.

"Say, what are you doing tonight?" Josh asked after we reached one of the main streets.

"Mae's coming to visit. I should actually head to the airport soon to pick her up."

"Mae! Holy fuck! Well hey if you two want to party tonight we'll be by the Spanish steps. I heard there's a good club there."

"Gilda?" I laughed. "Gilda's sweet but you can only go after 2am otherwise it's just a bunch of old men."

"Yeah I'm not really looking for anyone in that crowd...where are you headed tonight."

"We'll either be in the Trastevere or Testaccio neighborhood," I replied, knowing full well he wouldn't have any idea where those places were.

"Well we should try to meet up! I haven't partied with you in ages!"

"Definitely!" Lie. That was a lie. If he was going out tonight that meant there was a good chance the rest of them were too. I couldn't handle seeing Harry. I know I couldn't.

I bid Josh and the rest of the band goodbye before plugging in my headphones and heading the other direction. I needed to get to the airport to pick up Maeve. And get the terrifying, yet exiting, idea of seeing Harry Styles out of my head.

Notes

Click on this link to find out what has happened and what will happen to Harry and Thalia.
http://www.onedirectionfanfiction.org/Story/76836/Fitting-Together-Again/

And remember...you all asked for it. Don't hate me till you find out the ending ;)