Journals

Harry’s POV

I pace around the room trying to come up with a plan. Louis’s sleeping on the couch, while Liam and Niall watch me. Zayn’s out watching some movie so I have to get advice from these two. Well, better than nothing. We had to put Louis down so he didn’t give any odd ideas like kidnapping her.

“Harry, sit down,” Liam sighs. “You’re gonna wear down the carpet and make a hole.” I inhale deeply and sit down in a nearby seat.

“What am I going to do, Liam?” I sigh. Dakota needs someone. I want to be that someone. “I really want to help her, but she doesn’t even like me! What should I do?”

“How about not making her remember her freaking past?” Niall suggests. I look up to him as he leans back in the couch. “Think about it. How would you feel if someone threw everything bad from your past at your face?”

He has a point. "What should I do then?" I ask.

"Take it slow," Liam says. "She wants a friend. Not a stalker."

"What stalker?" Zayn walks in closing the door behind him. Sits down with Niall and nods to Liam. "Is someone in the trashcan again? Because I don't want to put anything on them."

I laugh. I remember that. We didn't even meet the girls and they were sitting in rubbish. I feel kind of sorry for them, but I gotta say, it was a little clever. "No. No one is in the rubbish. We're just talking about Dakota."

He shrugs, "What about her?"

"Liam and Niall suggest I become her friend before I try to go any further," I say. "What do you think?"

He smiles, "Finally something smart." I glare at him and he raising his hands in defense. "Can I ask you something, Harry?" I nod. "Why do you care so much. Most of the time, you give up after the first attempt. If they say no, you don't work for it."

I shrug, "There's something different about Dakota. She's pretty, smart, and stubborn. I just like her. There's no other way to explain it."

He smiles, "Glad to know Haz. Now, I am going to take a shower and get the popcorn smell off me." He sets down his phone and kicks off his shoes before walking to the bathroom.

So I guess I'm going back to the cafe tomorrow. Maybe she won't be as mad or more willing. A guy could wish. Why are women so confusing? One moment, they're kind and hugging you then they're mad and yelling. Women. Can't live with them, can't live without them. I wish things weren't so confusing about Dakota.

Zayn's phone vibrates and I grab it looking at the alert. A new text. From Dakota?! What the hell?! When did this happen?! I look at the text angrily and read:

Dakota: So the mall on 4th or Elm?

Zayn scheduled a date with Dakota?! I don't know if he noticed this, but I kind of wanted her first. The least he could've done is told us. Or maybe he didn't want to. Maybe he wanted her for himself... Dammit, what's wrong with me? I'm getting paranoid for a girl. Girls fall at my feet. Not the other way around. If Zayn wants to play this game, fine.

Just know this Zayn, I don't play for fun. I play to win.

I answer her text saying the one Elm seeing I have no idea where 4th is. I lock his phone again and leave for my room. Let's see what I'm gonna wear. Gotta dress to impress for Dakota. If I want her to like me, I have to look nice.

*~*~*~*

Being the creeper I need to be, I watch as Zayn gets in a taxi from the window. Yes, it's creepy and stalker-ish, but don't judge me! Dakota is mine! Okay, now I took this to a whole new creepy stalker level. Jeez, all I want to do to help the girl. Nothing more.

I grab my phone and head out the door. It would've weird if Zayn and I came at the same time so I figured, I'd go a little after him. He won't see me, but I'll see him. Like I said, I play to win. I hail a taxi and tell him where to go. I'm soon at the mall following Zayn trying to hide.

Dakota's POV

"Hey Zayn," I smile when I see my first and only friend walk up to me.

"Hi Dakota," He smiles and brings me into a hug. "Where to first?"

"Um, wanna go to American Eagle?" I ask. I don’t usually bring people with me to the mall. I typically walk in a store and out. There was never a reason to stick around. No one wanted me around so why should I bother them?

"Sure," He smiles and wraps an arm around me. "Let's go."

We walk into the store and the first thing I hear is squeals. All I can do is watch as the girls run to him and my confidence fall. I hate girls. I know it’s weird since I am a girl, but most of them are so cruel. Guys take physical pain while girls use an arsenal of words to tear you down. That hurts more than anything. Girls make themselves feel better by making one another worse. Most importantly, they know nothing about each other, but insult them like they know everything about you.

On instinct, I run away from them. Right out of the store and into a nearby Jack Wills. Anything is better than being around girls. I hide in the girl’s section while Zayn doesn’t see me gone. I’d rather be stuck with Harry than those girls.

“Dakota?”

Speak of the devil. I look up and find Mr.Green-Eyes-and-Dimples smiling down at me. I roll my eyes and stand up from the ground so I'm level with him. Or, somewhat level. He's got five inches on me so yeah. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugs, "This is last day here before we head back to London for a month break." Great... I'm still going to be seeing him and I don't need a couple hour drive. Wow. More overbearing people around. My life is awesome. "Look, Dakota, we got off on the wrong foot. How about we just start over?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Start over? Like you never read my diary and will leave my past be?" He nods. "Deal. Now, would you like to join Zayn and I? I kind of panicked and ran. I believe he's in American Eagle."

He smiles kindly, "Let's go."

Notes