Better for You

Harry and I had fallen asleep after watching clueless, with his arms wrapped tightly around my waist, and my head resting on his bare chest. My eyes began fluttering open, and a smile crept across my face as I looked up at Harry and his sleeping form. He looked so innocent when asleep, like he could never hurt a fly.

Harry’s body shifted and his lips parted as he uttered, “you should take a picture; it would last longer!” Something crossed between a snort and laugh left my lips as I swatted his arm, and laid my head back down on his chest.

“I don’t want to get up.” I murmured as I began tracing the patterns of his tattoos that were scattered across his chest.

“Me neither.” He answered, as his eyes slowly flickered open, and adjusted to the brightness of the room. “Do you have any plans for today?” He asked and I shook my head.

“Nope; I’m free as a bird.” I answered, as Harry chuckled huskily, and I raised my head to look at him with my eye brows raised. He looked so effortlessly perfect, with his matted bed hair and sleepy green eyes, which had flecks of gold in them in this light.

“You’re eyes are so beautiful.” Harry whispered, as he stroked a piece of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear, before he leaned in to give me a quick peck on the cheek.

“Do you have any plans?” I asked and he nodded his head slowly, biting his lip.

“I’m meeting up with Zayn and Lucy.” He answered and I noticeably stiffened, as my face twitched a bit at the mention of their names. “I would invite you with us; but I have a feeling that I know what your answer would be…” Harry trailed off and I nodded, bowing my head, as I went back to tracing patterns on his chest. “You really don’t like them, do you?” Harry asked, with a hint of amusement in his voice.

“I don’t really know Zayn, so I don't really dislike him… But Lucy’s just a giant bitch.” I replied.

“Yeah, Lucy is bitchy to most people.” Harry answered and I nodded my head slowly.

“What’s your deal with her?” I asked, trying to make my voice sound as genuine as I could.

“It’s nothing really. We just hook up every so often.” Harry replied casually and I nodded stiffly at his nonchalant voice. I liked Harry a lot; hell I was falling harder and harder for him every second with or without him.

“Cool.” I answered rigidly, and I could feel Harry’s deep laugh vibrating in his chest. “What?”

“Is someone jealous?” Harry asked and I shook my head rapidly.

“No, no, no; just-no. I just really don’t like Lucy.” I replied and Harry laughed again, mumbling a sarcastic “sure” under his breath.

I stretched my arms as I eventually decided to get dressed. I stared at my wardrobe when the thought came to me of finally going to the gym. I dressed in pink hem cut shorts and a tiger tank-top with some blue nike trainers, then quickly putting my hair up into a messy bun.

“I thought that you weren’t going out today?” Harry asked, getting out of bed himself, and putting his white t-shirt on, then his ridiculously skinny skinny jeans.

“I decided that I should finally go to the gym.” I replied and Harry shook his head, walking over to me
and hugging me from behind, resting his head on my neck.

“You don’t need to go to the gym, your body is perfect the way that it is.” Harry commented, as my heart warmed and my belly did summersaults.

“Well thank you, but I actually really like going to the gym.” I answered, as Harry’s lips ghosted over my neck.

“How? Wouldn’t you rather just stay at home?” Harry asked, and I wriggled out of his grasp, not wanting to get too carried away with Harry at this moment.

“Well, I just do; I can’t explain it.” I replied, pecking Harry’s lips as I went to grab my bag, packing a towel and water bottle in it. Harry and I then left the room, his hand brushing mine every so often as we walked.

“Do you want a lift there?” Harry offered and I nodded my head, as we made our way to Harry’s car.

After a quick car journey, discussing Clueless, with Harry complaining that it was too inevitable and me arguing back that it was simply a classic, we made it to the gym.

“Well, thanks for the lift; I had a lot of fun last night.” I commented, and Harry nodded in agreement. I pecked Harry’s check and flashed him a quick smile before I got out of his car and headed into the gym.

After signing up for the gym’s membership, I made my way towards the treadmill, plugged in my ear phones allowing my playlist of various artists to flow through my ears as I began running.

After 30 minutes of the treadmill, my back was incredibly moist and I was feeling very thirsty as I decided to fill up my water bottle.

I made my way to the corner of the room where the water fountain was, and held down the button as I filled up my bottle. After I removed my bottle I felt a tap on my shoulder, making me jump as I turned around to come face to face with Louis.

“Jeez Louis, you made jump!” I exclaimed, placing my right hand over my racing heart.

“Sorry.” He apologized. “I didn’t know that you came here?”

“Yeah, it’s my first time coming here; I’ve been meaning to come for quite a while now.” I answered and Louis nodded, as I moved out of the way to allow Louis to fill up his bottle.

“So what machine are you gonna use?” Louis asked as he removed his water bottle from the fountain.

“Ur, that one over there.” I said, pointing towards the rowing machine; well, that’s what I’ve always called it.

“Ok, I’ll join you.” Louis replied, following me over to the rowing machine.

After a long work-out session with Louis, I was completely fatigued. “I – think – I’m done.” I said, in between huffs, as I took a swig from my bottle.

“Yeah, I’m surprised - that you - lasted that long.” Louis replied, as we got up from the cycling machine and I wiped my forehead and back with the towel. We then stretched our muscles, and then walked out of the gym.

“Are you going to the party tonight?” Louis asked as we walked outside into the warm humid air.

“I might do.”

“Ok, well if you do then I’ll see you then.” Louis replied, and we exchanged an awkward hug, not wanting to get too close as we were both pretty sweaty, and then walked in our different directions.

I plugged in my ear phones, listening to my playlist of Beyoncé songs, as Pretty Hurts came up and I grinned, having to hold back mouthing the words as I made my way back to the dorm. I looked at my watch on my wrist and huffed, feeling really hungry when I realized that it was around lunch time.

I walked into my dorm, unplugging my earphones as I spotted Abby, Andy and Niall all hanging out in our dorm. “Hey Izzy, we’re gonna go out for lunch in a bit, do you wanna come with?” Abby asked and I nodded my head as I dumped my bag on the floor.

“Yes, I’m starving; but first I need to hit the showers; I’m a sweaty mess right now!” I informed them and Abby grimaced playfully and I smiled at them playfully as I grabbed my toiletries and a new outfit
as I made my way to the showers.

After a quick shower I dressed into black high wasted shorts and a floral half top. I padded back to the dorm bare-footed as I forgot to bring a new pair of shoes, and my towel wrapped around my hair. When I got inside my dorm I quickly put on some socks and some shoes. I quickly towel dried my hair and then put my hair back up into a messy bun, before deciding that I looked decent enough to go out.

“You ready to go now? I’m starving!” Niall whined and I laughed, nodding my head as I grabbed my bag.

“Yep, let’s go.” I replied and Niall’s face lit up as we left the room and made our way down the stairs.

“So where are we going?” I asked as I felt my phone vibrate in my bag. I dug around in my bad, finding it at the bottom as I took it out.

“The small café that I took you to a while ago.” Abby answered and I nodded my head, vaguely recalling the cute, small café that Abby had introduced me to.

“Cool.” I answered as I unlocked my phone, and opened my new text message.

From: Harry (14:26)
Wuu2?

From: Izzy (14:27)
Going to lunch with Abby, Andy and Niall, u?

From: Harry (14:27)
At Lucy’s with her and Zayn; I’m boreed.

From: Izzy (14:29)
Okay, well what do you want me to do about that?

From: Harry (14:30)
Idk, wanna rescue me?

From: Izzy (14:30)
Sorry, I’m busy :(

From: Harry (14:31)
Fineee then, have you done the hw for tomoz?

From: Izzy (14:31)
Yup.

From: Harry (14:32)
Course you have. I’ll use that as an excuse to leave.

From: Izzy (14:32)
Okay, good luck with that then.

From: Harry (14:32)
I’ll let you know when I’m out.

I grinned foolishly as I slipped my phone back into my bag, biting my lip. I looked up to find Andy looking at me with raised eyebrows and I suspicious look on her face. “What?” I asked, and Andy shook her head playfully.

“Nothing.” Andy answered with a menacing look on her face, which I chose to ignore.

After a very nice lunch, we all went back to Andy’s place and hung out for a while, just talking. “So Izzy, are you seeing anyone?” The inevitable question came from Niall’s lips. I looked down and blushed as Abby chuckled.

“I'm pretty sure that Izzy and Harry have something going on right now.” Abby said, and I nodded my head. Abby must catch on pretty fast, as I hadn’t told a soul about my feelings towards Harry.

“Harry?” Niall checked, and I nodded. Niall shot Andy a wary look, while Andy just kept her eyes glued to the floor. “Do um; do you know about Harry and Zayn’s reputation?” Niall asked, and Andy noticeably stiffened at the mention of Zayn’s name.

“Yeah, but Harry’s different. I feel like his player façade is just an act.” I told them and Niall watched me cautiously, and nodded his head slowly.

“Anyway, are you guys going to come to the party tonight?” Abby asked, changing the subject to a much lighter one.

“Yeah, I was actually planning on coming to this one.” I told her, and Abby’s lips grinned as she clapped her hands excitedly.

“Yey! You haven’t come in ages! It’s going to be so much fun!” Abby then shot up from her spot. “I need to change! Niall can you come with?” Abby asked, pouting at Niall. Niall looked conflicted, but eventually nodded, and followed Abby out of the room.

“So are you going to get changed?” I asked Andy, feeling the room become quite tense now that it was just the two of us.

“Nah, I can’t really be bothered!” Andy replied, grinning. Her face then straightened to a more serious one as she got up from her spot on the floor and sat next to me on her bed. “Izzy, I feel like I need to tell you something.” Andy said slowly and seriously.

“Um, ok. What do you need to tell me then?” I asked, wondering what she needed to tell me that was so important. Knowing how the last conversation had gone with Niall, Abby and Andy, my senses told me that it would probably be about Harry, and it probably wouldn’t be good.

“It’s not about Harry.” She began and I felt relief flood me. “It’s about Zayn.” She said and I nodded stiffly, as I ran my hands up and down my thighs nervously. From what I've heard Zayn and Harry are very alike, so this must be some kind of warning for Harry.

“What about Zayn?” I pushed and Andy inhaled a deep breath, preparing herself for whatever it was that she needed to say.

“Abby told you about how Zayn dumped that girl for not sleeping with him, right?” Andy asked and I just nodded. “Well, that girl was me.” Andy replied and my eyes widened in realization.

“We’d been going out for like a month and Zayn kept on pushing me to ‘give it up’. But what I hadn’t told him was that I was still a virgin… I wanted to wait till I was sure that I wanted to lose it to him before we went that far… Then one time we were making-out and Zayn wanted to take it further and, you know; but I pushed him off of me. He then got really, really mad and started shouting at me, saying that I was ‘too frigid’ for him to deal with and broke up with me.” Andy confessed and my heart sunk in my chest from the pain that carried in her voice. I put my hand over hers sympathetically and she gave me a sad smile.

“I really liked him, and then we were just over. I was so hurt; I missed him after one day without him, so I stupidly went to the Frat house just to see him. Hell, I was willing to have sex with him if it meant that he would take me back.” Andy paused as a tear rolled down her face, and she brushed it away with her finger tip. “But when I got there he was nowhere to be seen, so I went upstairs, trying to find him. I went into his room, thinking that he’d be there. And he was. He was lying on the bed with Lucy straddling his waist and sucking his face off. I was so-so hurt. He’d already moved on and I hadn’t even begun.” Andy finished, as more tears streamed down her face. Seeing her like this, she looked so vulnerable that it hurt to look at her.

“Does he know that you saw him with Lucy?” I asked her as I hugged her tightly and she shook her head against my neck. I rubbed her back as she sobbed, until her tears ran dry and her voice no longer shook.

“So um, you really like Harry huh?” Andy asked as she pulled away and got up to tidy up her make-up, and a stupid grin came over my face at the mention of Harry’s name.

“Yeah, he’s really, really nice.” I replied, and Andy looked at me through the mirror.

“You love him don’t you!” Andy accused, and I blushed furiously, causing Andy to grin. “Oh my gosh! You are head over heels for that boy aren’t you?” She laughed.

“He’s just, he’s different to what everyone thinks. He’s funny, and smart; and surprisingly caring!” I replied and Andy nodded.

“He sounds perfect.”

“Well in his own imperfect way he kinda is.”

“You guys ready to party?” Abby asked as she rushed burst through the door. Andy and I nodded our heads; I ran my hand through my hair to give it a little more volume then followed them out. Andy had put on concealer under her eyes and eyeliner, which hid any signs that she’d been crying.

“I really need to get a job.” I blurted while we walked towards the frat house. “And a car. I need to get a job and a car.”

“Ok, well we can go to town on Saturday?” Andy suggested and I nodded in agreement. “Cool.”

When we got to the party, we immediately went to where Louis and Liam were sitting. “Hey.” We greeted and they both smiled at us and beckoned us over.

“Hey, where have you guys been?” Louis asked as we all sat down.

“Nowhere really.” Niall answered, while my eyes flickered around the room to find Harry. When they did, they noticeably sunk. There he was, sitting in a circle with Zayn to his right and Lucy sitting on his lap. Someone said something, causing Harry to look over to Lucy laughing, as they leaned in, towards each other.

I was imagining this. I had to be imagining this. Harry wouldn’t kiss Lucy? No? No. No. This was all some weird hallucination, I would blink and he’d be glaring at her. But, despite how many times I blinked, it didn’t stop Harry from smashing his lips onto Lucy’s. Their lips moved in sync with each other, and I felt betrayal burning in the depths of my stomach.

“I’m sorry.” I heard Andy whisper, I looked over to her and she was staring ahead at Lucy and Harry. I nodded slowly, turning back to face them just as they pulled apart and Harry grinned at Zayn, fist bumping him. Harry’s eyes then flickered over to me absentmindedly, and they widened a little. He quickly got to his feet and made his way over to us.

My feet seemed to be stuck on the ground, I was literally paralysed with shock. As he came closer my mind suddenly unfroze as I shot up and ran out of the house, and back to the familiar tree that I went to the last time that a guy I liked kissed Lucy.

It seemed that Lucy was always there to steal the guy I liked. My legs were so tired from running as I reached the tree, especially after my work-out this morning. Just as I was about to let my guard down, and let the tears escape I heard someone panting.

My head shot up and sure enough a very out of breath Harry appeared. “Izzy.” He breathed, walking over to me.

“Fuck off.” I spat getting up and distancing myself from him.

“But, I don’t get-“ Harry began, but I quickly interrupted him.

“You don’t get why I’m mad? I’m mad because you just kissed Lucy. You went and kissed the girl you know that I hate! Why? Why would you do that? You know what happened with Mike and her so why the hell would you then repeat that?” I shouted; I was angry. I was livid, bubbling over with anger.

“Why are you so pissed off Izzy? It’s not like you’re my girlfriend or anything!” Harry shouted back, venom on his words that stung my fresh wounds. It’s not that I had assumed that I was his girlfriend or anything; but I thought that we had something.

“My god! You really are something aren’t you? I thought that you were a player, but you are so much worse. You’re a player, and a dick and just an ass.” I shouted.

“Oh my fuck, you actually did think that you were my girlfriend didn’t you?” Harry asked, with amusement and shock in his voice.

“I thought we had something; I just didn’t realize that you kissed everyone within a 10 mile radius.” I snapped and Harry laughed. With everything that was going on, he actually found amusement in this?

“I thought that you already knew; I DON’T DATE!” Harry shouted back, making an emphasis on his last 3 words.

“No you don’t. You just screw with minds by leading girls on and then fucking them over.” I hissed.

“Well not all of them took the bait as easily as you.” Harry quipped, having the nerve to put cross his hands over his chest. Who does he think he is? Oh yeah, he thinks that he’s some bloody God.

“Well you know what? Why don’t you just go back to the party and go back to kissing Lucy, because that’s where you belong; with the slutty shallow people. I was right. I don’t belong in your world. I never did.” I replied, hurt clear in every word. I wanted to cling onto the anger with everything that I had, but it was slipping through my grasp quickly; and the soul crushing hurt was replacing it.

Harry didn’t say anything, as he turned around and walked away; back into the direction of the party. As soon as Harry’s silhouette was no longer visible tears leaked down my face. I covered my face with my hands and allowed them to fall, hoping that they’d take my stupid feelings for Harry with
them.

Because falling for Harry was a risky game, which Harry would always win. Every time. Walking away with my heart crushed under his dirty boots.