Chapter 31

ROSALIE'S P.O.V:
5 Days Later.

"Rose. Wake up," nudged Jeremy as I shot up abruptly in class.

I've been having several late nights recently due to the fact that I've been working so hard on these past assessments. Plus, the internship which kind of tires me out completely. I rubbed my eyes and yawned as I took a gulp of water. Jeremy looked at me and did a soft half smile and continued on with his work. To be honest, I was feeling a bit stressful. I guess I am not good under pressure and I've been very distant in my social life recently. The only person that I talk to besides Jeremy and Amy would be Eleanor and Zayn. I'd constantly talk to Eleanor on the phone every few days just to catch up and we'd always rant to each other. She kept asking me about Harry and even nearly told Lou and Harry because she was impatiently waiting for us to get together. But I insisted that she tell no-one not even Harry because I want to be the one who tells him. It's the right thing to do.
I'd text Zayn and get the update and we just morally support each other. Oh and Harry. Trying to get over him, mission failed. As soon as I was going to forget about him, he texted me and told me congratulations with the internship. I didn't know how he knew but it made me fall for him all over again. I hate it. I hate that he has some kind of control over me and I just don't want to fall hopelessly, not too hard.

"Ok class. You can be dismissed early today, remember its due in a week. No excuses and Rose did you bring the letter application?" Miss Speake said.
"Oh yes Miss, here it is." I said as I handed her the letter form of the internship.
"Thanks Rose, you looking a bit tired lately. You ok?"
"Yeah, just a lot to do, little time. I'm fine though" I smiled, she nodded as I was dismissed.

Most days after class me and Jer would go out shopping, or eating or just getting a drink. We've been exceptionally close lately and I'm proud to say he is one of the closest relationships I formed in the college. He is my shoulder to cry on, he can listen to me rant and complain and I ask myself how he puts up with me. We walked down the road and decided to do some retail therapy to clear our minds. As I went to grab my phone, I noticed that Harry's birthday was in about 5 days. Ele told me he was going to go back home at Holmes Cheshire to celebrate it then make a small party at his but I didn't hear a thing about it.

"What you gonna get?" Jeremy asked as he rummaged through several clothing racks.
"I need to get Harry a present, I just don't know what though.." I mumbled.
"Do you know what he likes? Any specific clothing he always wears?"
"He always wears blazers..."
"Get him that."
"Mmmm... well there's one that he told me he liked when we went window shopping a while ago.."
"And you still remember that? Cute." Jeremy chuckled; I punched him lightly on the arm and pouted. "Joking joking, I take it back."
"Good boy."
"You're such a bully..." Jeremy sighed.
"You love me." I purred.
"True" he smiled.

We both chuckled as we walked around the stores; we managed to share one umbrella as it suddenly started pouring with rain. I clutched onto his arm as we walked down the street, entering countless stores and scanning through countless racks. Jeremy ended up picking up a new coat and me? Nothing. I've been trying to find a nice gift and as I went into the store that me and Harry were window shopping a while back. It was a nice sleek boutique that had items that weren't too expensive, but it was still over the average price. Luckily, it still stocked in the slim navy blue blazer that had white edges around the front and pocket. It looked really posh but could pull off any casual outfit and I made Jeremy try it on.

"Is he even my size?!" Jeremy asked as he looked at the blazer.
"Roughly, I don't know. Should be either a size small definitely..." I whispered.
"Alright, ok let's put this baby on." Jeremy chuckled, he wrapped it carefully on his arms and straightened himself. He fixed his pants and his button up and looked at me. It looked perfect. It suited Jeremy really well too, and it would seriously just melt your heart when you look at it. I smiled and I knew Harry would look absolutely handsome in it and I had to get it.

"You look really good" I complimented.
"Thanks, sure he'd look 10 times better so get it." Jeremy said. He took it off as I brought it to the cash register. The lovely, pretty woman looked around 19-20, served me as she beamed a smile.

"Lovely blazer, I'm presuming it's not for you since it's for a guy. A boyfriend perhaps?" she said as she winked at me and looked at Jeremy.
"It's a birthday present for a friend, and him..." I said, looking at Jeremy as he was analysing a jacket. "He's a friend too.."
"You have a very nice looking friend..." she chuckled.
"Unfortunately, he looks at guys the way we do.. if you get what I mean." She looked at me with her eyebrows arched and chuckled.
"Damn.. always the good looking ones right?" she muttered.
"Exactly.." I sighed. As she scanned the item I opened my wallet as my i.d fell out. I picked it up from the table and grabbed my money. She looked at me, slightly confused and opened her mouth and pointed at me, but nothing was coming out. I looked at her with confusion and slowly took out my money.

"You ok there love?" I asked as I grabbed the last note.
"No... your name, and your face just looks suddenly familiar. Sorry, must be déjà vu.." she sighed. "Wait ... no. You're Harry Styles' friend, that hot curly hair guy from One Direction! That's it! That's you! Aren't you like having a cat fight with Caroline or something..." I stared at her, shocked and blushed. I giggled nervously as I didn't recall a cat fight with Caroline unless I wasn't aware..

"What?! No! I haven't heard such a thing.."
"It was in a gossip mag but load of bull anyway.."
"Yeah, they make me sound like a homewrecker sometimes.." suddenly curious about the article.
"Agree! I went to the boys gig a long while back, love them. Great singers."
"They are, they are.."
"Not to add, all breath-takingly hot. Espiecally Zayn, oh my... and you are friends with all of them!"
"They're all really lovely boys."
"They seem like it!" she chuckled, she printed out the receipt and neatly placed the blazer in the paper bag. She tucked the bag and handed it over to me as we exchanged our goodbyes. She was really sweet and seemed like such a lovely person. As I was just about to leave the store, she shouted something to me. "You and Harry would make a gorgeous couple, JUST SAYING!"

I looked back and blushed tremendously, and waved at her. This puts me to think about us, this boy. He's so complicated, actually the whole male species is confusing. It's like he keeps finding excuses to not see me, I mean we talk but cyber-ly. I was so used seeing him frequently and just hanging out with him and now his fame skyrocketed and it's like he pushed me away. It hurts, and I don't cry infront of people because of it but I do sometimes. I feel so pathetic. He is my best friend and it is so wrong that I feel this way, but I feel that we have some sort of connection. The bad thing is that I always find excuses to keep hanging on, to keep believing that maybe one day he'll feel the same way. But it just makes everything so complicated again.

"Is that all your getting him?" Jeremy asked.
"Um, I'll probably get him something small too and a card. No biggie."
"Well, that is really sweet what you're getting him."
"You think?"
"Yeah, he'll really appreciate it. I would!"
"Let's hope so yeah?"
"Why hope? You'll be seeing him soon right?"
"Probably, I guess so."
"You excited?"
"What, to see him?"
"Yeah..."
"Yeah.. I am.." I sighed, a smile creeping on my face.

ELEANOR'S P.O.V:

Louis placed a cheeky, soft kiss on my cheek as he crept under the covers with me. I chuckled as he tickled me lightly on the ribs as I gasped for air. He laughed his sweet, beautiful laugh as his eyes formed into an arch shape. He looked at me, into my eyes and whispered the three words that every girl would love to here. I replied back to him and kiss him on the lip and placed my head on his pillow. He laid down next to me as he wrapped his arms lightly around my waist as I nuzzled my head into his neck. This felt perfect. We've been together for a few months and it has been lovely. Every second I'm with him, I feel like I'm on top of the world. He makes me happy, so happy.

"Babe, what do you want to do later?" he whispered softly into my eye, tickling it slightly.
"Lazy day, movies, food, more food..." I giggled.

He leaned on his arm as he placed his hand under his head and stared mesmerizingly to me. He drew this fingers around my hair and played with it, even if we just spend time in silence, it felt nice. He leant his lips on my neck as he massaged it, giving me both pain and pleasure. I moaned as I let go, it was only 3 in the afternoon. This boy...

"Hey, it's still early..." I said as I pushed him playfully. He frowned and nodded.
"Fine, at least you're mine.." he said as he placed his head and I moved closer to him.

I was only dressed in his oversized sweater and just a pair of undies and bra underneath. I feel so comfortable with him, and Harry wasn't home so it was just us too.. in his apartment... and I'm making sure we don't get carried away. The boys had a break since they're hectic vocal training schedules and their manager thought a day off should give them enough rest. Liam is spending his day with Danielle and Zayn and Niall were probably sleeping still. Harry went out, I'm not sure where but I think either to visit Baby Lux or to see Caroline. Rose hasn't been over in a while, I miss her loads, so does Danielle. We both probably even see her more than Harry these days, he's been acting strange lately. I asked Lou but he insisted he's just under a lot of stress. But I could read through him, there's something up but I didn't want to bother. Poor Rose, she's feeling a bit... down-hearted. And I feel for her, it's like his giving her mixed signals and I wish she'd just tell him already. But I promised that I wouldn't tell a soul, she's one of my best girlfriends.

"What are you thinking about?" Lou asked.
"Things..."
"Am I in those.. 'things'?"
"Sure.. if you want.." I giggled sarcastically. He looked at me as he formed an 'O' shape and tickled me. No... I'm so ticklish. I giggled with delight but partly I was in pain since I was chucking fits everywhere, kicking my legs up to try to get up. He chuckled as he saw me screaming and I pouted. He looked at me and tilted his head, his beautiful hair falling with him. He leant in and gave me a kiss on the lips and got out of bed, in just a pair of pyjama pants as his toned abs was in full show. It still steals my breath away every time I see it. He saw me staring and moved his hands seductively down his torso.

"You want some of this aye?" Lou teased.
"Already got some.." I winked. He chuckled and put a plain striped top over him. "Where are you going, come back to bed..." I moaned.
"Making us a cup of tea, we've been in bed all day!" he replied.
"Fine, you better come back!"
"Always will babe," he replied as he went out the door and closed it.

I fell back on the pillow and looked at the ceiling. My phone vibrated as I reached out to get it, I missed a message before and read it.

Rose V: Hey! I got Harry this for his birthday... what do you think? *Displays picture.
Zayn M: So, I didn't go in the apartment because I heard things in Lou's room lol but could you tell him that we have to be at the studios at 6?

I looked at the picture Rosalie sent me and it looked really nice. It was a navy blazer which had white edges or trims along the front collar and the pocket. It was definitely something Harry would really like, they both know each other so well. I smiled and texted her back immediately. 'Babe, that looks great. He'll love it, hang out soon yeah? Miss you! x.

I really did miss Rose. We've gotten extremely close lately and although she is about a few years younger, she completely understands me. We tend to bitch and rant about people and it's pretty funny, more enjoyable when Danielle comes join our chat too. She's so hardworking and I know she is going to be so successful when she becomes older. I blushed at Zayn's text and thought how inappropriate that he heard us. Quite embarrassing.

To Zayn M: You tell a soul and I will kill you haha! Yeah sure x

I threw my phone back on the bedside table and grabbed a magazine near and sat up and read it. I placed my chin on my knee and flipped through the pages, looking at all this week's new gowns and scandals. I admired all the lovely dresses and the award ceremonies and even came across a picture of Danielle and Liam out shopping, how funny! I started pumping up some music on Louis' iPod and went into the bathroom to clean my face. As I went into the bathroom I heard someone coming in the apartment as I heard shoes scuffing on the floorboards. I heard two deep voices and figured it was probably Harry just coming back. I noticed several marks on my neck and chuckled silently to myself and flipped my hair to the side to cover up the love bites. I cleaned my hands and walked back, admiring the view of Louis' apartment window. It was raining but London still looked beautiful.

I was about to go out the door to get a cup of tea but as I opened there was Harry and Louis talking intensely to each other. Harry looked quite upset and Louis was comforting him by squeezing his shoulder lightly. Harry was saying something which I couldn't exactly get but I knew it was something serious because he was looking at the floor, twiddling his fingers.

I closed the door and leaned my ear in the door to listen to the conversation. I turned off the music and ran back and tried to listen. I heard muffles but I was at least getting something, I didn't want to get my cup of tea in case I'd interrupt their conversations.

"I...Caroline...should..pick.." I heard Harry muffle softly.
"Decision...matter...I...you.." I heard Louis reply, I couldn't hear crap.

I sighed and gave up, I'm not supposed to be ears dropping on my boyfriends conversation with his best friend. I went back to bed and laid on with my stomach against the mattress as I swung and kicked my legs up playfully, flipping through the magazine. I was humming my favourite song to myself as I read an article about Rihanna. I heard several knocks on the door and looked up.

"Come in!" I shouted. I expected it was Louis, but to my surprise it was Harry. He looked a bit dead, had dark puffy circles but still had a happy sparkle in his eye. He waved at me awkwardly, noticing I was in Louis' sweatshirt and a pair of lace undies. I shot up immediately and sat crossed leg, covering the blanket on my lower half. I chuckled lightly and waved.

"You guys been busy huh?" Harry scoffed playfully, sitting down on the edge of Louis' bed.
"Shush you! What's up curly?" I asked.
"Can I ask you something, though you promise you won't tell anyone."
"Yeah.. of course.." I replied, confused because usually Harry wouldn't be asking me something this serious.

He coughed and looked awkwardly to the blanket. He was never usually like this, he would ask the most inappropriate questions to me, he was a very cheeky person. He fiddled with his thumbs as he opened his mouth but no words seemed to escape.

"C'mon Harry, I promise I won't." I reassured him.
"Ok, well.." he murmured, looking at me as he bit his lip. "Do you by...any chance... know if... Ro...Rose...Rosalie likes me by any chance?" I

I felt a sudden lump in my throat as I paused, silently confused and taken back. I nervously moved the hair and moved it behind my ears.
"What do you mean, more than a friend or friendly?"
"More..." he replied.

I fiddled my thumbs, this was MY chance to finally tell Harry that ROSE IS IN LOVE WITH YOU, YOU NAIVE PERSON. But no, I promise Rose, my good friend that I would never ever ever ever tell anyone. Not even Harry, she would hate me if I told you but all though I had to fight back all the urgency to tell him I shook my head.

"Nope. Not that I know of." I replied in a monotone. He looked down, slightly disappointed and look at me and smiled.
"Oh. Ok, don't tell anyone yeah?"
"Yeah, I won't."
"Not even Rose."
"Alright, promise.."
"How is she though? I haven't heard of her.."
"She's going really good from what I hear."
"That's good..." he sighed and stood up, straightening his top. "Anyway, thanks. Just a question I wanted to randomly ask... means...like...nothing...ok? I'll leave you back to Louis, you two horny love birds.." he replied cheekily. I blushed in embarrassment and threw a cushion at his head but missed tremendously. He stuck out a tongue at me but for some reason I saw his eyes didn't sparkle anymore. He closed the door and walked out and heard another door shut. I bit my lip and thought; did I really just make a big mistake?

HARRY'S P.O.V:

"Goodbye Baby Lux, you better miss Uncle Styles" I said playfully, hugging Lux in my arms. I kissed her softly on the cheek and gave it to her mum, our hairdresser Lou Tesdale. She smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek and waved back.

"Bye Hazza! See you soon babe."
"You too love." I replied as I gave them both a hug.

I walked out of the apartment and into the pouring rain. I jogged and ran in my car and still managed to get shocking wet. I just hung out with one of my good friends who although are a lot older than me, I get along with them all and they're always so fun to hang out with. I drove off, speeding down the street thinking that my birthday is coming up soon. My 18th perfect, a milestone where I can finally drink legally! I turned up the radio and our song, One Thing came on, how nice. I always get such a good feeling whenever it comes on. After it finished, a song came on which pulled my heart strings. It was one of Rose's favourite song, god dammit. It was Jason Mraz ft. Colbie – Lucky. The lyrics seemed to have a link in my situation and it made me cringe.

I stopped at the red light as the music flowed into my ears. I bit my lip as the situation finally came back into my mind. Damn. Today I completely forgot about it and now again, it came back. I had a long time trying to figure out my decision and I haven't talked to both girls much. Everytime I'd hang out with Caroline's friends, she was always absent. Always. I looked at the rain as the lyrics hit me.

"Lucky I'm in love with my bestfriend, lucky to have been where I have been, Lucky to be coming home again... Oooh Oooh Oooh"

I pulled and turned off the radio.

"Fuck..." i whispered softly to myself. It did hit me that I needed to hurry up and make my decision. I kicked the pedal quickly and sped home. I needed Louis, I needed him to assist me with my deicision. The other boys don't know about it though, I would tell them but I'm so insecure at the moment. In a matter of 10 minutes, I got back to our apartment and parked the car. I greeted our receptionist like always and went up the elevator. As I unlocked the door, I noticed Louis in pj pants and a wrinkled top and... uh... sex hair. I smirked and threw my bag on the floor.

"You've been having a good time there Lou?" I chuckled.
"Oh, hey mate! How are you?" Lou asked, very chirpy and hyper. He placed two cups of tea on the kitchen bench, probably Eleanor was over. I sat down and patted the seat next to me. "What's up?" he asked.
"I need to make my decision." I replied firmly.
"Now?"
"Yes! I'ts been so long and I think I know who to choose."
"Who..."
"Well, I just want to know whether if Rose likes me more than a friend so I know if that affects my feelings." I replied. I looked down at the floor and sighed.
"Well mate, you know whatever decision you choose I'll be there no matter what. Just make sure you're doing it to make you happy." He replied.
"Just, I... do you know by any chance whether or not..?"
"If Rose has feelings for you?"
"Yeah..."
"I'm not sure, she doesn't usually talk about that stuff with me. Why don't you ask Rose yourself?
"That would cause so much complications man..."
"True, you could...um... I know! Ask Ele?" Louis suggested. I shot my head up, maybe I should.
"Where is she?"
"Um, she's in my room. Don't be cheeky alright?" he replied, smirking.
"Promise I won't, thanks for being here."
"Always, just don't cause too much drama ok? Tours coming up, no distractions."
"Yeah, I understand. I needed to make my deicison for that reason."

I stood up and walked nervously to Louis' room. I wasn't nervous because there was a 80% chance that Eleanor was going to be naked on his bed but I was nervous about the answer I was going to receive. Eleanor was probably the closest girlfriend that I know of Rose, besides Danielle but she wasn't here but I know from Lou that Eleanor hangs out with Rose a lot. And it kill sme that I can't. I want to but I feel like the back of my conscience is telling me to. I knocked a rhythm on Lou's bedroom door and heard her shout 'Come In'.

I walked in and she was lying on his bed, in just an oversized sweatshirt and undies. She looked at me shocked and crawled under the blanket but I didn't check her out. She was gorgeous and very fit but she was my bestfriend's girlfriend, we have rules. I chuckled and made comments which she blushed embarrassingly. I walked and sat on the edge of the bed awkwardly, looking at the blanket. Don't be such a wuss Harry, god.

"Can I ask you something, though you promise you won't tell anyone?" I asked. She looked at me, her eyebrows arching looking quite confused. She nodded. "Yeah, of course..." she replied. I coughed and moved my curly hair off my face. I'm just so nervous, just better knowing than thinking what would happen if I didn't ask. I noticed her eyes analysing me as I heard he reassure me to tell her.

"Ok...well.." I said, a lump in my throat forming. Toughen up! "Do you...by...any chance... know if...Ro...Rose...Rosalie likes me by any chance?" I asked. I sound like the biggest doofus, I used two of the same words in one sentence for goodness sakes. There was an awkward pause as I looked at Ele, she looked a bit taken back by my question and looked at me, though she wasn't. She was thinking. Hard about something.

"What do you mean, more than a friend or friendly?" she asked. I sighed, what did she think?!
"More..." I replied. I sighed as there was another pause in her answer. I scanned across the room and saw bras and undies and clothes lying across the room, geesus what do they do when I'm out of the apartment?

"Nope. Not that I know of." Eleanor said, straight forwardly looking into my eye. For some reason I wasn't convinced but I got the answer. She didn't know either and usually Rose would tell her everything. SO I guess Rose doesn't feel feelings for me, ugh. Well that does it. I felt embarrassment coming over me as I rubbed my hair nervously.
"Oh. Ok, don't tell anyone yeah?" I said.
"Yeah I won't."
"Not even Rose." I replied, looking at her.
"Alright, promise.." she replied.

She looked at me, had some sort of sadness in her eyes but her smile covered it up. I was just about to leave but I felt an urgency to ask her about Rose. To get an update about her, because I've been missing out on so much. "How is she though? I haven't heard of her.." I softly muttered, words finally escaping from my mouth.

She looked at me and smiled softly. "She's going really good from what I hear." She replied. I guess Rose was coping fine without me because I'd always thought that I had some dependence on her. But she was going really well I guess, she has a carreer ahead of her, and so did I.
"That's good.." I replied happily, and I was slightly happy because Rose was good and healthy. "Anyway, thanks. Just a question I wanted to randomly ask, it means like nothing ok? I'll leave you back to Louis you two horny love birds." I purred. She looked at me in complete shock. I pointed at her love bites and ran off, dodging a cushion being thrown at her.

But as I closed the door behind me, the happiness faded away. A feeling of disappointment went over me. I looked at Louis and shocked my head, signalling the answer I got. Lou tried to smile but it didn't make me feel any better. I went back into my cold and lonely room and sat down on my bed. I guess this was my decision... Caroline loved me, but Rose didn't love me in that way. I had a relationship with Caroline but I have a friendship with Rose. I guess sustaining a relationship would be better off and friends come and go I guess. I had to keep hold of this relationship, I'd rather see where it goes than wonder what if I DID let it pass by.

I grabbed my iPhone and texted Caroline about my decision, a sort of mixed feelings of relief and disappointment.
To Caroline xx: Babe, I made my decision. I choose you.

I locked my phone and threw it on the bed and let out a huge sigh. Like a weight been lift off my shoulders but I got reoccurring thoughts coming in my mind. How do I tell Rose? Fuck. I twist and turned and leaned on my side. I felt tears burning in my eyes because it hurt, it hurt that I had to let my friend go but in a way I guess it was for the best. I mean, I know that one day I get to see Rose again... right? I closed my eyes and bit my lip.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry Rose.