Silenced [h.s]

Two: It's Nick Grimshaw!

Later that night, Harry and Ed went for drinks. Well, Ed went for drinks and Harry tagged along because he had nothing better to do. Ed was worried about Harry, for he had University exams coming up and all of his energy was being channelled towards Clara.

"Why is she so important? I just don't seem to understand." He confessed to his best mate. "You've had maybe three conversations and she makes absolutely no effort to get to know you."

"Four. There's been four conversations." Harry replied simply, tapping his thumb on the steering wheel. "What's it to you?"

Ed groaned in exasperation, "Correct me if I'm wrong, Harry. But you have exams coming up, those are important. Don't you want to be successful?"

It took Harry a moment to reply to Ed's question. Of course Harry wanted success, but how was he supposed to feel successful when Clarity made him feel like a lunatic.

"She drives me crazy! If she weren't so intriguing then perhaps I would leave her alone, but she's hard to read."

"Bloody hell, Harry. Just pass your exam. It's all I want for you. As your best mate, I feel accountable for you." Ed spoke truthfully, in hopes that his friend would take his advice as stop spending all of his time thinking about Clara.

A little while after, they arrived at the bar. Ed hopped out of the car and raced inside, leaving Harry alone.

"Styles! Is that you?" A voice called from the parking lot. Bewildered, Harry looked around in search for the person that called his name.

The figure got closer, making himself easier to see. "Nick Grimshaw? Holy crap! Never even dreamed about seeing you again." Harry laughed patting him on the back. "How's life?"

They walk towards the entrance of the bar, filling their ears with the sound of loud music. "Life's good, I mean, it couldn't get any better. For a thirty year old, at least." Nick laughs, opening the door for Harry to walk inside. "What's been going on with you, can't believe I would find you at a bar of all places."

Harry laughed, remembering the day in middle school when he told Nick that he would never go to a bar because 'Alcohol damages the brain!' And Harry simply couldn't live with the thought of him damaging his body.

"I was in seventh grade, give me a break." Harry laughed. "I came with Ed though. He told me I needed some out time."

"I still remember that whole speech you gave me. Kinda convinced me not to drink, for like a day. Then I went to some party the next week and got absolutely smashed." Nick teased. "But, Ed's right, you're too busy in the books studying...whatever the hell it is you're studying."

Harry saw Ed approaching the table that they had accompanied themselves to only moments earlier.

"Nick! What the hell mate, it's been years! How the hell are you?" Ed rejoiced, evidently glad to see his childhood friend.

Harry, Nick, and Ed were all the best of friends from elementary school, to high school. Although Nick was thirty, Ed was twenty-five, and Harry was twenty-one, they didn't let that stop them from having the best friendship they could maintain.

"I'm good! Just having a chat with Harry here, who seems to have changed quite a bit." Nick said, analyzing Harry. "In a good sense, I guess. He's just a bit..."

"Peculiar." Ed finished for him.

Nick nodded, "peculiar."

Harry groaned, walking towards the bar asking the bartender for a beer.

"I'm going to have to see some ID." He said, while wiping down the counters, giving a him a toothy smile.

"I'm 21. The legal drinking age in Canada is 18." Harry challenged.

The bartender rolled his eyes. "You could pass for 17, now show me some ID or leave. Simple."

Harry walked away from the bar and mumbled something among the lines of 'I hate Canada' then walked back over to Ed and Nick.

"Got rejected again?" Ed laughed, knowingly.

Harry scolded him, but then loosened up, "He said I could pass for 17. What does it take for a guy to get a drink around here?"

"Should have just shown him your ID," Nick pointed out.

"Yeah, well, whatever. I'm heading home. Grimmers, can you drive Ed home?"

He paused for a moment, "I suppose."

"Great. Bye guys! Nick give me a shout soon, alright?" Harry smiled, while bidding farewells to his friends.

"Harry's totally whipped." Ed said loud enough for Harry to hear.

"No fucking way!"