The Only Exception | W2S

THIRTY FIVE.

Anyway - Jess and I were sharing a room, and Harry and Arthur were sharing a room - although, Jess and Harry would swap every night, just so we could still spend the nights together, just the two of us. 

It wasn't something I'd asked for, but it was appreciated. I wouldn't have minded our wider friend group knowing, but it felt more special the fewer people knew. 

"Ethan what?" I ask, running my fingers through his hair. 

"Ethan knows about us. Well - technically I told him," he corrects himself, sitting up so he was able to face me. "He's - uhm, well he's known for a while," he continues to say. 

I bite back a smile. "Does he really?"

He nods. "After the gymshark event. Asked me why I punched the guy, and I - well, I told him. Slightly awkward considering you broke up with me the day after," he says lightly, and I'm at a stage where I can take it as a joke, now. 

"That means that Faith knows, too. She's just waiting for me to tell her," I say out loud. 

"Not necessarily," he starts, but I shoot him a look. 

"If you found out gossip about one of your friends that was also friends with me, would you tell me so I'm in the loop?" I ask him, turning the tables back to him. 

His sheepish look tells me everything I need to know. 

"Exactly," I smile, just shaking my head, and pulling him back down so his head was on my chest once again. 

"He won't say anything to the rest of the guys," he says quickly, sounding worried about it. 

"I know," I reply, my voice soft. "It's alright. Come on, let's have a cigarette. Might as well make the most out of our balcony for the rest of the week," I tell him, waiting for him to get off of me before moving. 

"I've still got the rollies in my room, give me two minutes and I'll grab them," he says quickly, disappearing out of my room. 

The door wasn't a welcomed change in temperature - it was so incredibly hot, and the air conditioning in the room was the only thing that was bringing all of us relief. 

We all knew, though, that the moment we landed back in London we'd start complaining again, so everyone was trying to make the most of it. 

We'd ended up renting an entire villa - and it was a big one, to accommodate everyone. Everyone from the Sidemen was here - all of their partners, too. And then there was myself, George, Hattie, Arthur and Jess, alongside both the Cal's, too. It was a very busy villa. 

I was slightly surprised Harry and I hadn't been caught out yet, though he was being incredibly careful which was sweet.

The holiday had been in the works for a while, but it came off the back of the drama with Matthew - which had quickly subsided after I'd spilled out my side to the internet.

There had been no comeback, no rebuttal, but most importantly - no apology. It was classic Matthew - he'd been caught out in a lie, and wouldn't admit to it. 

Part of me was still slightly scared that he'd bring up the fact that Harry had punched him. Not only would it probably damage his career, and track record with the Sidemen, but it would be another piece of myself I'd lose to the internet. 

Maybe one day I would share my personal life with Harry to the public, but that day wasn't today. Or any day in the foreseeable future. Having him to myself for the moment felt good - so good. 

"Got them," I hear his voice from behind me, his feet drawing closer as I side step to allow him onto the balcony.

The sun is setting, now, and as he joins me on the balcony, he's got a mug in his hand, steam rising.