∞ Never Lose Hope ∞

**Chapter Eight:

It was around 5:34 in the evening. Niall had promised to pick me up at 6:00 and take me to dinner. I roamed around the house in my little black dress.

I stepped back into the kitchen and looked at the clock. 6:08.

'He's late? Seriously?' I rolled my eyes and sat down on the steps.

Minutes rolled by. I glanced at my phone. 6:19.

'Ughhhh' I groaned. 'I'll wait 'till 6:30. He has to be here by then!'

6:30 came and went with no sign of Niall. Angrily I pulled out my phone and dialed Zayn.

"Hey Callee. What's up?"

"Is Niall with you?"

"No it's just Harry, Sydney and I. Why?"

"He was supposed to pick me up for dinner at 6. It's 6:38 now."

"Oh well, I'm sorry but I don't know. Haven't seen him all day."

"Ugh, okay thanks." I hung up.

'Maybe Liam knows.' I was about to dial when there was a knock on the door. I opened the door to see Harry in a nice polo shirt and khakis.

"Oh, uh, hi, Harry. What are you doing here?"

"I'm taking you to dinner."

"Niall is taking me to dinner." I said as I folded my arms.

"Well is he here?" Harry said with a sly smirk.

"Um, no."

"Exactly. Please just let me take you out. You're already dressed up." He gave me a genuine smile.

Hesitantly I took his hand as he led me to the car. He helped me in and drove off.

***

We pulled into the Bellisimo parking lot and stepped inside.

"How many?" The man asked.

"Two, please." Harry replied.

"Right this way."

Harry gestured me to go and I nodded. I slid into the seat and opened the menu.

"Why are you taking me out to dinner, exactly?" I asked after we ordered our drinks.

Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know." He smiled a cheeky grin.

"Niall won't be too happy about this." I warned.

Harry's smile faded.

"You're seriously worried about that?" His tone stern. "I mean I love Niall to death, but..." His voice trailed as the waiter approached.

"Are you ready?"

"Uh, yes, I'll have the shrimp scampi."

"And for you, Miss?"

"The Caesar salad."

Harry raised an eyebrow and bit his lip to control his laughter.

The waiter nodded and left.

"What?" I asked.

"A salad? Come on, you could've had anything on the menu!"

"I wanted a salad. Is that illegal or something?"

"It will be soon." Harry joked.

"Ha ha funny." I said sarcastically.

Harry looked down and I cleared my throat.

"So...what were you saying? I mean, about Niall?" I spoke cautiously.

"Oh," Harry said. "It's just, he made out with his ex at the bar, he ran off and didn't come back for at least a day, and now," he gestured to me. "He's stood you up for dinner."

"He probably had something pop up, or he forgot." I said quickly.

Harry slammed his hand on the table.

"Why do you defend him?!" He whisper-yelled. "He's not right for you!"

"And what? You think you are?!" I shouted. I took the napkin off my lap and threw it onto the table. I pulled out a twenty dollar bill and threw it at Harry. My eyes began to water. I turned and ran out of the restaurant.

I heard Harry calling my name in the distance.