How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 63

"What is this?" I wasn't sure if I was impressed, flattered, shocked, mortified, or disgusted.

"This is a blog called I Don't Hate Hate. The blog is owned by a sixteen-year-old girl from Manchester. Her blog is entirely dedicated to the "Hate ship." In other words, her blog is about the relationship of you and Harry. She fully supports the relationship."

"A 'shipper,'" I guessed.

"That's right. 'Hate' is your ship name. Get it? It's Harry and Kate combined..."

"I get it." I rolled my eyes, internally pleased with the creativity of the fans.

As you know, part of my job is to monitor social media activity. One day, I came across this blog. I spent nearly three hours scrolling through some of her posts. I can't believe how clever some of these bloggers are! Anyway, this girl had realized something none of the rest of us noticed."

"Which is?"

"Harry has not been talking about you publicly."

"He never used to."

"That's right!" Alessandra exclaimed as if it cleared something up.

"Alessandra," I started, "I'm not sure I follow."

"Look, Harry made it a point not to talk about you in public because he was trying to protect you and make sure you had your privacy. Well, Harry's lips are still sealed. He hasn't said a word about you since the breakup."

"So?"

"Doesn't it seem a bit strange that he wouldn't mention that he broke up with you?"

"Ouch," I muttered.

"Sorry, babe," Alessandra winced apologetically. "Anyway, since he's not with you any longer, it makes sense that he would say something instead of letting the media think he's in a relationship. Harry is usually about transparency."

"Right," I shrugged.

"But he hasn't corrected them. In fact, he's gone out of his way not to say anything."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Which is why I have brought you to I Don't Hate Hate. She created a video mash-up of every instance Harry has recently been interviewed about you and didn't give a definitive answer."

"Whoa," I breathed.

"Exactly my thought. So let's watch this video." Alessandra pressed play and turned up the volume on my laptop. A black screen appeared first listing the date of the film clip.

July 18. Harry appeared on screen as he walked from his car. Sunglasses hung in the v of his t-shirt. His eyes looked tired. Photographers were following him and cameras shuttered with flashes.

"Harry! Are you still with Kate?"

"That's enough." Nick's voice could be heard trying to silence the photographers.

"Come on, Harry. Did you break up with Kate?"

Harry waved his hand dismissively. It wasn't not a no, but it also was not a yes.

July 21. It was Harry during a radio interview. There was no video on the screen, just a photo of Harry and me from a red carpet event I couldn't remember. Harry's voice could be heard along with an interviewer.

"How's Kate?"

"She's...she's fine."

"She's back in the UK while you're here in North America for tour, right?"