I didn't really think this through.
I didn't think about the fact that I'll be leaving tonight with the person Harry hates most and I'm going to have to tell him. I'm going to have to see his face whenever I tell him. I could lie to him but I don't even know what lie I would make up. Maybe that I was deciding randomly during our day together that I was going to go out to the club by myself.
That just isn't believable at all, and it's not like I have Sage here that I could say I was going with. Plus, lying would probably be pointless anyway because Aiden has a big mouth and I doubt that he wouldn't tell him. Pushing all of that aside, I don't even think I could go through with lying to him about it. It would be something so stupid to lie about and I know that if he found out I was lying to him about it, that would hurt him more than just telling him the truth to begin with.
I just need to be completely honest with him. No lies, no secrets. I know it's going to hurt him and he will probably act like it doesn't but I'm not completely blind. It might be tough to read through him lately, but something like that is very obvious to see. It doesn't take searching to see that. I know it's going to be hard to tell him but it would be even harder not telling him or lying to him.
The door of the apartment opening quickly knocks me out of my thoughts, making me snap my head in that direction. "I'm sorry that took so long. I seriously couldn't find my phone. It had completely fallen underneath my seat and I didn't have a flashlight to see it." Harry tells me, shaking his head side to side.
"You could of called me to come help-" I quickly pause when I see Harry face fall, a small smile on his face. I then let out a breathy laugh as I run my fingers through my hair. "You lost your phone. Right. I forgot." I mutter.
I hear Harry laugh at me as he walks away and into the kitchen. I suck in a long breath, slowly letting it out before I get up off of the couch, walking over to him, seeing him grab a water bottle out of the fridge. "Do you want one?" he asks me.
"No, I'm good. Thank you." I answer softly, making him nod his head at me before he pulls only one out for him. Okay here we go. I need to just pull of the band aid and do it. "I actually need to tell you about something."
I see him furrow his eyebrows at me as he takes a long sip out of his water. "Okay." he mumbles, screwing the cap on it before setting it down on the counter. "Go ahead. I'm listening."
I swallow hard, sticking my tongue out slightly to wet my dry lips. "I was uh- invited out to the club tonight," I pause, trying to scan his reaction, seeing nothing change. "by Aiden and I agreed." I finish quietly.
I see the emotions behind his eyes quickly change, seeing everything become more dull and dark and hurt. I see him furrow his eyebrows at me ever so slightly, almost like he's confused on why I would agree. But then that all gets quickly wiped away as he nods his head at me. "Okay." is all he says.
"That's all?" I breathe out before I can stop the words from falling off of my lips. "I don't want to hurt you Harry-"
"It doesn't hurt me." he quickly interrupts me, making me quickly shut my mouth as I can't help when I furrow my eyebrows at him. "We've talked about it Leah, and why you've hung out with him before. You don't owe me an explanation. We're friends. You can hang out with whoever you want." he tells me.
The feeling that he's still hurt by it remains in my gut as I glance down at the ground briefly. I don't want to argue with him though. That's the last thing I want. But I also hate thinking that when I leave, I'll be hurting him. "Harry, please be honest with me." I speak lowly as I look up at him from underneath my eyelashes.
I see him stare at me for a moment, a small sigh leaving his lips before he looks away. "I'm not mad or upset. If anything, a bit confused because we had such a good day today." he meets his gaze back with mine. "You don't owe me an explanation. You don't owe anybody an explanation. I want you to be happy and do what you want to do and if that's it, then go do it."
I chew on the inside of my cheek as I let his words sink in. I think he believes what he is saying and I think he means it. It doesn't mean that a small part of him still isn't hurt though, even if he doesn't want to admit it. "Okay. I'm going to go get dressed then." I whisper, making Harry nod his head at me, sending me a small smile.
I then turn around, walking back into the living room towards my suitcase on the ground. I rummage through it, it being very unorganized now. I pull out a steel blue silk dress, knowing exactly what it is, pulling it out. I then pull out a black strapless bra with it before I walk into the bathroom in the hallway, locking the door behind me, letting out a long sigh.
Now that the stressful part is over, now moving onto the next one. Actually getting ready to go. I strip out of the clothes I have on, as well as my bra, clipping on my black strapless one. I would go braless but if I'm actually going to dance tonight, I want some support. I then slip on my dress, zipping it up in the back before I turn and look at myself in the mirror.
I've tried on this dress once after I got it but never got the change to wear it out. I have no idea why because it's stunning. Since it is tight but is a bit ruffled, I can leave the black underwear I have on underneath this. I then open up the bathroom door, walking over to my suitcase before I crouch down slightly, pulling out my bag of makeup.
I then walk back into the bathroom, setting my bag on the counter as I begin to pull some things out. I pull out my concealer, dabbing some underneath my eyes and on a few red spots on my face before I blend it in, setting it with powder, making sure it doesn't move. I then move onto my eyes, adding some brown into my crease and a light beige color on my lid, bringing out the blue in my eyes.
I then put on some mascara before I move back to my face makeup. I add on some light bronzer and blush to my cheeks, adding some life back into them. I use an eyebrows pencil to fill in some spots in my eyebrows. I really do regret tweezing my eyebrows so much when I was younger. I never had full eyebrows as it is so thinking back to when I would make them even thinner makes me cringe.
I then add on a bit of highlighter on my cheekbones and nose. I love when my skin looks glowy. I feel like it just adds life to your face. I put on some slightly tinted lip gloss before I put everything back into the back, letting out a long sigh when I look up at the mirror. I already straightened my hair so thankfully, that's not something I have to stress about.
I then turn off the light in the bathroom before I walk out, my bag in my hand. I set it back down in my suitcase before I turn around, my gaze meeting Harry's, the sight making my heart stop. I swallow hard when I see the way he gazes at me and looks down at my outfit. "Is something wrong? Does it look stupid?-"
"No!" he quickly speaks over my rambling, making me roll my lips into my mouth, a small smile on my face. "You look really good. The dress really brings out your eyes." he murmurs.
"Thank you." I breathe, a nervous smile on my face as I glance down at my feet briefly. I then walk over to my suitcase again, pulling out some white basic strappy heels, putting them on.
"Are you two going to the same club?" I hear him ask.
I then look up at him, standing up on my feet as I walk over to him, putting some makeup into my purse on the counter. "I assume so. I'm sure Nick will come to. He seems to always go with him when he goes to the club." I tell Harry, hopefully trying to reassure him by telling him about Nick.
I see him stick his tongue out slightly, wetting his lips as he nods his head at me. "Just be safe okay? People there can get a bit out of hand."
"I will. I always am." I answer him, sending him a soft smile. I then hear a bing come from my phone, making me look down to see a message from Aiden saying that he's here. "Well I'm going to get going. I'll see you after." I smile at him, trying to ease the tension between us.
"Okay. Have fun." he replies casually, even though I think he was trying to sound enthusiastic and supportive. I only nod my head in response, waving at him before I walk out of the apartment, closing the door behind me. I stand there for a moment, taking a deep breath before I slowly let it out.
Tonight is about having fun, so that's what I'm going to try and do from here on out. I then walk into the elevator, pressing the first floor. Once I finally get done, I walk out of the apartment complex, seeing Aiden waiting in his car right outside the front doors. He then turns, his gaze catching mine, his eyes widening ever so slightly.
I ignore his look as I hop into his car, putting my bag beside me as I buckle in my seatbelt. I let out a small exhale before I turn my head towards him, already seeing his blue eyes gazing at me. "Surprised I didn't bail on you?" I blurt out playfully.
"A little bit." he murmurs, a small smirk on his face. Without breaking my gaze, he shifts the gears, putting the car in drive before he finally looks away, driving off away from the apartment complex.
-
Once we get to the club, we both hop out of his car, walking up to the front of the club, the neon read outside of it always catching my eye. Aiden then opens the door to the restricted area, holding his hand out for me to walk in. I simply smile at him before I walk in, the neon red flickering lights in the hallway making me let out a small sigh. "Don't tell me you're suddenly easily intimidated now?" I hear Aiden murmur as he comes up beside me.
I roll my eyes at him, ignoring the smug look on his face before I look back ahead of me. "You told me we wouldn't be in this area and that we would be in the main part of the club. Do you always lie?" I bite back, smiling sweetly at him.
He sticks his tongue out slightly, wetting his lips as a small smile of amusement forms on them. "I came in through this way so we wouldn't have to wait in that long line. You should be thanking me." he replies lowly, his arm ever so slightly brushing over mine.
I look over at him for a moment, rolling my eyes. "I just want a drink."
"Follow me." is all he says before he walks slightly ahead of me, turning left down the hallway, walking away from the people in this area. He then walk up to a door, opening it for me, allowing me to see the main part of the club. "I didn't lie."
I nod my head at him before I walk in, gazing around, seeing the dancefloor filled with people dancing with one another, not a single person paying attention to their surroundings. I smile at it, letting out a small sigh, feeling my muscles loosen up. I told myself that tonight I'm going to let go and have fun, so that's exactly what I'm going to do.
I deserve it.
I then walk up to the bar, sitting down on the black barstool, calling for a bartender to come over. "Can I get three tequila shots?" I ask him softly, resting my forearms on the counter.
"Make it six." Aiden speaks up as he comes up beside me, the bartender nodding his head in response. Aiden then sits down beside me, looking over at me. "Tequila huh?" he smiles.
I slowly look over at him, tilting my head to the side slightly. "It's one of my favorites." I say nonchalantly before I look back out at the dancefloor.
"You know, I invited you here with me. You could maybe try and not seem like you're avoiding me."
I snap my head towards him, furrowing my eyebrows. "Why would I be avoiding you?" I ask him, confusion laced in my tone.
"I don't know. You tell me." he shrugs his shoulders.
I run my tongue along the inside of my cheek, watching how he gazes at me intently, waiting for my answer. "I'm not avoiding you but considering how we ended things the last time we saw each other, I'm a bit on edge." I admit, sucking in a long breath before I slowly let it out.
The words he spoke, 'You might not ever say it out loud or admit it to yourself but don't worry, I feel it too.' and 'You can't run from it forever.' flash back into my mind, making me swallow hard. The words he spoke with such vulnerability and seriousness. Not only do the memories come back but those feelings I felt, the ones I can't admit to, the ones I can hardly understand, all come back.
I see him stare at me confused for a moment before his eyebrows raise and he slowly nods his head, it finally hitting him. "Why? Because you finally realize I'm right?"
"No, because I don't know what you're going to try to do." I let the words slip past my lips, knowing that it isn't enterally true. But the truth, the fact that I'm worried about the things I'll feel or want to do, is something I'll never admit out loud. Not to him. Not to anybody.
"I'm not going to try and do anything." he shakes his head, running his finger along the edge of the counter. "Not anything that you don't want me to do darling." he murmurs.
"Then don't misinterpret what you think I want." I blurt out, feeling the tension between us get thicker as he looks up at me, an expression on his face I can't quite understand.
"I won't"
"Six tequila shots." the sound of the bartenders voice makes me quickly turn my head, seeing him slide them over to us. I thank him before I pick up one, quickly putting it to my lips, throwing my head back, letting the liquid slide down my throat, the burning sensation making a hum leave my lips as I swallow it and put the glass down.
I then see a girl come up close beside Aiden. She's actually very beautiful. She has mid length black hair, it cut very shaggy, making her look very edgy. She mumbles something to him before her warm brown eyes meet mine. "I didn't know you made any other friends?" she says, raising her eyebrows at Aiden and bumping his shoulder slightly. "Hi, I'm Jade." she introduces herself, a wide grin on her face.
I furrow my eyebrows slightly, the name sounding oddly familiar. It then suddenly hits me. The first time I came to the club with Aiden, they mentioned someone they said Aiden fucked from time to time because he couldn't let her go. Her name was Jade. "I'm Leah. I've heard a bit about you." a smile curves onto my lips.
"Oh I'm sure he's said great things." she drags out as she rolls her eyes. "Can I get a vodka martini please?" she asks the male bartender right in front of us, sending him a sweet smile before looking back at me. "I would ask if you want anything but you seem to have not even taken your shots yet."
"Just savoring the taste I suppose." I grin at her.
"Jade, I'm sure Leah doesn't want you harassing her." I hear Aiden speak, making me look up at him.
Jade then turns around, smacking the side of his shoulder roughly. "You don't need to speak for her. She's a grown independent woman." she bites back before turning towards me, a smile appearing on her face. "Men." she whispers, rolling her eyes dramatically.
"I heard that."
"And when did I say I give a shit?" she smiles sweetly, shaking her head side to side. I glance between the two of them, a wide smile on my face. "Now lovely, tell me. Where did you get this dress from?"
I let out a breathy laugh as I glance down at the hem of it stopping at my mid thighs. "If I remembered, I would tell you but I have shit memory." I laugh.
"No worries, me too." she smile softly. "Well you look hot." she mutters, looking up at me from underneath her eyelashes.
I bite down on my bottom lip, smiling and nodding my head at you. "Thank you. So do you." I reply lowly. I then see her reach for her martini, making me glance up at Aiden, seeing him already looking at me. I swallow hard, keeping my gaze locked with his, his blue eyes burning straight through mine before I tear it away.
I then reach down for my second shot, downing it quickly before I slam it back down on the counter, swallowing it slowly. I try and ignore Aiden from the corner of my eye but I then slightly look over at him, seeing him tilt his head back, his shot glass to his lips as he stares at me. "It's weird to stare at people like that you know." I hear Jade speak up, knocking me out of the trance I was in.
I see him adams apple bobble as he swallows the alcohol, gently setting it back down on the counter. "Sounding a bit jealous there Jade." he responds under his breath, continuing to look at me for a few more moments before he looks down to her.
"Jealous? Over you?" she bites back, a loud laugh escaping her lips a she runs her fingers through her hair. "Women exist Aiden, and they're much hotter." she smirks before looking over to me, holding her hand one. "Example one, Leah over here."
I roll my lips into my mouth, trying to conceal my smile as I glance down at the ground briefly. I then look back up at them, seeing the way Aiden playfully glares at her. "Remember that the next time you want to fuck me." he smirks smugly.
"No, remember that when I don't fuck you." she spits, a wide smile on her face as she takes a sip of her martini. I can't help but stare at them, grinning at their bickering. She then pulls the glass from her lips, setting it down. "Do you want to go dance?" she questions me.
"Um..." my voice fades out as I look over to my last shot sitting on the counter. I quickly pick it up, putting it to my lips, swallowing it and setting the empty glass down before I look back towards her. "Sure." I answer.
I then see Jade hold her hand out for me, making the corner of my lips twist up into a wider smile as I take it, hopping off of the barstool, pulling my dress down that's ridden up slightly. "See, avoiding me." Aiden murmurs in my ear just as I pass him.
I freeze for a split second, feeling his breath fan across my neck. I then scoff, letting out a small laugh before I turn around, flipping him off, making him raise his eyebrows at me. I then turn back around, Jade still holding my hand as I follow her to the dance floor.
Once we get in the middle of it, she turns around, a small smile on her face. I chuckle softly before I slowly move closer to her, wrapping my arms around her neck. She then slips her arms around to my back before holding onto my hips. "Is this okay?" she asks me softly, making me nod my head at her in response.
I then look around us, seeing all of the sweaty people grinding on one another, making me let out a small sigh. "You know, I've heard a bit about you from Aiden." I hear her speak up again, making me look over at her. I then see her glance over my shoulder, then back at me. "Nothing bad. He told me that you were coming tonight."
I furrow my eyebrows at her slightly. "What did he say exactly?" I dare to ask you.
"He told me that he would be with you tonight and that I could stay in my own bubble as he called it." she informs me, letting out a breathy laugh. "He seems different around you an I've known that asshole for a few years now."
I suck in a long breath through my nose, feeling my chest become heavy as her words. "I don't know what you mean. I've seen him around other people and he seems the same" I shrug my shoulders.
She raises her eyebrows at me, tilting her head to the side slightly. "Come on, you're a woman. We notice things like that because men are painfully obvious." she drags out.
"Obvious about what?"
"That he likes you." her words make me nearly choke on my saliva as my eyes go wide. "I never see Aiden get jealous or possessive. He isn't that kind of guy. If he was, we wouldn't have the dynamic in our relationship that we do. He just seems a bit more on edge with you, like he wants to be more careful." she explains lowly.
I only hum in response, barely even being able to fathom her words. I can't imagine Aiden liking a single person. If in some way, he were to like me, he sure as hell doesn't act like it. But I suppose you can't expect much from him. "We don't have to talk about it. I don't want him to ruin your night before it's even started. It would be a waste of a such a pretty dress." she smirks.
I giggle quietly at her, nodding my head in response before I step slightly closer to her, my body brushing over hers. I then hear then begin to play Lana Del Rey over the speaks in the club, making a small smile appear on my face. I then begin to sway my hips, closing my eyes for a moment, feeling the music as I try to let go of all my worries and thoughts.
I then feel her press her body against mine, her face coming up to the side of my neck. I hum lowly as sway my hips to the rhythm, Jade matching up with me. I feel all the worries I had become slightly fuzzy, making a small smile appear on my face as I run my hands slightly down, stopping at the top of her chest.
I then turn around, pressing my back against her frontside, continuing to sway to the music. I then feel her grab my hips, swaying perfectly with me, making me hum and close my eyes as I lean my head back against her. I then open them up, scanning over the people in the ground, seeing them grinding and sweating on one another.
I then catch my gaze with familiar blue eyes staring straight through me, making my breath hitch in my throat. I see Aiden catch me intently, having absolutely no shame in it as he takes a small sip out of his drink. I've seen that look before. He wants to intimidate me. He wants to make me nervous. It's a very good attempt at it but I'm not one that's easily intimidated, or so I like to think.
I keep my gaze locked with his, not changing a single thing, testing him to see if he'll break eye contact. I see him raise his eyebrows at me slightly, a small smile on his face. I run my tongue along the inside of my cheek, a smirk creeping onto my face as I sway my hips more, putting my hand over Jade's on my hip, not for one second looking away from Aiden.
I stick my tongue out slightly, wetting my lips as I run my hands up and down my body, the music completely taking over me and washing away all of my worries. I see his jaw clench slightly, the sight making a chuckle escape my lips before I close my eye and lean my head back again, refusing to look at him even though I can feel him still staring.
Victory number one of the night.
* * * *
Scared haha
Double update though babes. You guys deserve it after the long break and especially with what these two chapters include.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Taylor x