Harry flinched awake the next morning, frowning and peeling his phone off of his face.
He pushed his messy hair out of his eyes, blinking until his vision was clear.
His phone was dead, and his face felt hot.
Harry sat up, rubbing his eyes and remembering that he was supposed to stay awake longer than Zayn.
But he wasn't sure if he did.
He also wasn't sure if he cared right now.
After putting his phone on the charger, he went downstairs in search of food.
"Harry, it's Saturday." Desmond said as Harry came into the kitchen.
He was sitting at the table with his laptop, checking the local news.
"Nice observation." Harry mumbled, opening the fridge.
He looked around the inside, saddened by the emptiness.
"When's the last time you went to the market?" He asked, not meaning sound so bratty.
He was just hungry.
"When's the last time you paid rent, Harry Edward Styles?" Desmond asked with a little smile.
"I'll pay rent when you keep good food in this fridge." Harry said.
Desmond sighed. "So, never."
Harry turned and looked at him.
"What? It isn't my fault that you eat everything I bring home in less than a day. Try conserving." Desmond said.
Harry rolled his eyes, checking the freezer now.
"Are you inviting those girls over tonight like I asked?"
"No. Haven't you heard? Gigi was shot last night and...everything kind of went to hell. I haven't spoken to any of the girls except Irene." Harry told him, picking up a tub of ice cream, only to find that it was pistachio flavoured.
Harry made a face, putting it back.
"Gigi is the one Perrie thinks is behind everything?" Desmond asked.
"Perrie and the other girls, yeah."
"Who shot her?"
"Zayn told me it was her ex-boyfriend." Harry shrugged, going through the cabinets now.
"Who's Zayn?" Desmond asked, looking up from his laptop.
Harry paused.
"Um, a friend of mine."
"A female friend?"
"Dad." Harry said, giving him a look.
"Harry, I don't want you getting too involved with anyone during this case. What we're doing isn't exactly legal, we can't risk anything." Desmond reminded him.
"I know, I told you he's just a friend." Harry said sharply.
"He thinks I'm a girl anyway." Harry said, now beginning to get concerned about that game.
"I'm not sure if that makes this situation any better." Desmond commented.
"What situation? There is no situation, dad. It's nothing, okay? And I'm not inviting anyone over tonight. In fact, some time alone is exactly what I need." Harry said, taking a box a cereal with him as he left the kitchen.
Desmond frowned, knowing that it couldn't have been that time of the month because Harry was male.
So why was he so angry?
+
+
+
Later that day, while in bed watching television, Harry got a message.
_zaynjaym93: afternoon, loser 😝
Harry bit his lip.
its_harriexx: can we just forget that game? I'll still go on a date with you...
_zaynjaym93: you don't want to tell me that secret, do you?
its_harriexx: not really, no
_zaynjaym93: I thought you told me it's important. like you couldn't keep it from me if we were going to be together
Harry sighed, getting out of bed and beginning to pace around his bedroom.
After doing this for a while, he stopped and stared at his phone for a moment.
He walked back over and picked it up.
its_harriexx: it is. but we're not together and agreed to just take things slow, didn't we?
_zaynjaym93: yeah, I guess you're right
its_harriexx: yeah. I mean, I usually am
_zaynjaym93: 😛
its_harriexx: 😝🐍
_zaynjaym93: oh so we're doing this now
_zaynjaym93: 👌
its_harriexx: 👉👌
_zaynjaym93: 🙈 aha
_zaynjaym93: 🍆💦
its_harriexx: 👅🔥
_zaynjaym93: you're gonna burn your tongue
its_harriexx: go dry your eggplant ✌
_zaynjaym93: 😂😂
Harry smiled for a moment, having a thought.
its_harriexx: hey, I have a question out of pure curiosity...
_zaynjaym93: yeah?
its_harriexx: would you ever date a guy?
_zaynjaym93: what?
its_harriexx: we're not even speaking, how could you not have heard me?
_zaynjaym93: no like....what? why would you ask that?
its_harriexx: because I'm curious
_zaynjaym93: look, whatever the girls told you about Louis and me isn't true. people do stupid stuff when they're drunk
Harry raised an eyebrow.
its_harriexx: what's this? what did you and Louis do?
_zaynjaym93: nothing
its_harriexx: tell me!
_zaynjaym93: tell me your secret and I'll tell you mine
its_harriexx: you and him snogged didn't you?
_zaynjaym93: possibly
_zaynjaym93: but it doesn't matter, we were completely drunk
its_harriexx: a drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts
_zaynjaym93: yeah? and a drunk man's actions are a sober man's regrets
_zaynjaym93: I'm straight 💯
its_harriexx: I believe you
Harry didn't know what else to say.
_zaynjaym93: are you a lesbian? Is that your secret?
its_harriexx: absolutely not. I don't like girls.
_zaynjaym93: then what is it? are you working for the CIA or something?
its_harriexx: no, just forget it okay?
_zaynjaym93: I kinda can't. I'm starting to feel concerned
its_harriexx: well don't. tell me about our date :)
Harry took in a shaky breath, trying not to get anymore upset than he already was.
Why was this so serious all of sudden?
Why did he have to fall for Zayn?
This was all his father's fault.
If his father hadn't made him do this, he wouldn't have met Zayn, and fallen for him so quickly.
He wouldn't be going through this.
Of course, he also wouldn't be going through this if he'd just tell Zayn the truth.
But he was so scared of rejection, and that everything would fall apart.
Harry took another deep breath, deciding he was done feeling this way.
He was going to tell Zayn the truth after their first date, no matter how scared he was.
No matter how much he wanted to try and brush it under the rug.
Harry cared more about Zayn than this case, and all the risks.
His father would just have to get over it.
++++++++++
A/N: Next chapter is coming reeeaaaally soon 👍
-Z