Showing up at Simon's house on a Tuesday for even more filming after the... circumstances, wasn't exactly something I was looking forward to. But I couldn't exactly say no, right?

I knocked on the door, opened it, and am greeted with Tobi, Ethan and obviously Simon.
"Heya" Tobi puts a hand up to replicate a wave and I do the same.
"Heya, lads" I sigh and hang my coat up on the little fancy coat hangers Simon keeps at his front door.

Soon the house is full, and everyone's arrived. Everyone except Harry.
"Ellie, have you heard from him? He's usually early" Josh turns to me.
I try not to sound as nervous as the question made me feel "Em, no, not really"

He looks confused "Really?"
I nod "Yeah, haven't heard from him"
As if he was summoned, he comes bursting through the front door, panting and looking rough. He looks like he was dragged through a bush.

"Jesus christ, Harry, what the fuck happened?" Ethan laughed.
He gives a smile as he shuts the door "I was in a rush, got distracted and lost track of time"
Simon laughs "Clearly. Well come on then, we'd want to start soon"

He sits down, and we start the video.
"Welcome back to more sidemen! Today's video is who knows Simon best. Basically..."

"Well, that is in fact the end of the video" Simon declares, finishing the outro.
The cameras stop filming and everybody sighs with relief.
I text Charlie that i'm on the way home and she tells me she's out. Again. I'm confused but I ignore it.

As we tidy up and make small talk before leaving, I catch Harry's eye. He doesn't smile, or try talk to me. Just looks at me then looks away. It makes me want to sob all over again.

Tobi turns to me "Ellie, can you c'mere real quick?"
I nod and he brings me to the hallway.
"What's wrong with you and Harry" He doesn't say it like a question, he says it like statement.

"Nothing, nothing-"
"Ellie" Tobi's voice is firm, but not mean "what's wrong?"
"He-" I sigh "he kissed Gabby, after her and Liam broke up"
Tobi looks equally mortified and confused "What? Ellie, that isn't what happened"

That sinking feeling i've been getting the past two days returns "He said that too" I murmur.
Tobi shakes his head "No, El, she kissed him. I walked out to grab my jumper from the car and I seen her kiss him. He pushed her straight off"

First I feel relieved. Then the nerves and the confusion come pouring back, filling my head.
"What?" I mumble.
"Josh and Simon seen, too. The three of us had no idea what to do" He pulls out his phone "Look"

ZERKAAAA:
please tell me you seen gabby kiss harry

you:
fuck off
i did and all

ZERKAAAA:
what do we do?
if she goes mouthing to ellie she'll be crushed

you:
we can't tell her, it isn't our place

ZERKAAAA:
maybe not now but we need to eventually

you:
if harry doesn't say anything, we tell her

ZERKAAAA:
deal

He shows me similar texts with Simon, both of them agreeing to tell me if Harry doesn't.
"He was devastated when you two stopped speaking. I was going to tell you, I really was, but then Harry said he spoke to you and he said you were upset so I wanted to wait it out"

All I can hear is my breathing, short and panicked. What if he hates me? Why didn't I believe him? Why would Gabby lie to me?"
I nod "Thank you so much, Tobi. Seriously"

He nods "I think you need to speak to him"
"I will" I agree "but I need to speak to Gabby first"

On the way home, my mind is racing: why would Gabby lie? Why did Harry just accept it? Does Harry even want to speak to me?
I hope the last one is a yes. Desperately.

When I walk through my front door, I almost drop my phone trying to call Gabby from how hard my hands are shaking.
"Hello?" Her voice is sweet on the other end.
I take a breath "Heya! Are you almost home? I want to talk"

Silence for three full seconds. Then, "Yeah, 'course, home in five minutes"

Five minutes feels like five years. Then Gabby walks through the door and I freeze on the couch.
"Hey" She takes off her jacket and throws it over the arm of the chair, sitting beside me.
I swallow "Hey, Gabs. Can we talk?"
She bites the inside of her cheek but stays cheery "Of course"

I take a deep breath "Remember you told me Harry kissed you?"
Something flickers in her eyes. Fear. It's quickly replaced with curiosity.
"Mhm" She hums.
"You lied to me. You kissed him"

Nobody speaks. No sound. Then she gives a dismissive laugh.
"Is he lying to you about it? Oh god, El, I knew he was shallow but this is a whole new level-"
"Don't try lie to me again" My voice is cold, but I don't feel angry at Harry anymore.

She get's this defensive look "Listen, I don't know what you're talking about. Harry kissed me, and if you don't believe me that's that"
"Don't, Gabby" I snap "don't try make me doubt myself. Tobi and Simon seen you"

The fear creeps back into her expression, less hidden this time.
"D'you know what? Fine. I did kiss him. And it would've gone so perfectly without you. You don't deserve Harry, he needs someone better"

"And you're the someone better?" I scoff "get a grip, Gabby. I would've stopped talking about it around you if you had of told me-"
"You don't get it!" She snaps, standing up suddenly.
I flinch as she continues.
"You had him, Allison. You had Harry. You didn't have to watch your best friend just have the man you want"

"But that doesn't mean you can ruin the trust between us, or me and Harry! You don't get to do that, Gabby, that's childish and petty. We aren't fifteen anymore"

Her face hardens in anger "Don't go calling me childish, Ellie. Don't try make me feel guilty now"
"I'm not trying to make you feel anything!" My voice gets louder "i'm trying to get you to see my point"

"But you need to understand my point as-well, Allison!"
I just look at her, and i'm absolutely sick of this argument already "Gabby, look. I'm sorry you had to watch me and Harry be with each other. But even then, why did you lie?"

She's quiet, like she's considering telling me.
"Because I was jealous. Isn't it obvious?" She laughs, bitter and humourless.

I put a hand on her arm and she just crumbles.
She falls back onto the couch.
"I'm sorry, Ellie" She murmurs "i'm so, so sorry"
I nod "It's okay, Gab"
Maybe I don't fully forgive her yet. But I don't think i'll feel like that for long.

I stand "I need to go speak to Harry"
She nods without saying anything and I walk towards the door.