Turning off the lights, I left Harry's bedroom, and I didn't know why, but I felt, good.

It was so good, to be here, with all of them.

As I was closing Harry's bedroom door, and lost in my thoughts, someone from behind me cleared their throat. I could notice a girl frame from the corner of my eye. Turning around, I saw Gemma a few feet away from me, obviously annoyed as she had set her two hands on both side of her waist, and tapping the carpet floor with her right feet.

"What are you doing in Harry's bedroom?" she snapped at me, like I did something fundamentally wrong. Was she seriously thinking that I broke into his room to snoop or anything?

"Calm down Gemma, I just needed to change" I answered, keeping my voice down. She was getting on my nerves, but I didn't want to pour oil on the fire. I was tired to walk on eggshells with her, but didn't want to say something that I could regret either.

So I remained quiet, letting her snapping at me, once in a while. Sometimes I asked myself what's bitten her? Okay, last summer was a mess, but come on, it wasn't fair that she was treating me so bad since. She should be over it for a long time now, like we all did. She should be like us, and spend good time, forgetting the past. Besides, she wasn't involved in any of the mess, so I didn't understand. She put herself in the middle of something that wasn't her business. And now she was making me pay for it, for God knows why.

Thankfully, we both heard Louis and Liam's doors cracking, and we saw them come out of their rooms and headed over me and Gemma. It was clear on their face that they notice the tension between G and I.

She turned her glaze at them, and stepped back, narrowing her eyebrows, like she wasn't done with it, she wasn't done with me.

What the heck? If she keeps acting like this, I'd have to seriously consider to calm her nerves.

Even if, I'd rather smooth things over by themselves.

Without adding anything she just left us, nodding at the guys and came into her bedroom.

**

Wearing dry clothes, we made our way to the back door and went back to the garden at the back of the house, where the others were sitting by the huge swimming pool.

There was a slight breeze which was bringing some cold, so I was glad I put a sweatshirt on. I didn't want to become sick because of my wet hair.

To be honest, it was awkward that Harry was there with his girlfriend, and at first, it took me some time to adjust, (it was an understatement, I know) but I was getting better at this (who am I fooling here?). Besides, I was also in a relationship, and I was happy with Ben (right?), so it shouldn't bother me that much. I didn't have any right to be mad at him for being in a relationship. Our love story was over, that was it. (right, right?)

Making my way to Niall's chair, I was walking barefoot on the tiles floor surrounding the pool and grabbed a beer from the pack on the ground.

Removing the stopper of my beer, I took a sip and sat next to Niall. My hair was still wet and was soaking Harry's sweatshirt on the back.

"Thank you for the clothes Harry" I gently said to Harry, as Kendall was laying in his arms. I was making myself comfortable close to Niall, as we were both laying down on the same long chair.

The sight in front of me could have made me vomit, but thankfully I hold it back. They were so fucking acting like a couple... Anyway.

"You're welcome" he answered his gaze focused on me, as his arms were wrapping Kendall's waist. If I wasn't that hammered, I could have thought that he looked kind of irritated seeing me that close to Niall. Because, I was leaning over him, and we're both kind of cuddling. That's how it is with Niall, he's such a good guy, and I'd always been close to him, in a friendly way, not in the Harry way, if I can say... Being in his hold didn't bring anything awkward, it was just friendship. But Harry never appreciated this closeness. Whatever, it was good to be in Niall's gentle hold, without intending to do anything.

"How do Harry have leggings?" Liam asked amused by my outfit. It was obvious that they weren't his!

As he said that, they all turned their glance to look at my outfit.

Harry raised an eyebrow. He must remember now that he had still some of my clothes in his drawers. At some point, I used to spend a lot of time here, and in his... bedroom...

"Actually, they're mine" I replied, pointing at them, before adding. "Thanks I forgot them at some point, I'd rather wear those than Harry's too big sweatpants." Turning my head to look at him, "It's funny that you're actually wearing too skinny jeans all the time, but too big sweat pants" I mocked at Harry, as I was trying to ease the talk, and took a sip of my beer. I noticed how Kendall's face turned in an annoyed expression. It's laughable that she shows some feelings only when it's annoyed ones.

"I wish I had left flip flop or flat shoes though" I added, making the guys laugh. Those heels were utter hell for my foot. I'd never really been a heels girl, even if I can wear some once in a while.

Harry's face softened, and he smiled. The moonlight was enlightening his face and jawline. He looked fabulous, and the way the draught was blowing his curly hair in front of his face was making him even more flawless.

We were all comfortable, enjoying the perfect summer night and kept chatting of light subjects for at least more than an hour. I was resting my head against Niall's chest, under a thin blanket on the long chair, as the temperature was getting lower as the night passed.

As the guys kept talking, I didn't notice that I was losing myself in thoughts. I didn't even realize when Kendall left and went to bed.

The sky was clear, there was no cloud, letting the stars sparkling. It was a particularly beautiful night, considering we were in UK, and summer sucks most of the time.

Focusing on watching the stars for a while. Listening to the guys, and their fun stories, I surprised myself to feel genuinely happy. It was like I felt slight, like the burden on my shoulders had vanished, I was floating, lost in my thoughts, and happiness.

Gosh I was that high...

Tonight, I was happy. It didn't happen for so long, that I can't really remember feeling so free, and light.

I was happy for the simplest things in life.

I was happy to be here, surrounded by the people that I loved the most on earth.

I grew up with Harry and Gemma, and despite the whole situation, I'd always felt like they were the sister and brother I didn't have. We shared a special relationship, and a special bound. We went to the same school, and I was in the same classes as Harry's for years when we were kids. We used to spend so much time together, we'd had a lot of childhood memories together. If you look at the photo albums from my childhood, you could see that there's a lot, even a ton of pictures of me with Harry and/or Gemma.

When I look at Harry's eyes, all I'm looking for is to know if he's happy. And I think he is, even if he keeps wearing some mask sometimes. If you know someone well enough, like I'd known Harry for my whole life, you can see a lot through his eyes, if you know how to look. Eyes are the window to the soul, and believe me, Harry's soul is an absolute blessing for this earth.

Then Louis, Niall, Liam and Zayn showed up, six years ago. We were not just the three of us anymore after that. They happened into my life, but they also brought their own siblings.

When they were performing on X Factors, they spent a lot of time together. More than anything, they wanted to know if they could get along, before forming a band.

Since I was supporting Harry at that time, I spent a lot of time with them, as well.

And as and when the time passed and their career started, we learned to be friends, and we were like a family, despite the distance and the fame.

We'd lived our teenage years as normal as possible, even if their job was abnormal.

We had lived so many things together. And it was hectic, fun, crazy...

As I didn't have any siblings, and didn't get along well with my mother, as my father wasn't on the picture anymore, my friends meant everything to me. I surrounded myself with these people, and my friends were as important as my family. They were also my family, probably more than my flesh and blood one.

That's why these four silly lads, in front of me, made my heart beat. They're utterly my world. And this year, far from them was the worse.

In the end, it doesn't matter how many friends you had, all that really matters is how many stayed with you. And they all stayed, despite the distance, and the trouble that life can bring. Even my own father, my fresh and blood left, without looking back and screwed me over.

Looking at the sky, I felt I was protecting by a bubble, called One Direction. Say the biggest Directioner.

When I looked at them, I wasn't seeing rich young guys, or international popstars. No matter how much money they made, I knew who they were, deep down.

I only saw my best friends, and I was so happy that we were all here, together, to make up for lost time, and spend an amazing summer, and be close again.

Fulfilled with all this contentment, and probably thanks to the amount of alcohol and weed, I felt like I was in a special state, high, a sort of trance of quietness.

As I was exhausted, and drunk, and high. I was resting myself on the crook of Niall's neck, and was that close to fall asleep in Niall's arms. He was so comfy, and warm.

The others were as exhausted as I was.

In a short time, we all decided it was time to go to bed. Thankfully, I was too tired to think about Harry sleeping with Kendall in the same fucking bed. Hum, no I wasn't enough tired...

As they were all staying at Harry's, Niall drove me home, as planned, as he was the only one who didn't drink tonight. At least he had stopped drinking a long time ago. My mother had left for a while now, and I couldn't just walk to my house, it was definitely too far.

Niall gently drove me home, and helped me to make it to my bedroom. I almost fall asleep during the drive, and I was too drunk to walk the stairs alone, so my arm around Niall's neck, he maintained me to get to the first floor, shushing me all the time I was giggling as I was unsteady and almost fall multiple times, afraid that I could wake up my mother.

I was unbalancing so baldy, poor baby.

"Thank you Nialler" I thanked him, as I laid on my back, crashing on my bed, which made him chuckled, and I laughed as well.

"Don't thank me, you'll be in terrible shape tomorrow" he giggled, and he was damn right. I could imagine the hangover that was waiting impatiently to fuck me up, and I frowned, and groaned, which made him laughed again.

"Why is the room spinning?" I asked in confusion, praying for Niall to be able to do something about it.

"That's the effect of alcohol" he teased, as he moved closer to me.

"Or of the weed" I continued. "Louis's weed is always fucking strong" I complained and he smiled. I was closing my eyes, but I knew he smiled, he always smiles.

"Do you need help or anything?" he was making sure that I didn't need anything.

"No thanks" I answered, as I opened my eyes again, and turn my body to find a more comfortable position.

He brought me some water that he set on the bedside table, in case I had the force to hydrate myself. Before saying "See you tomorrow then", as he was walking to the door.

"Tomorrow?" I asked, I didn't remember about talking about tomorrow, maybe he had mentioned something in the car, but I didn't pay attention, I was too focused on dreaming of my bed.

"I'll text you in the morning" he said, knowing that I won't remember anything anyway.

"Night Niall".

"Night, Em" and he closed the door behind him, switching the lights off.

All I wanted was to sleep.

But I kept wondering, weighing the pros and cons about getting up and clean myself up, at least a bit.

I felt too gross with all the makeup on my face, and the taste of alcohol in my mouth. It would be impossible to sleep well like this, and moreover, it would be awful to wake up in that state tomorrow, well, later.

So I struggled and fight with myself, stumbling too many times, to go to the adjacent bathroom of my bedroom, which wasn't that far. I managed to remove the makeup and to brush my teeth and felt immediately freshen up and much better. I was too tired to take a shower. So I'd satisfied myself with the slight cleanliness.

It was already two in the morning, when I finally slipped under the covers and turned off the lights on the nightstand, before falling asleep like a rock. I was still wearing Harry's clothes and didn't want to take them off. Smelling his scent while sleeping would be... heaven.

** 

I was turning around to lay on my right side, when I noticed kind of a shadow in the dim light coming from the street, like someone was staring at me.

Scaring the hell out of me, I plopped on my elbows and opened my eyes as wide as I could to see Harry, who was sitting on the edge of the bed at my opposite side.

"Harry? What are you doing here?" I asked, squeezing my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming or hallucinating.

It was three fucking past ten in the morning. I was sleeping for less than an hour. The only dim light in the room was coming from the street lamps and the moonshine, but I was able to see that he wasn't okay, he was looking upset, or sad, I didn't know for sure.

Right away, I turned on the light from the lamp set on the nightstand close to my side of the bed.

He didn't answer and it was stressing me out.

"Are you okay?" I asked, with louder voice this time, as I approached him, carefully, patting his hand with mine, softly.

"Not really" he mumbled, he was drunk. How did he even come over here? It's a thirty minutes' drive at least. He couldn't drive or walk like this. Besides, he didn't drink that much tonight, how did he end up that hammered?

"Can I stay here?" his glare was staring at my eyes, even in the dim light. It was like he was begging me to stay. I couldn't hide that I was worried, and want to ask a bunch of questions.

"Of course" I answered. Of course he could stay here, we'd always been each other escape from our trouble, each other get away, and I didn't have the heart to make him leave. I'd always been here for him, whatever the circumstances. It seemed he had a lot on his plate at the moment, and even if I didn't know what it was, even if, deep down I was still pissed at him in some way, I couldn't turn my back at him, when he was in need.

To show him the way, I laid down where I was laying before Harry woke me up, while he stood up, taking his shoes off and removed his sweat pants and white loose tee shirt, letting him wearing only his black boxers.

I could notice his figure, and muscles, and glimpse his tattoos, even if it was dark. Harry's body was breathtaking. His body was even more muscular than before, and it was very, entertaining. He had become a man, and his incredible body shape was proving it.

"Do you wanna talk?" I asked, seriously concerned, staring into space, when he laid down in the bed, not sure he would be even able to string two words together. I thought that maybe if he was relaxing himself, he'd like to talk.

"No", he mumbled. And I took it.

I lifted on my left side, as Harry made himself comfy under the covers. When his head rested on the pillowcase, I turned off the light from the night lamp on the bedside table.

As I was closing my eyes, to try to find some sleep again. I felt Harry's getting closer to me, making me catch my breath, not sure how to react, and not sure about what he was doing.

When we were younger, and in a good place, we used to sleep next to each other often, and even if we were friends we used to sleep without doing anything, keeping it strictly platonic.

We had always been close.

Younger, I used to go to his, when my parents kept fighting, when my dad kept drinking, and when shit happened in my life. I used to go to his when things turned good too.

But since we had sex together, it was kind of allowed to be more close, even if we wouldn't do more, if that makes sense. Like some boundaries were blurred between him and I, some doors had been opened...

When Harry's arms wrapped me, taking me into his hold, as his breath was blowing on the back of my neck, I felt a sting in my stomach, and my heartbeat started to pound faster.

For a second, I felt destabilized. Being so close to him, when I saw him for the first time since what he did. It felt right and wrong at the same time.

However, it seemed he was relaxing and falling asleep, like he had found his position to sleep well, so I didn't dare to move, afraid of waking him up.

Hearing him snoring, and feeling his hot breath caressing the skin of my neck felt incredible. And I didn't have the energy of the willingness to do against it.

Being in his hold, it felt like I belonged in his arms. A warm feeling spread into my bloodstream, making butterflies grow in my stomach.

He needed the closeness, and so did I, so I let it be.

Loooong chapter I know, Hope you liked it anyway...

What do you think happened between us?

I don't know about you, but friendship is everything to me...

Please press the star and let me know what you think.  

Love -  XXxxx - Kate