Long chapter :D Look who's getting things accomplished xD Enjoy<3

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Chapter 25 – Valerie's P.O.V.

            I stood to go after Harry, but Jeff motioned me to sit back down. "He'll be fine," he grumbled. "He's a big boy."

            I exchanged worried glances with the boys, but they merely shrugged and returned the confused look. Pursing my lips tightly, I found myself twiddling with my thumbs. I should go after him. I know I should.

            "Now, Niall and Valerie. Because of Harry's ignorance with his contract, you two will be fake dating. I've made the schedule for you both and guidelines as to how quick you should both move. Valerie, you wouldn't even have to 'date' Niall if it weren't for Harry being seen with you so much. Because of this, if you completely disappeared, even more rumors would spark. There won't be a contract since this is only for the week, since the boys will be leaving on Friday for their Where We Are Tour. You are to follow each rule and follow them closely. If I spot any issues, I will contact the both of you. Understood?"

            Niall and I slowly nodded, me still chewing my bottom lip as Niall picked at his fingernails.

            "Can I... Can I please be excused?" I asked, not sure how to phrase the question.

            Jeff sighed, as if knowing why I needed to leave. "I suppose so, but do come back so I can give you your schedule."

            I nodded, jolting out of my seat and for the door. I walked down the hallway, then saw Harry in the lobby with his head in his hands, fingers tugging at his hair. He was sitting in a chair, looking down to the floor so I couldn't see his face. By the way he kept pulling his curls, I knew he was stressed.

            "Harry?" I said softly, inching towards him as I fumbled with my hands.

            Harry drug his hands down his face as he looked up at me. His hands clasped, pressing against his lips as he bit his knuckles.

            I sat beside him. "I'm sorry..."

            Harry gave me a faint smile, shaking his head. "Don't be sorry, Valerie. I've told you before that none of this is your fault."

            I frowned, looking down at my lap as I tried to figure out what to say. One question flew to my lips and it's been in my mind ever since Harry spoke to me. "Why me?" I asked quietly.

            Harry turned towards me at this, his eyebrows etched together in confusion. "Why you what?"

            I took a deep breath. "Why do you bother with me? Why did you even talk to me out of all the girls there? Why do I stick out to you so much?" I was absolutely petrified to hear his answer.

            Harry frowned as he turned fully to look at me. "I don't know how many more times you want me to tell you this, Valerie, but I'll say it as much as you want me to. You're different. Different from anyone I've ever met. Your personality is unbelievably contagious, you're adorable in every way humanly possible, I love the way you ramble, and you're downright gorgeous. When I saw you at the meet and greet..." Harry paused, a smile painting his lips as he shook his head. "When I saw you at the meet and greet, I was infatuated."

            I laughed at his word, shaking my head slowly as I looked towards my lap.

            Harry turned my chin to where our eyes locked. "You are beautiful, Valerie. A blind person could tell you that. I bother with you, because, well... I care. I care when you harm yourself. I care when you get sick. I care when you cry. I don't think I can tell you why I like you, but I know I do. And if we're being completely honest here, I don't want to leave in five days."

            A loud sigh left Harry's lips as he raked his fingers through his hair. He looked around the lobby, and I guess he thought the coast was clear because he pulled me into his chest. Naturally, I curled against him, inhaling his cologne that I've grown so accustomed to. I didn't want Harry to leave either. Other than the fact that he's Harry Styles, he's the only person that's ever said so many kind words to me. The only person to ever call me beautiful, other than my parents. He's the only person that's made me ever feel wanted and loved. And I can't get enough of this damn feeling.

            "I'll miss you," I whispered into his shirt.

            Harry chuckled before pressing his lips to my temple. "I'll miss you more."

            I smiled, probably the biggest damn smile known to mankind. I was over the fact of him being Harry Styles at this point. He was just Harry. The boy who came into my world and lit it with the biggest match possible. The boy who drug me out of the darkness just when I started seeping in. The boy who saved my life, before and after I met him. He's just a boy with an infamous name.

            "We should probably get back in there," I told him after moments of a comfortable silence between us. Just me snuggling next to him as he gently knitted with my hair.

            Harry sighed. "I suppose so."

            I unwillingly pulled away from him, standing up. Harry pouted, causing me to giggle as I heaved him up out of the chair. Harry hesitated before opening the meeting door open, but when he did, all eyes were on us. The boys were faintly smiling, but Jeff looked more pissed than ever. I just met the man.

            "Now that that is out of the way," Jeff snarled. "Valerie, here is your schedule. I'm not going to run through it, because I'm pretty sure you're capable of reading."

            I pursed my lips, nodding as I took the paper in my hands. My eyes immediately skimmed the entire thing:

January 26th

Meeting with Jeff to gather schedule and get information.

            Okay, well... that was today. My eyes went to the next one:

January 27th

Lunch out in public before a nice walk through the park. MUST hold hands.

January 28th

Beach day with all the boys, make sure to be smiley and giggly and very, very playful.

January 29th

Shopping day while walking around town and seen in public holding hands.

January 30th

Teen Choice Awards. Take plenty of pictures on red carpet; Niall kissing Valerie's cheek in a few. Make sure to be cozy during the award show.

January 31st

Hang out at the boys' hotel, or at Valerie's house. Post a photo on social media pages of the two of you. A couple pose. (Kissing cheek, laughing, smiling, etc.)

February 1st

First kiss. Valerie will be backstage at an interview and the interviewer will ask questions, one being of the kiss. Niall and Valerie are to kiss in front of the cameras, thus making things "official."

            My eyes widened at the last one. February first? That was my birthday. Shit. It was Harry's birthday too. Did they plan this on fucking purpose? Did they know it would break Harry's heart to see Niall kiss me? Holy shit. Holy shit, shit, fuck. I don't even know what to do, or even how to process this kind of information.

            "Are you fucking kissing me?" Harry grumbled under his breath, and it was then that I realized he had been hovering over my shoulder the entire time. "Fucking perfect," he spat, right before he left the room again.

            At least the meeting was over... At least I don't have to run out and tell him to come back and finish it. Apparently, this is now official and the meeting is done with.

            "Jeff, are you serious with all these things?" Niall's voice snapped me back to reality. It was now only Niall, Jeff, and I in the room.

            "Of course," Jeff smirked, leaning back in his seat as he spun a pencil between his fingers. "Why wouldn't I be?"

            "You want me to kiss her in front of Harry on his birthday?" Niall screamed, pure anger lacing his thick Irish accent and blue eyes.

            "That is what the paper says," Jeff growled, standing to meet Niall's full height. "If there is a problem, we can always cancel the band's contract."

            Niall slowly backed away, his jaw tensed as he spun on his heel. He brought his middle finger up, refusing to look at Jeff. Jeff merely chuckled to himself at Niall's gesture. "Let's go," Niall murmured to me, gently grabbing my arm as he pulled me out into the hall.

            "Where's Harry?" I asked as the three boys stood in the lobby.

            "He, erm... He stormed out," Zayn said, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.

            "He kept grumbling things to himself and then he just busted out the door," Liam added.

            I felt my hands tighten on the schedule as anger swelled inside me. They fucking hurt him, and they did it on purpose. "Do you guys know where he went?"

            Louis shrugged. "He started going down the sidewalk."

            "Hold this please," I said to Niall as I gave him the schedule. Niall nodded understandingly as I started darting for the door. I could hear Niall cursing Jeff out as I exited the lobby.

            Paparazzi was lined up against the building, clearly waiting for the boys. I looked around for the mop of curls, finally spotting him a little ways down. There were a couple people around snapping pictures, but Harry was so angry that he just kept barging through them.

            "Harry!" I yelled, running down to catch up with him. I don't give a fuck about management right now. They hurt Harry on purpose, and that's not okay with me.

            If anyone hurts any of the boys, it's not okay with me. That's when my aggressive fangirl side comes out. Let me tell you; that side is not pretty.

            Harry turned off between two buildings into a narrow alley as he lost the paparazzi. I sprinted right after him. After a couple minutes of incessant running, I saw the boy storming down towards the other opening. Before he could get there, I grabbed his wrist and spun him around to face me. "Harry, look at me," I pleaded.

            He kept his jaw locked tight as he stared to the side.

            "Harry!" I hollered, turning his chin with my fingers to make our eyes lock.

            Harry pulled his lower lip between his teeth, biting down furiously. "They did it on purpose," he whispered, his eyes filled with a pain and sorrow I hated seeing in him.

            "I know, but you can't let that bother you," I told him softly, trying to catch my breath as I kept a hold on his wrist.

            "How the fuck is that not supposed to bother me, Valerie?" Harry growled, his eyes stern as he glared at me. "How the fuck is my best mate kissing my girlfriend not supposed to bother me?"

            "Please don't yell at me," I whispered, my lips barely moving with the words as a small pang of fear hit my stomach. I don't like arguing.

            Harry inhaled sharply through his nose, his nostrils flaring as he shook his head. "Sometimes I really wish this band never existed," he mumbled, barely even audible.

            "No!" I shouted, furiously shaking my head. "No, Harry, don't say that! If this band wasn't alive, I wouldn't be either. I don't think you realize just how much of an impact your boys have on people," I said, tears brimming my eyes. "I wouldn't be here right now if you weren't where you are today. A lot of people wouldn't be alive if it weren't for this band. Please," I croaked, shaking my head again, "please never say that again."

            Harry stared at me a long time, his face slowly softening as he brought his large hands up to cup my face. "I'll always be there for you," he whispered, his forehead locking on mine. "I promise, Valerie."

            I slowly nodded, a lone tear rolling down my cheeks. Harry pulled me into his chest, his hands combing my hair soothingly as I gripped his shirt. I did my best not to cry, thinking about if he really weren't in this band. How many lives would've been taken if One Direction didn't exist? People say they're just a boy band, but let me tell you; not all angels have wings.