HARRY’S POV:
It wasn’t until Friday that I heard anything from Anna. Tonight was Danielle’s Halloween party and at this point, I wasn’t even sure Anna was coming. I decided to stop over thinking everything and just call her. At this point I wasn’t even sure what I was so worried about.
“Hello?”
“Anna! It’s me. You’ve been a bit silent lately, everything okay?”
“Uh, yeah. I just- had a lot going on.” She sounded distant, like she wasn’t all there.
“I’m sure. But I was hoping you were still coming to Dani’s tonight. I know she’d be devastated if you didn’t show up.”
“Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“Great! So um, do you want me to come get you, or….?”
“No, no. I can just meet you there.”
“Alright then.”
“So I’ll see you tonight?”
“Yeah, see you tonight.” And then, she just hung up.
I felt hallow after our non-conversation. What had happened in the past few days? What had changed? I felt like she was distancing herself from me, and I hated not knowing why and what might come of it. I knew we needed to talk, so I guess that was going to have to happen tonight.
I was trying so hard to talk myself out of my thoughts of what was going on with Anna. But I could help it, I was scared.

ANNA’S POV:
I had told my friends about Danielle’s party before our ‘fight’ the other day, so I didn’t expect them to show up anyway. I knew I had to go, for Danielle, even if I wasn’t really in the partying mood. I had used a costume I had from last year as 20’s flapper girl. It was complete with a beaded headband, long fake pearl necklaces, and the red lipstick and cat eyeliner.
I was making my way downstairs, and when I stepped into the lobby, I was completely shocked to see everyone there; Molly, Keenan, Bryce, and Oliver. And they were all in costume.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“I thought we were going to a party!” Bryce said enthusiastically, dressed as a surfer in a pair of board shorts and little else.
“You guys don’t have to-“
“We want to.” Oliver interrupted, smiling at me. He was dressed as a police officer.
“Plus, it’s an excuse to FINALLY see all the boys!” She said giddily. She and Keenan were dressed up as Jane and Peter Pan.
I wasn’t going to question their kindness; I’ve done enough of that. I decided ot just go with it and be thankful enough that they were willing to give me another chance.
“Well. Lets go then!”

Danielle’s apartment was close by school, so it didn’t take long to get there. For some reason, as we walked down her hallway, which was packed with people in costume, I was nervous to see Harry. After talking to my brother I had thought. A lot. But even now, in the 11th hour, I didn’t know what I was going to say when I saw him. But I better think pretty damn quick, because I spotted his mop of curly dark hair and ‘swoon-worthy’ smile the second I walked in the door.
“Oh my dear god. Zayn Malik is practically naked. I think I’m gonna pass out.” I heard Molly say in my ear, making sure Keenan was distracted with something Bryce was saying.
“Go talk! Mingle! Have fun! I’ve gotta go deal with some things.” She nodded, giving me a ‘good luck’ hug.
“YOU’RE HERE!” I heard, as a pair of arms wrapped around me, Danielle’s. She was dressed as Pocahontas, complete with a headdress and feather earrings.
“Of course I came! You look fantastic!”
“Are you kidding me, you look GORGOUS! Where the hell did you get this dress?” She asked, eyeing my beaded, fringe-y dress.
“This vintage store back home. It’s my costume from last year. I had to throw it together a little last minute.”
“Well, last minute looks great on you. C’mon, lets get you a drink!” She said, practically skipping over to a makeshift bar area.
“Are we drinking tonight?” She asked, knowing I wasn’t the biggest drinker.
“Yes. Please. I think I need it.” She nodded, mixing something in a plastic cup and handing it over to me. I took a big sip, letting the feeling of the alcohol wash over me, calming my nerves only slightly.
“Here you are. I’ve got to go get more ice. But have FUNNN!!” She squealed, galloping away into the kitchen.
Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist form the back.
“You look beautiful.” Harry. His hot breath tickled my skin, his lips practically touching my ear. I squirmed around so we were facing each other. It had only been a few days, but I had really missed him. His warm smile, his sparkling green eyes, his soft curls, his everything. He was as dressed up as I could imagine Harry being; a bright red ‘Thing 1” t-shirt, jeans, and matching red converse.
“Louis is ‘Thing 2’.”
“I sort of figured.” I said, smiling.
“I’ve missed you.” He said quietly, leaning down to kiss me. But I needed to remember what I had been feeling for the past few days, so I moved away slightly.
“Could we maybe go and talk for a minute?”
“Yeah. Sure.”

HARRY’S POV:
I should be sort of glad that Anna wanted to talk. As always, no matter how much I planned what I wanted to say to her, the minute we were close, everything changed. It was like everything flew out of the window, and I just wanted to kiss her and forget about everything else.
We pushed through the crowds of people until I opened the door to an empty room.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“Um. Okay. I talked to my brother the other day. I haven’t seen him in forever and I just – he reminded me that I need to do what’s best for me. And I don’t really know what that is anymore.”
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, everything. I just feel like you’re not telling me how you’re really feeling. What happened was terrible, we all know that. You’re allowed to be upset, or angry, or embarrassed, or whatever you’re feeling. You can tell me. You don’t need to put on a brave face.” She stopped, looking at me differently now.
“ I don’t really have a choice, Harry! I look like I don’t care, and some sleazy magazine will call me an attention-seeking whore. I show how upset and angry I am, I’ll get called a bitch. It’s a lose-lose situation for me. And THAT’S the problem!” Her eyes were glassy and all I wanted to do was make everything okay, whatever it took.
I sighed; “I know. I’m sorry.” The way she was talking was making me more and more nervous.
“And the worst part of it all is how much I wish I could say I didn’t care, and it was all going to be okay. Because I love you, and I want to be with you so much. But I just don’t-“ She stopped, catching her breath. I could tell that she was holding back tears.
“No. Anna, please no. Don’t say what I think you’re about to.” I was desperate to change her mind. I took a few steps towards her, taking both of her hands. I tried to get her to look at me, but she averted my gaze. “ I can feel you slipping away and it is scaring the hell out of me.”
“I just don’t know what to do anymore.” She finally looked up at me, her eyes filling with tears, her lip quivering.
“I can help you. I’ll keep you safe, whatever it takes. Just- don’t leave me.”
“I’ll never leave you. I just think we should spend some time apart for a little while-“
“No. No, Anna. Don’t.” Without thinking, a pulled her against me, our lips crashing together. I felt tears on her cheeks that I wiped away, just wanting for the two of us to disappear. I felt her body relax for a minute, her hands moving up my arms and around my neck, her lips parting with mine. But then, everything changed. She went rigid, pulling away from me.
“I need to get out of here.” She said quickly, extracting herself from my grasp. She let out a small sob as she pulled open the door, but never looked back.
“Anna! Please-“ But before I could change her mind, she was gone.