Clash

The moment I walked into my building I was exhausted and dreading the date I had this evening. There wasn’t much I could take today and I had to be at my best if I wanted to fool Bradley but as I was walking to my apartment, I saw Harry emerge from the shadows. “Anna, where have you been?” That’s when I snapped.

“CAN I GET A FUCKING BREAK FOR FUCKING ONCE!” I yelled at him, whilst moving passed him. He followed me but didn’t touch me, he waited patiently for me to open the door and as he followed me inside he was just observing me, not saying a thing, he was studying me as if I was a foreign object. “WHAT?!” I turned around to face him but he was wearing a smirk, I once loved. “Nothing.” He shrugged as he sat down on the couch, he even turned on the television as If this was his house.

“What are you doing?” I asked him with narrowed eyes but he wasn’t impressed. “I’m watching the telly.” I rolled my eyes and stomped towards my bedroom. I really hated that I didn’t have a door to close. I turned on the shower and quickly washed away the sweat, that was sticking to my skin thanks to my fight earlier. I felt my muscles relax as I was enjoying the hot water. I was completely ignoring Harry who was sitting in my living room but then again he didn’t seem to mind. It was like we were in a relationship but not. It was confusing the hell out of me and what would the guys think about this because Harry was working for the other team.

I sighed as I got dressed. I had grabbed a black cocktail dress, knowing Bradley would approve of it. It was still making me nervous but this was the only way to get him to trust me so I could come close enough to kill him. This wasn’t going to happen tonight though but soon. I had to make him believe I was in love with him and then I was going to kill him for everything he had done to me.

I put on my make up and put my hair in a bun but I left a few strings of hair fall on my face. I put in some earrings and a neckless and I grabbed my shoes but didn’t put them on quite yet. I made my way into the living room and was stopped by Harry’s piercing glance. His eyes were dark green and he got up slowly. I held my breath when he approached me but I could feel my pulse racing. “Why are you all dressed up?” He was kidding me right, there was no way that Bradley hadn’t told him that he asked me out.

“Bradley asked me out and I said yes.” I didn’t dare to look him in the eyes but that wasn’t necessary as he already knew my plan. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. “Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you are not planning to kill him by making him trust you.” I couldn’t lie to him not whilst he kept staring me. “I can’t let you do this.” He whispered as he put his head against mine. He closed his eyes and we just stood there, I should have moved away but something in me stopped me from moving away. My heart was beating so fast, that I was afraid of fainting and as I inhaled his scent, I almost lost my balance.

“I’m no longer your concern Harry.” I whispered back, I could hear the sadness in my voice and I’d never expected that. “You joined forces with him, you stabbed us in the back and this is the only way.” I said quietly, knowing I may hurt him with my words but there was no other option. “You will always be my concern even if you refuse to see that.” He said against my lips. Now I was holding my breath awaiting his next move because he could kiss me now and I wouldn’t object. He took a step back before I could do something I would maybe regret. “He has to pay Harry.” I heard myself explain to him and I saw him close his eyes, he even put his hand through his hair, which he only did when he was losing it.

“Can't you just let it go, I mean I'm not dead and this is the only way I'm keeping you safe.” He looked shocked when he said that, as if this wasn't something he was suppose to tell me and to b honest it shocked me as well because how was he keeping me safe? “What do you mean by that?” I whispered, feeling the guilt that was forming in my stomach. “I can't tell you this yet but please trust me when I say that I will keep you safe but I can only do that if you stop your plan.” He was almost begging me and I know I could trust him but my stubbornness showed his ugly head because I didn't really need his protection at least that's what my head was telling me but I'd also know that I had to cooperate with him so I was torn and we kept staring at him when someone suddenly buzzed my doorbell.

“I have to go.”, because I knew it was my cab, which I had ordered to take me to the restaurant. “I understand” he turned and let himself fall on the couch. “What are you doing?” I was feeling confused as he made no effort of getting up. “I am going to wait for you to come home.” He wasn't even looking at me as I stared at him. “Are you serious right now?” I asked him, which only resulted in him nodding whilst watching tv and as much as I like to throw him out, I just didn't have the time. “Fine, don't eat all my stuff.” Was all I said before leaving through the door.

Bradley was waiting for me in front of one of the most luxurious restaurants in the area and that made me somewhat uncomfortable, knowing Bradley he would make sure that people would see me and that was the last thing I wanted. I got out of the cab but before I could pay him, some guy had already paid the driver, the only thing I could do was mutter thank you before Bradley himself opened the door to let me out. He stretched out his hand for me to grab which was really weird and I debated for split second of i should do this, but there was no turning back now.

“hello love.” He greeted me by kissing me on my hand and I already was regretting this, I should've listened to Harry and just trust him, instead of facing Bradley on my own. “Hi” was all I said back. He led us into the restaurant, when one of the ushers stopped us. “Do you have an reservation?” He asked friendly and that's when I felt Bradley tense up, which was weird. I felt him hesitate on his next move, I mean normally he probably would get in the boy's face, for even doubting him but he couldn't let me show that side without making me scream for the hills. “Yes, it's under “Tanner,” which surprised me because I never would've guessed that the had an American surname. I know I raised my eyebrows as he chuckled.

“You didn't expect that did you?” He asked and I could feel that I shook my head. “No I thought you had a British surname.” I told him with a forced smile. “My father is from America but my mom is British.” He explained whilst we were following the usher to our seats. I still was astounding by the fact that he still didn’t recognize me because I didn’t really pit on that much make-up and I wasn’t wearing my glasses this time but then again, I did gain some weight and I looked healthier and I didn’t have bruises from fighting a certain person. “Is everything okay?” Bradley touched my hand and I cringed and snatched my hand back, which made him narrow his eyes in suspicion.

“Of course, I was just a bit distracted.” I smiled at him but the suspicion didn’t leave his eyes. He cocked his head a bit and I saw that he was trying to fit the puzzle pieces and I was praying he didn’t because that would be my death for sure. “So Poppy, I was wondering something.” I looked up from the menu cart, when he saw he had my attention he continued. “Mr Mackenzie, why is he so interested in you?” He had already asked me this, which meant he was following me and that creeped me out because he surely had to know that I was Anna, I mean it’s not like Mr Mackenzie calls me Poppy.

“I don’t know but it is very annoying.” I shrugged but he wasn’t settling for that. “Don’t lie to me.” He grabbed my hand tightly and it actually did hurt after a few seconds. “Bradley you’re hurting me.” I told him hoping he would let go of me but he only narrowed his eyes. That’s when I saw my mistake, I didn’t flinch, which a normal girl would do but I was hardened by fighting Harry and I didn’t actually felt it right away. “You sure your name is Poppy princess.” I narrowed my eyes and pulled my hand back but kept quiet. “You really thought I didn’t recognize you Anna, how stupid do you think I am?” he said sarcastically and I felt a flicker of panic run through my body, as I couldn’t defend myself properly, as I didn’t bring a gun.
“If you recognized me from the beginning, why am I still alive than?” I countered back, hoping no one would see how strained this conversation was. I scanned the restaurant quickly to see if I could get away but I saw his men watching us like hawks. This was going to be painful that was for sure. “It was Harry who gave it away to be honest.” That felt like a kick in the stomach, did Harry really betray me?

“What do you mean?” I demanded and Bradley’s smiled grew bigger, which was disturbing. “Didn’t you see the change in him, well we did “brainwash” him a bit but when he saw you, he didn’t obey me as much anymore and that is when I fitted the puzzle pieces together. The only reason why I didn’t say anything was to see how far you were willing to go, to get close to me.” He got up and pulled me out of my seat. “What are you doing?” I asked him when he pulled me with him. He pulled me out the restaurant and dragged me to his car but there was no way I was getting in his car because that would be my death. I had to fight him off, this was my only chance. That’s when I stopped walking even if it hurt as he was pulling hard but I couldn’t let this happen.

“I’m not going anywhere with you, now let go off me.” I demanded, at this he laughed making me feel like the dumbest girl ever but little did he know that even now that our gang was dismantled I was always being followed by two members and I was secretly hoping that Harry was also following me. Knowing him he would be, as he always want to protect me even if I betrayed him. I saw Bradley’s hand go in his jacket and I knew what he was doing, so this meant I had only seconds. I didn’t wait and kicked him hard in his back, making a mental note to thank Louis for teaching me that and thanking myself for wearing high heels because there he went and I made a bee line for it. I pulled of my shoes and ran for my life.

The ground was so cold against my feet but I couldn’t stop now and as I was running, I could feel them running after me, I pushed myself, I needed to run harder, when suddenly I was pulled into a small alley. “What the.” Was all I could say before a hand was put in front of my mouth.

“Keep quiet.” It was Harry and I relaxed instantly. He pulled us into the shade of the alley. He kept me against his body, which was warm and comforting. We saw them run past us and as soon as they were gone, I could feel the atmosphere change between us. I noticed the warmth that radiated from his body and I could tell that his breathing had picked up, just like mine. “Are you okay?” he turned me around so I was facing him and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking as he had put on his cold face. “I’m fine, my feet are cold though.” I looked down and saw that they were really dirty. “Put your shoes on.” He told me and I wasn’t going to protest this time and just did what he asked, not that this was better because heels aren’t that comfortable if your feet are already stone cold.

When I was done, he grabbed my arm and pulled me along, I wasn’t surprised when I saw where he was taking me, as he made his way back to my apartment but that would be a long walk and my feet were killing me. I stopped walking, which made him halt as well. “Can’t we just call a cab? I really can’t walk on this shoes for much longer.” He narrowed his eyes and I held my breath out of fear of his reaction. I think he saw that I was afraid because his eyes softened and he let go of my arm. “Yeah, let’s call a cab.”

Notes