Harry groaned as he got out of bed the next morning. He dragged himself down the stairs and into the kitchen. He had a bad hangover as a result of the amount of alcohol he had consumed last night and a pounding headache to top it all off. He opened the drawer and took out two painkillers. He threw them back his throat and forced them down with a glass of water.

He re-heated some left-over pizza from last night and brought it into the sitting room. He flopped onto the couch and switched the channel on the TV, wrapping a duvet around him afterwards.

Not only did Harry have a horrendous headache, but he was also nursing a broken heart. He wasn’t used to being in the position, as he was usually the heartbreaker of his relationships. He would mercilessly leave girls in tears after breaking up with them, only for another girl to fall for his charm and get her heart broken.

When he found Lucy, he knew that she was hot, but he never got the butterflies when near her. It felt more like they were ‘friends with benefits’ or something of that sort. Still, it broke his heart know that he couldn’t really trust any girl in school. They were all either snobby bitches or weird nerds.

No girls were perfect for Harry. He couldn’t call any of them ‘The One’.

He loved shy girls, but also ones who are a bit cheeky. He loved it when girls could take the banter and adored when they played sports. He loved girls who wore jerseys too because he thought it was really cute. He loved short girls too, because he loves cuddles.

But of course, none of the girls in school were anything like that. Or so he thought.

What Harry didn’t know, was that there was one girl who had each and every one of those things. A girl that he hated purely for the reason that she had them, and more. A girl that he bullied every day and made her life hell.

Carter Payne.

I guess now it’s time to tell you a little bit more about Harry and Carter’s past?

Well, there are two sides to every story, and this one is no different. You’ve heard Carter’s side, now it’s time to hear Harry’s.

Harry had 5 best mates. Liam, Louis, Zayn, Niall and Carter. He was close to all of them, but he and Carter had something special. They had a beautiful friendship, which everyone envied.

They would go to each others’ houses every day after school to hang out. The remarkable thing for Harry was that Carter wasn’t the ‘girly’ type so he never had to play dolls or anything like that. Carter was such a tom-boy, that sometimes Harry even seemed camp compared to her!

Their bond seemed unbreakable.

But, one day, Harry was due to go to Carter’s house as they were going to hang out as usual. But, this wasn’t just an ordinary day for Harry. This was the day when he was going to ask his best friend in the whole entire world, Carter Payne, to be his girlfriend.

Words couldn’t describe how anxious Harry was when he reached her house. He jogged up the stairs of her house and came to her bedroom door. He took a deep breath before turning the knob on the door. He looked inside, only to find Carter and Niall in there, Kissing.

Harry kicked the door in frustration and ran out of the house. Carter and Niall jumped apart and Carter immediately knew it was Harry. She followed him out and explained everything.

At that very moment, Harry’s heart shattered into a million pieces.

Carter tried her best to maintain her and Harry’s friendship, but that wasn’t enough for Harry. She tried to tell him that he still meant as much to her as he did before, but Harry knew that he was slowly but surely loosing the best thing that has ever happened to him.

It soon came to the point where Harry couldn’t take it anymore. He ignored her calls and texts, snubbed her at school and boycotted her messages to him on facebook. Then, Lucy enrolled into their school and was horrible to Carter from day one. She found herself attracted to Harry and they soon began dating.

Niall and Carter ended their relationship on good terms after about a month. Harry still refused to talk to Carter. One day, her and Harry were alone in the classroom and she begged and pleaded for him to speak to her.

Harry found himself in a fit of rage and beat up Carter viciously. Carter didn’t try to fight back. She just took Harry’s punches, his kicks, his slaps, his scratches and anything else he threw at her. When he was done she just laid there, her body limp and lifeless, not murmuring a word to him.

What Harry did that day was disgusting, and he regretted it ever since.

After that day, Harry knew he had some sort of power over Carter. Her breath baited anytime he passed her in the halls and she trembled when he came near her.

As for Liam and the rest of the boys, he remained best mates with them and still hung out with them all of the time. Harry presumed Carter would try to get revenge on him and tell the boys, but she never did. They were oblivious to the whole situation and Harry was going to do everything in his power to keep it that way.

And that, my friends, is Harry’s side of the story.

* * * * *

Carter awoke to the sound of her phone the following morning after the prom. She swiped her phone off the table beside her and read her message.

From: Jake. Xx
‘Hey Carter :) Jake here! I was wondering if you would like to meet up today?’

To: Jake. Xx
‘Of Course! Text me the details. xXx’

From: Jake. Xx
‘Starbucks, 2 o clock?’

To: Jake. Xx
‘Perfect!’

She jumped out of bed and ran downstairs. Louis was the only one up at that moment in time.

“Hello there Carter!” he winked. “Hey Lou.” She grinned, rubbing her eyes sleepily. “How come you’re up?” he questioned, narrowing his eyes at her. “I’m going out.” She responded, pouring herself a bowl of cereal. “With who?” Louis quizzed. “Erm… Jake…” she tittered, biting her lip.

“I don’t like this Jake boy.” Louis sulked. “Why? You’ve never met him” Carter objected. “Well I still don’t like him!” Louis protested before storming out of the room.

Carter laughed quietly to herself. Louis was so grumpy in the mornings which she found very amusing. Soon she decided to get ready so she hopped into the shower. She dressed herself and put a very light sheet of make-up on to cover the small scratches left by Lucy from last night.

Outfit: link


She grabbed her phone and tip-toed down the stairs, not wanting to wake any of the boys as Louis was still the only one up. “I’m going out Lou! See you later!” she announced. Only a grumpy moan escaped Louis’ lips so she stepped outside. She ventured down the footpath for a while until she reached Starbucks. She walked inside to fine Jake sat at a table, twiddling with his fingers.

“Hi Jake.” Carter beamed as she took the seat beside him. “Hey Carter! How are you today?” he grinned, smiling widely at her. “Tired, but I’m sure I’ll get over it! You?” she responded in a chirpy tone. “I’m very good thanks! Would you like a drink?” he mused. “Um... yes please.” Carter blushed.

Jake strolled up to the counter. Carter gazed down at her phone.

1 new message – Unknown Number.

From: Unknown Number.
‘I see you…’

Carter slowly looked up from her phone, anxious to know who was watching her. She looked around until her eyes met his.

And there he was, glaring at her from afar.

She quickly put her head down and pretended to study her phone. She didn’t need this, not today. Jake returned to the table and Harry immediately turned away from Carter, slurping his drink casually. He noticed her tense up in the distance, and smirked as he knew he was the reason for this.

What the hell was Jake doing with Carter? Does he not know she’s an ugly whore with no friends?

Harry watched Carter attentively while she chatted to Jake. He seemed so interested in what she was saying. Jake took Carter’s hand in his and caressed it gently. Her cheeks turned a crimson red colour as she giggled slightly. Why was he so into her? It was Carter they were talking about after all…

Soon after that, Carter and Jake finished their drinks and left Starbucks. Harry’s gaze was still on Carter as both she and Jake strolled into the shopping centre. He picked up his phone and waltzed out of Starbucks in tow.

“So… Carter…. Tell me more about yourself.” Jake chimed as he and Carter walked aimlessly around the shopping centre, going wherever their feet took them. “Um… well… my full name is Carter Louise Payne and I live with my older brother and his three friends.” She told him. “Living with 4 boys? That must be a pain!” Jake chuckled loudly. “No I love the boys. It’s like I’ve got 4 brothers.” Carter retorted. “Aw that’s nice.” Jake smiled.

“What about you?” Carter quizzed, gazing at him. “Well… my full name is Jake Nicolas Bell and I live with my mum, dad and sister.” He answered. “Do you get along with your sister?” Carter questioned. “No, Not at all! Me and Lucy don’t get along at all!” Jake mused, his voice full of laughter. Carter immediately froze and gulped.

“Lucy…. Bell?” she inquired. Jake nodded slowly. “Are you mates with her?” he asked. “Oh no! Erm… we don’t get along…” she told him. “Well if she ever does anything to you, just tell me.” Jake smiled. “Thank you.” Carter grinned widely. “Do you want to go to the cinema?” Take inquired. “Yeah, of course!” Carter beamed as Jake took her hand and dashed for the cinema across the street.

The both decided on watching ‘Puss-In-Boots’, as they were in the mood for a light-hearted comedy. As soon as they got their popcorn, they wandered into the theatre and took their seats.

The movie was hilarious. Carter was thoroughly enjoying it. She felt a warm hand overlap hers and turned to see Jake smiling back at her. He leaned forward until his crimson red lips met her velvet rose ones. His touch felt perfect to Carter, as she hadn’t experienced this in such a long time. The last time was when she was dating Niall over 2 years ago, at the age of 14.

They pulled away breathlessly. Carter bit her lip as a smile spread across her face.

* * * * *

After the movie, Carter and Jake ventured home, hand in hand.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here.” A smug voice whispered from behind them. They spun around and were met my Harry, who had a very cocky expression on his face. Carter completely tensed up and squeezed Jake’s hand tightly.

“What do you want Styles?” Jake spat, looking Harry up and down. “Fuck off Jake; I don’t want to catch some disease off you. Lucy has probably passed something on.” Harry chuckled. “Oh please Harry, you’re just trying to cover up the fact that you’re heartbroken my sister used you…” Jake grunted. Harry scowled at him before turning his gaze to Carter.

“How are you today Carter? I do believe you didn't get your daily beating from me yesterday or today, eh?” he patted Carter hard on the back. “P-P-Please Harry, N-N-Not today…” Carter pleaded, a tear falling from her eye. “Too late bitch.” Harry spoke in a hushed tone as she grabbed Carter’s arm and pulled her towards him. Her body collided with his and she fell to the ground.

“GET THE FUCK OFF MY GIRLFRIEND!!” Jake roared, punching Harry in the face and picking Carter up.

Harry’s eyes widened upon hearing the word ‘girlfriend’. Carter was just as shocked as Harry was.

“You okay?” Jake smiled, tilting Carter’s head up to face him. She nodded and he turned back to Harry. “Go.” He spat. Harry hesitated before replying. “Fine. See you later Carter.” He smirked as he trotted off. Jake and Carter began their journey home once more.

“So…. Girlfriend, eh?” Carter winked, nudging Jake in the stomach. “I…. uhh… it slipped out… sorry…” Jake blushed. “It’s fine.” Carter giggled. A few moments of silence past by.

“Carter?” Jake mused. “Yeah?” Carter chimed. “Will you be my girlfriend?” he questioned. Carter’s jaw dropped as she nodded, beaming. She hugged him tightly and pecked him on the cheek.

They soon reached Carter’s house so she kissed Jake once more before heading inside. Nothing could make the smile that she wore on her face right now disappear, nothing.

“BOYS! I’M HOME!” Carter announced.

Niall and Zayn came pounding down the stairs. “CARTER!” they yelled as they engulfed her into a big hug.

After she had managed to break free for the two, she padded into the kitchen where Liam was. “Hi Liam.” She smiled. “Hey Carter. I need to tell you something.” Liam told her. “What’s up?” she inquired, making herself a cup of tea.

“Well… erm… me and the boys are going to Ibiza soon for 3 weeks…” he began. “Oh that’s lovely! I’m so jealous!” Carter stifled.

“….And you’re staying here….. With Harry.”

* * * * *