A few days had passed since then, and, as Carter had requested, things went back to normal. Harry was much more aggressive towards her and her beatings had become daily again, although Harry seemed reluctant to hit her. She listened to everything he said and went where he wanted to go. They had also gone back to school, where Lucy made Carter’s life even more of a misery. Carter wasn’t herself at all; she was more like a ghost. She barely ate, she never spoke and she didn’t sleep much at night.

The only brightness left in her eyes was Liam, Niall, Zayn and Louis. She talked to them every night and pretended nothing was wrong. They still didn’t know when they would be able to come home, but Carter prayed that it would be soon.

Today, it was Carter’s parents’ anniversary. Their 4th anniversary to be exact. Carter was always really close to her parents, especially her dad. She was a daddy’s girl, where-as Liam was more of a mommy’s boy. She missed her mum and dad so much, and she knew that they would be so ashamed if they knew what she had become. A pathetic, wreck-less and disgraceful girl.

She had the whole day planned out. As it was Saturday, she didn’t need to endure any torment at school so she was going to go straight to her parents’ grave. Then tonight she would call Liam and speak to the other boys too. She knew Harry would try to get in the way of her plans somehow, but she wasn’t going to let him today.

She threw on her clothes and put on a light sheet of make-up to cover the bruises caused by Harry’s friends. Harry never actually did much damage to her recently, which was very peculiar. She slipped into her shoes and grabbed her phone before jogging downstairs.

“Where do you think you’re going?” A deep voice whispered in Carter’s ear as she approached the door. “Out.” Carter replied sharply. “No you’re not.” Harry spoke sternly. “Why?” Carter quizzed. “Because you’re staying here.” He retorted. “But Harry-” she tried to argue, but it was no use. “Carter, I’m in a really bad mood today so I suggest you do what I say.” Harry said through gritted teeth. Carter sighed before heaving her heavy bones into the sitting room. “What do you want for lunch?” Harry quizzed. “Nothing, I’ve got a tummy ache.” Carter moaned fakely. Harry rolled his eyes and headed into the kitchen.

That had been Carter’s answer a lot lately. She felt ill all of the time and had such a small appetite, compared to the hug one she used have. Herself and Niall used to have eating contests all of the time, mostly with Niall winning. No one can come between that boy and his food.

About an hour later, Harry went upstairs to have a shower so Carter took advantage of his absence and fled outside. She shut the door quietly and began to slowly walking along the busy streets, shuddering slightly at the thoughts of what Harry would do to her when she returned home.

Harry jumped into the shower and washed himself thoroughly. He then wrapped a towel around his waist and strolled into the room, whistling aloud. He got changed and dried his hair. He then jogged downstairs to find that Carter was gone. He frowned and cursed under his breath. She was going to pay for that later.

Carter dragged her feet along the path until she came to the cemetery. The cemetery was a cold, wet and dark place, even in daylight. It was very run-down and badly-kept, but Carter always made sure to keep the grave spotless, as she visited it regularly.

She came across her parents’ grave and laid the bouquet of flowers she had bought previously onto it. She smiled at the headstone, letting a single tear trickle down her cheek. What if things were different? Would Harry still be the same? Her dad never exactly liked Harry, but she always tried to convince him that he was amazing. I guess her dad almost knew who the real Harry was. But quite frankly, Carter still doesn’t believe that the Harry that is waiting for her at home is the real Harry, she believes that the Harry she knew years ago was the real deal. She wiped a stray tear out of her eye.

A short while later, Carter exited the graveyard. She strolled down the street until she was met by a familiar face. “Hi Carter.” Nikki smiled. “Uh… hi Nikki.” Carter tittered nervously. “Look, I just came to tell you that I never knew Jake was dating you. He told me that I was his only girl and I believed him. I’m so sorry for the way he hurt you like that.” Nikki chattered. “Thanks, Nikki. It means a lot.” Carter beamed.

“So… tell me about you and Harry Styles!” Nikki giggled. Carter furrowed her eyes in confusion. “Um… what do you mean?” she quizzed. “Well there’s obviously something going on between you two!” Nikki winked. “Oh no no no no! There’s nothing between me and Harry! He hates me!” Carter objected, shaking her head. “That’s not what I’ve heard…” Nikki grinned. Carter glanced at her with a confused expression.

“Anyways, I was wondering, I you would maybe want to hang out sometime? I’d really like to put this whole Jake thing behind us and be friends.” Nikki smiled warmly at Carter, “Yeah. I’d really like that.” Carter chimed. “Great! See you around Carter!” Nikki hugged Carter tightly before they parted and went their separate ways.

A smile appeared on Carter’s lips as she strolled through the park on her way home. It was nice to know that Nikki was in the same position in the Jake situation as her. Nikki really did seem lovely. Carter never knew her too well personally, but she was hoping that would change soon.

Carter continued her journey home as she waltzed along the footpath. She was dreading going home, as she knew Harry would be furious with her. She finally reached the house a few minutes later. She fumbled in her pocket for her key and unlocked the door.

She stepped inside and breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Harry wasn’t waiting at the door for her as usual. She closed the door and padded into the sitting room. Harry wasn’t there, much to her surprise. He was usually sprawled across the couch, stuffing his face and watching the TV. She checked upstairs to see that he wasn’t there either. She looked in the rooms downstairs, but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. She opened the door of the final room and saw a body on the floor. Her eyes widened when she saw that it was Harry.

His body was limp and he was covered in blood. A knife lay beside him and there was a giant wound on his chest. Carter rushed over to him and shook him vigorously. “Harry! Harry what happened?” Carter’s breath baited as she saw he wasn’t breathing. She felt his pulse to find he didn’t have one. Carter frantically shook Harry in hope of reviving him.

“No no no no no! Harry, please don’t do this to me! I’m so sorry.” She tried to lift his motionless body up, but it was no use. Her strength wasn’t enough to carry his strong build. She tried everything in her power to revive him, but nothing was working. His skin was pale and so cold. “I’ve already lost someone special to me on this day, I can’t lose you too Harry.” Carter’s eyes filled with tears. There was no more hope, he was dead.

“Harry you don’t know how much I love you.” She whispered.

“With you curly hair that falls perfectly on your head, your cheeky smile along with those amazing dimples, you deep eyes that send me into another world, your power to make any girl fall deeply in love with you…. Including me…” Carter’s tears fell freely from her eyes.

“Harry, I don’t care about the bullying or the constant torment, I just want you to be here for me. I can’t lose you Harry. You’re name is forever engraved on my heart.” Carter sobbed, bursting into tears and collapsing onto Harry’s chest, crying silently on it.

She knew this was her fault. If she hadn’t gone out for selfish reasons, he’d still be alive.

“BOO!” a voice shouted, causing Carter to spring up and glance towards the door, to see that no one was there. She frowned and turned back to Harry, who was now no longer lifeless and sat up against the wall with a grin plastered on his face.

“H-Harry?” Carter asked in a confused tone. Harry jumped up. “Ha ha! I got you good bitch!” he yelled, laughing loudly. “… you mean, this was all… a joke?” Carter narrowed her eyes at Harry. “Yup.” Harry smirked proudly. Tears once again brewed in her eyes. “I hate you Harry.” She spat venomously, looking Harry in the eye before running upstairs.

What the hell is her problem? It was only a joke…

Harry’s thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing. He grabbed it, scanning the screen to see it was his mum calling. He presser the answer button reluctantly and held the phone up to his ear.

“Hello?”

“Hiya Harry! How is my baby today?”

“Fine mum.”

“How is Carter? Has she visited the grave yet?”

“What grave?”

“Harry, do you not remember?”

“Remember what mum?”

“It’s Carter’s parents’ anniversary today.”

Harry gulped as his eyes widened.

“….. What?”

“Harry please tell me you don’t remember! The fire? Christmas holidays?”

“Oh my god.”

“Harry is Carter okay?”

“Yes she’s fine mum. I’ll call you later.”

Harry hung up the phone and ran his hands through his curls in frustration. How could he have been so stupid? On the one day Carter needs someone the most, he does this to her. Well done Harry, you idiot. He couldn’t manage to register what Carter had said to him when she thought he was dead. Is that just something you say when someone dies? Or did she actually mean it?

Harry cleaned himself up and tidied the room he had messed. He changed his clothes and threw on a pair of chinos, a shirt and a cosy sweater, as his other clothes were covered in fake blood.

Outfit: link

He trodded upstairs and peered into Carter’s room where he saw a very fragile Carter gliding a sharp object down her wrists. He ran over to her and took the sharp item from her hand, disposing of it in the bin.

“Carter, you have to stop cutting yourself.” He told her calmly. She sobbed into her hands, ignoring Harry’s comment. “I know you miss them, but cutting won’t bring them back.” Harry mused. Carter glanced up at him with teary eyes. “You think that this is the reason I cut?” Carter questioned. “Yeah… isn’t it?” Harry tilted his head a little in confusion. Carter shook her head vigorously. “Then what’s the reason you do this to yourself?” he queried.

“You.”

“What do you mean me?!” Harry exclaimed, jumping up from the bed. “You’re the reason I cut Harry! The reason I’ve become addicted to cutting! I can’t stop!” Carter whimpered. Harry remained silent, unsure of what to say. After a few silent minutes, he finally spoke:

“Look, I’m really sorry Carter. I shouldn’t have played that joke on you, especially on a day like today…” Harry mused, fidgeting with his thumbs. Carter took a few minutes before replying. “Do you really not remember?” Carter asked. Harry shook his head sadly.

“You were out with Liam and the boys playing soccer, and I was inside the house in bed, as I was ill. Dad had just set up the Christmas tree lights, which he was very proud of. He and mum were cooking dinner when the oven went on fire. It spread too quickly to put it out. They eventually got out of the house, and mum collapsed. Then everyone remembered I was still inside, so before anyone could do anything, Liam ran inside, only for my dad to follow. Liam carried me out and went to get my dad, but he was dead. Mum died later in the hospital.” Carter explained.

Harry’s eyes widened in shock. “And you and Liam stayed in my house for a few weeks, right?” Harry questioned, Carter nodding monotonously. Harry shook his head in frustration. How could he not remember? Carter snapped her head towards Harry, opening her mouth to speak. “Can I ask you something?” she inquired. Harry agreed to her request.

“What did I do to make you hate me? To make the bullying start?”

Harry sighed heavily. “I don’t know.” He murmured, trying to cover up the facts. “Stop lying to me Harry! I’m sick of people constantly covering up the truth!” Carter raised her voice at Harry. “Fine. I was sick of being your second choice Carter!” Harry admitted. “What are you talking about Harry?!” Carter exclaimed, standing up off the bed.

“I was sick of you putting everyone before me Carter! I was your best friend, I was always there for you but you were too busy in your ‘fairytale’ relationship with Niall to notice! I was left in the shadows Carter, and I was tired of always being put second.” Harry told her.

“Harry if you felt that way I’m sorry, but in case you didn’t notice I worked my butt off trying to find time for the both of you! You meant as much to me as Niall did Harry!” Carter objected. “You obviously didn’t try hard enough.” Harry mumbled.

“Oh I tried Harry! You wouldn’t believe how much I tried! I attempted to organise things to do between the three of us, but you and Niall only wanted to have me separately! And you can’t say anything about being my second choice Harry, because I can’t tell you how many times I was yours! When you blew me off to hang out with your ‘cooler’ mates, and when you left me standing there, holding your stuff while you snogged a girl!” Carter yelled.

“That’s different, yours wasn’t as heart-breaking as mine was.” Harry protested, looking at the floor. “How the hell is it different Harry?!” Carter asked. “It doesn’t matter…. You won’t care…” Harry shook his head. “Tell me Harry, please.” Carter pleaded. Harry bit his lip.

“It’s because I love you.”

Carter glanced up at Harry in dis-belief, letting out an un-easy chuckle. “Nice one Styles, you had me going there!” she stated, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. “I’m serious Carter.” Harry chimed, stepping towards her. He soon realised that anytime he came near her, she would take a step back. Eventually she reached the wall so she had nowhere to go. A tear cascaded down her cheek as she quivered in fear.

“I really mean it Carter, I do love you.”

Carter’s lip trembled as she refused to make eye contact with Harry. Harry raised his hand, Carter’s initial thought being that he was going to hurt her. She winced in anticipation for him to hit her. “Shh, don’t cry Carter. I won’t hurt you.” Harry whispered, wiping Carter’s tears with his sleeve. Carter gazed up at him and stared into his deep eyes. Maybe he was telling the truth… maybe he did love her.

Before Carter could realise what was happening, Harry had attached his lips to hers. At first, she froze in utter shock, but she soon found herself responding to his kiss, their lips moving in sync with one another. They both pulled away breathlessly, Carter in awe of what just happened. There was no denying the kiss sent shivers up and down Carter’s spine, but she somehow had this gut feeling that this was all just a practical joke to mess with her emotions.

Harry rested his forehead against hers as he breathed softly.

“You don’t know how long I wanted your perfect lips on mine.”

Carter widened her eyes as she gazed into Harry’s, watching them roam from her eyes to her lips. He leaned once more and brushed his lips off Carter’s rolling his tongue on her bottom lip. She chickened out and pulled away from him.

“I’m sorry Harry, I can’t do this.” She whispered, pushing past him and running out the door.

“CARTER! COME BACK!” Harry pleaded, calling after her, but to no avail, she was already gone.

Carter trekked along the footpath uneasily. She wasn’t ready for this, not now. Today, of all days, Harry had to drop a bombshell like that on her. She knew he would eventually catch up with her, but she kept going. How could he love her? Of course, she loved him with all of her heart, but things like this don’t happen to Carter. She will never get her happy ending.

She reached the traffic lights and waited patiently for the pedestrian light to come on. When it did, she stepped onto the footpath and walked across the road.

“LOOK OUT!” a voice shouted from behind.

But all she heard was the honking of horns and saw a blinding light before she hit the ground and everything went black.

* * * * *