Awkward Beat [H.S]

Chapter 16

In which the solution is, as always, booze. 

Chapter 16.

"You did this on purpose," I said, pointing an accusatory finger at Niall.

"Did what? Forced Zayn to cancel on me and jeopardize my shoot?" He frowned, shaking his head like he was disappointed in me for even thinking so.

In all honesty, I wouldn't put it past him, but it seemed too low even for Niall. So I replied,

"Maybe not, but you called in Harry on purpose."

"'Course I did. He was the understudy."

"The understudy? You didn't have understudies!"

"Uh, yes I did," Niall said, patting me on the head like a puppy. "A director always has backup."

"Please. Who was my understudy, then?" I challenged him.

"This bird I smoked with by the pond last week. Really nice girl. Bit of a stoner, but what can you do."

To that, I smacked him upside the head.

"Hey!" he cried, shielding himself with his arms.

"You knew what this meant to me!" I said through gritted teeth, taking pains to keep my voice low. I was all for making a scene – and I think I succeeded – but I didn't necessarily want the rest of Niall's film crew to know the gritty details of my obsession with Zayn. I elbowed Niall in the gut, where he was unprotected, and while he doubled over, I continued,

"You knew what this was supposed to be, and you've ruined it!"

"It's not my fault!" he insisted, his voice strangled as he clutched his stomach in pain.

"And you ruined it with the worst possible person!" I hissed as he slowly straightened his torso. "My flatmate, Niall? Really? Please tell me you've come up with an entirely new concept for your film, because I am not kissing him. I am not."

"Come off it, Fitz – we've done a lot worse than that."

Harry's voice was soft and low behind me. Though I couldn't see his face, I knew he was smirking. With a laborious sigh, I turned around. He gave a suggestive half smile.

"Could you shut up?" I asked rather rudely.

"Certainly," he replied, bowing his head. "After all, it is a silent film."

I scoffed, glaring at him in disgust. "Did you know about this? Hmm? Did Niall rope you in weeks ago and both of you have been laughing at me ever since, every time I mentioned how excited I was to work with Zayn?"

"Mm... not quite," Harry said, mocking me with his green eyes. "This may come as a devastating shock to you, but I actually had better things to do today than snog you on camera."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because Niall rang me in tears this morning."

"Boldfaced lie," Niall declared, popping his head into our discussion and apparently no longer injured. "There were no tears, just to clarify."

Harry shot him a glare.

"What?" I asked, observing the secretive exchange between the two of them. "Why did you really agree to this? Why would you sacrifice a precious day of studying?"

"Niall's my friend," Harry said, rolling his eyes as he said it. "I'd do anything for him."

"Boldfaced lie," Niall repeated, pointing at Harry in accusation.