Harry Styles
This morning was the first one in weeks where Aubrey hasn't been next to me. I'm scared of how much of a routine we've managed to create. With all of the interviews and talk shows that have been taking up our lives recently, it was easier to just stay together since we had to ride to the events together anyways.
That's definitely the only reason why we did it.
I've spent my entire day with Zayn and Louis while she's done the same with Jade. It's been nice considering the fact that it's been a while. Sure, we see each other at work functions, but that's it.
Aubrey is also at those same functions, and recently she has been getting my full attention without meaning to.
Now, Zayn and Louis have been my focus for the entire day. It's winding down at this point, all of us sitting in their apartment quietly. All conversation has died down, us fully caught up on each other's lives with not much else to talk about.
"This is the first time in a while that you haven't declined when we asked you to hang out." Zayn states while looking at me.
"I've been busy." I shrug.
"You aren't the busy type. Is the coke thing getting worse? You're too quiet." He sounds a bit concerned about me, making me furrow my brows.
"No." I scoff.
"Don't lie to us, mate. It's not like you've had much more work than us. It's either drugs or a girl, and we both know it's not the latter." Louis pitches in, leaning forward a little in his recliner.
"It's neither of those things. It isn't anything. I'm just busier than usual." I lie.
"He's in denial. Probably coke." Louis looks at Zayn while speaking in a lower voice as a sort of joke.
"How could it be coke if I'm—" I stop myself before finishing my sentence.
They have no idea I'm clean. Aubrey and Niall do, but that's it. I kind of forgot since I haven't been around them like this in a bit. I slipped. Does this mean I have to tell them now? What am I supposed to say when they ask how or why?
"You're...?" Zayn searches my face for more.
I guess now is as good of a time as ever. I take a deep breath in preparation, trying to formulate some type of lie before I actually open my mouth to say it.
"I'm clean." I admit quietly.
"Did you just say what I think you said? Harry? Clean in the U.S.? I'm not buying it." Louis furrows his brows.
I nod, looking down at my feet as if it's something to be embarrassed about. I don't want them to make fun of me or anything stupid. It was hard enough to get here, and their insults wouldn't make it any easier for me. I don't think they'll technically insult me, but they'll definitely make jokes about it all and want to know more about why I stopped.
"For how long?" Zayn asks once his look of shock subsides slightly.
"A little over a month and a half." I shrug off, not wanting to make this into a big thing.
"No shit," he shakes his head in disbelief, "How did you even- Did you go to rehab or something without us knowing?"
"No rehab."
![Affinity [h.s] by Louisgurl1D](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/260504368-80-k490793.jpg)
Louis' brows are raised as he takes this in, finally opening his mouth, "How'd you do it, then?"
"I just didn't wanna do it anymore." I lie, making it sound like an easy process.
If it wasn't for Aubrey, there's no way in hell I'd be clean right now. As much as it annoyed me at times to have her asking me about it, her presence alone was somehow enough to stop the urge.
"How does that happen? Are you some kind of superhuman?" He's not buying it.
"I guess so." I cockily nod.
He opens his mouth to speak again, but a knock at the door interrupts any further questioning. Zayn stands to get it, walking toward it with a furrowed brow over whoever must be here along with my confession.
"Hey." I hear a familiar voice, turning my head to see Jade.
"Hi." Zayn smiles bashfully, Louis groaning because he knows this is the end of our time together.
She looks into the room, seeing me and then looking at Louis. Her eyes then go back to Zayn, "I didn't know I was interrupting anything. I just wanted to go—"
"You're not interrupting." He shakes his head.
Eager to leave to prevent them from trying to pry an explanation for my cleanliness out of me, I stand up, "I was just about to leave."
Zayn gives me a thankful look as I quickly slip into my shoes and walk to stand next to him in the doorway. Jade looks me over with a breath, probably judging me as usual.
"Blondie."
"Harry." She crosses her arms defensively.
"Are you gonna let me out so you can hang out with your boyfriend?" I raise my brows to embarrass them with the title.
Her eyes automatically go to his, slapping his arm before speaking through gritted teeth, "You told him?! I haven't even told Aubrey yet!"
Oh shit, they're actually dating, aren't they?
"Ouch!" he holds the spot where he was hit, "No! I don't know how he knew!"
"I was kidding." I hold my hands up in surrender, "But now I know your little secret you're keeping from your best friend, so thanks."
"Don't tell her." She looks at me stubbornly.
"And why shouldn't I?" I wait for some sort of leverage.
"Because I- You- Just please." She can't come up with anything good.
"I'll think about it." I shrug, slipping out of the door past her.
"Harry!" She scolds me.
"You better tell her soon!" I taunt as I push the elevator button, sending her an obnoxious wave.
Before she can get another word in, her face seeming a bit angry, the elevator opens and I step in. The ride down is short, then I'm in my car and driving down the road before I can think twice about it.
