All of Me (Harry Styles) - Book 2

Chapter 6: "You need to write again."

-Ava's POV-

"Yes!" I laugh as I hug Niall back.

I point towards the kitchen and he immediately takes off. Some things never change.

I start to shut the door but a hand stops it, pushing it back open.

"Liam Payne!" I exclaim as I practically jump into his arms, giving him a tight hug.

"You act as if we didn't just talk four days ago." He laughs.

"Yes we talked, but I haven't seen you in months!" I defend my actions.

Liam is the one person I never lost contact with over the past year. Mainly texts and calls just catching up every week or so. There's only been a few times we've actually got to see each other, both our schedules being to busy to make anything more than that work.

"Well nice to know I was missed. You look great love." He smiles at me as I let him inside and lead him to the living room.

We each drop onto one of the couches as Niall enters the room, a bag of chips in hand.

"Mate, please tell me you aren't already raiding her kitchen." Liam scolds him.

"She offered! Ava understands my need for food!" He retorts, stuffing more chips into his mouth.

"So how are you guys?" I ask, breaking up the little fight I know is about to ensue.

"We're doing ace. The tour only has a few dates left, the last three being here in L.A. next week. And the reaction to the new album has been brilliant." Liam answers me with with a proud smile on his face.

"I heard the new song. I love it. And I heard you guys were nominated for six Grammys! That's so amazing!"

"Yeah we still can't believe that!" Niall speaks up. "We heard Katy's song you wrote got nominated. So chuffed for ya!"

"Yeah, I'm still in shock over that. She wants me to go with her to the awards show."

"Ya totally should! We'll all be there! We could have proper fun, just like the old days!" Niall smiles at me as Liam elbows him.

"I didn't figure you guys could go, not with the tour." I frown, reconsidering if I should go.

"It's the night before our last three shows, so it actually worked out well this time." Liam eyes me, trying to gage my reaction.

I'm saved by Poppy entering the room, causing Niall to jump up and brush the crumbs off his shirt. Liam and I chuckle at his nervous state.

They aren't at all serious, both having seen other people in the last year. But they always seem to hook up when they get a chance. And Niall always seems to look like a scared puppy when he first sees her.

"Niall Horan, I hope you are up for some proper fun this evening." She smiles at him, giving him a quick kiss before she notices Liam sitting across from me.

A frown immediately takes over her face, "I do hope this is the only friend you brought along."

Niall anxiously nods, obviously having been threatened by Poppy to keep a certain friend away from me.

"Good. But I was planning on it being just us this evening. That is, unless Liam would like to watch us have a proper snog." She smiles at Liam who quickly shakes his head.

"No thank you. I thought maybe I could just hang with Ava this evening." He looks at me and I nod.

Poppy narrows her eyes at him, "Why?"

"Because we are mates." He shrugs. "And I haven't seen her in ages."

"And that's the only reason?" She questions him.

"Poppy stop." I speak up, shaking my head at her. She's already tried to stop Liam from having any contact with me. She's convinced he's being used to try to 'lure me back in' as she calls it.

"Yes, he doesn't even know we still talk." Liam answers her, shocking me but making a smile spread across Poppy's face.

"Good. Then we'll push on." She nods in satisfaction as she grabs Niall's hand, pulling him towards the front door.

We hear him yell out a goodbye right before the door slams shut.

"So what do you want to do?" I ask as Liam stands up.

"We're going to the studio." He informs me, grabbing my hand and pulling me up before handing me my bag.

"What? Why?" I ask as I follow him outside.

He unlocks his car and motions for me to get in. "Because you need to write again."

"I've been writing." I say as I jump into the passenger seat. "I just wrote that song for Katy and I did a few others for another artist."

He gets behind the wheel and turns the car on, quickly pulling out of the driveway. "You need to properly write."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Those songs mean nothing to you. I've heard them. You need to write something real again."

"You mean I need to write about him."

"I didn't, but if that's who you thought of, then that's who you need to write about."

"No I don't."

"Have you ever written anything about you two?"

"Yes, I wrote Halo."

"I mean since..." He glances over at me.

"No. There's nothing left to say about it." I shrug, looking out the window as we pull up to a large building.

Liam parks and turns off the car before looking over at me. "Ava..."

"Why haven't you told him we talk?" I ask, cutting him off.

"It's better for all involved if I didn't." He answers quickly.

"Well thanks for the detailed explanation." I get out of the car, slamming the door shut behind me.

"Look Ava." He jogs to catch up to me as I walk towards the building. "He knows how he feels about you. But I don't think you really know how you feel about him."

"And how does he feel?" I ask, not knowing which answer I would prefer.

"It's not my place to say. But you're my friend, and you need to figure shit out properly. And you won't ever do that unless you write about it."

I sigh, "Where is all this coming from?"

"Finn called me. He's worried about you. He thought maybe I could help."

"So this was your brilliant idea? That a song will solve all my problems?" I almost laugh at the stupidity of it all.

"Not a song, but being honest with yourself. And your songs, the ones you write about you, are the most truthfully raw songs I've ever heard."

I look away from him, knowing he's right, but also knowing that's exactly why I haven't written about this already.

"Just try. Please Ava." He takes my hand and squeezes it, pleading me to give in.

"Okay." I finally answer, bringing a smile to Liam's face.