his replacement pt. 5
a/n: After a veryyyy long break, I finally finished the 5th part. I started this story over a year ago and with one last part, pt 6, I think it’ll be finally finished. Sorry this took so long but I hope you can still enjoy it!
It may have been the bitterness deep inside of her or her need for comfort when she was in any mood other than happiness, but either way, she made a decision that she knew would push Harry’s buttons. It was quite bold for her to purposely hurt someone else’s feelings, but after a few drinks she stole from the kitchen, she wasn’t backing out now.
It was around 10:30 p.m when Y/N left the comfort of her room and headed to the living room. Sat on the couch was Shawn and Harry, both holding a beer as they watched something on the T.V.
“Hey guys, I just had a pretty great idea,” she stated to get their attention. They both turn their attention from the flat screen to her.
“Ok, let’s hear it,” Shawn prompted.
“Well, Harry, I’m assuming you’ll probably be very busy tomorrow with all those business plans you were telling us about.” She paused to wait for his confirmation.
“Uh… yeah. It’s gonna be a long day.” The only item on his agenda is pining after Y/N, but Shawn doesn’t need to know that.
“So you’re gonna need to get a lot of rest tonight and sleeping on a couch is not gonna give you that. If it’s alright with Shawn, you should just take his bed and he and I can share mine.” She fakes an innocent smile and watches as Harry has to hold back his annoyance with her suggestion.
“No, that’s alright. I’ve already intruded enough,” Harry rejects the offer. The last thing he wants is his girl sharing a bed with another guy.
“Oh, nonsense. I’m perfectly fine giving up my bed. And she’s right, you’ll need all the rest you can get for those business meetings,” Shawn said.
No matter how many different excuses Harry could come up with, he saw how determined they were to sleep together, so he gave up and accepted the offer.
“Great, glad that’s settled!” Y/N retreated back to her room.
The guys stayed up for another hour until their show was over, before heading to bed. Shawn quickly grabbed some essentials from his room, like his charger, and then left Harry on his own.
Shawn was excited to share a bed with Y/N; it gave him a chance to finally talk about their conversation from the morning. Y/N was fond of sharing a bed with Shawn because she enjoyed his company and it would piss Harry off even more. Lastly, Harry’s blood was boiling knowing how close they’d be tonight and he knows she did this on purpose.
Shawn softly knocks on Y/N’s door after telling Harry the room is all his and waits for the quiet “come in” before entering. Y/N’s bedside lamp is on, providing a soft light that shows the beauty of her makeup-free face. When she sees Shawn enter, she scoots over from the middle of the bed to the left side to make room for him. He’s quick to slide under the covers with her and get ready to sleep. She makes sure to turn off the lamp because she has a habit of accidentally falling asleep with lights on.
“So are you going to tell me the real reason you wanted me to sleep in here tonight?” Shawn asks with a sly smirk on his face. She ignored his facial expression and got confused by his words. Did he know her intentions of hurting Harry? No, that’s impossible, Y/N thinks.
“What do you mean? Just wanted to make the guest more comfortable.” She tried to off her excuse smoothly.
“Are you sure it’s not because you missed my cuddles from last night.” Y/N relaxes at his playfulness.
“That’s definitely it, you got me.” She moves closer to rest her head on his chest and to rest her arm across him. He reciprocates her touches and wraps his arms around her. He lets out a dramatic and loud sigh of content and she giggles at his silliness.
They lay in silence for a while before Shawn speaks up softly. “I’m glad you asked me to come on this trip with you.” His sweet words put a smile on her face.
“I’m glad you accepted. I’d be miserable if you weren’t here with me,” Y/N replies and she means it. She knows that if Shawn turned her down and her other friends were busy, she’d be here alone which would lead her thinking about Harry nonstop. And that thinking would’ve led her to self-destruct. Luckily, though, Shawn was here for her and managed to take her mind off all of the negative things going on, including the dispute she was currently in with the man a few doors away.
“Have you decided yet on how you feel about there possibly being an us?” questions Shawn. Y/N moves her head to look at him in the eyes. She hesitates to answer, thinking an answer over in her head. She likes Shawn, she really does. But ever since Harry has showed up, she hasn’t been able to get him out of head. She knew she is better off with someone like Shawn, someone who knows what he wants and wants her from the beginning.
“You’re so great, Shawn, and I really like you. But, I think I’ll need some more time to think it over.” Her response seemed to be enough as he gives a soft smile and nods his head in understanding.
He raises his hand to stroke her hair. “Take all the time you need, I’m not going anywhere,” he spoke. Those simple words were enough to warm her heart. That’s all Y/N wanted, a man to be there for her, something Harry had seemed to fail at recently. The conversation ended after that and after a few long minutes, the both of them were sleeping peacefully.
Pancakes. The smell of pancakes flooded the beach house early in the morning. Y/N woke thanks to her senses and immediately wanted to track down where the smell was coming from. Of course, it led her to the kitchen, where Harry stood flipping puddles of batter. He was wearing a random t-shirt that more than likely belonged to Shawn. He turned his head at the sound of her approaching.
“Mornin’ sleepyhead. Ya hungry?” He asked cheerily, too cheerily for someone who is up before 8:30.
“Yesss, I’m starving.” She took a seat on the bar stool behind the island. Harry grabbed a paper plate, knowing that neither he or Y/N wanted to wash syrupy plates, and plopped a pancake on it. Y/N noticed how it was shaped poorly like Mickey Mouse, which instantly caused a smile to appear on her lips. He knew her favorite place in the United States was Disneyland or Disneyworld, basically anything Disney. She had so many memories there with her family growing up and it would always hold a special place in her heart.
“Sorry about the blobby looking Mickey, couldn’t quite make the circle shapes equal,” Harry said sheepishly.
“A for effort.” Y/N picked up her butter knife and started dismembering her pancake. Harry took a seat next to her and began digging in as well.
At first, they didn’t say anything. They just sat in silence, eating Mickey, and gulping their coffees. But as soon as Y/N got syrup all over her mouth, and some on her clothes, Harry was quick to tease her and the kitchen soon filled with laughter. It had been a long time since Harry heard her laugh. Even before she had left for vacation, he hadn’t focused much time on being with her and making her laugh. But now that he’s hearing the loud and obnoxious noise coming from her mouth, he never wants it to stop.
“Wow, who made pancakes?!” They’re interrupted by an inquiry from Shawn.
“Harry did and they’re delicious.”
Awkward is how Y/N and Harry would describe breakfast. Normal is how Shawn saw it. However, all three had a decent time. Soon after the three ate, Harry finally headed out of their rented home for his “business meetings.” Although he was leaving without Y/N by his side, he was feeling more optimistic than when he first arrived. They were able to get through a meal together without her rolling her eyes in his direction or without her trying to rush out of the room and he saw that as progress. Plus he knew he’d be seeing her again shortly. Shawn had presented the idea that the three of them went out to dinner that evening, under the impression that Harry would be leaving to head home soon. This time Harry is going to be prepared for the next time he sees her and truly believes she’ll be on the flight home with him.
For the first time since arriving in the Bahamas, Y/N has gone out to the beach by herself for some alone time. Just her, a book, and the beach breeze.
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The warm, calming evening breeze and the bright sunset made it impossible for Y/N not to choose a table outside the restaurant. In L.A, the three of them usually didn’t get an opportunity like this, paps and fans would spot them too easily and they’d wouldn’t be able to eat in total peace. But here in the Bahamas, it’s as if they were ordinary because no one seemed to care about who they were.
Harry was officially leaving the next day and if he wanted Y/N with him, he needed to try harder.
They didn’t talk about much as they sat and looked at their food options. They spoke about what was next for the three of them and how Harry enjoyed his mini vacation. It was when Harry had gotten up to use the restroom that the evening had changed. Shawn reached his hand across the table and placed it on Y/N’s.
The intimate feeling was nice… at first. But then the quiet sound of a distant camera shutter sparked Y/N’s interest and she knee they’d been spotted. She tried her hardest not to look in the direction it was coming, mostly for the effort to keep her face out of the pictures. But from the corner of her eye, she could see 2 men taking pictures of them from across the street. That’s when the slight panic of what their current situation could look like to outsiders. A well known girl like herself holding hands clear as day with THE popstar Shawn Mendes. It screams dating rumors.
“Do you see what I see?” She asks Shawn, referring to the two men.
“Yeah, just some lousy paps. They’re keeping their distance though so no need to worry.” His words are calming but she can’t get the image of what future tabloids will look like if they keep holding hands. She retracts her hand from Shawn’s grip causing a look of confusion on his part.
“Maybe we shouldn’t hold hands out in public right now. The paps might get the wrong idea,” she explained.
“The paps always get the wrong idea but would that be such a terrible thing?” Shawn counters.
“No, I guess not.”
Harry’s POV
As I leave for the restroom, I see Shawn reach for Y/N’s hand. I won’t lie, it strikes me with annoyance and jealousy but maybe this is what I deserve. Besides, a small amount of hand holding is nothing compared to the conversation I overheard when I got back. The door leading to the outside balcony of the restaurant rested ajar, making it easier to hear what is going on from inside.
“No, I guess not,” are the last words I hear before my blood begins to boil. I knew these two had a budding friendship and I knew her showing off how close shew was to him was to make me jealous. But it never crossed my mind that she would actually consider dating this fool. The thought of her moving on so fast with a guy that isn’t me causes my anger to pile up until I have to say something. I storm over to the table and they are startled by the sudden change in attitude.
“You can’t be serious right now, Y/N?! You think someone like him can handle you. Well he can’t and he probably won’t want to after he spends more time with you!” My comment sparks a face of offense but I’m not done yet. “You know why? Because you’re a lot to handle. You’re demanding and picky and bossy. Everything has to be your way; always five minutes early, dessert before dinner, music at least loud enough to drown out the whole car, Last Christmas must be played the first snowfall in your hometown. But you know what, I love it! You keep me on track and make everything more fun. You cry a lot and a lot of dudes don’t like that but I love it because you’re not afraid to show your emotions even when that means crying every other day.” I take a deep breath from my ranting and I can see how speechless both of them are. Before she has time to slap me or walk I continue. “I’m sorry for being shitty recently, I have no excuses. But I have never stopped caring for you and this time apart has been literal hell. I just want you to come home to me again.” And with that, I’m done. Shawn stares at Y/N with confusion etched on his face. Y/N refuses to look at him and continues staring at me.
“Say something, Y/N.”