Secrets Better Left Untold (A Harry Styles Fanfiction)

"Well...how was it?" Jessica asks invasively as we sit in our living room. "Good? Bad? Everything that you hoped for and more?"

I stare at her in annoyance, shaking my head.

"Come on, Bella. You didn't really think that you could just drop that on me and not spill every last detail about it." She continues, rolling her eyes.

I made the mistake of telling Jess that Harry and I slept together. I thought it would be a good idea to have an open conversation with her since the past few weeks have been a little strained. Apparently, I didn't pick the best topic.

"I've told you about every sexual experience that I've ever had."

"I know, Jess." I sigh. "Trust me, I remember all of them in way too much detail."

She laughs before reaching forward and grabbing my hands from my lap. "But seriously, Bells, was it good? I can't imagine it being bad. I mean, just look at Harry."

I shake my head again at her lack of a filter.

"Yes, it was good." I finally admit.

"Just good?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Oh my god." I groan. "It was great...amazing...consuming in the best way possible."

"Now, that's more like it." She says excitedly as I laugh with her. "I'm really happy for you, Bella. You seem...good."

"I feel good." I nod in agreement.

My relationship with Harry has certainly been a rollercoaster, but for the first time since I've met him, everything feels good. I'm genuinely happy with everything about our relationship.

I would say that everything in my life is exactly the way that I want it to be, but when I look up at my best friend sitting next to me, I realize that it's not all perfect.

"So..." She sighs deeply. "Mark told me that the job's mine if I want it."

I take a deep breath as I prepare myself for the conversation that we're really supposed to be having. The same one that I've been dreading since Thanksgiving.

"It pays really well...and it's kind of perfect timing, considering in a few weeks, I'm out of a job." She pauses while I stay quiet, knowing what's coming next. "I don't wanna leave, Bella. I wanna stay here with you...but I can't."

"I know." I nod, seeing tears prick in her eyes.

"And you are the best person in the world for offering to pay my rent while I look for a job, but the truth is, I was never really meant to stay in this town. I moved here to get away from home. To prove that I could be someone on my own. To prove to my family that I'm independent...although, I guess I'm kind of failing at that now."

"No, you're not, Jess." I shake my head. "You are independent. You've proven that you have what it takes to do life on your own. You just hit a little bit of a speed bump."

"Yeah, and if I don't drive over it now, it's gonna turn into a speed cliff." She jokes, and I let out a soft laugh.

"I know that you have to do this, Jess. And I'm so proud of you for how you've handled this whole situation, but just know that I'm always gonna be here if you need anything. And I'm gonna miss you so much." My voice cracks as I let tears begin to fall from my eyes, when I realize what's happening.

My best friend is leaving.

Jessica starts crying too as she leans forward, pulling me into her arms.

"I'm gonna miss you too, Bells." She sniffles against my shoulder. "But nothing's gonna change. You're still my best friend. That's never going to change."