The first week of Zara's stay at Wednesday's had been overwhelming but fun and exactly what Wednesday had needed to lift her spirits. They'd spent most days going out for food, shopping, mooching around London and relaxing and it gave Wednesday a semblance of her old life. The Wednesday she used to be before her life started to feel like it was crumbling.

They'd talked over everything too—Zara had made sure to leave no stone unturned, asking about every aspect of Wednesday's life, even the heavier topics. It wasn't long until Patrick had been brought up, not even one day into her being there.

"So, have you talked to Patrick since you guys broke up?" Zara had asked one night, a glass of wine in her hand.

"Um" Wednesday had begun, laughing nervously. "Yeah, I have. I actually bumped into him one day, but it was only for 5 minutes before I ran off."

"Okay and what happened? Anything, nothing?"

Wednesday had almost forgot the run in that inspired To Be So Lonely—or at least, she'd tried to forget it, it was so awkward.

"Well I'd been at the café a few roads away, the one we always used to go to together?"

Zara nodded in recognition.

"Yeah, so I went in, naively forgetting he used to go there all the time. And as I was at the counter paying for my drink, he came up behind me to say hi. Completely caught me off guard."

"Oh god. So, what happened?"

"Nothing too eventful really. He said I looked good and then was asking how I was and what I was up to. And then he...he asked me if I wanted to grab some lunch to talk things over. Kept calling me baby too and that was when I really freaked out."

"What did you do?"

"Well as soon as he asked, the woman called my name for my order and I literally turned around, grabbed my drink, said bye to him quickly and walked out as fast as I could."

"Oh Wednesday" Zara had replied with an invested look. "And so have you spoken to him since?"

Wednesday had bit her lip, looking at Zara nervously.

"Wednesday..." Zara begun, eyeing her friend suspiciously. After a few seconds, she held out her hand. "Give me your phone, let me see the messages."

Wednesday didn't know how Zara did it, how she could read her so easily. Harry had been her best friend for almost 16 years and he still couldn't figure her out half of the time. Maybe it was a girl thing—Wednesday felt more comfortable telling her secrets to Zara than Harry and less like she would be judged for what she chose to do too.

She'd opened the Instagram direct messages between Patrick and herself, handing the phone over to Zara coyly. Her friend scrolled up to look at where the messages started, reading each one carefully with her tongue between her lips. After a few minutes of silence, she'd looked back up to Wednesday, passing the phone back.

"Well he's definitely been putting in a shift, that's for sure" Zara had joked, taking a drink of wine.

"I know" Wednesday had smiled half-heartedly, looking at the abundance of messages herself.

"I mean, it's clear he wants you back and thinks it can work. But do you think the same?"

"I don't know" Wednesday began, rubbing her temples. "I...I still love him, but the problems we had will still just be there, so I don't know how we can actually progress."

"But what were the issues? You've always been vague about why you broke up. I don't know, you two always seemed so good for each other. Like a real 'opposite attracts' type situation."

Wednesday hadn't told anyone the finer details of their breakup, not even her mum. There were some things she just wanted to remain private and didn't want to discuss openly. Plus, it wasn't worth the drama.

"It's just like I said—a load of little issues that built up into bigger issues we couldn't ignore anymore. We just didn't want the same things."

"But if that's the case, why bother meeting up?"

"I feel like...like we just never got the closure we wanted. Either of us. It all ended so fast."

Zara had smiled comfortingly at Wednesday, rubbing her arm knowingly. They didn't need to say anything to know how confusing boys were—Zara had experienced her fair share of heartbreak herself.

The night before leaving for Nashville for an appearance at Kacey Musgraves last tour show, Harry had popped round. Him and Zara had hugged like they hadn't seen each other for decades, let alone half a year and the trio had spent the night eating and laughing whilst reminiscing on old times.

"By the way, I'm throwing a Halloween party on the 30th at mine" Harry had dropped into conversation, like it was an offhand comment. "You'll both be there, won't you?"

"What are you throwing a Halloween party for? You've always said it's overrated?" Wednesday had replied, slightly perplexed.

"Well, I didn't want to do nothing and then someone suggested I should just throw my own party for it, so I am. Plus, it can be fun with the right people."

"We'll be there, won't we?" Zara had said, nudging a slightly unenthusiastic Wednesday.

"Yeah. Count us in."

"Remember, full costumes too or else you're not allowed in" Harry had stated with a wink before leaving.

That was how Wednesday and Zara found themselves in the costume shop in the centre of London two days later, looking for last minute outfits.

As they searched the rails full of endless costumes, Wednesday zoned out, thinking about what she always seemed to be thinking about these days; Patrick.

They'd agreed a day earlier to meet next week for brunch and talk things over and Wednesday's anxiety was already wreaking havoc, a constant feeling of nausea swirling in anticipation.

"Wednesday!" Zara called out from behind her, snapping her back to reality.

"Yeah?" she replied, dazed.

"Did you hear anything I just said then?"

"Oh, no, sorry I..." she trailed off, swallowing.

"What are you thinking about?" Zara asked, as she paused flicking through the rails.

"Just...next week" she mumbled.

Zara nodded in recognition—as soon as they'd set the date and time to meet, Wednesday had told her.

"Wednesday, it's going to be hard but you're strong. Plus, it's just a talk. If things don't go well, then hey nothing changes from now. If it goes well, then that's a plus."

"You're right" Wednesday nodded, shaking her head. "God, when did I become such a wet wipe."

Zara grinned, looking back to the rails. "Even the hardest of us girls go soft when the right guy comes along."

Wednesday smiled, attempting to clear her head and focus on the task they'd come in for.

5 minutes later she'd found something in amongst the movie section, instantly recognising the outfit with a smile.

"What about this?" she'd asked Zara, pulling it out to show her.

Zara's eyes lit up, recognising the outfit from one of her favourite films.

"Wednesday, that's perfect for you. Now, all we need to do is find you a blonde wig to go with it."

15 minutes later they left the shop, happy with their purchases and ready for the party.

Zara went home for a few days after that, to spend time with her family and friends, whilst Wednesday cleaned up the house and carried out some errands. Though she hadn't seen Harry since he'd got back from America, he'd sent her videos from Kacey's afterparty, Wednesday laughing at his dance moves as he shimmied around the floor in his stormtrooper outfit.

As Zara came back the evening of the party, they both showered and got ready in Wednesday's bedroom, applying their makeup and getting into their costumes. Once they were all finished and ready to head off, they eyed each other's outfits appreciatively.

"We did good" Zara stated, looking into the full-length mirror at them both.

"10 out of 10s" Wednesday smiled, reaching for her bag.

After a short uber ride, they arrived at Harry's to the sound of blaring music and people already spilling out onto the front drive. Spooky lanterns and pumpkins lined the path to the front door and once they'd entered, there was a mist over the air, almost like a smoke machine had been set up somewhere. In the corner of the living room, she spotted a DJ providing the music, with a mini light up dancefloor in front full of bodies swaying on top of it to the beat. Wednesday had to admit she was impressed with the effort he'd put in.

They walked through to the large kitchen, not catching a glance of Harry and instead taking out the drinks they'd brought, grabbing two empty plastic cups and filling them to the brim. Voices echoed out around them as poured two shots of vodka each, downing them with ferocity and both mirroring each other's disgusted expressions after.

Wednesday's eyes scanned the crowd for anyone she recognised, until she felt a tap on her shoulder and looked over to the source, smiling instantly at Mitch and Sarah who had impressively dressed up as Marty Mcfly and Doc from Back to The Future.

"Wow, you two have really gone all out" she laughed, tussling the white wig on Mitch's head.

"We had to come up with a couple's idea that wasn't cringy" Sarah grinned, laughing at Mitch's seemingly unimpressed look as he scratched at the wig.

"This wig is so itchy" he quietly complained, rubbing at it even harder.

They all talked for a short while, Zara catching up with the couple and filling them in on her new life in Dubai as Wednesday's eyes continued to scan the crowd until she finally spotted Harry through the multiple bodies, chatting with everyone he passed in his usual charming manner.

His eyes landed on hers and he instantly recognised her, apologising to the person he was talking to and slowly walking forward towards her with an impressed grin as he looked her costume up and down.

Taking in Zara beside her, he let out a low whistle of appreciation for them both as he rounded the counter towards them.

"Let me guess" he said, pointing his finger towards Zara first. "The Widow from Kill Bill?"

Zara smirked as she nodded, grabbing onto the katana on her back as she posed for him in her full yellow catsuit, to which they all laughed.

"And you," he said, turning to Wednesday and quickly looking at her costume again with a smirk. "Are Viv from Pretty Woman."

"Of course," she grinned, petting her short blonde bob. As soon as she'd seen the white and blue mini dress with cut-out sides, she knew it had to be her costume. "And you are the legend himself, Freddie Mercury."

He grinned at her, looking down to his own costume. He wore the famous Live Aid outfit consisting of high waisted jeans, a white vest top and white trainers, complete with the moustache. For added effect, he'd glued fake chest hair down and combed through his hair as it now sat quaffed atop his head.

"It's bloody comfy so I'm not complaining" he laughed, as Wednesday ran her hands through the fake chest hair, scrunching her nose up at how odd it looked.

"C'mon, let's have some more shots" Zara suggested, always the life of the party.

Turning around, she poured them all a shot of vodka, passing them around. Wednesday laughed at everyone's expressions; they all wore the same look of dread on their faces.

"Cheers everyone!" Zara shouted, knocking back hers whilst everyone else was still looking around unsurely. They followed suit after her, a mutual groan of disgust sounding out as the liquid travelled down their throats.

"Christ, it's like being 18 again" Harry coughed, placing the glass back on the counter.

"Oh, to be 18 again and able to drink as much as we wanted without the threat of feeling like shit the next day" Wednesday joked, smiling at him.

"I honestly can't believe the amount we used to knock back on that Take Me Home tour. Borderline alcoholics, all of us" Harry grinned and Wednesday couldn't help but notice the smell of his aftershave all around her.

"Nothing's changed for you then" Mitch joked, and Harry leant over to smack him playfully.

As Sarah and Zara fell into a conversation consisting of rating their fellow partygoers' outfits whilst Mitch continued to mess about with his itchy wig, Harry sidled up to Wednesday's side, leaning against the counter as they both continued to drink.

"You look amazing by the way" Harry observed with a small smile, the devilish look he got in his eyes when he'd been drinking appearing.

"Thank you. I'm no Julia Roberts but I think I've managed to do it justice" she replied with a smirk, looking down to her thigh high boots.

"You look even better than Julia Roberts" he replied quietly with a grin and she wasn't sure if he'd moved closer to her or the room felt smaller suddenly.

Rolling her eyes with a laugh, she shook her head at him. "Harry Styles, it's not polite to lie."

"Who said I was lying?" he smirked, his dimples becoming more and more pronounced on his cheeks.

Before Wednesday could even think of a reply, someone had stood right in front of them and she turned her head to see Daisy smiling at them both, albeit slightly warily.

"Daisy, hi" Wednesday smiled, seeing that she'd dressed up as Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction, wig and all. "Love the costume."

"Thanks" she smiled sheepishly between the both of them, clearing her throat. "It was kind of a last-minute outfit I pulled together."

"Well it looks mint" Wednesday affirmed, taking a sip of her drink as Daisy smiled at her appreciatively.

Sarah and Mitch had jumped in now, greeting her and conversing while Zara remained silent beside her and though Wednesday couldn't see her friends face, she could imagine the stand-offish expression. A trait they had in common.

"So, what were you guys talking about before I interrupted?" Daisy asked, looking between them inquisitively.

"Oh, uh..." Wednesday began, but before she could finish, Harry had interjected.

"Nothing really, just costume stuff."

Wednesday felt him straighten up next to her, the air of mischief between them gone as he looked back down to Daisy.

"Want me to grab a drink for you Daisy?" he asked, clearing the awkwardness as she nodded back at him.

"I'll be back soon" he smiled reassuringly at Wednesday before beckoning Daisy to follow him back into the crowd where they both disappeared moments later.

"I don't like her" Zara mumbled, Wednesday shaking her head beside her with a smile.

"Why not?"

"She gives off bad vibes" Zara shrugged, Wednesday unable to contain her laughter.

"Bad vibes, what does that even mean?!"

"Her energy is just off. Bad vibes, like I said."

Wednesday grinned, sipping her drink. "It took a while for me to warm to her too, but she's harmless."

"Well thankfully you're the one working with her then, not me" Zara shot back, pouring her another shot.

As the minutes progressed into an hour, Wednesday found herself downing the drinks with far too much ease. By the time she'd said hello and chatted with everyone she knew there, she could feel her limbs getting heavier and her vision blurring.

"I'm gonna get some fresh air. It's too stuffy" she yelled over the music at Zara, who nodded back half-heartedly, too deeply engaged with the tall, handsome guy in front of her who'd she'd started a conversation with.

Walking out into the back garden with a slight stumble, she breathed in the cold but fresh London air, planting herself down onto one of the slightly damp chairs. She watched the various people outside stood smoking and laughing, content in her own company. It didn't take her long to pull out her phone and scroll through her photos, landing on the old ones of her and Patrick. She eyed them sadly, rubbing her finger over the screen.

"Wednesday Green, as I live and breathe" a familiar voice called out from in front of her and she quickly locked her phone to look up and see a smiling face above her.

"Niall! Get in here!" she replied excitedly, jumping up and pulling him into an unsteady hug, noticing he still smelled the same even after all the time that had passed. "I didn't know you would be here tonight!"

"Yeah, Harold text me earlier on in the week to ask if I wanted to come. I was actually meant to be busy tonight, but the plan fell through, so thought I'd pop by for a drink and catch-up."

"And that explains the lousy costume then" she laughed, holding him at arm's length as she took in the white shirt he'd cut up and splattered fake blood onto, tucked into a pair of normal blue trousers.

"You're forgetting something" he replied with a nod, opening his mouth to show the fangs, fake blood dribbled down one side of his mouth.

"Impressive" she replied sarcastically. "How are you?"

It had been over a year since the last time she'd seen Niall—during the days in the band, they'd grown to be as close as brother and sister, even referring to each other as the 'brother/sister' they'd never had. Once they'd all gone their separate ways and life had become extra busy, it had gotten harder and harder to make time to see everyone and so now they settled for seeing each other on the odd occasion. Though, they still sent each other funny tweets far too often.

"I'm alright darling. Just finishing my next album and all that, you know how it goes. How are you? I heard about the breakup, that's a shame."

"Yeah well, it's just life I suppose" Wednesday sighed, still too excited at seeing him to let the thought of Patrick ruin her mood. "Have you seen Harry yet?"

"No, I haven't. I came with a few of the boys and they're inside, but I wandered off to try and find him, but couldn't spot him anywhere. Good job I found you. But what are you doing out here alone? You'll freeze to death."

She smiled at his genuine concern. "I'm fine, just needed some fresh air. Come on, let's go back inside."

They walked back in through the large doors together, grabbing more drinks and talking about the party, stopping to chat with a few familiar faces every now and then.

"Ah, finally. The man himself shows up" Niall chorused out and Wednesday looked up to see Harry walking towards them, a grin on his face.

She watched as they embraced in a hug, both patting each other's backs.

"You alright man?" Harry asked, leaving his hand on Niall's shoulder, his speech slightly slurred.

"I'm good Harold, thanks for the invite. Gotta say, I was surprised when you told me you were throwing the party."

"Why?" Harry asked, his brows pinching together as he grabbed a drink.

"Because you've always said Halloween is overrated."

"I said that!" Wednesday interjected.

Harry smiled drunkenly, shrugging. "A man can change his mind."