All Chapters of Strings of Fate: Chapter 271 - Chapter 280

"Harry has already started walking away when he realises that I haven’t given my usual immediate refusal. I’m just stuck. Would it be so bad if I said yes? I’m sure going out with him would be fun if today was anything to go by. Simon already thinks Harry and I are dating and being seen with him might encourage him to stay away from me. He certainly backed off when Harry turned up today. He didn’t even send any more texts. I doubt it will be long before Simon is harassing me again, but maybe if I went out with Harry publically he would back off? Or at very least my mother and grandmother might take a hint. It’s not really like it would be using Harry or leading him on right? He’s the one who keeps acting like we’re already together, and he was the first one to start this whole couple act. I’m sure he would agree if he knew anyway. It’s not leading him on if I do actually plan to go out with him, which I will. I can’t imagine that this relationship will last or really go anywhere, but

"I hold out my hand for my phone so I can see what the hell Harry is going on about, but he holds it out of my reach.“One sec. I’m trying to find my contact. Hah, I should have known I’d be down as number one.” He taps the phone again and a second later his own phone chimes. He glances at it with a satisfied smile then hands my phone back. My phone is open to the text conversation with him and he’s forwarded himself a photo from a different chat. I open the picture and find that it is indeed a picture of Harry and I. Clearly taken yesterday while we were walking back from the grocery store. He’s carrying my bags and looks ridiculously photogenic despite the fact that he’s laughing. I’m even half smiling although I can’t place exactly what we were saying. This had to be taken by Simon. Why would he text me stalkerish photos? Is he trying to give me evidence to get a restraining order? I flick back and I’m surprised to see the photo was sent by my mother. Mum- Cam I demand an explanat

"Harry takes a deep breath and exhales heavily as if soothing himself before he begins. “I am really sorry Cam. I didn’t realise I was making you uncomfortable, that you didn’t like what I was doing. I won’t touch you again without waiting for you to actually say it’s okay. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable and I definitely didn’t intend to manipulate you or ignore your wishes.” he apologises sincerely. Wait, does he think I’m angry about him touching my legs? If I had a problem with that I wouldn’t have lashed out after several minutes of contact. It would have been immediate. I raise an eyebrow.“Why exactly do you think I’m upset?” I ask. Harry frowns. “Because I initiated physical contact without waiting for you to expressly consent to it and in the process, I made you uncomfortable.” He sums up, almost robotically. Like he wants to distance himself from the thought. I narrow my eyes.“And you can’t think of anything else that you might have done?” I prompt. Harry looks alarm

"I’m lying in bed and theoretically I’m relaxing but I just can’t sleep. I find myself just scrolling through the messages my mother sent me earlier. I sort of want to ignore them, but that doesn’t line up all that well with my whole ‘setting boundaries’ thing. I can’t expect my family to pull their heads out of their asses if I don’t make it clear when they’re doing things that make me uncomfortable. If I’m not willing to completely cut ties then I need to try to stand up for myself, right? I take almost an hour to compose the text I send to my mother.Cam- I would like to start by pointing out that I am an adult and I in no way ‘owe’ you an explanation however as you are my mother and did raise me I respect you enough to provide one regardless. I understand that you do not agree with my decision, however I have made it clear several times now that I have no interest in meeting with Simon. I will not ever develop a relationship with him and I find it very disturbing that you consider

"The room is crowded as people start to get up and put away their things in preparation to leave. Harry is able to push his way through the crowd but I keep getting left behind as stupid giant people step in front of me. As Harry moves further away from me I automatically reach out and grab his hand. I cling to him as he leads me up to the judges. Fifteen minutes of bickering and drama later, Harry and I are leaving the event, points awarded and envelope with the prize in hand. We won a gift card for a free meal next time we visit the cafe and a gift basket of snacks and wine. This is apparently a good day for me to get free alcohol. Harry leads me outside and swings our hands between us as we walk to the car. “So, does this mean I have permission to hold your hand now after all? Because you grabbed me first.” Harry points out, squeezing my fingers gently. I laugh at his reminder of his question from last night. I thought that holding his hand would be uncomfortable or awkward and l