Papillon - HS

Chapter 18

I could barely make my way through the hallways, my tears blinding my eyes. Everything was blurry. Everything was silent. It was late and I didn't want to wake anyone up with my sobs. I tried my best to keep quiet, keep walking until reaching Liam's room. Everything hurt, almost as if Harry's words and cold demeanour made millions of tiny cuts through my whole body. But what hurt the most was not hearing another pair of footsteps following me, coming to find me, apologizing and assuring me we were okay.

I finally reached Liam's door and knocked twice. I crossed my arms across my chest and waited for someone to open the door, I couldn't keep it together for much longer and would be so ashamed if there were any noise complaints for an annoying girl who couldn't stop crying. The door opened and revealed Liam with a wide smile, one arm grabbing the door and the other lifted in the air. His eyes were closed as he chanted.

"Vic-to-ri-aaaaa!!" he welcomed, "come on in! Come on-" Liam opened his eyes and stopped when he saw my broken state. "Hey, what happened? Are you okay?"

I could barely look at him, tears flowing down my cheeks and my arms unfolding to pull him closer to me. Liam was quick to let go of the door and hug me back. I sobbed into his chest and finally answered, "no, I'm not."

He hugged me tight and closed the door, then walked us over to the bed. I lifted my gaze and saw the rest of the guys with worried expressions on their faces. As soon as I broke my hug with Liam, I was suffocated by Niall's embrace. He pulled me close to his chest, taking one hand to run it through my hair.

"Shh, you're alright bumblebee, I got you," he whispered in an effort to calm me down. It was working because my breathing began to stabilize and I felt my heartbeat settle as well. "What happened?"

Niall let go of my head and pulled me backwards so he could see my face. He took his thumbs and ran them below my eyes, removing any tears that had puddled there. I took a few deep breaths before speaking. All the guys were looking at me, all of them with the kindest disposition to help me overcome this sadness that had rushed through me. I smiled knowing these were real friends, true friends. God, I'm so grateful for them.

I tried talking calmly but could only say bits and phrases about what had happened.

"The love confession and Harry and him not saying my name an-" I cried again, my head falling to my hands as I sobbed.

I felt a hand rubbing my back and I peeked to see Louis smiling at me.

"Try and repeat that calmly," he said reassuringly.

"What do you mean Harry confessed his love?!" Niall asked and I snorted.

The rest slapped the back of his head and shoulders, knowing his question was insensitive, especially in the state I was at. I found it funny though, he was always making me laugh without really intending it.

"No," I said chuckling, "the opposite really." I took a deep breath and sighed, remembering how Harry had shouted at me to leave and not talk to him.

"What do you mean, Vic?" Zayn asked and I shrugged.

"Get ready, here's tonight's story time" I said, "I hope you enjoy it because I certainly didn't!" I chuckled at my failed attempt at making this room have less tension. The boys were worried about me but at the end, they were friends with Harry too.

I sighed and got comfortable in Niall's arms.

"Well, it all started when Charlie came and walked me to my room. He then fucking confessed he's been in love with me his whole life!" I said and chuckled when I heard Niall gasp beside me.

"But we knew that already," Louis said, making me scrunch my brows.

"How? I didn't know this," I said, "did he tell you too?"