Here comes the sun - Larry

CHAPTER 1

"Hold still."

Niall looks up at me with teary eyes. "I'm fine."

I roll my eyes because he obviously isn't. I untie his football-boot, then pull it off carefully. He hisses in pain, but he needs it off so I can put ice on his ankle. He lies down instead, letting me pull off his sock and shin-pad before Liam hands me the frozen peas. It's the ones we always keep in a cooler on the sideline for cases like these. I wrap them up in a dishtowel, then put them down on his aching ankle.

"Do you think it's sprained?" Liam asks.

"I'm not a doctor," I remind him, "but it's definitely sprained."

"Everything okay, boys?"

I look up at our coach. "I think it's sprained."

He grimaces. "Right, okay, that's not good for the team. But bring him to the nurse and get clarification from someone who's older than eighteen."

Liam and I get Niall onto his feet before we help him get off the field and inside. Niall explains the incident to the school nurse, which has her sending him to the hospital. Niall tries to protest, mainly because he doesn't believe it's necessary, but also because he's afraid of the x-ray machine—or the result, at least. I don't blame him, not really, because if it was me, I would be worried, too. No athlete wants a broken ankle, especially not one who has a game on Friday. But while the nurse believes it's a sprain only, she's also not as sure as she'd like to be, so she's recommending a more professional opinion.

I decide to get our stuff from the locker-room while Liam runs outside to tell our coach where we're going. I don't necessarily think we both need to go, but neither of us wants to leave Niall. I run into the cheerleaders on the way, though, stopping when a hand closes around my wrist.

"Louis—"

"I don't have time, Emily. I'm driving Niall to the hospital."

"Is he okay?"

"He's fine."

"Do you have plans tonight?"

I look into her brown eyes, then let my own gravitate down her body. Her uniform is black like mine, but it's much, much tighter. "I believe I can squeeze you in."

"I'll text you."

I kiss her on the lips, then continue towards the locker-room. Emily and I have been dating for almost a year now. My love-life was nonexistent before her, mainly because I didn't have time for a relationship. I still don't because while I'm captain of the football-team, I'm also determined to keep my grades from falling, but we're making it work the best we can. I do feel like she's clingy when I don't give her enough attention, which can be annoying, but it's not like I don't understand where she's coming from. I hardly ever have time for her between homework and football.

I get all three bags from the locker-room, right after I've changed into my Vans. I assume I can drive with boots on, but I would rather not. I hear arguing when I walk past the Principal's office on the way back, slowing down to see him shouting at his son. Harry catches me almost immediately—you'd think he could sense my presence. He then looks me straight in the eyes when he walks towards the door and closes it. I stand still for a moment or two, then return to what I was doing.

It's not surprising they're fighting. I believe they used to get along, but lately, they've seemed unable to, but it's none of my business. Harry isn't someone I care about, nor someone I've ever exchanged a word with, so I'm not concerned about what's going on in his life. And I know how that sounds, but I don't think it's selfish or typical jock behaviour. He's just another classmate I'm not friends with, someone I don't have to worry about. And it would honestly be a waste of time to get to know him when we're graduating so soon.

Liam and I get Niall into the backseat before we drive off. I think about tonight, how I'm going to keep Emily quiet. I doubt my dad would be thrilled to hear us have sex, but Emily is loud. He doesn't mind that she comes over, but he doesn't like her very much. My sisters don't either, so most of the time, we're locked away in my room. I don't care about their opinions, though, because they're not the ones dating her. I'm not going to please them by breaking up with her, not when she's the one I want.

Liam turns the music down. "I know Niall is the one in pain, but are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm just thinking."

"About what?"

"Emily."

"Does your dad still not like her?"

"No. And I honestly don't know why. I mean, she's lovely."

He hesitates. "Right."

I frown. "Do you have something against her, too?"

"Not exactly. I just think she's a bit... clingy, that's all."

"Maybe that's because she never sees me outside school."

"Louis, there's no need to get defensive."

I tighten my grip on the steering wheel, but I don't know what else to say. I know he's right, but there's no reason to dislike her because of one flaw. I don't know why I even care about his opinions—or anyone's, for that matter. I'm comfortable in our relationship, in knowing she's mine to love. I still don't know if she's one, but am I suppose to know this soon?

"Do you think they're gonna cut it off?"

I snort at Niall's sudden question. "I don't think you have to worry about that."

"I can't play football without my foot, but I don't have a backup plan for the future."

"Niall," I chuckle, turning left to get into the hospital's parking lot, "they're not gonna cut it off."

He huffs in response while I find a place to park. Inside, we don't have to wait long, but it turns out his ankle is in fact just sprained. He receives a pair of crutches before we're on our way again. I drop them both off before I head home myself. I feel relieved to be alone again, mostly because Liam made me question my relationship with Emily. I'm not going to break up with her, nor do I want to, but to be perfectly honest, I don't know if we'll make it past high school. But maybe I'm only thinking that way because I'm scared of long-distance. Emily wants to stay here while I would rather get out of this place and move to London. It's definitely not ideal, but if she's the one, then we can make it work, can't we? But on the other hand, if she wants to stay here for the rest of her life, then what's the point? I refuse to do long-distance for the rest of eternity, not to mention I'd be insanely touch-starved. I need affection as much as I need to breathe.

"Louis!"

I grin when Daisy jumps into my arms. "Hey, you."

"I missed you today."

"I missed you more." I kiss her on the cheek. "Is Phoebe not home yet?"

"No, she's with a classmate."

"By herself?"

"No, obviously not."

"That's not what I meant," I chuckle.

"I know," she says, smiling all over. "I didn't want to be there."

"No?

"I don't wanna spent several hours telling someone my name isn't Phoebe."

"Right, of course not."

"Do you wanna help me with my homework? I can't do the math on my own."

"I'll be right there," I say, putting her down. "I'm just gonna take a shower first."

I watch her run back to the living room, then head upstairs. I don't mind helping her with her homework, but it's stressful when I have my own. I'm used to it, sure, but I'm exhausted beyond explanation today. All I want to do is lie back and fall asleep, forget about homework so I can sleep until morning. And having Emily over seemed like a good idea when I looked at her in her uniform, but now I wouldn't mind going to bed early instead. I can't bring myself to cancel, though, not when I know she's excited to see me. And what would I tell her anyway? How would I explain to her that I would rather sleep than fuck her? I can't do that, much less admit to myself that that's what I'm thinking.

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter! Remember to vote and comment!