More Than This

Chapter 6

"Hey Niall" the girl now known as Sophie states, almost shy. Her voice cracking as tears come down her face. Niall is frozen in his spot, tears of his own flowing freely down his face. He seems to come out of his frozen trace and races towards her embracing her in the tightest hug I have ever witnessed.

"What the fuck are you doing here" he says sobbing into her shoulder, she holds him tightly back chuckling.

"What am I doing here? Why the hell aren't you in Ireland?" she says in an Australian accent, I'm sorry what? Niall knows someone from Australia and quite obviously knows her well.

"I moved here the year you left" Niall pulls out of the hug, just looking at this random girl. I look at Harry and he seems just as confused as I am. Liam and Zayn as well.

"Does someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?" I say, Harry squeezing my arm in an attempt to calm me down, succeeding as per usual. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I've just had a very long day"

"No no, I totally understand. I'm this random foreign girl coming in and hugging your friend. I can see the confusion" She explains, and I think I like this girl. "I'm Sophie. Niall and I grew up together"

"I haven't seen Soph since she left. Oh god, I can't believe you're here right now" Niall says hugging her once again. The two friends smile at each other and if I didn't know better, I would think something was going on. However, I do know better and if you asked my opinion – Sophie has eyes for Liam.

We all kind of just sit there watching as the two friends catch up over years of zero communication. Watching Niall and Sophie catch up and fall back into their relationship years after they have seen each other gives me hope for some reason. It makes me feel like if they can gather the strength to reconnect after so long of not seeing each other then maybe, just maybe I can gather enough strength to show the world who I truly am. I'm sick of hiding, of pretending to be straight and acting like I'm just a player who doesn't care about relationships. I'm actually the complete opposite. I want someone to love as much I love them. I want to care for someone when they're sick or hurt. I want to be able to protect someone from the people who aims to hurt them. I want someone to love me as much as I love Harry. Wait, hold up. What. No. I can't be in love with Harry. There's no way he'll go for someone who isn't ready to be out. He deserves so much better than that. So much better than me. Harry deserves the world, not someone who's too scared to even be honest with his family. He deserves someone he can openly love. Someone good enough.

I tense at the thought. I will never be good enough for Harry. I'm just some scared soccer player who doesn't know what he wants to do with his life. Harry deserves the best and I'm far from it.

"You ok, love?" Harry says, his cheeks turning pink at the pet name that slipped out

"Yeah, of course. Just thinking" I reply with a smile that I can instantly see he doesn't believe. He doesn't press though. Liam, thank the lord, changes the subject back to our newcomer.

"So, Sophie, what team do you go for?"

"Like soccer? I don't really follow if I'm being honest" she answers, and I can't help but chuckle. Of course, she's friends with Niall. It just makes sense. She's as oblivious as he is.

"Hahaha, no. I mean am I still the only straight one here" Liam manages to get out, shoving his hands in his front pockets, pairing it with the smile I know he only whips out when he is extremely interested in a girl. I'm not talking about some passing crush, no. I'm talking about his nervous smile that both Zayn and I know means he's interested. Liam has a habit of thinking he isn't good enough, when actually he's the best guy in the world. He honestly deserves so much. I make eye contact with Zayn across the room raising my eyebrows, he nods. We're thinking the same thing.

Sophie blushes at the question. I see the look Niall gives her and instantly know that she has the same habit as our Liam.

"Um, no. You're not. I'm very much straight" her eyes flicker to the floor, blush deepening and smile spreading across her face.

Silence falls over the room for a moment as Liam and Sophie practically eye-fuck each other. It's honestly sickeningly cute. They keep giggling at nothing before averting their eyes back to the floor.

"Okaaaay, um someone change the subject...quickly please." Harry begs from his place on my chest. We all can't help but chuckle at Harry's obvious discomfort.

"You're from Australia, aren't you, Soph? I hope Soph is okay. I have a strong dislike for using people's full names" I say, keeping the spotlight on Sophie but away from the two lovebirds.

"Yeah Soph is fine, I don't mind. You're Lou-Lou though. You don't get a choice in the matter" Damn she's sassy. Okay. I like that.

"My sisters call me Lou-Lou" I reply with a chuckle and a roll of my eyes.

"Would you prefer Lou-bear?" she says, eyebrows furrowing and the corners of her mouth turning down. There's a chorus of "oooo's" that follows as Sophie matches my sass. An event that doesn't occur very often.

"Lou-Lou it is then" I say "Anyway you never answered my question"

"Ah yes. I was born in Ireland but moved to Australia when I was eleven. My dad got a new placement here in Doncaster, so we moved here. Have to say I wasn't expecting to run into Niall."

"Why do you have an Australian accent then?" Zayn questions from his chair on the other side of Harry's bed.

"Both my parents were born and raised in Australia, so they have accents and I guess I just picked it up from hearing it all the time at home." she says with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Wait Soph?"

"Yes, my dear Ni"

"Where are you going to school? You're 17 so you're still in school" and damn that is a good question Niall, where is our new friend attending school?

"Doncaster Catholic College. It's not ideal but it was the only place with vacancy" She says her eyes kind of dropping a little, almost like she thought she was going to be alone.

"Well looks like you're stuck with us then" Liam says very casually placing his arm around Sophie's shoulder causing the girl to blush like mad.

"No looks like you're stuck with me" she says smiling, wrapping her arm around Liam's waist and leaning into him slightly. Yep those two are getting together especially if I have anything to do with it. Liam deserves to be happy.

"Well I think this year just got a lot better" Harry says. Niall nods in agreement and I can't help but think he's right. I was dreading this year when I woke up on the first day but now with my growing group of friends and accepting support system, I can't help but be excited. This is our year, and no one can stop us. Not Nick, not homophobes, and certainly not fear.