The Truth

five

"Guys there are groceries out in the car!" I yell as I walk through the door with Harry. "Can you go get the rest?" They agree and walk out to the garage to get the rest. Harry and I walk into the kitchen and start unpacking the food from the bags. I set down the bag on my arms and open the first one when something catches my eye. "Harry?" I say. "Why did you buy me a pregnancy test?" I ask I take the box out of the bag.

"Well if you go ahead and take it, then you won't have to go back to the doctors," he answers.

"Harry, you have to be pregnant for at least six days before the test detects anything. The last time I had sex was less than twenty-four hours ago," I answer.

"What?! You and Niall had sex last night?" he asks. "You were at each others' throats!"

"Angry/ drunk sex, Harry! I didn't say it was a good idea," I answer as the front door opens. The conversation ends when they come into the kitchen with the rest of the groceries. I quickly hide the test under the island to avoid a second conversation like this. I manage to sneak out of the kitchen, unfortunately leaving behind my test. I'll worry about it later, I suppose. For now, I'd like to just get some sleep.

Shrugging my clothes off, I play my sleeping music, which is basically The Smiths on repeat. I lie in bed listening to Asleep for over an hour. Each word hangs on my heart, and soon enough I find myself crying. I love Niall so much, and now he wants to leave me. He took this morning to his home because he needed to see his family? How many people is he going to ask if he should dump me? Why doesn't he just do it already?

I decide this pity party is over and pull myself out of bed and into the bathroom. I turn on the shower as hot as it will go, and after stripping my clothes off, I take a seat on the shower floor. Holding my knees to my body, I let out the waves of sobs I've been holding in. I always loved crying in the shower. The rain is more ideal, but it's quiet sunny out today. The warm water washes over me, stinging my skin. There's something so special about water that I've always loved. It has this strange ability to make you feel new again. That's why every time I need a good, I take a shower.

By the time I finish crying, the water runs cold. I turn off the water and grab a towel to cover myself. I take a look in the mirror, and my makeup is streaked down my face. After wrapping the towel around me, I take out my makeup wipes and begin cleaning my face off. My skin is red and raw from the crying. My eyes are bloodshot. The water caused my new hair to bleed black dye onto my shoulders and neck.

I look like hell. Feel like it too.

Once my faces is clean, I take a quick, cold shower to clean myself. The cold water numbs my body in the short five minutes it takes to wash up. When I finish and step out, I am met by Eleanor crossing her arms. She is in a towel and her hair is put up. "You used all the hot water, Ali," she says, annoyed.

"Sorry, babe," I say, chuckling. "It'll be warm again in like fifteen minutes."

"You only take showers that long when you're upset," she begins. "You fought with Niall last night. And then he takes off on a last minute flight to Ireland. Did you two not work it out?"

"Not exactly. But I'm fine. The only reason it took so long was because the dye bled and got everywhere," I lie.

"Yeah, about that.. Love it!" she says.

"I do too. It makes my eyes stand out so much more," I say smiling.

"Was it an impromptu thing? Or had you planned on it?" she asks.

"It was spur of the moment really. I went in for an appointment and he recommended it. He was right too," I say.

"Hey, why is the water cold?" Zayn says stepping into my bathroom. "Why are you both only wearing towels?" he asks.

"Why does no one in this house know how to knock?" I ask. "Get out, Zayn."

"But I need a shower!" he whines.

"You have your own bathroom!" I say. "Take a shower when there is warm water!" He sighs and walks out of the room. "I swear, these boys have no sense of privacy."

"The way they think of it, they're like brothers, and you're like their sister," she answers. "Except Niall of course."

"Of course," I say. "Well I better get dressed. I have to be at work soon enough."

"See you later, Ali," she says, walking out of the bathroom, leaving me alone. I decide against continuing being sad, and get ready for work instead. I quickly braid my wet hair and put on minimal makeup. After I pull on my work uniform, I grab my keys and head out. As I walk down the stairs, I hear whispers in the kitchen, my name sticking out in the conversation. I turn the corner between the living room and the kitchen to see Zayn and Louis leaning over the kitchen island.

"Hello, boys. I'm off to work," I say, interrupting them.

"Ali, is this yours?" Zayn says, holding up the pregnancy test.

"Are you pregnant?! I am not emotionally ready for that!" Louis says.

"Guys, Harry bought that for me because I have to go back to the doctor in two weeks to see if I am. I'm not pregnant. The doctor just recommends I get tested since I don't have regular periods," I explain.

"But what if you were? I mean you did have sex recently," Louis says.

"How do you know when the last time I had sex?" I ask.

"You and Niall can be kind of loud sometimes," Zayn says. "Especially last night."

"Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you two about that," Louis says. "It's kind of disturbing."

"Jesus Christ..." I mumble.

"But you didn't answer my question. What if you are?" Louis asks.

"I guess I'd have to figure that out when the time came," I answer. "But I have to leave," I say turning towards the door.

"I hope it's a boy!" Zayn calls as I walk away. I flip him off as I walk out the front door. The drive to work is pretty short and I get there a few minutes before my shift starts. Using my extra ten minutes, I go to the back so I can restock the front counter of a few things. As I'm setting up, someone clear their throat.

"Hi, I'd like to- Alexia!" Marcus says. "I didn't know you worked here."

"Hey, Marcus," I say smiling.

"You mentioned being a barista. Should have remembered Charlie worked in a cafe too," he says. "You okay? Your boyfriend seemed pretty angry last night."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. We basically yelled at each other then went to sleep. He went to visit his family this morning," I answer.

"You know I was wondering, since you're planning on dumping him and all, you want to get dinner sometime?" he asks.

"Marcus..I am about to be out of a two year relationship. I think I'd like to be single for a little bit," I say.

"I understand, but in case you change your mind," he says as he grabs a napkin and pen from the counter. "Here is my number."

I fold up the napkin and shove it into my pocket. "So I assume you want coffee?"

"Yes, please. A large mocha please," he says taking out his wallet.

"On the house. Since you did my hair for free," I say and he smiles.

"Thanks," he says. I quickly prepare his drink and hand him the cup. "See ya around sometime."

"Bye," I say as he leaves.