If You Only Knew

Chapter 12

The shrill sound of the alarm rips me from the comfort of sleep, and I immediately feel it—an excruciating pain in my stomach that makes me gasp and curl into myself. I clutch at my stomach, wincing, the sensation like someone is twisting a knife in my gut. It's a deep, relentless ache, and I can't make it stop. A whimper escapes my lips before I can stop it, the pain causing my whole body to tremble.

"What's wrong, babes?" Louis' groggy voice cuts through the fog of my discomfort. I can barely focus on him as I struggle to breathe through the pain.

"My tummy hurts, Lou," I manage to rasp out, my voice small and weak. I can feel the chill creeping through my body, and all I want is to be close to him, to feel his warmth. I instinctively curl up closer to him, tucking myself into his side, burying my face against his chest, desperate for some comfort.

Louis shifts, pulling me even closer, his arm wrapping around me protectively. "Oh, my love," he says softly, his voice full of concern. "You feel really warm, baby. I think you might be sick."

A shiver runs through me, my teeth beginning to chatter despite the heat in my body. "I hate being sick, Lou... Make it go away," I whimper, my voice thick with discomfort. The sensation is unbearable, and I can't help the whine that escapes me, a deep sense of helplessness washing over me. I just want to feel better. I want to be okay.

"I wish I could, baby," Louis murmurs, his hand smoothing over my hair in a soothing gesture. "Let me go talk to Mum, see what she says."

I shake my head, even though I know it won't change anything. "Don't leave me," I plead, the words soft, almost desperate. The thought of being alone while I feel like this fills me with anxiety.

Louis sighs gently, kissing the top of my head. "I'll be fast, my love. I won't leave you for long, I promise."

I watch him reluctantly pull away, his warmth leaving me like the soft light of the sun slipping beneath a cloud. I feel the chill in the room settle deeper around me, and I can't help the way my body shivers as I curl deeper into the blankets. I've never been good at being sick—not since I was little. Back then, when I was unwell, Mum would have to work, and I'd be left alone, my small body aching and cold in the emptiness of the house. I remember how lonely those days felt, how I wished for someone to hold me, to make me feel like I wasn't so small, so fragile.

I close my eyes, trying to distract myself from the painful waves coursing through me. But it's impossible. I try to focus on the sound of Louis' footsteps leaving the room, trying to calm my breathing, but the pain doesn't relent. It only tightens its grip, making my stomach churn in protest.

"Good morning, love," I hear Jay's voice call softly from the hallway. Her tone is light, but there's a note of concern that cuts through her words.

"Morning, Mum," I hear Louis reply. "I think Haz is sick—he's got a bad stomach ache, and he feels really warm."

"Oh no, poor boy," Jay responds sympathetically, and I hear the soft shuffle of her steps as she moves down the hallway. "Let me come have a look." I can hear her footsteps growing louder as she enters the room, and then I feel the soft brush of her hand on my forehead.

"Good morning, Harry. Are you feeling poorly, love?" she asks gently, her voice full of warmth and care. She sits on the edge of the bed, her eyes full of worry as she studies me.

"I feel nauseous," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "And my stomach... it feels like someone is punching it over and over. And I'm really hot, but I'm also freezing..."

"Oh dear," Jay murmurs, her hand brushing back my damp hair. "Okay, love, I'm going to call the school and let them know you'll be staying home today. Lou, go make some tea for Harry, and finish getting ready for school. I'll see about getting my shift swapped to stay home with him."