The Way Things Change

Chapter 12

I woke up when the curtains were pushed open, letting the sunlight into my room.

“Good morning” both Danielle and Eleanor said. I grunted. I wanted to go back to sleep. Eleanor started jumping up and down on my bed, making it impossible. “Get up sleepyhead, today is going to be AMAYZING!” she was too happy and it was too early. Or at least I thought so.

Eleanor and Danielle sat down on my bed. “We have brought snacks so we can barricade ourselves in this room the whole day” Eleanor said, showing me all sorts of food and beverages. “We didn’t know what you liked so we just brought everything.” She had a big grin plastered on her face. They were still in their pyjamas and Eleanor’s hair was up in a messy bun. Danielle’s hair just looked perfect. I suddenly became self-conscious. I hadn’t showered in three weeks. I knew my hair was really greasy, and for the rest, I bet I looked like shit. I put my head against the wall behind me pulling the sheets tightly around my body. Or as tight as I could manage. Stupid arm. I was happy that the plaster could come off in a week.

“You know the boys are leaving on Wednesday right?” Danielle asked me. Actually no, I didn’t know that. I shook my head. Why were they leaving? I suddenly realized I couldn’t miss them. They had been there for me and they had supplied the comfort I needed. I was used to them being around and kind of liked it. They made me feel safe. Then I remembered what the doctor had said. By not talking to them I was pushing them away. I couldn’t keep doing that. I needed them, more than I thought possible. I couldn’t keep pushing them away. And I made a promise to myself.

Danielle saw that I was getting upset, or at least I think so. “They will be back in two months, don’t worry. They just have to do their job” she said reassuringly. I gave her a genuine smile. “And it means that we are going to live together when they are gone!” she said with a big smile. I had no idea why, but I immediately trusted this girl. And I knew I trusted Eleanor as well. I could slowly feel my walls breaking down, way faster than my liking.

There was a knock on the door and a girl with blond, no, a bit lilac hair walked in. She looked amazing. Quirky and fun. She had a sparkle in her eyes. “Hello” she said. “I’m Perrie”. She had a Geordie accent. I could recognize it anywhere. My friend, Anna, who I had been living with, also had that accent. It was really lovely. And I guess that’s why I already liked her. Just by saying three words in an accent I already trusted her. It was ridiculous! How could I trust them, all of them, this quickly? I barely knew them. I was so confused. I tried to build up my wall again, but I couldn’t. It was slowly crumbling.

“I heard you were having a girly day and I wanted to join. I didn’t want to be too long with all the boys. So am I allowed to stay?” she seemed a bit nervous. Was she afraid of us? Or was she insecure too?

“Of course you are allowed! We are supposed to get to know each other!” Eleanor replied with a big welcoming smile. “Come on. And we already have talked right? So that just means you have to meet-”

“You must be Kate.” Perrie cut off Eleanor, jumping unto the bed, placing herself next to me. “Zayn told me they hit you with their car.” The air was pushed out of my lungs. She was so blunt and straight forward. Just like Anna. I was shocked too. My walls were tumbling down even quicker now. I was getting scared. What were these girls doing to me? And what else had Zayn told about me?

“What?” Danielle said. “Is that true? Liam told me you were hit by another car, and they were just there to help!” I looked at her. She was angry, I could tell.

“It wasn’t their fault” I started. “I kind of jumped in front of their car. They really couldn’t do anything.”

“Oh.” That was the only response I got. It was the most words I had said to anybody except the doctor. But it felt nice to talk again.