Twisted

Chapter 24: Work it out!

I've stayed back with Harry for a while until he drifted off to sleep and tiptoed out of the room. He didn't leave my hand, because he didn't want to let me go, even for a second. I took the chance to step out of the room when he slept.

As I stepped out of the room, I noticed everyone had left the hospital, and the only people left were Niall, Zayn, Louis, and Kelly. The clock was almost nine o'clock in the night, so maybe everyone has gone home by now. The air around me settled down once Harry was safe.

Louis and Niall were silently whispering something as Niall tried to make Louis smile, but I could tell he was lost in his own thoughts and wasn't in a mood to put on a smile.

I sat between Kelly and Zayn, and Zayn held his face in his hands while Kelly leaned back and closed her eyes. Guess Niall and Kelly haven't patched up their differences yet. These two need to stop acting like children and talk it out. Anyway, that's a discussion for later.

Niall, who was sitting opposite to me, spoke up, "You guys go home and get some rest. I will stay here with Harry."

"Yeah," Louis replied, "it has been a long day. I will see you soon." And he left.

 Zayn said, "Clara, come on. Let's go," but I shook my head.

"No, I'm staying. You guys go ahead." 

"Clara, I'm not asking you, we have to go. You look like a mess. You should eat something and get some sleep, or else you'll faint." Zayn urged to leave.

"Zayn, I'm not asking either. I'm staying and you cannot change my decision." I stood up on my decision and his eyes showed a hint of anger, and I softened and explained, "Zayn, I'm going to be fine. You go. You have to go. I'll eat something at the canteen later."

"Fine, whatever you say. But do you want me to stay?" Zayn spoke.

"No. Your sisters probably need you, as your mom and dad are not home yet. They need you more than me. Don't worry about me, OK? I'll call you in the morning." I assured him, and Zayn gave me a peck and left too. The guilt feeling stirred inside me once Zayn kissed me. I haven't been loyal to him. I have kissed Harry barely half an hour ago, and I couldn't tell it to Zayn and mess everything. 

"Clara, Harry doesn't need you. Niall's here. You can go home. Leave with Zayn," Kelly said.

"No. How many fucking times should I say it? I'm not leaving him out of my sight even for a second. So you go. I'll stay. Please, I want to stay."  

"Okay. But if you're staying, I'm staying too." Kelly said seriously, and I couldn't talk her out of it. So I agreed, and we all went to the hospital's canteen and helped ourselves half-heartedly to the tasteless food. Once we were back, they both sat across each other, still avoiding eye contact.

"I'm going to check on him." I said and whispered in Kelly's ear, "Don't act childish. Talk it out. I'm sure it'll work out."

I stepped into Harry's room and closed the door. He was awake, and I sat beside him. I looked over the room and saw a tray of food lying on the bedside table.

"Harry, why haven't you eaten yet?"

"Let me give you two reasons. Number one- I'm not hungry, and number two- It tastes like a pig dumped in garbage and fried in bullshit." He said casually.

"Well, let me give you two reasons to eat, number 1- you have to eat, even if you aren't hungry. You can't fall asleep on an empty stomach, and number two- hospital food always tastes like shit. You can't expect it to be specially ordered from France and then spiced in Thailand before it is delivered to you. Right?"