The Way Things Change

Chapter 21

The last three days, before the boys went on tour, went by really fast. I got a chance to talk to all of them, together and separately. Even Harry made an effort to get to know me. I didn’t know what or who had made him change his mind, but I was glad that it was changed. He was actually really nice.

Eleanor, Perrie and Danielle had left Monday morning. Danielle would be back on Wednesday, Eleanor would be back in two weeks. She had to finish school and hang with her friends, but she promised she would be back. And Perrie promised to come back whenever she could. She was busy with recording an album and rehearsing. I understood that she was busy and loved the fact that she would try and make the tome to come visit me.

I didn’t want to be at the airport to say goodbye. It was too early for me and I knew that there would be a lot of paparazzi there. So I said goodbye to them when they left the house. The boys had bought me a ‘going away’ present, which was ironic since I wasn’t going anywhere. Yet.

I told them not to be spending money on me, they had already done enough, but when I opened the present I was glad they did. It was the newest iPhone and all their numbers were put into it, complete with pictures of them. Even the girls’ numbers were put into it, and Paul’s as well. I gave them a hug, as a ‘Thank you’ and a ‘goodbye’. They told me to call whenever I needed to talk. And then they left.

***

It was summer and I was regaining my strength. After I got my plaster of, I could finally hit the gym again and with the right training and the right nutrition I got my old body back. But even though I was happy for that and it was really hot outside, I didn’t want to use the pool Well, not when Danielle and Eleanor were there anyway. I was just too insecure. They tried everything to get me in, but I didn’t budge. Eventually they found out about my insecurities, seriously I couldn’t keep any secrets from them. So they started a campaign. They really did everything, and I mean everything, to get me to feel better about myself. I was really sceptical about it, but, much to my surprise, it really helped me.

When the two months were almost over I felt like a new person. I must say, the three girls were geniuses. Perrie had introduced me to Little Mix while the ‘Feel better about yourself’ campaign was going on, and I listened to some of their new tracks. They were really good and they were all absolutely gorgeous. I really hit it off with Jesy, who also had been struggling with her own insecurities. Danielle and Eleanor took me out for some shopping and I got a whole lot of new clothes. More feminine, but I still felt good in it.

I had been out looking for a flat and I had found the perfect one. It was not too far away from the boys and I really hoped they would still let me come over, even though I wasn’t going to live there anymore. I had been to all the gyms nearby to try and find a job and I was lucky to get hired immediately at one. Things were looking bright for me and I hadn’t been this happy in a long time. Of course I still had bad days and especially nights, but the girls were there for me, they never let me down. I really loved those girls.

Danielle and Eleanor had held some parties during the summer, so I met a lot of new people. I was becoming that outgoing girl again, but I was more precautious about the people I met. I had no trust in people whatsoever, and even though I had a good time, I always ended up alone in the garden. I liked it that way. When everyone was really drunk I would just be sitting there, observing. I had never been much of a drinker, probably as a result of my alcoholic foster father. I didn’t make a lot of new friends, but acquaintances were always nice to have.

Daniele had gone home for a couple of days and would be back the day of the boys’ arrival.  Eleanor was on a holiday with her family, somewhere in France. She would also be here when the boys came home. So I had the house to myself. I had the time to explore the library, I spent a lot of time in the gym and I even used the pool. When I became restless, I decided to clean the house. I  know. Volunteering to clean the house. Wow. But it really needed to be done and it wouldn’t be fair to have the house all messy when the boys came home.

By night time I had cleaned most of the house, but I was glad to have one more day before they arrived. This house was HUGE! It took forever to clean. And I sill needed to go grocery shopping. I wanted to make a healthy home cooked meal, I think they could really need that.

***

I had been busy all day. Danielle had stopped by, just to say hi, before she was off to the airport to pick up the boys. I was exited to see them again. I had really missed them, even though I wouldn’t admit that to anyone.

Soon I heard the car pull up and I went to the door to greet the boys. I was almost trampled by all five of them when they came in for a welcome hug, all at once. I laughed. It was really good to see them again.

“Welcome home! I’ve made you some food. Are you hungry?”

“Practically starving!” Niall said running to the kitchen. So typical. The couples quickly followed him, leaving Harry and I behind. Well this was a bit awkward. I still didn’t know if he really wanted to be a friend or not.

“You look good Kate” he said. “That extra weight really suits you!”

“Wow Harry, that’s something you should NEVER say to an insecure girl! But thank you. I feel better. You on the other hand look like shit!” I laughed and playfully pushed him. I was going to be a friend, even if he didn’t want to.

“Oh yeah?! Well I’ve been touring for two months. Of course I look like shit, did you expect anything else?” he said equally playful. Yep, we were going to be friends.

“And you’ve got nothing to be insecure about, you have an amazing body!” he added quietly. I could feel my face heat up and I quickly turned my face to the floor. What was I supposed to answer? I was flattered and all, but I just couldn’t believe what he said.

While the boys devoured the meal I had prepared for them, they told us all about their tour. What they had seen, how the shows had been and of course how much fun they had. They all looked exhausted and right after dinner they went to bed. I was left to clean up the mess they had made, but I didn’t really care. They were tired and they had let me live in their house for free. I was kind of sad that I was leaving them in a month, when I was able to move into my new flat. I still had to tell the boys about it. But it could wait. They knew I was moving anyway.