The Love Letters (Larry Stylinson)

Chapter 18

Later that day, Zayn and I are sitting on my bed, he's looking me expectantly while I am crunching my crisps.

"Do you want some?", I ask. He shakes his head. "No, I want you to spill the tea, you idiot!"

"Right..."

I take a crisp and put it in his mouth. "We have to make some rules. Please don't interrupt me while I'm talking, don't tell anyone but Louis or my mum what I'm going to tell you and please tell me your opinion about everything when I'm done, yeah?"

Zayn nods. He looks scared.

"Alright. Where should I start..." I bite my lip. "Oh, I know. You know that I'm a virgin, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'm not anymore."

Zayns eyes widen. He stares at me, flabbergasted. "Wait what?!"

I nod. "Yeah."

"Oh my... oh my god, that's amazing! Congrats! Who is it?"

I shake my head. "No. It's awful."

He frowns. "What?"

I swallow. "You remember your party, right?"

"Of course."

"Yeah... well, as you might have noticed, I suddenly disappeared. I was raped. A man mixed KO-pills into one of my drinks and fucked me in your parents' room. He also slapped me. I don't think he used a condom."

His eyes are gigantic, now. He isn't able to say anything; he just looks at me, completely confused and disbelieving.

"Since I was tired because of the KO-pills, I couldn't defend myself. I don't remember everything, but after he left, Louis found me. He put on my clothes and tried to carry me home. When we arrived, he explained what he thought had happened to my mum. Then he stayed with me for the night. The next day, I was confused and I thought that we hooked up, but we didn't. Then I remembered. I felt really ill, I had to throw up and everything. Louis helped me with everything. He even helped me to shower. I was very lucky that he searched me at the party. I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't found me... so, yeah, Louis and me are good friends now, I guess. That's why I didn't read your texts and everything; I was- and still am- too stressed and fucked up about it."

Zayn stares at me. His face even became white. He looks angry and concerned. "I- I don't know what to say."

I try to smile. "Well... I guess you didn't expect that."

"Not at all. I just can't believe it. I love Louis so much right now... I'm so happy he 'saved' you."

"I know. Me too."

Zayn hugs me. He presses my head on his shoulder and caresses my hair. "I love you, bro. I refuse to believe that someone hurt you like that."

"You have to, Zayn."

"I know, but... I can't handle it. This man deserves death. How did he dare to do this to you? You're so pure and innocent... yes, you're tall and quite strong, but you're a little baby anyway." He lifts my chin and kisses my forehead. "My poor Harry..."

My heart takes a leap. "I love you, Zayn! You're so amazing." I look into his big, brown eyes. "What do you think?"

"I... I think you should tell the police. And you should definitely do tests, because it's dangerous to have sex without a condom... did he hurt you in any other physical way?"

"Yes, he hit me, as I already said."

"Shit, you're right... and I remember that there was blood on the bed of my parents. You should definitely go to a doctor."

I nod. "Thank you so much. I already talked with my mother, but I think she can't really realize what happened, so, yeah, that's why we haven't done anything yet."

"Do it as soon as possible, because HIV for example can be treated well if it is discovered early."

"Yeah. I'll ask my mum to visit the doctor and do the tests this weekend."

"Good. I don't want you to get hurt." He stands up, takes my wrists and puts me up, too. "Alright, let's go out to the park or something. You need to get a little fresh air, yeah?"

"Yes, you're right. Thank you, Zayn."

Even though I am stressed and fucked up, the afternoon becomes, thanks to my best friend, very good.