Just normal guys

8. Why are some people a**holes?

TW: mentioning of rape/sexual harassment (Mom, don't worry, I'm ok. This is just a story)

Harry's POV

„Harold, are you coming?"

I sighed as I heard Liam calling for Lunch. We had a few stressful days behind us, as we had a new album and therefore new singles coming. Though we still had the most exhausting days coming. We were gonna release 3 new singles and finally the album in the next 10 days. Which meant, Interviews, TV shows, some small performances, and more, all in the next few weeks. All while preparing for the next tour in 3 months. I really loved this job, it was better than everything I've ever dreamed of, but sometimes it was all too much.

Sometimes, when I could barely pay attention to anything our choreographer said after a long night with little sleep, because I recorded new songs until 1 am.

Sometimes, when I was at home ad could finally sleep with Lou in one bed, because we weren't allowed to on tour, since someone could see us.

Sometimes, when I saw Zayn eating not enough and almost passing out due to the stress.

Yes, sometimes I wondered, if this was really worth it. I couldn't change anything right now, but maybe we can negotiate new terms of our contract soon. Liam has to speak with Simon about this. He has probably the best chance of success.

However, I was still hungry, so I got up from the sofa where I had just sat down, and made my way downstairs.

„I'm coming!"

This was gonna be one of the last days for months that we would live here together, unbothered, alone. I was gonna enjoy this last lunch we had prepared ourself, without dark, sad thoughts. Just when I was about to walk down the stairs, my phone started buzzing. I grabbed it, wanted to decline the call. Whoever it was, they would have to wait until later. But before I could press the button, I read who called me: Ayla.

Wait, Ayla? Why would she call me at this time, on a day when she would think we are too busy to talk? Especially after we had talked only a week ago? And a video call? Something felt wrong. Very wrong. I decided to take the call. Lunch had to wait one more minute. When I answered the phone, I only saw a few parts of her. Because she was running. And definitely crying. Lunch was forgotten.

„Ayla?? What is wrong, what happened? Are you alright?"

She didn't answer, just kept on running. I tried again:

„Hey Darling? What happened? Please talk to me, I want to help! Who are you running from?"

That seemed to arrive at her mind. She looked up, as if she had just realised that I was here.

„I'm sorry, Im gonna tell you in a minute, I didn't think - I just wanted to call someone to not be alone on the way home, but no one answered! Sorry, just a minute, I promise -"

„Hey, it's alright, ok? Don't worry, I'm here, and I'm gonna stay here. Take your time. Do you want to talk to me alone, or should the others join?"

„Oh, uh, what? Oh – oh yes, of course, they can join, no problem..."

I was deeply worried. Ayla looked rushed, with haunted eyes, as far as I could see them. She seemed absent, as if her thoughts were anywhere but here. Panicked. Since she mentioned that she was on her way home and obviously alone, I had one idea, why she behaved like that. And I prayed that I was wrong. While she went the last bit of her way home, I came downstairs into the kitchen, where Lou, Liam, Niall and Zayn were already waiting for me. When I entered the room, Louis inhaled, as if he wanted to joke about me being late, but he stopped as he saw my, probably, very concerned face.