Songbird [H.S]

TWENTY-SEVEN

Brief mentions of mental health and grief are included in this chapter <3

A bit of a dialogue-heavy chapter but  I promise the soft happy chapters will return after this one.

"I made you a Nesquik, kid." Louis announced softly as he entered the living room, holding out a glass of banana milkshake in an attempt to cheer up his sister sitting quietly on the sofa.

She'd been upset since she'd returned home from Harry's the day before and as much as Louis tried to make her smile, Marley couldn't stop thinking about the argument still playing on her mind. She was surprised at the way Harry had spoken to her, she'd never had him stop her from speaking before and she hated it. Whenever men spoke over her and wouldn't let her speak, she would get extremely angry and Harry knew it. He'd purposefully provoked her because of his own feelings and it upset her that he would cause such an issue over something with a simple explanation.

He was hurting but he didn't need to take everything out on her.

Marley gave a sad smile as she took the milkshake from Louis's grasp, thanking him quietly as she watched him sit next to her. She took a small sip and let her brother turn the television on to provide some background noise in the otherwise silent room.

"Maybe a milkshake at eight in the morning isn't the best breakfast." She tried to joke lightly in an attempt to ease the worry she could see written all over Louis's face. He was angry at Harry which he'd made quite clear last night, but he was also feeling guilty. Louis was the one that forced Matty back into her life without thinking about how it would affect her relationship with Harry and it was partially his fault the couple were now arguing.

"Banana is fruit, you're all good." Louis smiled back, earning a genuine chuckle from Marley. She snuggled up to him on the sofa, letting him wrap his arm around her shoulder as they both pretended to watch the morning news on the television. The newsreader was going on about some Old Hollywood actress she'd never heard of doing one final movie before she retired for good - not really Marley's type of thing but she made a note to mention it to her Mum who would be more interested.

"So...are you gonna see Harry today?" Louis broke the silence awkwardly, wanting to know whether he should just so happen to have his plans cancelled that day to stick around. He knew he shouldn't meddle in his sister's relationship but he was not going to let the boy talk to Mae in the way he did yesterday.

Marley remained silent for a brief moment as she thought it through. Part of her was desperate to defend herself and tell Harry the truth. He seemed to think she was up to no good with Matty and she wanted to get rid of that idea before he had too much time to convince himself it was true. However, she was not a fan of the foul mood her boyfriend had been in lately and didn't want to speak to him if he was still going to snap at her. She'd rather spend her Sunday soaking up the sun in the garden than yelling at a stubborn boy all morning.

Just as she was about to answer, she was interrupted by the telephone ringing - it's shrill tone echoing about the house and making Marley groan. She had a feeling it was Harry and she wasn't in the mood to deal with him so early in the morning. Therefore, Louis was forced to get up and answer it.

Judging by the muffled conversation Marley could hear drifting from the hallway, she was right to send Louis. The man's voice was tense as he spoke to whoever was on the other end and it was very obvious he was doing his best not to get annoyed.

"Niall, you really don't want me around your brother right now." Louis's stern voice could be heard clearly which only made Marley frown in confusion. Why was Niall calling? Rain had spent the night with him so there wasn't any reason to talk to anyone else in the house.