Things I Can't

Chapter 18

Harry

As soon as Gemma returned from the hospital, I became her personal assistant. I did everything for her, from feeding her to tucking her in at night. My mother constantly reminded me that she could take of her daughter, but I denied her help. The task was grueling and time consuming, a perfect way to keep my mind off of Louis. So on Tuesday, when my mom took Gemma away for a follow-up appointment and left me alone, I very nearly lost my mind. After hours of pacing the halls, I decided to switch on the tv.

Unfortunately, because it was a weekday, nothing good was on. I stared blankly at the screen for a few minutes before my brain to wander to Jep's warning. At the time, I was terrified but after replaying the scene multiple times over in my head, I decided it was all empty threats. The Tomlinsons left Sunday night, and it was now Tuesday. Still, thinking about that night caused a shiver to run down my spine.

I must've dozed off sometime that afternoon. I was jerked awake by the shrill ring of the doorbell, demanding my attention. I groaned and blindly sat up, yelling that i'd be be right there, and was met by Niall's smiling face.

"What are you doing here Ni?" I yawned, mentioning for him to come in. "You woak me up!"

"Sorry Styles." Niall smirked, watching as I snatching a few pillows off the carpet. "I'm here to pick you up!"

"You what?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow. As far as I knew, Niall and I hadn't made any plans.

"You and I." He pointed to me as he spoke. "Are going to Liam's tonight!" I immediately shook my head in response. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone at the moment, especially not one of Louis' closest friends!

"No Niall." I refused, but he persisted to persuade me.

"Yes you are Harry! Come on you've been stuck inside this house for the past three days! Come talk to some friends, it'll be fun! Just you, me, and Liam..." Niall trailed off, whispering the last part. I glanced at him suspiciously and stuck my hands in my pockets, biting my lip. It would be nice to get out of the house, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to get out again. My sister's accident had a huge toll on my overall life, and I didn't know if I was ready to go out, even if it was just to a friend's house.

Then again, life was about taking risks right? What was it that the hipsters said? Yolo swag?

"Fine Niall I'll go with you." I huffed and rolled my eyes. He grinned and wrapped an excited arm around my shoulders.

"Yay! It'll be fun! Now go get dressed, you lazy ass." He commanded, pushing me towards the stairs. "Something hot!" I flipped him off in response, listening to his obnoxious laugher echo throughout the house.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

We arrived at Liam's front porch in record time. Niall had me jog all the way there, stating that I needed to dispel of the energy i'd saved up from sitting around for the past three days.

"You're going to get it Horan." I panted, ringing the doorbell. He muttered something about not knowing the worst of it, but I ignored him, greeting Liam who let the two of us inside.

"Hey Harry!" He smiled. "Come on in." From the way his hand shook, I could tell he was nervous about something. I decided not to comment on it, instead heading into the living room, looking for Niall who had suddenly disappeared.

"Hey, Liam whe-" My words caught in my throat as I saw him. Louis Tomlinson was standing ten feet away from me, holding a white rose, a frayed book clutched under his small arm. My first instinct was to run into Louis' embrace, but I refrained. This is why everyone was acting so weird. I was being set up.