What About Now || h.s. *COMPLETED*

Chapter 19 - Failed Hopes

I saw my little Devy in a hospital bed with a sling on his left arm. Running towards the bed I noticed he was sleeping. I checked the time on my cell; it was his bed time. Harry appeared beside me then with my other brothers.

"He looks okay," Harry said. I sighed and leaned my head on Harry's shoulder.

"Yeah, he does. I'm just glad his arm wasn't broken," I said. I looked over at my brothers as they stared at Devin.

"So he's going to be okay?" Matty asked.

"I'm sorry we didn't stop him, Katie," Bradley said.

"No need to apologize, boys. It was an accident," I told them.

"Will mum and dad think that?" Trevor asked. I began to panic and Harry definitely noticed it.

"Harry, what am I supposed to tell them?" I asked. He held my face in his hand to calm me down.

He kissed my forehead and then said, "Just tell them the truth."

"Oh, so pretty much tell them I was too busy fooling around with Harry Styles of One Direction while my younger brothers are in the house all alone? I'm sure they'll fall for that. They already think I'm delusional for being in love with a band I'll never meet." I was hoping I wasn't hurting his feelings by talking this way.

"But you did meet us, Katie."

"You know what I meant, Harry. And besides once I mention you, they'll automatically think I'm lying. My mom won't let me sing your songs around the house. She absolutely hates it when I do."

Then my phone buzzed in my pocket. I was hoping it was Lily or pretty much anyone else but my parents, but my hopes failed me. It was my mom. I slowly pushed the answer button, knowing I'd get an earfull of her yelling once I answered.

"Hello?"

"Katie! Where are you a-a-and the boys?" Great! She was drunk again and my dad probably was too.

"Not home."

"I can s-s-see that, Katie. Now tell me where you are!" Then Harry took my phone from me.

"What kind of mother are you abusing your own kid? That's messed up!" Harry yelled. From the look on his face, I could tell my mom was telling him off.

"You don't deserve to have a daughter like Katie. She's beautiful, kind, caring and above all a better parent to the boys than you will ever be." He thought I was beautiful? And kind? And caring?

"I don't care if the house is a mess! That's no reason to hurt her!" I looked at Matty who was looking at Harry yelling at our mom on the phone.

"I don't think mummy likes Harry," Matty told me.

"I'm Harry Styles! That's who you're talking to!" I got down to Matty's level and looked him in the eyes.

"She'll forget that this conversation ever happened in the morning, Matty," I told him.

"Is that when we'll be able to go back home?" Bradley asked. I looked over at Bradley and saw fear in his eyes.

"I'm not sure. But if we have to, we'll rent a hotel room or something."

"I don't think your kids want to come home," Harry said. I hadn't heard him mention that Devy was in the hospital. And I'm sure if and when he did, my mum and dad would be here faster than I could say whoops.

"No, I won't tell you where they are. They are safer here than at home with you," Harry said. I was happy he was defending me, but I knew that we had to go home; I didn't have any money to rent a hotel even if I wanted to. So I took the phone back from Harry.

"We'll come home, mom," I said as tears filled my eyes.

"Good" was all I heard before I heard the phone hit the floor.

"Katie? What are you doing?" Harry asked.

"I have to go home, Harry. If I don't, they'll find me and just hurt me more."

"But you'll get hurt either way." I knew it was true, but I had to get my brothers home, even if it did mean I was going to get hurt.

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-Ari Horan-