Past, Present, No Future. (Harry Styles)

96. Without You

"What did I tell you?!" Gen exclaimed having me jump from where I sat on the bed, "Niall just messaged me and invited us to his New Year's party"

"Us or you?" I asked with a giggle.

"Doesn't matter because you're coming either way" she poked at me.

I sighed, lying back on the bed we sat at and looked up at the ceiling.

December was slowly coming to its end, we had planned today to go out into the city because I was told it's decorated beautifully for the holidays. As well as, although no one dared mention it, to get everyone's Christmas gifts.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt" I said, "On one condition"

"What's the condition?"

"I get a plus one" I told her, "I'm not going to be the only black sheep in this group, might as well bring Louis along too"

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Gen asked biting her bottom lip in caution.

"Is it not?"

"It's just, taking Louis after everything that happened with him, you, and Harry?" she told me, "But don't let me choose for you, Louis is your best friend" she smiled, "After me of course" she giggled, "I'll tell Niall about your plus one"

I nodded and sat up from the mattress. What had happened between Louis and Harry is something I'm hoping would be forgotten, especially when the two switched on who was to be in my life.

Gen had a point though, Louis is known for having an ounce of feelings for me but it's something he doesn't let take over him and I respect him for that. Louis is one of the small number of people I understand and understands me.

Speaking of, he was the only one to respond about the photo I had sent. Not that I was looking for anyone to reply but I at least wanted to hear from Liam.

My brother and I have never spent this much time away from each other and to hear nothing from him creates an emptiness inside of me.

I grabbed my phone from the bed's end table to see how Liam was doing. But without even one ring, the call went straight to voicemail.

Knitting my eyebrows, I tried again having the same outcome.

I exhaled slowly, telling myself he probably had his phone shut off and dialed Louis' number instead to tell him to clear his New Year's plans.

~ | _ | +

The rumors of Sydney being decked out with Christmas attire turned out to be true. Up and down the streets were rows of pine trees alive with lights and ornaments, the lamp posts were wrapped with spiraling fairy lights, and the store windows were painted with shades of red green and white.

"Every year the beach is packed" Ashton began to explain, "It's a thing everyone does on Christmas Day"

"Wouldn't the beach be closed?" I asked.

"It used to be" he continued, "But people figured it's best to keep it open"

I felt my cell phone vibrate in my back pocket, silencing it I figured whoever it was can wait a few minutes.

After buying what we needed, we decided to walk around the pavement. Gen had told us how there's mistletoe hidden throughout the city to which all of us, except Gen and Luke of course, took with caution.

I excused myself from the group remembering I had gotten a message earlier. I figured it was either Louis or Liam which is why I hadn't worried much about it.

I found lone bench I can sit on and pulled out my cell phone, smiling to a toddler who sat at the pavement in front of me as she played with her building blocks. I turned on my phone, expecting nothing big.