1D • Stories

Faking ~ Harry | Collapses

None's POV
"Harry, are you ok?" Niall asked him between interviews.
"I'm tired. I just need time to rest."
"I know. We all feel like that Harry."
"But I really need to rest Niall. I've been sick and getting the shakes."
"Can you fake something?"
"Like an illness?"
"It needs to be more dramatic. You know that the managers are pushing us hard, even when we're sick."
"I know. What are you thinking?"
"You need to collapse. Just pass out, hit the ground. Out cold."
"For out long?"
"As long as you can, but before they take you to hospital. You'll be given bed rest and some time alone."
"Alright."
"We've got our next show in two days. Can you manage until then?"
"I think so. I'll collapse backstage after the show. I don't want to let the fans down."
"That's a good plan. I won't tell Liam or Louis until you're on bed rest."
"Ok."
"Hi boys!" The next interviewer called as she came in and Niall and Harry turned to her.
"Hello!"
"Hi," The boys said with a smile.

~

The show ended and Niall was sorting out his sound equipment backstage. There was a lot of commotion and people running around, so once he was done he went to find out what was going on.
"What's happening Liam?" Niall asked as he found him.
"Harry's collapsed."
"What? Is he ok?" Niall asked, knowing that Harry was pretending.
"We don't know, he just passed out and he's not responding."
"When did this happen?"
"About 5 minutes ago. They're talking about getting an ambulance."
"Is there anything that I can do to help?"
"I don't think so. People are getting water, but Harry's not awake so we can't do much."
"Is the medic with him?"
"Yeah, the medic's with him."
"Did he hurt himself on the stage? Could he have hit his head?"
"I don't know. I need to find Martin, everyone's in the main corridor backstage."
"Thanks Liam," Niall said and he went off to find Harry.

Surrounded by people, Harry was keeping himself calm as he tried to stay unconscious for as long as he could.
"What's going on?" Niall asked as he arrived.
"Harry's collapsed."
"Liam said he's been out for about 5 minutes."
"He has."
"Has he hit his head? Did he hurt himself on stage?"
"I haven't seen any obvious signs of injury. Did you notice something tonight Niall?"
"No, but I'm wondering why he's collapsed."
"We've got an ambulance on the way and they will be able to assess Harry properly at the hospital."
"Ok," Niall said, and he knelt beside his bandmate. "Harry talk to us."
"Blood pressure is 60 over 120."
"Is that good?"
"It's normal."
"Ok," Niall said and he took Harry's hand. Harry moved his hand slightly and Niall felt it. "I'm right here Harry, it's alright," Niall said and the paramedics came in.

~

In the ambulance with Niall, Harry stopped pretending. He sat up and he apologised to the paramedics.
"I just need time to rest. I'm really sorry that you got called out."
"He has been feeling sick and getting the shakes."
"It might be exhaustion. Have you had any other problems over the past few weeks?" The paramedic asked Harry.
"I've had a number of headaches, and there was a day that I was feeling really dizzy."
"You've slept through a number of your alarms as well Harry."
"I have. It's been increasingly noticeable over the last week."
"He's got in trouble for it a few times by our management."
"It sounds like you are close to collapsing out of exhaustion Harry. We'll get a doctor to assess you at the hospital, but 3 to 4 days of complete rest should sort out most of your symptoms. You need to talk to your management about lifestyle changes. This pace is clearly having a very bad impact on you Harry."
"We're going on a break soon, so we'll all be able to get some rest."
"Are the rest of your band doing alright?"
"We're ok. Liam's tired, but not to the same extent as Harry. We can hold on until our break starts."
"Don't be worried about going to the doctor about exhaustion, it impacts all parts of your life."
"We won't. And thank you for not being angry that Harry faked it."
"It was your idea Niall."
"It was."
"Harry needs to be seen to, but don't do it again boys. Your first stop should be your GP Harry."
"I know," Harry said and they arrived at the hospital.

~

"How are you doing Harry?" Louis asked as they came into the bus. Harry was still in bed at 2pm the day after he'd been taken to hospital.
"I'm feeling better. I've been asleep for over 12 hours."
"14 and a half hours to be precise Harry."
"I can't believe that you faked fainting and being unconscious, and you didn't tell us."
"The less people who knew, the better."
"The only person who knew was Niall."
"Exactly," Niall said before he laughed.
"I'm glad that you're feeling better Harry."
"No headaches? Shakes or anything like that?"
"I have got a headache, but the doctor said that I need a few days of complete rest before I'm back to my normal self."
"Of course."
"And management can never know."
"They won't hear it from me."
"Or me."
"Thanks boys."
"The doctor said that he was close to collapsing for real."
"Another day or two and I would have collapsed on stage."
"We wouldn't want that."
"As you're awake, but resting. Shall we watch a movie?"
"Yeah, and I'm hungry."
"I'll order a takeaway. Chinese?"
"Chinese sounds good Niall."
"Great, I'll order it now."
"Time to get up Harry."
"I'm on it," Harry said, and he got out of bed. Cuddled up together, the boys watched a movie with their Chinese food. Harry had a shower and a workout before he went back to bed. Niall, Liam and Louis had a meeting with management during the evening so that they wouldn't disturb Harry. A couple of weeks and they would be free of their One Direction contracts.