Half a heart

Chapter 55

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Mental Health, Emotional Distress

Charlie's POV

The streets of Dublin were bustling with activity as we walked through the city. The weather was cool, the kind that made you want to pull your jacket a little tighter, but it was also refreshing-crisp air that felt good in my lungs. Harry and Liam were on either side of me, their presence comforting, while Jacob, my assigned bodyguards, kept a watchful eye a few steps behind us.

The city was beautiful, with its old architecture and lively atmosphere. It was nice to be out, away from the hotel, just walking and trying to enjoy the day. We didn't have a set plan, just a casual stroll to take in the sights and get a break from the chaos of touring.

"You alright, Charlie?" Harry asked, glancing over at me. His green eyes were full of concern, as always, but there was also a hint of a smile playing on his lips, like he was hoping I was actually enjoying this.

I nodded, giving him a small smile. "Yeah, I'm good. It's nice to get some fresh air."

Liam nudged me gently with his elbow. "We thought you might like it out here. Dublin's got a lot of charm."

I nodded again, feeling a little more at ease with each step. The boys were doing their best to keep things light, to make sure I wasn't overwhelmed, and I appreciated it more than they knew.

As we continued walking, I noticed a few people starting to pay more attention to us. A group of girls across the street slowed down, their eyes widening in recognition as they spotted Harry and Liam. I could see them whispering excitedly to each other, pulling out their phones. My heart started to race a little, the familiar anxiety bubbling up inside me.

Harry noticed it too. He subtly moved closer to me, his arm brushing against mine, offering silent reassurance. "We'll keep moving, yeah?" he said softly, more to me than to Liam.

Liam gave a quick nod, and we picked up the pace slightly, hoping to avoid drawing too much attention. But it was too late-the group of girls was already crossing the street, their excitement evident as they approached us.

"Harry! Liam!" one of them called out, waving her phone in the air. "Can we get a photo?"

My heart sank. The last thing I wanted was to be caught up in a crowd, especially now, when I was still trying to keep my anxiety at bay. I could feel my chest tightening, my breathing starting to hitch.

Harry, ever the protector, quickly put an arm around my shoulders, steering me closer to him as he addressed the girls with a friendly but firm tone. "Hey, girls. We're just out for a walk, trying to keep things low-key today."

The girls hesitated, clearly disappointed but still respectful. "We understand, Harry. But can we just get a quick photo? We won't keep you long, promise!"

Liam stepped in, his voice just as gentle. "We really appreciate your support, but we're trying to keep this time private. Maybe later, yeah?"

I could see the girls' expressions change, their eyes shifting from the boys to me. Recognition dawned on their faces, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as they realized who I was.

"Is that Charlie?" one of them whispered to the other, her voice barely audible, but I still caught it. They all looked at me then, their curiosity piqued.

Jacob, who had been hanging back, moved in closer, positioning himself slightly in front of me, creating a buffer between me and the girls. His presence was a reminder that I wasn't alone, that I had someone looking out for me, but it didn't stop the panic from rising.

I felt Harry's grip tighten on my shoulder, his concern clear as he looked down at me. "Charlie, you okay?"

I nodded, though I wasn't sure I could keep it together much longer. The last thing I wanted was to make a scene, especially with fans watching. I just wanted to get out of there, away from the attention and the pressure that came with it.

The girls seemed to sense that something was wrong. One of them spoke up, her voice softer this time. "We're sorry if we're making you uncomfortable. We didn't mean to."

Liam, always the peacemaker, gave them a reassuring smile. "It's alright. We just need to keep moving, yeah? We've got to get Charlie somewhere quiet."

The girls nodded, stepping back to give us space. "Of course. Take care, Charlie," one of them said kindly.

With that, we turned and continued walking, Harry and Liam both keeping close to me while Jacob stayed on high alert. I could still feel the tension in my chest, but it started to ease as we put more distance between us and the group of fans.

"You did great, Charlie," Liam said after a few minutes of silence, his voice full of encouragement.

"Yeah," Harry added, his tone warm. "We'll find a quiet spot to relax for a bit. You okay with that?"

I nodded, grateful for their understanding. "Thanks, guys."

We kept walking, this time heading towards a quieter part of the city, away from the crowds. Harry and Liam continued to chat, keeping the conversation light and easy, trying to distract me from the anxiety that had almost overwhelmed me.

Jacob stayed close, his eyes scanning the area, making sure we weren't followed. His presence was a constant source of comfort, and I was thankful he was there, watching out for me.

Eventually, we found a small park tucked away from the busy streets. It was peaceful, with only a few people scattered around, enjoying the cool afternoon. We settled on a bench, and I finally felt like I could breathe again.

Harry sat next to me, his arm still around my shoulders. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah," I replied, leaning into him slightly. "Thanks for looking out for me."

Liam sat on my other side, giving my knee a gentle pat. "Always, mate. We're here for you."

Jacob stood a little ways off, giving us some space while still keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings. I appreciated how he managed to be both protective and unobtrusive, making me feel safe without drawing attention to himself.

As we sat there, watching the leaves rustle in the breeze, I felt a sense of calm slowly returning. The city's noise was distant now, replaced by the soothing sounds of nature around us.

I wasn't sure how long we sat there, but it was long enough for my heart rate to finally settle, for the panic to fully subside. Harry and Liam didn't push me to talk or do anything-I could tell they were just happy to see me relax.

"Whenever you're ready, we can head back," Harry said gently. "No rush."

I nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "I think I'm ready."

Liam smiled, standing up and stretching. "Alright, let's get you back to the hotel. We'll take it nice and slow."

As we made our way back through the city, I felt a renewed sense of gratitude for the boys and Jacob. They had gone out of their way to make sure I was okay, even when it meant cutting their own day short. It wasn't easy, dealing with the constant anxiety and the pressures that came with it, but having them by my side made it more bearable.

By the time we reached the hotel, I felt lighter, the earlier tension having dissipated. Harry gave me a reassuring smile as we walked inside. "You did great today, Charlie. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Harry," I said, meaning it.

Liam nodded in agreement. "We'll do something relaxing tonight, yeah? Just the five of us."

I smiled at that. "Sounds good."

As we stepped into the elevator, Jacob standing guard, I realized that no matter what challenges I faced, I wasn't alone. And that made all the difference.