Half a heart

Chapter 72

Charlie's POV

The next morning, I woke up feeling like I hadn't really slept at all. Yesterday's events weighed heavily on my mind, and even though I was back home with the boys, the anxiety lingered. I rolled over in bed, feeling the warmth of the blankets and the comforting sounds of the house waking up around me.

I could hear voices downstairs-Harry and Louis talking quietly in the kitchen. I knew they were worried about me. Everyone was. I sat up slowly, my body feeling heavy with exhaustion, and rubbed my eyes. It was Saturday, which meant no school, but the thought of facing another day made my stomach churn.

There was a soft knock on my door, and before I could answer, it opened slightly, and Liam peeked his head in. "Morning, mate. How're you feeling?"

I shrugged, not really knowing how to answer. "Okay, I guess," I mumbled, avoiding his eyes.

Liam stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He sat down on the edge of my bed, looking at me with that gentle, big-brother concern he always had. "It's alright if you're not okay, you know. Yesterday was a lot."

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I just... I don't know how to deal with it all, Liam. Everyone knows about me now. They're going to keep asking questions, taking pictures... I don't know if I can handle it."

Liam's expression softened even more, and he reached out to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to handle it alone, Charlie. We're all here for you, alright? We'll figure it out together."

I looked up at him, feeling the tears I'd been holding back start to well up. "But what if it gets worse? What if I can't... What if I just can't do it?"

Liam pulled me into a hug, his embrace strong and reassuring. "Then we'll be there to catch you, every step of the way. We've got your back, Charlie. Always."

I hugged him back, grateful for the support, even though the fear still lingered. When we finally pulled away, Liam gave me a small smile. "How about we go downstairs and get some breakfast? The others are already up."

I nodded, feeling a bit more steady with Liam by my side. Together, we headed downstairs, where the familiar smells of coffee and toast greeted us. The kitchen was warm and filled with the quiet sounds of the boys moving around, getting ready for the day.

Harry looked up from his place at the table, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. "Morning, Charlie. How're you holding up?"

I shrugged again, but this time it felt less heavy. "Better, I think."

Louis came over with a plate of toast and a mug of tea. "Made your favorite," he said with a wink, setting it down in front of me. "Figured you could use a little comfort food."

I smiled, feeling a bit of the tension ease as I took a bite. The warm, buttery toast was exactly what I needed. "Thanks, Lou."

The boys sat down around the table with me, each of them offering words of encouragement and support. Even Zayn, who was usually the quietest of the group, made sure I knew he was there for me. It made me feel less alone, knowing that no matter what happened, I had them by my side.

As we finished breakfast, Niall spoke up. "We've been talking, and we think it might be a good idea to get you someone to talk to-a therapist who can help you sort through all this. We know it's a lot, and we want to make sure you have all the support you need."

I looked around at their concerned faces, feeling a mix of emotions. Part of me was scared at the thought of opening up to someone new, but another part of me knew it was probably the right thing to do. "Yeah... I think that could help," I said quietly.

Harry nodded. "We'll find someone who can talk to you online while we're on tour, so you don't have to miss any sessions. And when we're back in London, you can still see your normal therapist too. We want to make sure you have all the support you need, no matter where we are."

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. They were really doing everything they could to make sure I was okay, even when I wasn't sure how to be. "Thanks, guys. I... I really appreciate it."

Louis ruffled my hair with a smile. "That's what family's for, Charlie. We've got you."

The rest of the morning passed by in a blur of conversation and laughter, the boys doing their best to keep things light and normal. For the first time in a while, I felt like maybe things would be okay. It wouldn't be easy, and I knew there would be tough days ahead, but with the boys by my side, I felt like I could face it all.

When the time came for the boys to head to the stadium for soundcheck, I stayed behind in the hotel room with Jacob, knowing I needed a bit of quiet before the chaos of the concert. As they left, each of them made sure to give me a hug or a pat on the back, reminding me that they were just a phone call away if I needed anything.

After they were gone, I settled on the couch, pulling out my phone to text Nick. He'd be back from holiday soon, and the thought of seeing him again made me feel a little more at ease. For now, though, I had Jacob keeping me company, and that was enough.

As the afternoon sun filtered through the windows, I felt a sense of calm settle over me. The boys were out there doing what they loved, and I was here, finding my own way to cope with everything. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

And with the support of my new family, I knew I'd be okay. Eventually.