Half a heart

Chapter 84

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Mental Health, Emotional Distress

Liam's POV

Soundcheck at Madison Square Garden. I should have felt the usual excitement, but today, it was mixed with a bit of worry. Our drummer was officially out for the rest of the tour due to an injury, and we didn't have much time to figure out what to do next.

Paul pulled us all aside after we'd finished running through a few songs. His expression told us it wasn't good news. "We've just gotten word from the doctor. He won't be back. His hands need more recovery than we expected."

A heavy silence followed his words. We were all thinking the same thing-Charlie. He'd stepped up once already, filling in for our drummer, but asking him to take on the full responsibility for the rest of the tour felt like a huge ask.

"We can't push him too hard," Niall said, voicing all our concerns.

Harry nodded. "He's been through enough as it is."

But at the same time, Charlie had loved being up there. It was like something clicked for him the last time he played. And we all knew that, deep down, he wanted to be a part of this, even if his anxiety tried to get in the way.

We headed backstage, where Charlie was sitting with Jacob, the weight of everything clearly still lingering in the air. Charlie looked small, wrapped in his blanket, leaning against Jacob's chest. His safe space.

"Hey, buddy," I said softly, crouching down in front of him. "We've got something to talk to you a about."

His eyes widened slightly, but Jacob gave him a reassuring pat on the back, helping to ground him. We all took turns explaining what had happened with the drummer and the situation we were in. I could see the worry flash across Charlie's face, and his grip on his blanket tightened.

"Just breathe, mate," Jacob whispered into his ear. "You're okay."

Harry spoke next, his voice gentle. "We don't want to put pressure on you, Charlie, but we were wondering if... maybe you'd like to be our drummer for the rest of the tour."

Charlie stared at us, his mind clearly racing. His breathing hitched slightly, and I could tell he was trying to process everything. It was a lot to ask of him.

Jacob leaned in close, speaking softly. "You've already done it once, and you were amazing. I know you can do this. We all believe in you."

Charlie's gaze moved from one of us to the next, and I could see him weighing his options. After a few tense moments, he finally nodded. "Okay... I'll do it."

Relief swept through the room, and we all jumped in to hug him, each one of us telling him how proud we were. Charlie still seemed nervous, but he also looked... determined. He wanted this, even if he was scared.

"We'll take you out for a bit," Louis said, smiling as he ruffled Charlie's hair. "Give you a break before soundcheck."

Jacob lifted Charlie onto his feet, still keeping his blanket wrapped around him, and we headed out to explore the city. It was a nice distraction-Charlie relaxed a little, and by the time we came back for soundcheck, he seemed more at ease.

Once we got back to the venue, the tech team fitted Charlie with his own in-ear monitors, custom-made for him. Watching him sit there, all focused and serious, I felt a wave of pride. This kid had been through so much, but here he was, ready to step up for us again.

Soundcheck went smoothly. Charlie sat behind the drum kit, tapping out the beats as we played through the setlist. By the time we were done, he was grinning, a bit of his usual shyness replaced by excitement.

Now, it was time to get ready for the real deal.

Backstage, we lined up for the show. Each of us had our usual rituals-Harry and Zayn going over their vocals, Niall tuning his guitar, and me mentally preparing. But this time, Charlie was with us, tucked into his own little world with Jacob by his side. His blanket was wrapped around him like armor, and I knew that no matter what, he had the strength to pull through.

The lights dimmed as the opening effects played on the screen. Charlie took his place behind the drum kit, and everything seemed to fall into place.

But just before the opening lift was set to raise us up on stage, Paul's voice crackled through the in-ears. "Liam, Zayn-your in-ears are down. We need to fix them. Charlie, you'll have to start the first line while we sort this out."

Panic hit me for a second. "Charlie?" I asked, worried how he'd react.

Jacob was already stepping in, keeping his voice steady. "Charlie, you're going to be fine. Just follow what's in your ears, okay? You've got this."

Charlie looked nervous, but after a deep breath, he nodded. The first beat came through, and he started playing, his hands steady despite the tension. Then, when the cue came through his in-ears, he started singing the first verse.

His voice was soft at first, but it was clear, and the crowd responded immediately. As one by one, we joined him on stage, the energy surged, and soon the entire arena was singing along. Charlie didn't miss a beat.

The show was going smoothly until we hit "Drag Me Down." I noticed Harry struggling with his asthma-it was getting worse by the second, and Louis quickly helped him off stage to grab his inhaler.

We were stuck. The song couldn't go on without Harry's high note, and none of us could reach that pitch. I glanced at Charlie, unsure if it was too much to ask.

Jacob's voice came through the in-ears. "Charlie, you can do it. Just lower the mic and sing Harry's part."

After a second of hesitation, Charlie slowed the beat, lowered the mic, and sang Harry's solo. The audience roared, loving every second of it.

When Harry came back on stage, breathing easier, we finished the song together. And then, as we moved into "Story of My Life," we made a quick decision.

"Charlie," I said, turning to him. "How about you sing the first half? We know it's your favorite."

Charlie's eyes widened, but I could see a small smile forming. Paul and Jacob were ready to cue him, and when the timing came through his in-ears, Charlie started the song.

And he nailed it.

By the time the show ended, we were all buzzing with adrenaline. The boys and I gathered around Charlie, hugging him and telling him how proud we were.

"Couldn't have done it without you, mate," I said, ruffling his hair.

Jacob and Nick were waiting for him backstage, both beaming with pride. Charlie had done something incredible tonight, and we were all so proud of him. We knew he could do this.

And now, he knew it too.