Harry Styles: Real Person [BOOK ONE]

Chapter Thirteen: Mary's Secret

Mary walked up to the front door of Harry and Louis's house, Louis by her side. She took a deep breath and hesitated.

"It's going to be OK Mary. Just tell him the truth." Louis had kept saying that all throughout the car ride. He had been nice enough to wait for her while she got the rest of her chemo treatment, chatting with his mom, and even while she met with her doctor to make an appointment for screening. He was way too nice to her, and she realized that it was probably just because he wanted Harry to be happy; it didn't have anything to do with her. But that was understandable. He seemed like Harry's big brother, protecting him from the influence of girls and other scary things.

"Right. The truth." She still hadn't eaten anything but she felt like she was going to throw up, and not because of the chemo. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably and her head hurt from the exertion of her thoughts. She still had no idea what she was going to say. A simple 'hey I have cancer, let's move on OK?' probably was not going to suffice. But it was all she had right now, and she was holding on to the slight bit of hope that Harry wouldn't care that she lied and just let them move on. Standing on his doorstep, that didn't seem as hopeful as it had when she first thought it.

Louis squeezed her arm. "Don't worry. He is head over heels from you. It's all going to work out just fine."

"You seem sure of that" she responded.

"I am" he smiled at her. "I'll just be over at Niall's. I'll see you both later. Good luck Mary" he turned and walked in the direction of Niall's house.

Good luck. She was going to need a lot of that.

She took another deep breath and considered how she was going to start off. She wasn't even sure if Harry would let her inside. He was probably still mad at her, or worse, upset, and she looked like a train wreck. But maybe that was good. Maybe he would see her and take pity on her and her ripped up sweats and messy bun and let her inside to talk. Or he would slam the door in her face.

After a minute she forced herself to knock on the door, her hands almost shaking at she did. There was no answer for a minute and she considered knocking again or walking away when she heard shuffling on the other side of the door. She held her breath as the door swung open, revealing Harry in an oversized black hoodie and gray boxers. His hair was messed up and his eyes were red. He looked as much like a train wreck as she did.

His eyes bugged out when he saw her and his face turned red. Obviously he was not expecting her to show up at his doorstep unannounced. Her heart slammed in her chest as she realized she should probably say something.

"Uh...hi, Harry" she swallowed. Saying his name practically hurt. "I um...we need to talk."

The embarrassment disappeared from his face and a hard look passed over him. Mary really thought she was going to get the door slammed in her face right then.

"I don't really want to talk" he said. His voice was hoarse and he sounded upset. She felt so bad for him that she almost broke down crying right there. No Mary. You will not cry in front of Harry Styles.

"No Harry" she said, gaining her confidence a bit. "I need to tell you something. Something important."

Harry looked at her, confused and still a little cautious. He didn't say anything else, but he held the door open enough for her to slip in. She was so grateful that she almost hugged him, but then realized that this was a very bad idea. Instead, she walked in and stared at the all-too-familiar living room as Harry shut the door behind them and led them both into the kitchen. He gestured for her to sit at the counter and he sat on the one next to her. Their knees almost touched. She wondered if he would say anything or get mad if she touched her knee to his, but decided against it.