Half a heart Without You

Part VI

When I woke up, the rainy weather and the endless clouds matched my dreary mood. I looked at my alarm clock. 5:43. I groaned. I still had a few hours before I had to get ready for brunch with Harry's family. And his new one.

But why should I let them ruin my day? I couldn't change anything. I had no choice in the matter, so why shouldn't I start the day off well for myself?

My sassiness and sarcasm instantly turned on.

I tried to fall back asleep, but I found I couldn't. My eyes just wouldn't stay closed; I got up in defeat and decided to take a shower, hoping the water would calm my jumpy nerves before I had to go out in public. Before I left my room I grabbed my phone so I could play some music.

I shivered when my feet touched the linoleum floor in the bathroom. It was always cold in here in the early mornings. I plugged my phone into the speaker on the shelf and turned on the radio. "Rock Star" by Hannah Montana came on and I laughed. It was such a cheesy song but at the same time, it was perfect. I turned on the knobs to the shower to just the right temperature and stripped off my pajamas.

The hot water soothed my thoughts instantly. As I washed my hair, I found myself grinning and singing along to the lyrics.

Sometimes I walk a little faster

In the school hallway

Just to get next to you

Some days I spend a little extra

Time in the morning

Just to impress you

Guess you don't notice

Guess you don't need this

Sad you're not seein' what you're missin'

On the outside shyin' away

On the inside dyin' to say

I'm unusual

Not so typical

Way too smart to be waiting around

Tai chi practicing

Snowboard champion

I could fix the flat on your car

I might even be a rock star

"I might even be a rock staaaaar," I sang merrily, rinsing the last of the shampoo out of my hair and turning off the water. I immediately felt the familiar rush of cold air, and hurried to grab my towel. I rubbed the towel through my hair and wrapped it around my waist. I picked my clothes off the floor and opened the door. Almost running right into Harry when I turned into the hallway.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise; I hadn't thought he'd be awake yet. Harry looked surprised as well. His curls were a mess, just like they always were in the morning. He looked tired, but seemed to be better than his state the day before. His eyes darted to my towel and bit his lip. I kept expecting him to look up, but it never happened.

I cleared my throat. "Um, Harry?"

His head snapped up and a blush formed under his skin. "Oh, sorry, Louis. I didn't expect you to come out right then," he said, not moving.

"Its fine, Harry." He still hadn't moved. "Um, Harry...I need to get to my room...," I said, nodding in the direction behind him.

"Oh! Right, sorry," he said, stepping aside, his blush deepening. I stepped around him, heading to my room so I could get dressed. "I heard you singing in there, Louis," his voice said behind me quietly.

"Well, I felt like singing," I said, rolling my eyes. My voice had a hint of salt to it, which I had never used with Harry. I had always been gentle with the younger boy. I guess my sassy mood had directed towards him too.

"You have a nice voice, Lou," he said simply.

"I guess."

I had been singing all my life, but it wasn't as important to me as it was in high school. Harry had a good voice too, far better than mine in my opinion. It was a rare gift, to sing well I suppose, but neither of us had intended to make a career out of it. It just didn't seem like a plausible goal. Choir was just a way to be involved with the school, like sports or band.

Harry went into the bathroom and closed the door quietly. As I walked into my room, I gave singing some more thought. Why hadn't I gone down that path? I had a good voice. I could make it.

I dropped my towel to the floor and rummaged through my drawers to find some clothes for brunch. It was only 7:30, but I had nothing to do before the event, so I figured I might as well get dressed for it. I pulled out a baby blue button down shirt and some black skinny jeans. I slipped them on and tucked in my shirt, when I noticed my new suspenders I had bought. Seeing that they went perfectly with my outfit, I strapped those on as well. My hair was somewhat dry so I styled it to the best of my ability.

I thought I looked alright. I'd ask Harry if it was alright when I saw him.

Closing the door behind me, I slipped out of my room and into the living room. It was quiet, save for the pitter patter of soft rain. I wasn't really hungry for breakfast so I just sat down on the couch and switched on the telly.

Harry still hadn't emerged from the bathroom, but the water wasn't running. I had no idea what he was doing in there, but I ignored it. I wasn't responsible for him anymore. He could do whatever he wanted without me worrying about him anymore. He was probably relieved.

It was quite some time before I finally heard the bathroom door open. Harry shuffled out with an odd expression on his face that I couldn't make out. He turned his attention to the screen again, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Louis, I...," Harry started, but then stopped dead I his tracks.

He stared at me with his mouth open slightly. I raised my eyebrows. "What?" I asked.

He snapped his mouth shut and blinked. "You just look...nice," he said quietly. "Is that what you're wearing to brunch?"

"Yeah," I said, standing up and straightening my clothes. "Do you think it's too much? I didn't know what to wear, so I just picked something."

He gave me a small smile. "You look perfect."