Infinity | H.S.

20

- Harry -

When I wake up the next day, I immediately regret my heavy drinking from last night. After about my twentieth drink with Louis, everything is blurred from my memory. And, now, just the thought of opening my eyes makes me cringe.

I let out a defeated sigh before slowly opening my eyes. The room is dark with a dim light coming from behind the curtains. I sit up, looking around the room until I spot a glass of water and some medicine on my bedside table along with a note reading 'Take this medicine" on it.

Hmm, who brought me home last night?

Nevertheless, I grab the small pill in my hand, popping it in my mouth, before grabbing the water and drinking it to swallow the medicine down.

After I search for my phone and find it, I press the home button then immediately lower the brightness down to the lowest level that I can handle. I see that I have a couple messages, one from Nicole and another from Kelly.

Kelly 9:03 AM
Why'd you call last night? Ready to get back together? ;)

I immediately scowl at the text message. I must've dialed her in my drunken state.

Nicole 9:56 AM
Call me when you are up and well, please x

I cannot help the smile that spreads across my face when I think of Nicole. She is such a joy. She must've been the one to bring me home last night. I called her in my drunken state as well.

And, shit, it's Christmas.

I throw the covers off of me and get up from the bed, changing into some clean clothes before picking my phone back up and dialing Nicole's number. I put my jacket on as I wait on her to answer then go to the closet where I've been keeping Nicole and Natalia's presents, grabbing them then heading out of my room.

"Good morning, sunshine." Nicole greets me, sounding as sweet as ever.

"Good morning to you, too." I say. "Have you guys started opening presents yet?"

"Natalia has, yes, but she's got ten or eleven presents and she's only opened three." She explains.

"Well, I've got a couple more presents for her to open." I tell her, noting that Louis is on the couch still asleep so I have to be quiet. "I've also got a couple presents for you."

"I've got some presents for you, too." She replies. "I don't know if you'll like them or not but, I guess, it's the thought that counts."

"That's very true." I nod to myself, placing the presents in the passengers seat of my car as I get in the drivers side.

"Are you gonna be okay?" She asks. "Nat tends to be loud when she gets excited about presents."

"I'll be alright, love. Don't worry." I assure her. "I'll be there soon."

"Okay, I'll see you when you get here. Be careful."

"I will."

-

Arriving at Nicole's apartment, I let myself in to see that Natalia is opening a present, wrapping paper scattered all about the place.

"Harry!" Natalia cheers, stopping in the middle of her unwrapping. I ignore the throbbing sensation in my head and send her a warm smile.

"Hi, sweetheart." I greet her. "Here's some more presents for you to open." I place the two presents that I got her with the others she hasn't opened yet then go to sit beside Nicole on the couch.

"Thank you." She sends me a smile before continuing to open the present she was working on before I interrupted, Jennifer sitting in the floor with her for any assistance the child may need.