Live While We're Young

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Charlotte was required to spend the night in the hospital for observation. All five boys spent the night with her. Niall slept curled up in a ball at the foot of Charlotte’s bed. Zayn made a bed next to Charlotte’s out of extra pillows and blankets from the linen closet. He held her hand the entire night. Liam slept upright in one of those uncomfortable chairs from the hall. Harry and Louis disappeared halfway through the night...

All the boys woke up stiff and sore. Of course, they had stayed the night against the wishes of the hospital and Lottie, so they didn’t get any sympathy from their moaning. Harry and Louis walked in holding hands and drinking Starbucks.

“Hey guys!” Louis chirped. Harry smiled a rare smile. He usually stuck to the sexy smolder.

“Hey...” Charlotte said uneasily. “So...”

“Yes. Yes, they are,” Liam answered while rolling his shoulders.

“Oh. Okay.” Charlotte shrugged. And then she realized why they had disappeared in the middle of the night. “Ohhhh...” she smiled at the couple in realization.

Zayn was still lying face down on his makeshift bed. He was groaning. Charlotte kicked him. This elicited an even louder noise.

“My back’s locked up. Helpppp,” Zayn said, voice muffled by his pillow. Niall stood up, winced because of his own pain, and stomped on his back. There was a pop followed by a sigh. “Thanks, Niall.” He stood up and stretched. At the same time, a nurse came in with a load of paperwork.

“Charlotte? You’re all clear to leave! Just sign here, here, and here,” the nurse gestured to a few lines, “...and you’re all set! Make sure she follows those guidelines I gave you,” the nurse instructed, nodding at Zayn.

He pulled folded piece of paper out of his pocket. “Will do, ma’am.”

“So, Zayn,” Charlotte started, poking Zayn in the back. He turned to look at her. “I’ve decided that your music is okay. Not Imagine Dragons or Ed Sheeran quality, but catchy nonetheless.”

“Oh, generous princess, how will I ever repay thou for thou’s generous generosity?” he said sarcastically.

“Weeeeell, you could get me first-edition hard copies of all your albums,” she answered seriously.

“I guess I can do that. You seriously don’t have anything more to say about it? Nothing about the great solo in ‘Gotta Be You’ or the one in ‘Tell Me A Lie’?”

“I’m assuming those are your solos?”

“Nooooooo...”

Charlotte smiled. “Sorry, Zayn. One Direction’s music just isn’t my favorite. I’ll tell you one thing, though: you guys aren’t the cocky jerks I first thought you to be.”

“Gee, thanks. That means a lot. You gotta tell me one thing, though. Who is your favorite?”

“You, Zayn, you’re my favorite,” Lottie said sweetly.

He must not have heard her, because he went on. “We’re trying to change our direction, excuse the pun, become a more grown-up band, and we could use some input-”

“Zayn,” she interrupted his deep thought. “I said you were my favorite. Stop being so serious. Geez.”

“Ohhhhh.” He smiled and kissed her on the nose. It was followed by a chorus of ‘get a room’s and ‘my eyes’s. Lottie rolled her eyes and kissed Zayn full on the mouth. The crowd started to disperse.

“And that, my friend, is how to get alone time with your main squeeze,” she said smartly.

“I’m a squeeze now? That’s a big jump up from ‘not a cocky jerk’, isn’t it?”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

The two lovebirds spent some time catching up while the other boys waited in the cafeteria, as per Niall’s request.

Niall jumped in the lunch line, grabbed a tray, and started piling food on. He pouted when the third slice of pizza wouldn’t fit, along with the assortment of pies he wanted to sample.

“They should really make these trays bigger,” stated a female voice. Niall whipped his head around to find the source. When he turned, he locked eyes with a very pretty girl. She had a cute little bob, and light brown hair. She had glasses, but what attracted Niall the most was the mountain of food she had on her tray. Nia grinned and stuck out his hand.

“Hi there, I understand exactly what you mean about these midget trays,” he said, gesturing to his own overflowing tray.

“Finally! Someone who understands my pain. I’m Mary Alexis. And you are...?” she left the question open, but it was obvious she knew who he was. Niall liked her already, though, for playing it cool and not asking for a blood sample or anything.

“Niall James. Nice to meet you.” He smiled widely. They had reached the end of the line, and an impatient woman in a hairnet stood waiting for Niall to get out his wallet. She looked perpetually pissed off. As he reached for his back pocket, though, the pretty girl reached over his tray to the lady. She had a plastic card in her hand.

“I’ve got it, don’t worry,” she said.

“Wow, buying me food. You know the way to my heart, Mary Alexis.”

She smiled. “Hilda back there needed to get a matching hair net for that huge mole!”

Niall cracked up. “I like you, Mary Alexis. Join me and my friends?”

“I’d love to.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Zayn and Lottie were feverishly sucking face when a nurse walked in.

“Ugh, you two still? I gave you the go ahead to leave an hour ago! We need this room, you know.”

“Sorry, ma’am. We’ll leave right away,” Zayn apologized seriously. He jumped off the bed and straightened out his shirt. The nurse rolled her eyes and left.

Lottie giggled and started to stand up. “You’re so cute when you talk to authority.”

“You’re so funny, Lottie,” he smiled and stooped down to grab her bags. “Let’s go find the boys.

When they weren’t in the hall, they automatically headed towards the basement. In the cafeteria they found the boys having a chat with an unfamiliar girl. When Zayn and Lottie walked up to the table, the girl stood up and smiled eagerly at the couple.

“Hi, I’m Mary. It’s so great to meet you. I’m a huge fan,” she said, sticking out her hand for them to shake. All the while, Niall was staring up at her, with a stupid grin on his face, clearly in awe. Lottie sent him a knowing look, and he straightened up and wiped his chin, most likely checking for drool. Mary sat back down after introducing herself, and blushed when she looked over at Niall, who smiled at her.

“Looks like there might another girl on the tour bus with ya soon,” Zayn whispered. Lottie elbowed him as they sat down next to Liam.

“Hey, Lottie, can I talk to you, in private?” Liam said quietly. Charlotte nodded and followed him as he left the table. Zayn just patted her arm as she stood up.

Liam led Lottie to the courtyard and sat down on a swing. He patted the space next to him, motioning for her to sit down.

“So...what’s up, Liam? What do you want to talk about?”

“I wanted to tell you that I was sorry about what happened on the plane. It seems like that was ages ago, but I still think you deserve an apology. I can’t justify my actions, even now. I really upset you, and for no good reason. And I want you to know that I think you and Zayn are great together. I will never come between you two or try to sabotage your happiness,” Liam said seriously. Charlotte could tell he was being honest.

“Thank you for apologizing. Can we just forget it and be friends?”

“I’d like that. But there’s one more thing I should tell you. I’ve tried and tried to get over it, but I can’t deny it. Ever since I saw you asleep in that terminal, all vulnerable, and angry, I’ve loved you. And now that all my friends are happily in relationships, it’s even harder. I’m sorry, but seeing as you don’t feel the same, it shouldn’t matter anyway. I love you.”