Stay Strong x

Chapter 37

Chapter 38 

 Zayn POV

Vallory had been in the hospital for five days now, and in those five days, Niall had been by her side. He never left once. She still wasn't awake, but that wasn't stopping him. He claimed, that he, "wanted to be the first person she opened her eyes too." I knew what he was going through. Of course I do. She's my cousin, she's family. Dakota had been devastated too, but not as bad as Niall. He wouldn't sleep, or eat. And that's saying a lot. I was now in my black ranger, driving to the hospital with Nandos rested on Dakota's lap. She insisted that she had to see her. I wasn't too happy about that, because last time she had saw her best friend, she was on her knees bawling. We pulled up to the entrance of the hospital after a very silent car ride. Cutting off the engine, I grabbed Dakota's free hand as we made our way to Vallory's room. I slowly opened the heavy door, and Niall shot his head up. Once he realised who it was, he shot his gaze back to Vallory. "We brought Nandos." Dakota sweet voice said, while rubbing Niall's back. She offered him a smile, which he pained back. "I'm not hungry." Dakota nodded her head, then sat the bag of food on the floor. "Niall, maybe you should go home. You know, to shower. You've been here for five days and haven't showered or slept." She proposed. Niall was a pretty stubborn guy at times. Especially when it came to Vallory. "I can't leave her. What if she wakes up and i'm not there?" He asked, pain evadable in his voice. It hurt me to see him like this, hell. It killed me. Niall was like a brother to me. "I promise to call you if we hear any news, and if she does wake up, we will leave the room so she won't see us. Go home and take a shower, and at least sleep for an hour or two. You don't want to be all smelly when Vallory wakes up, do you?" She poked his cheek, and he chuckled. At least she made him smile. "No, I don't. Can you guys take me home?" He asked. I was shocked Dakota got him to leave, but I guess that was part of her charm. I nodded as he got up. He walked over to Vallory's lifeless body and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be back soon, princess. I love you so much." A single tear slipped down his cheek. You wouldn't have noticed it, unless you were staring at him like I was. I offered him a smile, which he returned. I laced my fingers with Dakota's and put my arm around Niall as we walked out of the room to our house. 

Niall POV 

I knew Zayn was surprised that I decided to come home with them, I was surprised too. But Dakota had a good point. I did smell, and I knew she wouldn't go near me if I smelt bad. Once we reached the house, I took off running to the room, receiving sympathetic smiles on the way. I heard chattering downstairs, but I ignored it. Stripping off my clothes, I turned on the shower and took a well needed shower. I ended up spending more time in there than planned, but it was needed. Shutting the water off, I wrapped a towel around my wet torso and un-fogged the mirror to get a better glance at myself. My eyes were red and puffy, my expression was emotionless, and I had gotten thinner. I let out a loud yawn and decided, that I really did need sleep. After throwing fresh clothes on my body, I jumped into bed and took a well needed nap. 

I woke up to something pressing against my body. Wrapping my arms around it, I kissed it. Opening my eyes, I saw that it was Vallory's teddy bear. Sighing, I held it closer to my body, breathing in its scent. Vallory. Everything reminded me of her. Taking one of my arms away from the bear, I checked the time. It was eight o'clock. I slept for ten hours? I must have needed it. My stomach let out a loud rumble and I smiled. Pulling the covers off of me, I took the teddy bear downstairs with me. I skipped across the last step and ran into the kitchen to get food. "Well, hello there Mr. Sleepy Head. Sleep well?" Dakota asked, grinning. I nodded my head and grabbed the bag of Nandos they promised me. Heating it up, I grabbed a fork from the drawer and dug in. After eating my amazing food, I threw the trash away and ran to Louis. "Lou!" I called out, hoping he'd do me a favor. He was sat on the couch, eating my Oreos. I glared at him, but let it slide. I needed him in a good mood to do me this favor. "What's up Nialler?" He smiled. I missed Louis. I felt bad about shutting him out, but i'm sure if they were in my shoes, they would be the same way. I smiled and began my request. "Can you take me to the hospital?" 

I was at in the passenger seat, as Louis drove. I held Vallory's teddy bear, Barney, in my arms tightly. I internally laughed at the bear's name. I was bouncing in my seat as we rounded the corner. I made an agreement that Louis can come visit her too if he took me. He parked the car and we ran inside while getting weird looks from people. I opened her door slowly to see her still sleeping, but a nurse was in the room too. She threw away the empty I.V. then walked out, giving us a smile. I sat at the chair closest to her as Louis pulled up next to me. I lifted up one of her limp arms and placed the bear under it. I smiled and held her hand giving it a squeeze. We sat there in a comfortable silence for a while, until something interrupted it. Louis had attempted to pull his phone out, but dropped it. He cursed rather loudly and went to grab it. I laughed at his stupidity, and fixed my gaze back to Vallory as I quietly began signing Moments. Louis began singing with me as the chorus came up. He snapped his gaze to Vallory as she began moving in her bed.I stood up, shuffling closer to her, but not too close. Our fingers were still intertwined, and that when I felt something. I felt a tight squeeze around my hand as I glanced at it. I locked my gaze back to Vallory's closed eyes, praying they would just open up. Luck must be on my side today, because she did as I asked. Her brown eyes fluttered open as her gaze was met with my blue ones. She was awake.