Everlasting: a One Direction/Eleanor Calder fanfic

Chapter 6

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Harry let go of Eleanor's hand and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He stood up from the hospital bed and took a deep breath. Trying to let everything sink in, he couldn't help but get emotional. Eleanor had basically just confessed to him that she knew she would pass away soon in the future. Though it was something everyone thought about, he just couldn't stand to hear her say it.

"Eleanor...." he said, pacing at the foot of the bed. "I won't let you down."

She smiled and nodded her head. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way, I need you to get Louis."

"What do you mean?" he asked, stopping in his tracks.

"I mean for you to bring him in here so we can all three have a discussion." she responded.

Harry's face flushed, his heart beginning to pound. Since they had kissed two months ago, very few words had been said to one another. He wasn't prepared to confront him about what happened, much less have a casual conversation. But he knew that deep down, if he ever expected to have his friendship back, he would have to talk to Louis and put the kiss behind them.

"Now?" he asked nervously.

"Harry, it's now or never." Eleanor responded shortly.

Harry slightly smirked. "I'd prefer never, but..."

"Harry..." El cut her eyes.

"Fine, fine." he sighed, turning towards the door.

Eleanor glanced around the room and fought the tears. She couldn't help but ask herself how in the world she ever ended up in this situation. After all, she had so much of a life to live. But now, that was all changing. Everything was coming crashing down, and it was way too heavy for her to stop it from destroying her.

Harry walked into the room with Louis following behind, still keeping his distance.

"Everything alright?" Louis asked curiously, switching glances between Harry and Eleanor.

Eleanor took a deep breath. "You may want to close the door..."

"Why?" Louis raised his eyebrows. "What's going on, El?"

Harry bit his lip and looked down to the floor, staying quiet. Louis looked back over at Eleanor as she lied in the bed staring at Harry. Rolling his eyes, he turned to the door and closed it.

"What is this?" he asked them, agitated.

Eleanor sat up higher in the bed. "So, Harry and I talked...were you ever planning on telling me?"

"I don't comprehend..." he said in confusion.

"The kiss, Lou." she said blankly. "The kiss..."

His face went through many expressions in the matter of seconds. First it was confusion, then it was guilt, and finally it was anger. He quickly flicked his focus to Harry, who was trying not to look him in the eyes.

"Why would you tell her that?" he shot at Harry.

Eleanor jumped back in. "I asked you a question, Louis. Please answer it."

"El, it meant nothing at all! We were drunk! I love you...you know that. I'd never meaningfully do anything to hurt our relationship!" he spat out.

"Save the excuses, please. I've already heard it once." she said calmly. "I just want to know if you would have ever told me..."

"It was two entire months ago..." he pleaded.

"Louis." she cut her eyes at him.

"Honestly, no. I wouldn't have brought it up to you. There was no reason to..." he admitted. "It was nothing."

Harry stood awkwardly, holding onto the bottom post of the hospital bed. He stared down at his feet, crossing one over the other. He chewed on the inside of his lip anxiously, wishing he could just run away. Being anywhere besides in that room listening to Eleanor and Louis' conversation sounded like a perfect thing.

"That's bullshit and you know it." she scolded Louis.

Harry finally spoke. "Can I leave?"

"No!" Eleanor shouted.

He sighed and dropped his eyes back to the floor. "Okay.."

"Just admit it, Louis...you feel guilty for it. Or else you wouldn't have hid it from me." Eleanor said, calming down.

"Look, El...I think this is something between you and I." Louis came back in. "There's no need to drag Harry into this..."

"No. He is just as much involved." she pressed. "This needs to stay between the three of us. No more, no less. Tell him, Harry..."

"Tell him what?" Harry furrowed his brow.

"Tell him exactly what you told me. Tell him the truth about how you really feel." she responded.

"I mean...I- I don't know what to say..." he stumbled. "I don't see what the point of this is, anyway..."

Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Just tell him! None of us are going to be leaving this room until we solve whatever the hell is going on. Do you both understand that?! You two are acting like children..."

Louis turned to Harry, looking him in the eyes as he spoke. "Harry, just tell me whatever it is. The sooner we talk about it, the sooner we can move on..."

Harry took a deep breath and shifted his focus directly to Louis. "Okay...well, I told her that I love you...and its true. I do love you, but not like you're thinking. That kiss didn't mean to me what it seemed...within the moment, it just happened. I take responsibility as well, because it was just as much my fault as it was yours...and everything lately has just fucking sucked. I love you...you're my best friend. I would do anything for you..."

As Harry ranted on and on, Louis swallowed hard. For him, hearing all of these things were bittersweet. In the sense that he already knew it, of course. But hearing the words directly coming out of his mouth jogged so many feelings and memories.

Harry continued. "I wish things could go back to the way that they were. Because I hate this...we have barely said a word to each other for the past two months. It's truly killing me inside, mate..."

"I completely understand. I mean, we are best friends...the bond that we have is so much stronger than any other two of the boys have. There are so many reasons why that kiss happened.." Louis admitted.

Eleanor lightly added in. "But there are also so many reasons why it shouldn't have happened..."

"I know...I'm sorry about all of this. It's a huge mess and a huge mistake." Louis sighed.

"It's okay, I forgive you...and I will always love you, no matter what the circumstance." she responded.

Harry switched his gaze. "Eleanor, I want you to know that I'm sorry as well. This shouldn't have happened."

"I forgive you too, Harry. Don't worry." she said, forming a tiny smile.

Louis stared at the floor, then looked up at Harry. "I just don't understand your logic, Harry. I mean, you know that I love Eleanor...but you should know that I care about you as well."

"I know..." he sighed. "But you can't try to convince me that things haven't changed between us since you started dating her."

"Well, no. But that was bound to happen..." he said.

"I don't mean to sound like a prick, but I really miss spending time with you. And I'd love to say I'm not somewhat jealous...but I can't...because I am. We've been spending less and less time together, and especially now that Eleanor ha-" Harry ranted, stopping himself mid-sentence.

Louis jaw dropped and his eyes widened. Harry's face turned pale and he glanced over towards Eleanor.

"Did you really just say that?" Louis said, in shock.

"I...I didn't..." he stuttered.

Eleanor's face turned red with fury, tears filling her eyes. "You know what, Harry? I'm so sorry that my being sick isn't convenient for you!!"

"Harry, I think you should go." Louis said coldly.

Harry glanced back over at Eleanor and nodded his head, turning for the door. He felt absolutely disgusting after saying that, even if it was on accident. He knew in his mind that Louis would spend little to no time genuinely enjoying Harry's company now that Eleanor had cancer, but he never meant to say it out loud.

"No." El said softly. "No, Harry. You're staying in here. We aren't leaving things in high tension...that's not why we had this talk. The purpose of this was to solve all of the bullshit drama."

Louis looked at Harry, his eyes glistening from the tears forming. "I know that you miss the way things used to be...and I know that you probably feel like I don't even think about you anymore, but you're wrong. I'm always here for you, Harry...and I know in my heart that you'll do the same for me, no matter what."

"I'm sorry, Lou..." Harry said, shaking his head lightly as a tear fell down his cheek. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just...I love you, and I'm so thankful to have you in my life."

Louis shed a tear of his own as he smiled at the boy. He nodded his head, walking up to him and wrapping his arms around him. Harry clutched him tightly, closing his eyes as he squeezed back. Eleanor sat on the bed, still wiping her eyes as she witnessed the powerful exchange right in front of her. She felt so many emotions inside, but most of all, she felt happiness and accomplishment.

************

The sun had set over London, bringing the cool breeze within the darkness. Eleanor had been released from the hospital earlier that afternoon, and all was well. Louis and Harry had made amends, and to top things off, El made the two boys go out for the night. She figured they could use a lot of time to genuinely catch up after having two whole month of silence.

Danielle had came to the hospital an hour before Eleanor's release, and had mentioned that they needed to have a girls night together. So as the night came, Eleanor went over to Danielle's house for a bit of bonding. They both sat at the bar in the kitchen on either side of each other.

"Oh my God! What? They kissed?" Dani said in shock. "Oh, I don't believe it!"

"It's true, Dani." El pressed. "Harry admitted it to me, and then so did Louis..."

Dani shook her head, standing up from the chair and turning to open a cabinet. She grabbed two wine glasses and shut the cabinet back. Sitting the glasses gently on the bar, she turns and grabs a bottle of previously-opened wine from the fridge. Eleanor realized that she hadn't even had a sip of alcohol in months, and she was definitely in the mood now.

"So he just came up to you and said, 'Oh, by the way, I may or may not have kissed my best friend'?!" Dani said, snorting.

Eleanor laughed lightly and watched as Dani filled both glasses half-full. Her smile quickly faded and she stared at the glass. She exhaled loudly and remembered that she was, in fact, a cancer patient. Some things still hadn't settled in, she reminded herself over and over that everything would take some getting used to.

"What?" Danielle asked, noticing Eleanor's sudden change in moods. "What happened? Did I do something? Shit, I said something, didn't I?"

"No, no. It's nothing you said.." Eleanor said, staring at the glasses.

Danielle looked down at the wine and then realized what Eleanor was thinking.

"Oh my God...I'm sorry." Dani apologized. "I'm such an idiot! What was I thinking?! I'll pour it out, I'm sorry..."

As she grabbed the glasses to turn towards the sink, Eleanor stopped her.

"No, Dani, it's fine. Don't get rid of it." El pressed her lips. "I think after all that I've been through, I deserve a little drink."

Dani furrowed her brow. "Are you allowed to drink anything alcoholic?"

"Well sure I can, I just have to be careful about it. The doctors don't necessarily suggest that I do, but I can handle myself." she assured her.

Dani sat the glasses back down on the bar, sliding one over to Eleanor. Danielle took a seat back down on the bar stool and took a small sip of the wine. El chewed on her lip, staring down at the wine before picking it up and sipping it.

"So, continue telling me about this whole kiss thing." Dani said, fully intrigued.

"They didn't just come right out and tell me, first of all." El explained. "It was just something I could sense. All five of the boys surrounded me in the hospital room, and they all seemed distant of each other, but especially Louis and Harry..."

"So what'd you do? Call them out in front of everyone?" Dani asked curiously.

Eleanor tilted her head and cut her eyes at Dani. "Are you going to let me finish? I'm trying to explain it to you."

They both laughed and she continued. "I asked to speak to Harry alone. I knew he would be honest with me, no matter how long I would have to pry it out of him. So, that's what I did. I asked what was going on between him and Louis, and he finally spit it out that they'd kissed weeks ago at a party."

"Well aren't you angry about it?" she asked.

"Honestly, not really. Not about the kiss, anyway." she confessed. "It just kind of upset me that Louis wasn't ever going to tell me about it...and the fact that if it weren't for me finding out, his relationship with Harry might not have ever been fixed. It was just a bit of a slap in the face to me..."

"But the fact that Louis purposely kissed Harry doesn't matter to you? Enlighten me..." she responded.

"Well, all things considered, they're best mates. They were at a party and had one too many..." El further explained. "So I do have to cut a bit of slack for that..."

"But still..." Dani said, taking another sip of her wine. "So I guess then it'd be okay with Louis if you and I got absolutely plastered tonight and had a snog, yeah?"

Eleanor burst into laughter. "All is fair in love and war, right?"

"Absolutely correct." Dani smiled. "But honestly...it doesn't at all help the whole 'Larry Stylinson' case.."

"I know..." El said, dropping her eyes to the table. "That's another thing I worry about...if something like this ever got out, for fuck's sake, you know we'd never hear the end of it..."

Danielle nodded her head, agreeing with her. Eleanor brushed her loose hair behind her ears and grabbed the wine glass, taking another sip.

"You're real tough, babe, you know that?" Dani said to her. "I just don't know how well off I'd be if I were in your shoes right now."

"Thanks, Dani." Eleanor smiled. "It's been a daily struggle for months now...hell, even years. I suppose it never gets easier, does it?"

"I certainly hope so..." she said, her voice beginning to tremble.

As they sat, a light bump came from the other side of the house, near the front door. Eleanor furrowed her brow and looked at Danielle.

"What?" Dani asked.

"You didn't just hear that?" she said in shock. "There was some sort of noise coming from the front door."

"No, I didn't hear anything..." Dani said reassuringly. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yes. I swear I heard something." El pressed. "Should I go check the door? Are you expecting anyone else over tonight?"

Dani sat in thought for a second. "No..I'm pretty positive nobody else is coming. I'm sure it was just the wind...that does happen, you know."

"Oh, yeah fucking right!" El said, standing from the bar stool. "In all horror movies, how many times is it actually 'just the wind'? Yeah...no. I'm not gonna take you up on that one."

"Chill out, love." she responded. "If someone is here, they'll knock again."

Eleanor was already a bundle of nerves, and this didn't help anything. A cool breeze swept through the house and sent a chill through her body. She scratched her head and shook it, sitting back down at the bar.

"You okay?" Dani smiled.

"Yeah, yeah...I'm fine." Eleanor said.

Something just didn't feel right. Something with the night, something in the air. Suddenly, another thump came from the same place, louder this time.

Eleanor gasped and turned to Danielle. "See?!"

"El, honestly?" she said, exhaling loudly.

"Yes. I'm serious, Dani...something, or someone is at the front door..." she said confidently. "I think we should call the police..."

Dani couldn't help but to laugh a bit. "Are you serious right now? Call them and tell them what, that we are hearing noises coming from the front door that is more than likely just the wind scraping tree branches against the house?"

"Oh, piss off..." El sighed.

Just then, another noise came from the living room area, near the front door. It sounded even closer this time, close enough for only a wall to separate them from it. Eleanor's heart began to race faster and she jumped out of her seat.

The grin on Dani's face was instantly wiped away and she swallowed hard. Eleanor's beady eyes were full of anxiety and terror.

Eleanor looked to Dani and whispered. "I told you I heard something...what the hell is that?"

"I don't...I don't know..." she responded, her words barely audible.

With her heart nearly beating out of her chest, Eleanor decided to just take a peek to see what it was. She took a deep breath and began to walk towards the living room. With every step she took, the amount of breath she was able to get from her lungs decreased. The tension on her chest was crushing, her lip trembling. Her imagination was taking toll on her as the corner of the wall was approaching, feet away from her.

She reached the corner of the wall, facing the entrance-way to the house. She gasped and chills scratched all down her spine as she looked straight ahead.

The front door was wide open, leaves being blown into the house.

Her stomach churned and her teeth chattered.

"Oh..m- my God...D- Dani..." she stuttered. "Dani...I- I think there's...someone in the house..."

Danielle followed up quickly behind her, examining the open door.

"Now can we call the cops?!" Eleanor shot out.

Over to the left of them, something moved in the darkness. Suddenly, a person in dark attire bolted through the living room.

The two girls screamed in fear and held on to each other. Their hearts were racing and they found themselves frozen in place. They wanted to run, to go call for help, but reality hadn't hit them yet.

"What the bloody hell was that?!" Dani screamed.

"It was someone, I don't know! I told you there was someone in here!" El frantically replied. "Come on!"

Eleanor grabbed Danielle's hand and ran back down the hallway, into the kitchen area. They fearfully looked around, not knowing what to do.

"Goddammit, Dani!" El shouted. "Where's the phone?"

"I..I never got one for this room..." she admitted.

Eleanor frantically patted her pockets, checking to see if she had her phone. To her dismay, there was nothing in either one.

"Do you have your cell?" Eleanor asked her.

"I think so..." she responded, checking her pockets. "Shit, no...I left it in my room upstairs."

Multiple bumps and crashes were heard throughout the house. It didn't seem like someone was stealing anything...it sounded like they were plain out ransacking the place.

"Oh, God..." El sighed. "Mine is in my purse...which is on the couch in the living room..."

"Well we've gotta do something!" Dani retorted. "You know what, I'll go in there and get it."

"What?! Are you absolutely insane?" she said. "You can't!"

"Yes..." Dani responded coldly, turning to grab a sharp knife from the rack. "Yes, I can."

With that, she walked right past Eleanor and made her way down the hallway. Only a small amount of light was in the room, because of the chandelier that the intruder had apparently broken. She carefully crept around the corner of the wall, until the living room was in her view. Over on the couch, she could see Eleanor's purse sitting untouched.

A crash came from upstairs, and Danielle took that as her moment to hurry and grap the purse. Being as quiet as possible, she ran over to the couch and grabbed the purse. As she made her way back to the kitchen, her eyes were directly peeled on the staircase.

Danielle rushed towards the hallway, carefully observing the stairs in case the intruder ran down them. As she turned her head to face forward, she screamed at the top of her lungs. Just inches away from her, another person dressed in black stood. Without thinking, she swung her left hand and cut the intruder with the sharp knife.

The person shouted and grabbed the wound, running away from Danielle.

"There's two of them!!" Dani shouted.

The first person ran back down the stairs, through the living room and towards the front door. Danielle stood still in her place, turned around to face the entrance as she watched the two intruders hurry to the door. One ran out quickly, while the other with the wound turned back to face Danielle.

She swallowed hard and slowly backed away, into the wall. The person looked to the right and saw a glass vase beside the door. Quickly, he grabbed it and heaved it towards her with full force. She screamed and ducked down. As she fell to the floor, covering her face, it shattered against the wall behind her. The person ran out the door without looking back.

"Dani?!" El shouted from the hallway. "Are you alright?!"

"Y- yeah...I'm fine..." she stuttered.

Eleanor walked into the room and saw Danielle trembling on the floor. She helped her off of the floor and guided her back into the kitchen, her arm wrapped around her.

"Hand me my phone, please." Eleanor said quietly. "I'll call the police."

"No, no..." Dani refused. "I'll do it...it's my house, I'll call them."

"You sure?" she asked.

Danielle nodded her head and took a deep breath, shuffling through the purse and grabbing the phone. As she dialed 999 for help, Eleanor paced back and forth. She eyed the wine glass still sitting on the bar and walked up to it.

"I'm dying, anyways..." she whispered to herself and grabbed the glass, gulping it all down.

END OF CHAPTER AUTHOR'S NOTE!! JUST A HEADS UP: THIS IS THE HALFWAY POINT IN THE STORY! ONLY 6 CHAPTERS + EPILOGUE LEFT! Holy. Shit. So first off, I want to go ahead and apologize for taking so long to update. Like honestly, it's been a total of 3 weeks and 2 days since the last chapter. But you must keep in mind that I'm now a college student, so blehh. I dunno about you, but this chapter LITERALLY FUCKING CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. But I love it so much! Having dark and scary themes is kinda my thing, so having a chance to do it again feels amazing!! Plus, the fact that someone trashed Danielle's house is not an irrelevant story line, as you'll see later. Take notes, people! Thanks for being so patient! Pleaseee stick with me. I'll be sure to update within the next week or two, no later! Promise!! I love you all!! PLEASE LEAVE YOUR THEORIES AND FEEDBACK IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!