EIGHTEEN|h.e.s.

Chapter 22: Close As Strangers

Remember when I said that something bad will happen when I get home? Well, here it is.

My jaw dropped when the words left my brother's mouth.

"What?" I asked, my ears must be hearing wrong.

"He's gone, Aud. He left this morning." He said, slower. But the shock and stressed look on his face is still evident.

"Harry left? Why?" Why did he leave? Is it because of last night, even if I'm not sure if he remembers anything about us having sex, did he regret it? I thought.

I shook my head at the thought and focused on my worried and stressed brother, pacing around my room.

"Liam, calm down. He probably just went to some place and forgot to say anything to you guys." I say and he whip his head at me, glaring.

"Calm down. Calm down?! How will I calm down when my best mate is somewhere around probably, hungry with no food and water and shelter?!" I rolled my eyes.

"Liam." I called out. And he continued rambling.

"What if he's lost? Or worse, kidnapped?! Kidnapped by aliens!" I sighed and stood up from the bed to stand in front of him.

I slapped him, he looked at me like I was a monster. I rolled my eyes, "why'd you do that?!"

"You're being delusional, brother. Really, aliens?" He shrugged, "we never know, Aud. He just left with his things."
"Let's just calm down first and talk with our inner voice, okay?" I said, slowly. He nodded and I started to speak.

"Okay, did you tried to contact him?" He nodded, "but he won't answer with any of us."

"What did he say about his idea leaving before you guys? Did he say something about going to some place?" I asked, he thought about it and looked at me.

"He said he was leaving for some record company, I think. I don't know. He was being distant lately to us, I don't even know why." He said in a sad tone. And my eyes softened.

"Don't worry, Liam. He will be alright. He's Harry Styles! Nothing will happen bad to him." I tried to cheer him and it did a little.

"Yeah, maybe. But what I was so sad about is, he didn't even said goodbye. Even in a text, a call, or even in a fucking email!" He exclaimed, obviously disappointed.

I pursed my lips, curious how did they found out Harry left.

"How did you guys found out he's gone?" I asked, he just looked at the wall in front of us as he answered.

"Zayn went to talk to him about something, I don't know, then he was the one who found out Harry left. His things were gone and nothing else. Then Zayn called me and Louis called Niall, then it all went from there." I bit my bottom lip. Asking myself, why did he leave?

He chuckled at himself and shook his head, " I shouldn't be surprised. He's Harry. If he doesn't want people to care about him, then so be it."

I just look at Liam as he stood up and went to the door, he paused as he was about to exit, "we should forget about him." He looked at me, then smiled a sad smile.

"And you should hide those before, Mum and Dad found out those hickeys on your neck." I gasp and touched the hickeys on my neck. I forgot to cover these.

"We are not finished with this talk about that, young lady." He finishes and I gulped and nodded.

He exited the room and popped his head at the door again, "and you should get ready for your date."

I widened my eyes, I was about to ask him how did he knew about it, but not a date when he already closed the door.

I groaned. Liam's right, I should forget Harry if he doesn't want to be found. But I can't shake the feeling of being upset that he didn't even said goodbye.

I just shook my head, getting rid of Harry problems in my mind and just get ready for the gig before Luke came to get me.

I change into a Nirvana shirt and black skinny jeans and wrap a red flannel around my waist and put on my snapback. I tied my Chuck Taylors and grab my phone. I still haven't checked my phone since I got home.

I was shocked when there was one message, and it was from him.

Bye, Auden. Hopefully to see you someday.

Love,
Harry x

I read it again. He messaged me, I was the one he only messaged before he left. Should I tell Liam? No. I mentally shook my head, he just said that we should forget him.

I bit my lip as I decided to delete his last message for me. And I made up my mind that I should also eliminate my feelings for him too, but my heart says otherwise.

That my heart will always be with Harry. I love him so much it hurts.

I heard a beep outside and it made me come back to reality. I exited my room and went outside after telling my parents to not wait for me.

"Hi, Luke." I say as I entered his car. He smiled, "Hey, Auden." I smiled.

He started the engine and we drove off, the awkward silence was suffocating, so I broke it.

"So, where are we going?" I asked. He glanced at me and he sighed.

"Just some bar. It's our last one though." He tells me and I furrowed my brows.

"But Mikey didn't tell me that this is your last gig." I said, looking at him.

"Well, yeah. It's our last before the tour." I nod and looking out.

I heard him sighed, but continue driving to our destination and I just keep watching the trees we pass by.

I don't want to be like this. I hated being like this, like my best friend and I became Close As Strangers.