One Way or Another

Chapter 17

Harry POV

"Promise you'll be here when I come back?" Niki had a flash of worry across her stunning features.

"Cross my heart" I smiled.

I lean toward her and gently place my li-

"Harry..." I felt someone shake my shoulder.

"Hon wake up I need your help". I heard Niki's soft voice fill my ears. I smiled and turned to face my beautiful girlfrined. She was kneeling nextto me on the bed.

"Yay! You're awake!" she pecked my forehead and got up.

"Now get up, we have 4 hungover boys to take care of."

"Well good morning to you to sunshine" I shut my eyes and turned back over.

"Haaarrrrrryyyyyyyyy please!!"

"What time is it?"

"7:30 now get up lazy!"

My eyes shot open. I turned back around and sat up.

"7:30...IN THE MORNING?! Who in the hell is up this early?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I am so get up....please"

"Fine" I grumbled. She smiled and began to walk out of the room. I got out of my warm bed and put on some gray sweatpants and plain black t-shirt and walked downstairs. Niki was sitting on the couch trying to wake Louis while Niall and Liam were sprawled across the floor. I knelt down to try to wake up the drunken boys on the floor.

After finally getting Liam to sit on the couch, I let out a sigh and just picked up Niall to place him on the seat next to the couch. Niki was in the kitchen whipping up some of her one of a kind hangover sures. God knows what she's exploding in there. I walked upstairs to go check on Zayn. I find him still tucked under his covers with a pillow over his head, snoring loudly. I shut the door quietly and went back downstairs. Liam's eyes were half-way open now and Louis' eyes look like they have been dyed red.

"Geez you guys look horrible!" I let the words slip out of my mouth before I could even think.

"Thanks lad! Always looking forward to your nice comments in the morning!" Louis snapped.

"Someone's sassy this morning!"

"And someone is-"

Niki walked back in the living room just time time. I thought Louis was going to pounce on me.

"Ladies, ladies, you're both pretty!" She tried her best not to laugh. I smiled and walked over to her to place a peck on her cheek. She blushed and walked back into the kitchen. I walked back over to the couch and sat next to Louis.

"Be careful with her." Louis spoke up, breaking the silence between us. I looked over at him with one eyebrow raised.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play stupid with me Harry." he said facing me. I remained silent, not having a clue where this conversation was going.

"She's your new stunt isn't she"

My jaw dropped. My hands felt numb. How could he think that? I actually find a girl that I like and now he doesn't "approve"?

"Lou what the-"

''Have you told management? Because I'm sure they won't be so happy that you chose a girl that doesn't meet their standards. She looks so innocent Harry why her?"

I felt like I was going to pop. I felt like there was steam pouring out of my ears.

"I haven't told management. I don't give a fuck about what they say. Niki meets every standard in every way."

"Is she a model? Is she famous?"

A lump formed in my throat. That was the rule. Any of our girlfriends had to be either famous, well known, or a model. I didn't care though. Niki was perfect and I would rather spend the rest of my life with her than stay with this dipshit management.

"Louis I love her!"

"Yea and Liam loved Danielle didn't he?"

I felt my eyes begin to water.

"Lou you...you were there when I met her in the park....when I asked her to move in with us!"

"All I'm saying is that at one point management is going to push you to far. I know for a fact they are probably going to force you to do something to break you guys up for publicity."

I put my hands over my face. Louis was right. Management always takes things to far. Louis finally speaks up, "Just be careful with her okay?"

"Alright my hangover sure is ready!!" I heard Niki yell as she walked into the living room. She was carrying a tray with a not so nice looking liquid on it. Louis raised an eyebrow as Niki chuckled.

"What in the-"

"Ah ah ah! Don't deny my remedy! Just drink up!"

She placed the tray on the table in front of us and handed Louis a glass of the green liquid. He smelled it and pulled his head away immediately.

"Are you trying to poison me?!" Louis squeaked.

Niki laughed and sat down next to me. "No it won't poison you. Just drink it will you?"

Louis gulped and took a drink of the...thing. His face puckered up causing Niki and I to laugh.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Later that day

"Well it seems that you guys had fun last night!" Niki smiled at the 4 boys on the couch.

"I say it's time to hit the hay. What do you say love?" I look over at the beautiful girl leaning on my shoulder.

"I agree." She smiled, "Nighy boys!"

They all grumbled a goodbye as we walked upstairs.

We walked into the room and both of us changed into sweatpants and sweatshirts. It was awfully cold at night here. Niki cuddles up next to me with her hands balled up in a fist on my chest.

"Night love"

"Goodnight"

"I love you Niki"

"....I love you too"

Niki's chest rose and fell to the sound of her soft breathing. I squirmed out of her grasp and grabbed my phone on the nightstand. I scrolled through my contact list until I got to the name I wish I could erase,

Modest!