Denial

Chapter 1

Liam's POV

-flashback-

"I have some bad news, sir." said the police man on the other end of the telephone.

"Yes, what is it officer?" I asked getting worried.

"Your parents were in a car crash a couple hours ago, your sister was also in the car...they were all rushed to urgent care immediately, but unfortunately the medics couldn't save your parents. They did all they could to help, but their conditions were too severe. I'm so very sorry Mr. Payne." After I had processed the officer's words everything around me disappeared. I felt like I was about to faint, but one thought kept me awake.

"Is Sophie okay? Please tell me she's okay." I quickly asked the officer.

"Yes, your sister is doing well. She should wake up any minute." the officer reassured. I let out a sigh, at least Sophie was okay.

"I'll be on the next plane out. T-thank you, officer." I whispered into the phone.

"I'm so very sorry, kid." It sounded like he really meant it. He ended the call and I couldn't stand anymore. I dropped to the ground and started sobbing. I could tell that the boys were watching me from the moment the phone rang. I couldn't believe it. My parents weren't dead.

"Mate, what happened?" I heard Niall ask me. I just cried harder. Harry wrapped an arm around my shoulders and walked me over to the couch. Everyone gathered around me and I felt like I was about to explode.

"I have to go get Sophie...she has no where to go now." I whispered through my cries. The boys caught on to what I was saying. I just couldn't say that my parents were dead, because they weren't. They just went to a better place.

-end of flashback-

Even though I've come to terms with my parents' passing, I can't get that night out of my head. It's been two weeks since my parents passed away. Sophie was injured, but not badly, by the car wreck. She was let out of the hospital in New York a week ago. I had to fly from London to New York the night I got the phone call, because they had been living outside of New York City for a couple years.

There's something wrong with Sophie, though. When we told her that Mom and Dad had passed away she didn't even cry. She just yelled at everyone and told me to go away. She hasn't cried at all. She hasn't done much of anything really. She doesn't talk to us, unless it's some rude remark. She doesn't eat with me and the boys. All she does is listen to music and sleep. I barely see her for five minutes of the day and I've noticed that she wears darker clothing and dark, heavy makeup. It almost makes her look scary.

It's difficult to see my sweet little sister push the world away, but if that's how she chooses to be, then I guess I should let her do it. At least now, she's going out of the house-actually, I'm not sure how I feel about her leaving all the time.

"Liam, I think it's time we have a chat with Sophie..." Louis spoke softly. I knew I would have to discipline her at some point, but I couldn't help but keep making excuses.

"I know, Louis, but how? She's my little sister. How am I supposed to raise her all by myself?" I had doubted that I could be her guardian from that start. But she didn't have anywhere else to go. It was either with me or to the orphanage and I would never in a million years let my sister be thrown into an orphanage.

"It's ok, you aren't raising her alone. We are here whenever you need us." Harry said patting me on the back.

"Thanks, boys. Should we go talk to her now?" I asked not sure how to do this parenting stuff.

"Yeah, I'll go get her." Niall confirmed.



Niall's POV



I ran up the stairs and into Sophie's room, but I saw that she wasn't there. The window was open and a cool breeze was flowing through the room.

"Shit" I whispered. She wouldn't of snuck out if she wasn't going somewhere she didn't want us to know about. She always left from the front door and she never left this late. It was almost eleven! I ran back down the stairs and into the living room where the boys were sat chatting.

"Where's Sophie?" Liam asked looking at my worried expression.

"She snuck out from her window. I think she's in trouble, Liam." I said grabbing my jacket.

"What do you mean she snuck out?" he asked trying to stay calm.

"I mean that she must be going somewhere she didn't want us to know about. C'mon, I can track her phone, but we need to hurry." I replied throwing him his jacket and keys.