If I Leave This World (~Harry Styles~)

Chapter 11

Dr. Chen woke me up the next morning with an IV needle. My fever had clearly broken last night because I was sweating like a madman my heart was racing as I peeled the blankets off of me. I was feeling okay for the most part, but my joints were still bothering me a lot.

"Dr. Chen?" I decided to ask him about it. "Is there anything you can do about my joints? They are really bothering me and I was just wondering if there was any medication you could give me to numb the pain a bit."

"Unfortunately there isn't a ton we can do about that." He said and my heart sank a bit. "However, there is a mild medication that I can give you that might help a little bit. This is the only one that wouldn't react negatively with your other current prescriptions."

"Better than nothing, I guess." I sighed as he brought them in for me to swallow.

"Okay, Payton, I have a few other patients I need to check on. Nurse Annie should be coming in to visit you in a bit, so if you need anything, just ask."

I immediately pulled out my phone when I was all alone, my thumb hovering over Harry's contact. Would now be a good time to text him so he has my number? Does he still even want to do this after having the night to think about it? These thoughts pestered my mind as I began to compose a message to him.

*Hey, Harry, it's Payton. Just wanted to text you so you would have my number. Thanks again for yesterday, I really had a lot of fun!* I took a deep breath and sent it, ignoring the nerves in my stomach.

"Payton!!!" I heard a familiar voice at the entrance of my room. I turned my head and saw Delaina walking towards me with a huge smile on her face, obviously dying to know all about yesterday. She quickly asked how I was feeling but barely even let me talk before she spilled the question that she was clearly craving an answer to.

"How was yesterday??? Tell me ALL about it."

I smiled and retold her everything up until the whole lunch scenario. I figured I would tell her that when we calmed down a bit. She wanted to know everything about Harry and how perfect he was.

Suddenly my phone buzzed. I checked to see who texted me and my heart started beating like crazy when I saw Harry's contact. My face got hot and felt myself smile from ear to ear.

*Hey Payton! I had a lot of fun yesterday too! How are you feeling?*

"Who's that?" Delaina asked, noticing my blushing face and huge smile.

"Harry..." I said sheepishly.

"WHAT?" She snapped her head towards me with wide eyes. I told her everything, right down to the lunch scenario.

"Just saying," she began. "I would definitely throw up in front of hundreds of people if it meants that I would get Harry Styles number. When are you guys gonna meet up again?"

"I'm not sure..." I replied, looking down at my phone and wondering what I should reply.

*I'm better now, thanks!* I pressed send and looked back up at Delaina.

"You've got to be kidding me..." she was looking down at her phone. "Payton, I'm sorry. I have to go into work in a half an hour. Some bitch is 'sick' so I have to cover for her ass."

I laughed at her choice of words. "It's okay! Thanks for visiting." I smiled at my best friend.

"I'm coming back as soon as possible. I still can't believe this." She looked at me with a huge smile on her face. "Talk about getting more than what you wished for."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Delaina left, my phone buzzed again. Another text from Harry.

*So, when do you think you'll be feeling well enough to get together again?*

I thought about this. I was feeling better than yesterday, but I wasn't sure when I would be fully recovered from the chemotherapy. Dr. Chen said, depending on my recovery, I could go home in a few weeks, and I was totally psyched about it.

*I'm actually good for whenever! I feel a lot better than yesterday.* This, for once, was true. Plus, I knew Harry was a lot busier than me, and I wanted to get together when it worked better for him, not me. My phone buzzed again.

*Well, it's still early...I could come by today if you want :)*

Did I read that correctly? I checked the time. It was only 9:30 in the morning. I had no idea what to say to Harry's offer. Obviously I wanted him to come over, but was this really a good time for him?

*Really? Sure, if that works for you!* I pressed send and threw my phone across the bed, unable to believe what was happening. Harry was going to visit me again TODAY. My phone buzzed again and I reached across my bed to get it again.

*I'll be over in about an hour. See you soooooon:)*

With that, I hopped out of bed and jumped into the shower. I quickly got dressed and put on a little bit of makeup so I wouldn't look so tired and sick, making sure to secure my wig on my head. Once I was finished getting ready, it was 10:30 and Harry would be here any minute.

Just then, a familiar head popped into my room.

"Payton!" Harry said with a big smile on his face, giving me a friendly hug.

"Hey!" I said and stood up to receive the hug. I felt so small in Harry's long, toned arms. He let go of me and took a step back.

"Glad to see you're feeling better." He said, obviously noticing that my pigment wasn't as deathly pale as it was yesterday when I was really sick.

"Yeah, I feel a lot better. My chemo wasn't too intense this time around so I was only really sick yesterday and the day before." I explained. I still didn't feel great; I would probably feel a little under the weather for at least a few more weeks, but I wasn't expecting any repeats of yesterday's unfortunate events.

Harry's face softened at the mention of my treatment, and I saw a flash of understanding in his eyes.

"Payton, you... you can tell me if you're not feeling well, okay? I don't...want you to feel like you have to pretend." He gave a small smile at the end to show he truly meant well.

"I'm not pretending, I really feel better today!" I said, dismissing his comment quickly with a light laugh. It wasn't a total lie. "Thanks, though." I added, because deep down I appreciated him actually caring about me.

"You're welcome." Harry said sincerely and looked at me with a soft expression, trying to read me. I smiled and put on the act that I have put on for years, and he finally seemed to buy it.

"So, where's Paul?" I asked, noticing that Harry's bodyguard was nowhere to be seen.

"He uh...actually doesn't know I'm here..." Harry said slowly.

"What?" I asked, puzzled.

"He thinks I'm taking the day off, relaxing at my house around here."

"Why did you not want him to know you came here?" I questioned, trying to put the pieces together.

"Because he wouldn't really approve of what I wanted to do with you."

"Excuse me?" I breathed, wondering what the hell this kid was talking about. Harry just chuckled.

"Not like that. Listen, do you trust me?"

"I mean, I guess-" Before I could finish, Harry grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room, moving quickly down the hall while I clutched his hand and ran to keep up behind him.

"Where are you taking me, Harry?!" I said in an loud, frantic whisper even though there was no one else around. "You know I can't leave the hospital without permission." Harry stopped and turned around, shushing me with his long index finger.

"I know, that's why you need to be quiet. Come on, follow me."