"I'm Autumn Lewis, here to pick up Niall Horan." I stated to the front desk assistant.
She pushed up her glasses from the edge of her nose and her long fingernails typed on the keyboard.
"If you could wait, he will be right out." She looked up and smiled at me. I smiled back and sat down in the waiting room.
It's been a week and a half without Niall and he's only called me once. That was eight hours after his surgery and he didn't sound too good. By the way his voice shook and the long sighs he would include. He must've just been tired. I wanted to believe that.
I heard crutches coming down the hall as I saw Niall. He was bundled up in a hoodie, some scarves and a hat with old sweatpants that were loose fitting so it wouldn't put stress on his knee.
"Autumn." His face perked.
"I didn't know you were picking me up." He wobbled over to me and wrapped him and his crutches around my body before I had to catch him.
"Be careful." I said as he stabled back out.
"I will." He nodded and blushed slightly.
"I thought management was supposed to pick me up?"
"I rode with them. I didn't want to wait for you any longer." I said as we walked out of the front hospital doors together.
Privacy.
There were no flashing cameras or reporters harassing us. It was like we were treated like normal people coming out of a hospital.
"It's different without them isn't it." Niall had noticed my reaction because I was already getting myself prepared for the impact that didn't come.
"It's a lot better." I smiled.
"Autumn, can you, like, adjust this one a little bit please." He asked and he lifted one of the metal stabilizers off the ground.
"Yeah sure, up or down?"
"Up." He said. I pushed it up a slight bit.
"Thanks." He sighed.
"Let's get in the van so I can sit." I opened the door for him after we made it all the way across the parking lot.
"Take these please." I took the crutches from him and put them in the back-back seat.
"And help me in." I took his hand mine as he slowly lifted himself into the car.
I sat next to him in the car with the captain chairs. He rested his hand on top of mine and rubbed his thumb against mine while he had a warm smile plastered on his face.
"How are you feeling?" I broke the silence halfway through the ride.
"Better than I was two days ago. Now I'm even more better since I'm with you." He pecked on my lips after he finished.
"Come on guys, can't you do this later?" The driver said and Niall and I let out a small giggle.
I guided Niall into the apartment and he plopped down on the couch. He began rubbing his forehead and scrunched his eyebrows inward.
"You okay?" I asked and placed the house keys on the counter.
"Yeah, just. A headache."
"Well.." I walked over to the cabinets and took out a bottle of ibuprofen. I took out three pills and fixed Niall a glass of water.
"Here you go." I said and sat next to Niall on the couch.
"Thanks."
"You may wanna prop your foot up. Let me help." I grabbed a pillow and put her foot under it.
"Don't do this Autumn."
"Do what?"
"Nurse me, baby me. I don't want to think that you should mother me and smother me."
"I'll do it for you."
"No, I can move and get around on my own." He sassed.
"Look I can get up." He attempted to stand up but fell back down and groaned in pain.
"No you can't." He held him down in place and stood up.
"I'm going to the pharmacy to pick up your meds. Stay." I held up my hand.
"Woof." He said which made me laugh a tiny bit.
"Rest up okay? Maybe take a nap." I grabbed my car keys.
"Remember I am a phone call away. Call one of the boys if you need to."
"Alright mother." He sighed and rolled his head in my direction.
"Bye." I rolled my eyes.
"Bye baby."
HARRY
I picked up some things for tonight. Niall just got back from the hospital today and we were going to have a guy's night. I bought some chips and some beers. I was going to pick up a few pizzas on the way to Niall and Autumn's.
I hope the boy was doing okay. He was in tons of pain before the surgery and when he had an incident on stage was the last straw.
I began to walk towards the check out when I spotted a familiar figure by the pharmacy. I began to walk towards the counter.
"Autumn?" I asked.
"Harry!" She turned around and was about to hug me but saw my items.
"Here let me help you with that." She smiled and took one of the chip bags. She then wrapped her arms around me.
"I haven't seen you since graduation." She smiled.
"I know. I'm so glad you're better." I smiled and inhaled the scent of her hair which smelled like strawberries.
"Thanks." She blushed a bit after we let go.
"What's all this? Having a party?" She asked pointing at the beers.
"Oh, uh, no actually. The boys and I are going to surprise Niall tonight. How is he?"
"He's getting rest." She nodded. Her small waves bounced a tiny bit as her lips curved into a small smile.
"That's good to hear."
"Yeah, well. I better get back to Niall. He needs his medications." She said.
"Alright well. I'll see you tonight Autumn."
"Sounds great, Harry." She smiled and turned around. Though I wished we talked longer.
AUTUMN
The doorbell rang and I untangled myself from my sleeping Niall's arms. I answered the door and the four of them stood there about to shout something but I held a finger up to my lips to quiet them. They became quiet and silently shuffled in. I went over to the couch and tapped on Niall's shoulder.
"Niall, we have company." He hummed and adjusted his eyes to the surroundings.
"Oh hey." He yawned.
"Niall. How are you?" Liam asked and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Alright."
"Good. Want something to eat?"
"Sure." Niall said and Louis handed him a plate of three pieces of pizza on it.
"Do you want some Autumn?" I nodded and Harry handed me a plate adding a light shoulder tap.
Later the boys began to do their own thing as I began getting ready for bed. Thoughts lingered in my head about why Niall had snapped earlier. Why did he get moody and then love me again?
Why were we together if he didn't seem happy with me?
I know I haven't updated in forever and I'm so bad about that. I've had so much going on and I wouldn't be able to update for a while. But my schedule is starting to clear up so I should be getting better about updating. I do ask everyone including myself, to give Niall his privacy while he recovers. He tweeted about it and asked for it. But all he need to do is lay off for a bit whole he recovers. Thanks you guys!
-deanna
