Before She Falls

Chapter 22

I wake up randomly and roll over onto my stomach to check my phone; a habit I've picked up over the course of mine and Mark's relationship. While we were together, he would call and text me all the time, even in the middle of the night, to "check up on me" and "make sure" I was "okay". Just him showing his jealous, I mean loving side.

The time reads 3:45am and I automatically have a mini heart-attack when I see two unread texts from my brother.

From: Andrew Gray (2:07am)

Just wanted to tell you, I'm fine. You can gto to slep

From: Andrew Gray (2:07am)

Thanks gor taking me tongihrt. Love u

My heart stops freaking out for the time being and I get to reading my other new messages on my phone.

From: Vanessa Cohan (2:23am)

Niall texted me!!!

From: Harry Styles (3:01am)

Just landed in LA and contrary to someone's belief, I'm not jet-lagged at all.

From: Harry Styles (3:10am)

Well I forgot that it's about 3:00 still in New York, so hope you sleep well xx

I smile at Harry's quirky cuteness and turn back onto my side. I can now sleep peacefully knowing my little brother is safe and sound but probably a little drunk and knowing that Harry is already across the country and thinking of me.

I'm surprised by myself when I naturally wake up around 8:30am because I am not a early bird by any means. I pick my still-sleepy self up and throw a pair of shorts onto my bare legs. I slip a sweatshirt over my head too because despite the high temperatures outside, the inside of my house is freezing because my mom always enjoys "being a little chilly". But Drew and I both know she does it because it reminds her of England and the constant coolness there.

I make my way downstairs, past the foyer, and into the kitchen. My mother is standing in front of the stove in a pink silk robe. My little sister, Madison, is seated at the island and I take a seat in the chair next to hers. It smells like my mom is just finishing the process of making chocolate chip pancakes, but I'm not entirely sure.

"Morning Kat" my mother turns around to greet me. Her blue eyes are already lined at the top with black eye-liner and her lashes have already been swept with mascara.

"Good morning" I reply then shift my attention to Madison. "How was my shirt?"

Her usually long, curly hair is relaxed down to her rib cage, probably from her movie date last night. Her heart shaped-face matches my mom's almost exactly and her face seems a tad tanner from the last time I saw her. She's dressed in her small gym shorts and a loose fitting tank top that looks like a hand-me-down from my closet.

"It's in the wash right now" she says proudly and takes a sip from her cup of orange juice.

"That's what I like to hear" we both laugh as my mom brings two plates over to the table, each of them with topped with two pancakes.

"Did you hear from Drew last night?" my mom asks me as she sits herself down next to Madison.

"He texted me last night and told me he was fine" I assure her before taking a bite out of my pancake. "You're welcome."

"Who taught you to be such a wise ass?" My mother laughs and so does Maddie.

The day flies by and before I know it, it's already around 6:00pm. I went to the gym shortly after a finished breakfast with my mom and sister. It was a quick workout, nothing crazy. I just wanted to keep my summer body fit. Then I came home to take a shower and Madison and I left and spent some quality sister-bonding time doing the typical girl thing, shopping at the mall. I texted Harry back after the gym, as well as Vanessa to congratulate her on Niall's text message because that's what good friends do.

After the mall, we returned home and showed my mom all the new clothes and accessories we bought. That's also around the time Drew strolled into the house and he looked fine, not hung over at all. But maybe that's because he had basically the whole day to recover from it, but still.

"Dinner!" My mom calls from the kitchen.

Madison and I are lounging on the couches in the den, watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians, it's Maddie's favorite thing to watch. We instantly race into the kitchen and seat ourselves at the kitchen island where my mom set up four plates, four glasses, and four sets of silverware.

"Drew! Dinner!" My mother calls to Drew upstairs. He has been in his room since he came home this afternoon.

My brother eventually comes down the staircase and into the kitchen as my mom serves each of us the chicken and pasta dish she has made for us. And the four of us share a typical Sunday family meal together, just us, the way it is supposed to be I guess.

The following Wednesday Harry calls me around noon.

"Hello?" I answer the phone, surprised that Harry's even calling me. He texted me the other night letting me know that today is the day he and the boys would be in the studio, recording for The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

"Kat, how are you?" His voice is more casual than I expect.

"I'm well..." I say. "Aren't you filming today?"

"We're on our way now" I've missed hearing his thick accent. "I was just thinking."

"Yeah?" I ask as he fails to finish his thought. I assume he's just been interrupted by either Louis or Niall because I hear several shrieks in the background.

"Are your eyes blue or grey?" He finally asks over the phone and I hear a multitude of noises after Harry's question, like a door slamming and several people yelling.

I smile over the phone, completely convinced that Harry can see it, "Blue."

"Are they blue all the time?" Harry continues to question me.

"Harry" I laugh. "Why?"

"It's important" his voice turns into a playful whine which still sounds delicious due to his accent.

"Well they're blue, but sometimes they can look grey" I explain not sure if I should even be taking Harry seriously right now.

"Like your surname" his tone sounds like he's just discovered fire.

"Yeah, kind of" I reply to his statement. I've never really made the connection between my last name and the sometimes color of my irises.

After a long pause, "Well we're at the studio now. I'll call you soon?" I hear muffled voices and strange, inaudible sounds.

"Yeah okay. Have fun" I say cheerfully.

"Byeee Kat" Harry stretches out his goodbye and then ends the call once I say it back.

That boy and his stupid questions.