Strong

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

[Harry]

"Um, alright. Where do you want to eat?" Louis asks.

He's not half bad, I actually sort of like talking to him. He's a little quiet but I can see the fire in his eyes; a fire filled with excitement and adventure and love and humor and all these amazing things that he contains in that shy little body of his that is known as Louis Tomlinson.

"Anywhere, I don't mind." I tell him. He grabs his keys off of the nightstand beside his bed and turns. "Okay," he clasps his hands together, "I know this really good place."

*

The smell of pizza fills my nostrils as we walk into the small restaurant. "I love it here," he grins, "I discovered it when Eleanor and I ate out for the first time here in New York." he tells me. "Where is she now?" I ask as we sit down at a table. "Well, that's the thing I didn't mention," he starts, "she had to go back to England for a while, she figured we both finish college and then live together."

"Oh, well that sounds like a reasonable plan." I say. "I haven't really got a plan, I'm going to do one year and then go back to England, I think I've decided." I tell my new friend. He nods.

His fluorescent blue eyes are staring back at me and I smile a little. He smiles too, and it's as if I was looking in a mirror. I look down from his gaze and trace the letters of a tattoo on my wrist with my index finger. It's my favorite tattoo for now. My favorite tattoos vary. It's says 'I can't change.'

My whole body is like a canvas; every time I get a new tattoo, there is some kind of a reason behind it.

I look over as Louis places his arms on the round table. To my surprise, he has a couple of tattoos as well. I stare at the bird on his outer forearm as if I'm in a daze. I wonder what it means.

"Harry." Louis tries to grasp my attention and I snap out of my thoughts. I look up to see the waiter standing before our table. "What can I get you gentlemen to drink?" he asks politely. "Water. Please." I attempt to be nice. The waiter gives me somewhat of a dirty look. Louis looks between me and the waiter and eventually keeps his eyes on the waiter. "I'll have a water as well, thank you." he says. The waiter gives Louis the biggest grin and ignores me as he walks off.

"What was that about?" I ask hastily. "What?" Louis replies. "That waiter was rude." I comment. "I thought he was nice." he says quietly. I adjust myself in my seat and nod, trying not to seem angry. It's not that big of a deal, Harry. I take a breath and relax myself. I'm over reacting.

"Anyways, I was wondering, what did your roommate do?" Louis asks curiously. Even though I already told him, I'll tell him again. "He was just being a dick, insulting me and my family and shit; nothing out of the ordinary." I reply. Louis nods in understanding. "That kid Niall seems pretty cool. Mind trading roommates with me?" I ask jokingly. Louis smiles. "Who's your roommate?" he asks. "A prick." I answer. "Besides that." Louis chuckles. "His name is Liam Payne." I grit my teeth at his name. Louis stops chuckling.

"Oh." he says. We sit there and I wonder why his mood changed so quickly. "Do you know him?" I question. "Yeah actually, I do." he replies. We are silent after that. "What's on your mind?" I ask after a few minutes. He shakes his head. "It's nothing." he answers. I accept his answer, not wanting to push the matter any further.

Soon, we order our pizza, finishing it quickly, and driving back to the campus. I tell Louis goodbye and thank him for the great time as I walk into my room. I sigh in relief to see Liam is not here. Looking around the room, I spot the letter that I hadn't read. I pick it up and sit on the bed, unfolding it.

Dear Harry,

How's college at NYU? I just wanted to remind you that I love you and that your sisters and I are doing well. Well, Gemma and I are... That's what I've been meaning to tell you. There is no easy way to put this but I couldn't stop any of it, and I want you to know that before reading the rest of this. Doctor Emerson came to check on Quinn a couple days ago to see how she was doing. When he was checking to see if she was getting better, she lashed out. I don't mean that she threw a fit; she started clawing at him. She was screaming and yelling and scratching like she wanted to hurt someone. Doctor Emerson has a couple of deep scratches on his face and upper torso. He's doing okay but as for Quinn...They told me that she was required to stay in the mental hospital for at least a month. Harry, I know we made a promise, Quinn's promise. But I broke it and I feel utterly terrible about it. I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything about it but she's there now. She can't come back home until she proves that she's doing much better. If it gets worse...they're sending her to the asylum. Harry, she loves us, she loves you so much. This is hard for me to take in too, but I really hope you'll understand. I love you so much.

Love,

Mum

By the time I put the letter down, my heart has already plummeted down in my chest. I was crying and it felt horrible. Quinn wasn't home anymore. A wave of sadness washed over me, clashing with waves of anger- and the anger won. I got up from the bed and started to ram my tightened fists against the wall repeatedly until all I could do was hold my knuckles and cry hot tears of anger. I slid down to the floor. My sister was gone. She wasn't dead but she may as well be. My mum and I both knew she was gradually getting worse but we never wanted to admit it. If she goes any farther than being hospitalized I don't know what I'll do.

A knock at the door occurred but I didn't want to see anyone. I ignored the knocking until all I could hear was silence and my own mind having a battle of emotions.