Recover

Chapter 5

I'm nervous. I need to go to the bathroom... if only I could find my way around here. It's hard being one of the youngest lads around here. I keep hearing people talking about me, saying that I've only gotten this far with the judges because I'm "cute" and that I'm too young to be here. But it has only made me want to work harder and prove them all wrong. I just need to kill it in bootcamp and make it to the live shows.

I've got about half an hour until I have to sing in front of the judges and I'm sweating. I feel like I'm going to explode. I just wish my mum or someone were here to calm me. I finally find the men's bathroom and I begin to hum "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" by Oasis while going through the words in my head so that there is no room for mistakes. 

I push the door open and enter without looking up. I continue to hum until I bump straight into something... someone.

"Oops!" I exclaim and quickly apologize. I look up to see a familiar face with a warming smile and kind eyes. I've seen him around and have even stood next to him in a few rehearsals. Lewis, I think. 

"Hi." He replies, taking me out of my trance. "I'm Louis Tomlinson, you must be Harry." 

"Yes, that's me. How'd you know?"

"Oh please, all the girls have been talking about you. Even the guys..."

"Must be talking shit." I sigh harshly, and look at the ground.

"Look Harry, they're just jealous. I personally think you're extremely talented and they are right to feel a bit threatened by you."

"Erm, thanks I guess" I blush. Wait, why am I blushing? I don't easily get flustered...

He readjusts his beanie in the mirror before saying, "Well good luck mate! I've got to get to sound check." 

"You too, see you around."

I'm suddenly way more relaxed that I was before meeting him. He really is a nice guy... I hope we both get through and I get to see him again. We could become good friends. 

I finish my wee and head back to the stage, resuming my humming.

 

Cos all of the stars

Are fading away

Just try not to worry

You'll see them some day

Take what you need

And be on your way

And stop crying your heart out 

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The Oasis song fades from the speakers in the waiting room of the hospital and I can't help but think that the universe is playing some sick joke on me. I still remember every word to it, and how I felt the moment I met that young man from Doncaster when I was only 16. Too bad he doesn't. 

Louis has been resting in the hospital for the past week and only has requested to see his mum. The doctors have told me that he is in great shape, and will only need to be on crutches for another month after his release. This is good news for me, but even better news for management. This way, the flow of money into their greedy little hands won't be backed up for too long. 

They're giving us a secret townhouse on the quiet English countryside where Louis can spend his recovery month in peace. I'll be staying with him of course, but the other boys will be taking a vacation off to spend with their families. 

One month is all I'll need to get him to trust me again before he has to return to training in preparation for the tour. It'll be much easier this way, with it just being the two of us and management promising to back off for this period of time. They're happy as long as we keep to ourselves, and the fans think that he is in a rehabilitation center and spending time with family, while I'm supposedly taking my vacation in the Bahamas with my mum. It's all set in place with old pap photos being released in correspondence with our tweets, thus keeping our real location safe. 

It's going to be difficult for me- to refrain from kissing him, and pushing the hair out of his eyes, or playfully pinching his bum, and suggestively tugging at the collar of his shirt. But I'm going to have to be patient for him, and strong. Although he doesn't feel like it yet, this is when he needs me most. I know him better than anyone else, and I am rightfully going to be the one to help him know himself as well.