Tough Love

Chapter 17

Harry: The days seemed to drag on in the late spring heat. We were all feeling really tired after 3 straight shows in one night but I was really pumped for tonight. Today was our 4th concert, aka the New Jersey one. Which Lauren, would be at. The boys tried to be excited for me, but it was kind of pathetic. I just blamed it on the fatigue from the shows, honestly though it felt like something else was lurking on the bottom that I didn’t know about. I hoped it was just my insecure mind thinking too deep into things but I couldn’t shake the feeling. 

Lauren: “Ow Rose!” I yelled at her as she stepped on my foot. “Watch it big foot.” I giggled and jabbed her sarcastically in the stomach. “Here try these on.” Rose handed me her lose floral beater out of her closet. We were trying to find the perfect outfits for tonight, the concert. It didn’t quite fit right. “I don’t know.” I lingered my words as I stared into the mirror. “What it looks great on you.” She refuted and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t know, im not feeling it tonight, I had this idea, but you’ll probably think im crazy…” I moved only my eyes to fix my now cheeky stare onto Rose. “What…?” She asked cautiously. “Let’s go all out tonight.” I turned my body to face her now and spoke clearly to her. “Oh boy.” He chuckled. I knew the boys were going to in for quite a surprise tonight. 

Harry: Sound check was just about to start so I shot Lauren I text to make sure she was coming. “No phones Styles get out there.” Paul annoyingly announced like he probably had a million times before. I quickly tapped send and pushed my phone into Paul’s arms. He was taken aback by this but I just did a little cheeky grin and ran out onto stage. Everything went as planned at sound check but I didn’t really have my head in the game, I was focused on one thing and one thing only. Surprisingly it wasn’t Lauren, it was what the boys were hiding from me. It became more apparent the more time I spent with them, and I was starting to feel not at ease. I questioned if I should approach them about it but every time I seemed to work up the courage I backed down. It wasn’t really like me with them, they were like my brothers after all, and I wasn’t quite sure what it was but this seemed serious. I worried that it was about Lauren. This sent cold chills up my spine, what if they didn’t like her? Well, why wouldn’t they? Because of her cancer? No, that seemed to shallow for them, they great lads, and I defiantly wouldn’t expect that from them. The whole sound check all these thoughts went through my head, and I wasn’t really there. The words just seemed to be flowing out of my mouth without thought. The other lads had found it evident to because they approached me. “Haz, what’s bugging you?” Liam came up first concerned. “Nothing.” I paused. “What’s wrong with you?” I snapped at them, which I regretted at once. There facial expressions said it all. “I think we need to have a talk, alright?” Louis spoke sternly, which was strange. I nodded and I followed behind the other lads till we got back stage. We entered a little sitting area and they all plopped down nervously which didn’t make me feel any better. I have never been in this situation with the boys and I actually felt really bad. “What’s going on?” I imminently spoke, not wanting to beat around the bush. “Nothing? Why would you think that mate? Were all ok here, we’ve just been really tired lately because of being back on tour and all.” I cut Liam off there. “Cut it, okay? I know there’s something going on, im not stupid. I just want all of you to be honest with me?” I found myself shouting and standing now. Noticing they were all wide eyes I sat down and cooled off. “Im sorry, it’s just not like us.” I said in remorse. They four lads looked around and Liam did the official nod. “Well…” Liam started and directed to Niall. He did a little ‘thanks a lot mate’ chuckle and started off slow. “Okay…well… you seem different lately, depressed. We’re not saying it’s her, but it may be…you know all the stress you and her are under.” His voice was tiny and meek like. Honestly, I was raged to say the least, I wanted to shout and scream bloody murder at them for saying all of this. Why in the world would they blame this all on her? She couldn’t help the situation and neither could i. But I was here for her and I thought they supported that. I closed my eyes and put my head in the palms of my hands. I sighed as I calmed down and saw that they were right. I wasn’t happy as I used to be anymore, I wasn’t the same cheeky Haz. I wondered if the fans had noticed to. If it wasn’t for the boys I don’t think I would have realized all of this either. “You lad are right.” I picked my head up and said. They got wide eyed again and looked a little shocked. “Were right?” Zayn asked. “Yes, 100%.” I confirmed. “Oh, were sorry you had to find out like this mate.” Louis came over and patted me on the back. “Things are going to change.” I exclaimed and jumped up. They all just sat there and looked up at me. “First though, we need to have a great show.” I cheekily winked at my fellow band mates and they all smiled and got up. We all huddled in for a big group slap on the back. I guess I was good at hiding things because all of this was still on my mind. The others looked so care free; I wondered how they did it. All I knew was I was going to have to have a talk with Lauren.