Pride {l.s.}

75- Worries

The Story So Far:

Louis settled problems with his family. Harry and Louis fought and made up. Louis decided that he wants to marry Harry (not just because it rhymes), and Zayn helped Louis pick out a ring. Louis is thinking he might propose when Harry and he go to Disney in May. He got approval from Niall and Anne. 

Harry is late. He is rarely ever late, and if he is, he is always really good at texting me ahead of time to let me know. That's not the case tonight. I feel jumpy and adjust my tie. Harry was the one who wanted a date night, like a real date night. I thought it was a good idea, but now I'm not so sure. We had to come separately due to work conflicts, but he promised me that he would be here a half hour ago. 

"Hey, where's Harry?" 

I look up to see Niall. He tries to be at his restaurant every night to keep an eye on things. Tonight is no different as he takes the seat where Harry should be sitting. 

"I have no idea," I say with some frustration in my voice. "Our reservation was a half hour ago."

"Well, I'm sure he'll show up," Niall tries to comfort me. "That is weird though. He doesn't tend to be late. Is he answering his phone?"

I shake my head. "And his phone is always on him. I can't tell if I'm more pissed or worried."

"I'll head to my office in the back and check the traffic report. Maybe there is something holding him up," Niall reassures me. He offers me a smile before he leaves me alone at a table for two. 

I check my phone again. No calls or messages from him. He's forty minutes late now. My tie feels really tight, and my stomach feels queasy. This doesn't feel right. A part of me wants to be mad at Harry for blowing me off, but none of this feels right. Harry wouldn't do this. He's been very careful ever since the incident where he left me stranded at the motel. We keep in close contact. He texts me if he's even going to be a second late. 

So where is he?

My phone vibrates, and I hope that it's Harry. I look down quickly to see that it's a text from Gemma. 

To: Louis

From: Gemma

Sorry that I couldn't make time for you to visit. I just got your voicemail. Yes yes yes, Lou! You have my full approval to ask for my brother's hand. You didn't need to, but I do like that you did. Give me updates on how you plan on doing this. It better be adorable and grand, but it can't be any other way with you two. I'll start picking out a dress. Hope to hear from you soon! 

I smile at her message. I asked for her approval last because I knew that she's probably the one who is most protective of Harry. She always checks up on him and is always there for him. Her approval leaves me feeling light, but I come back from my thoughts as my eye catches Niall walking quickly towards my table. He has a sense of urgency on his face that makes me feel on edge. 

Niall squats down next to my table. "Now I might be overreacting or jumping to conclusions, but I was reading the traffic report. I'm not sure if I'm just assuming-"

"Niall, spit it out," I beg him. I feel like I'm going to puke."

"There was a really bad accident down on FL-408," Niall blurts out hurriedly. "I'm not sure if that was the highway Harry was taking, but the car in the report..."

"What about it?" 

My voice sounds small. The ring is in my pocket tonight even though I don't plan on purposing, but it feels very heavy all of the sudden. I've been carrying it for good luck, but I'm starting to feel like my luck has run out. 

"The description of one of the cars is the same car that Harry drives."

I fly out the door before Niall can stop me. 

***

Zayn, Liam, and I pull up to the third hospital. Zayn came the second I called him crying. He didn't ask too many questions. Liam stayed quiet in the front seat as he routed Zayn to the nearest hospital. We first started with the one closest to the crash, but they said they didn't have anyone there by that name. The second hospital said the same thing, and I feel like an idiot for not remembering what hospital Harry went to for his blood draws and doctor's visits for his thyroid. My memory is in fragments because all I can think of his Harry's smiling face and how he might be hurt. 

I run ahead of Zayn and Liam to reach the entrance of the hospital. I hear them yelling at me from behind, but I don't care. I need to reach Harry. 

I come up to the front desk breathless. 

"Harry Styles," I tell the nurse quickly. "There was a car crash. I can't find him-"

"Are you Louis?" the nurse asks with a quizzical look on her face. 

Her reply comes as a shock to me. "Yes, why?"

"He's been asking for you. We were just trying to track you down," the nurse says hurriedly. She comes out from behind the desk and begins to walk through the emergency room past rows of filled beds. I follow. Liam and Zayn enter the lobby and start to follow me. 

"Is he okay?" I ask fervently. At least I know he's well enough to ask for me. 

"Let me take you to him."

She doesn't answer my question. He could have hit his head and not remember me. He could have just gotten out of surgery. He could have lost his arm or his leg or both arms or both legs. My mind is racing, and I can't seem to calm down. 

The nurse finally reaches a curtain that is wrapped around one of the patient's beds. She pulls it back, and I feel calm for the first time in hours at just the sound of his voice. 

"It's you, Lou."

A/N

How is everyone doing? American Thanksgiving is this week, so I will be stuffing myself fat with food. I hope everyone is doing well. Stay in school. Drugs, not hugs. 

xoxo raindropkiss1