Written

Chapter 22

HARRY

   I toss and turn in the hotel bed, unable to sleep. I don't even feel tired. My body is alive with the thought of Hayley, kissing her was unbelievable. The way we just fit together, how she made it seem so natural, so real. I hadn't planned on kissing her, but I saw her face glowing with pride after the show, and I somehow knew that she had a part in bringing Liam back to life. I had to show her right then, show her how I felt, or how I'm starting to feel. I don't even know how I feel, but I thought that showing her could maybe help me figure it out.

   I can't sleep, I need to see her. I need to talk to her. Quietly, I jump out of bed and slowly pad down the hallway to her room. I knock softly, but she doesn't answer. I wait a little longer, still knocking. She must be asleep. If I wait much longer, I'll wake everyone on the hall, so I turn around and head back to my room.

   I am woken by a pounding at my door again the next morning, but when I answer it, Hayley's face isn't behind it. It's Paul.

   "Where's Hayley?" I ask.

   "Get up, we gotta go in fifteen minutes," he ignores my question and moves on to the next door. I have not missed being woken up by Paul, he gives such short notice and is by no means gentle. Where is Hayley? She does not ride with us to the arena, and she is not there when we get here. Paranoia hits, is she avoiding me? Does she regret kissing me? It takes every ounce of self-control that I have not to dial her number thirty times.

   "Where is Hayley?" I ask Paul again.

   "Home," he answers simply. What? She went home? We do have a break coming up, but why wouldn't she tell me? Is she running from me? Did something happen at home? Fear after fear hits my thoughts, and I am withdrawn from the group. I can't bring myself to get into anything with my thoughts so clouded with worry.

   During the show, all I can think about is Hayley. Everyone can tell I'm distracted, and it's the most half-assed show I've ever put on. I can't wait for it to be over. When it finally ends, I jump off the stage and find a quiet place to call her. It rings and rings and she never picks up. I am not pathetic enough to leave a voicemail, but I come close.

   Backstage, everyone is buzzing because we have a break after this. I am scheduled to fly to L.A. for a few days, just to enjoy the time off. I know that I won't be able to do that though. I have a bad feeling about Hayley leaving, like it has nothing to do with me. I worry about her brother, or maybe even her mother. She will not be okay if something happened.

   I walk up to Paul as he is in the middle of a conversation with someone else. "Paul. I need to change my flight for tonight."

   "Where to?" He sighs, as if knowing the answer.

   "Atlanta."