The Truth

twenty five

*Harry*

When Louis sent me home, I took a long walk instead of catching a cab home. I stopped in Hyde Park, and I found myself sitting on the bench where I'd met her the day she told me about Riley. I didn't cry. I couldn't risk being photographed crying.

Sitting on this bench depresses me more than I thought it would. It was the first night we spent together. I miss that already. It hurts to think that last night was the only time we said, 'I love you.' My phone ringing in my pocket pulls me from my reminiscing.

"Hey, Niall," I say quietly into the phone.

"Where are you?" he asks.

"I'm at the park," I answer. "Why?"

"She left you a letter," Niall says. It's then it becomes obvious he's crying. "I read it, but I think you should have it. Can I meet you at your flat?"

"Sure," I say, surprised he's speaking to me. "Are you okay, Niall?"

"No, I'm not," he says, suppressing a sob. "I'll be there soon, okay?"

After he hung up, I start the walk back to the flat. When I get there, Louis' car still is back in its spot. I brace myself for the concerned best friend routine he'll be putting on. The moment I open the door, he stands from the sofa and starts to hug me.

"I was so worried when I got here, and you weren't here," he sighs. "God, you're freezing. I'll make you some tea."

I don't speak as he leads me to the couch and throws a blanket around my shoulders. He frantically stumbles around in the kitchen searching for the tea. Most of the time, I'm in the kitchen. He hardly knows where I keep anything.

"It's the cabinet over the stove," I eventually sigh after watching him scramble.

"Why is it up there?" he scoffs. "You know I can't reach it."

"I'll get it, Boo," I chuckle standing from the sofa. I throw the blanket back on the couch and walk into the kitchen as the kettle starts to whistle. I easily reach over the stove and take the tea out of the cabinet.

"Show off," he scoffs. "And only my mum gets to call me Boo." He takes the tin from me and measures out the tea as I go to sit at the island.

"So, Niall is on his way over," I say slowly.

"Why? I didn't think he'd want to leave the hospital," Louis replies.

"He said something about a letter for me. From Ali," I say.

"Letter? Does he know where she is?" he asks.

"He didn't say," I answer. "He only said that she left a letter, and that he read it. I'd like to talk to him alone."

"And risk a fight?" he scoffs. "Absolutely not. The band is at risk, Harry. I'm not letting you guys fight over a girl and destroy everything we've built."

"Louis, this isn't about the band anymore," I groan.

"And that's the problem. It's not about the band. It's about Alexia. This, what we have, is much bigger. I love her, but I can't let her keep coming between all of us," he says.

"Get the letter. And call your mom. I packed you a bag. You're staying with her for a couple days to clear your head. I already talked to management. They think you're depressed, not heartbroken."