When I Come Around

Chapter 21

It was a pretty typical day for me. I had two classes and met my sister for lunch (as usual), but coming home that evening was strange. Usually I would be greeted with a hug and "How was your day?" from Harry, with Louis shouting a "Hello!" from the living room, but instead, it was silent. Some people cherish silence to use it as a time to work or study, but I hate it. I came from a family with 6 people, so I am used to the noise. I grabbed my phone, putting the music on shuffle and plugging it into speakers. The sound drowned out the silence of the apartment, and I went to work. Living with two messy boys only leads to a messy apartment, and I hated it, so I went to cleaning. I decided to straighten up the living room first, and it was strange. I found Lou's t-shirts laying over the couch, Harry's empty mugs on the table. I was slightly used to it though, because they were like my brothers Vincent and Victor. I hadn't seen much of their 'teenage habits' since I moved out of the house when they were both eleven, but I was beginning to get a dose of it.

When I was seventeen I went to live with Victoria, who was 20 at the time, and we were both neat-freaks. Our apartment was sparkling, and then I moved in with Eleanor. She wasn't as neat as Victoria, but we still had a nice place. Now, a stranger would walk in and figure a group of chimpanzees live there. I wanted the apartment clean once Vivian came, simply because it would be one less thing to deal with.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard my ringtone. I smiled as I realised it was Louis, so I answered.

"Hey Louis! Did the plane land?" I asked.

"This is Harry, I had to use Lou's phone since mine died on the plane," Harry said.

"Oh, that's okay. Are y'all in New York now?" I asked.

"Yeah, it was super busy in the airport. We just came to our hotel, I'm in my room. I get to share with Louis," Harry explained.

"Hey Valerie!" I heard Louis shout in the background.

"Oh, I feel bad for room maintenance once they get to your room," I said, making Harry laugh.

"We will only be here for a couple nights, we can't do too much damage," he said with a grin evident in his voice, "how was your day?"

"Good, I had a few classes and met with Tori earlier. I'm straightening up the apartment now," I said.

"Don't work yourself too hard, you remember what the nurses said," he said.

"Okay, mom," I said, giggling, "I'm fine, honest. I'll stop once I get tired." The nurses had advised me not to work too hard, simply because it would raise my heartbeat, and it could possibly affect Vivian's heartbeat.

"Okay. I have to go, we have a sound check in a couple minutes. I'll text you once I get back, but you will probably be asleep," Harry said.

"Alright, love you, talk to ya later," I said.

"Love you too," he said before hanging up.

I set my phone down, and I felt sorta weird. Usually, about this time we would all be gathered around the TV watching some corny show, but instead we are in completely different countries. This day has been strange. And it was even stranger thinking it would be like this for four months.