That Summer

Chapter 9

Niall pulled me inside the room and into his lap, rubbing my back. “Start from the beginning.”

“I-I-I-s-slept w-with H-Harry.” I kept stuttering. “I-I h-hate m-myself.”

I knew Niall was shocked, but his face stayed soft, wiping my tears away.  “It’s going to be okay, Lizzy.”

“No it’s not. I can’t even face him. We agreed that it was a mistake and that we would forget about it but I can’t. I don’t just jump into bed with people. I like to know someone before it goes to that. I’m just another name on his list.” I looked down at my hands, afraid to meet Niall’s eyes.

“Please, look at me.” Niall whispered. I slowly looked up. “How do you feel about Harry?”

“What?” I asked confused.

“How do you feel about him?”

“We’re friends; at least, we used to be before this happened.”

“I think you feel more.”

“Niall, that’s crazy. Harry doesn’t date. Why would I waste my time on someone like that?”

“Because part of you hopes he would want you too.”

I shook my head. “Niall, no.”

“He has feelings for you too.”

“What?” I asked, not believing it.

“I’ve never seen Harry so upset over someone avoiding him; yes I know you were avoiding us, or more him.”

“We’re just friends, Niall.”

“Just talk to him and tell him how you feel.”

I looked back down at my hands. “I should probably talk to Louis first. I think I really hurt his feelings.”

“What happened with him?” Niall asked, confused. “You didn’t sleep with him too did you?!” He joked.

I slapped his arm. “No!” I laughed lightly. “He begged me to go out to dinner with Eleanor, Harry and himself but while Harry and I were waiting for him we got into an argument and when Louis showed up I told him I couldn’t go and completely blew him off.”

“I’m sure he’ll forgive you. He’s just worried about you. We all are.” Niall comforted me.

I buried my face into his neck. “I love you, Nialler.”

I felt him smile. “I love you too, Lizzy.”

I decided to face Louis the next morning. I brought my shaky hand up to the door and knocked. A few seconds later he opened the door, rubbing his eyes. “Hi.” I said nervously.

“Hi.” He said with a neutral expression.

“I wanted to apologize for my behavior last night.” Louis’ expression slowly morphed into the same hurt one he had the night before. “I shouldn’t have run off like that.”

“Did I do something? Or did we do something? We’re all worried about you. You’ve been so distant.”

“Can I come in?”

He moved aside, letting me in. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” He asked, pulling me into a hug.

“I can’t yet, but it was nothing any of you did, okay?” I tried to reassure him.

“You’re not in any trouble are you?”

“No,” I smiled. “Everything will be fine. I’ll explain more after I make things right, I promise.”