That Summer

Chapter 21

“Call me as soon as you land!” Claire said hugging me at the air port.

“I will!”

“Tell your dad I said happy birthday tomorrow, okay?”

“I will! Bye, Claire!” I said running to the plane.

When we arrived in Florida, Liam, Niall, and Harry were there to greet Zayn, Louis, and I at the air port. “Lizzy!” Liam smiled hugging me.

“Surprise!” Louis smiled nervously.

“We called Liam but the other two must have heard.” Zayn explained.

“It’s so great to see you!” Liam said. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been fine, thank you.” I smiled weakly.

“Your dad is going to be so happy to see you.” Liam said before walking over to Louis and Zayn.

“Hi Niall, Harry.” I said smiling weakling again.

“Hi.” They both said.

“How are you?”

“Why’d you leave?” Harry blurted out.

“Guys! The car is here, let’s go!” Louis called us.

I quickly turned and sprinted toward the others. We got to the hotel and the boys entered the room first, where I heard my dad shouting at them for sneaking off. “Cut them some slack, Dad! They were just bringing me to you.” I said walking in.

“Elizabeth?” My dad said clearly shocked.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to hug me?” I laughed.

My dad threw his arms around me and squeezed me. “I can’t believe you’re really here.” I could tell my dad was crying. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.” I smiled.

“Aw!” Louis smiled. “I love reunions!”

“I can’t believe you guys got her out here.” My dad said wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“We thought it would be the perfect birthday gift! We know how much you have been missing her.” Zayn said.

“Thank you, so much.” He smiled, tears coming back to his eyes.

“What time are you done working, Dad? I want to take you out to dinner!” I said.

“The boys have a show in a couple hours so how about after that? Unless you’re dying of hunger now and can’t wait then we could go now but rush.”

“We can go after the show, that’s fine. I’ll snack a little and then I’ll be fine.”

“Perfect!” He said kissing my head. “I need to go see Paul before the show so we can talk more later. For now I’ll let you stay and catch up with the boys. Bye!” He said before walking out the door.

My gaze stayed at the ground, afraid to meet the boys’ stares. I felt Zayn move next to me and rub my back, knowing how hard this was for me. “So,” Liam said breaking the ice. “What have you been up to, Elizabeth?”

“Not much.” I said starching the back of my neck awkwardly. “I got a new job and I’m living with Claire.”

“Oh, that’s nice.” Liam said smiling slightly.

I nodded, not knowing what else to say. More awkward silent moments past before Harry broke the silence again. “Are you going to explain why you left? We deserve an explanation at the very least since you refuse to answer our calls.” He said angrily.

“We should leave you two to talk.” Zayn said dragging Liam, Louis, and Niall out of the room with him, leaving Harry and I alone.

“I thought it would be best.” I said sheepishly.

“For who?!” Harry yelled. “You left without a single goodbye to any of us! Except Zayn of course because you ran away with him!”

“We had just broken up, Harry! I cheated on you with Niall without a second thought! I figured time away from you both would be best after what I did.”

“I wasn’t angry with you, Lizzy.” Harry said speaking softly now. “I only want you to be happy.”

“Could you honestly tell me you would have been okay with my being around Niall, knowing what I did and how he feels?” I asked looking into his eyes.

“It would have hurt at first, sure, but you didn’t just leave me for him. You did try and make us work. I’m grateful for that but we weren’t going to last, even if Niall hadn’t confessed and I think deep down you know that.” Harry said stepping toward me and cupping my cheeks. “You’re still important to me, Lizzy. I want us to be friends again.”

I smiled slightly. “I love you, Hazz. I want us to be friends again too.” I said hugging him.

“I love you too, Liz.” He said squeezing me lightly. “And I meant what I said before; I want you to be happy.”

I looked up at him. “I am happy, Hazz, well happier.”

“I know what would make you happy.” Harry smiled.

“Oh yeah?” I said skeptically. “What would make me happy?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“A couple things actually. First, come back out on the road with us and get your traveling in while spending time with your dad and second, grow a pair and be with Niall already.”

I looked up at Harry surprised. Was he really pushing me to be with Niall? “As much as I would love to come back and work with you guys and be with my dad, I’m happy getting to live with my best friend.”

Harry rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you love seeing Claire but you know that’s not what you want. Stop making up lame ass excuses and say yes! You know I don’t take no for an answer!”

“I’ll think about it, alright?” I compromised.

“Fine,” Harry groaned. “But you still have to talk to Niall and at the very least be friends again!”

“You’re impossible, Harold! Why are you pushing this?”

“I don’t like seeing two people I love so miserable when it’s just them being stubborn!”

“I am not being stubborn!” I protested.

“Yes, you are and so is he! Zayn asked him to go with him to go get you but he refused and Louis went instead.”

“He didn’t want to see me?” I asked, trying to mask my disappointment.

“He thought you left because you didn’t want to see him so of course he didn’t want to go see you and possibly get the door slammed in his face.”

I frowned. “I would never do that to Niall, ever.”

“Then go tell him what he means to you!”

“We’ll just see, okay?” I sighed.

“Stubborn!” He yelled before opening the room door.

I just laughed, shaking my head and followed him out.