Just Another Prank (A One Direction/Larry Stylinson Fan Fic)

Chapter Twenty One

Zayn

            I don’t really think any one of us got any sleep the night of Piper’s accident. Well, I know for a fact that Niall and I didn’t get a wink of sleep. I mean, how could we? The girl we love was in the hospital and we were forcefully shoved out of her room without even talking to her for at least ten minutes. It was madness! When we all got back to the hotel late that night, Niall just broke down. After trying to comfort him, I found myself sobbing as well.

            “Did anyone sleep last night?” Liam walking out of the kitchen pulled me from my thoughts.

            “I doubt it. I know I didn’t.” I rubbed my eyes, attempting to get them to stay open.

            “Me neither.” Niall stretched and started changing his clothes.

            “If we did, it wasn’t much.” Harry attempted to pull Louis out from under the covers. I checked my watch and saw that visiting hours started a few minutes ago.

            “Guys, I think we might want to go,” I said while getting up and walking to the door.

            “Miss Cortez, you might want to read this before you go!”

Niall stopped wheeling Piper to the elevator and turned her around. We all turned to see a middle aged looking nurse running towards us, holding a folded up piece of paper in her hand. When she reached us, she held the paper out to Piper, who cautiously took it.

            It was only a matter of time before Piper’s eyes welled up with tears and her face become hard and expressionless. Before anyone could ask what was wrong, she handed Niall the note and put her face in her hands.

            “Well, what does it say?” Louis asked.

            Niall cleared his throat. “Dear Piper,

The doctor came in a few minutes ago, but I already knew - this is pain like I've never experienced before. I'm so sorry that no one told you that I may have had a chance, but the chance was so small that it would have been unfair to you to have your hopes up, only to see the doctor flip the switch. You've seen, and been through, quite enough already. My hands have stopped working, so I'm getting the nurse to write this letter down for me. Please excuse the messy handwriting.

Piper, I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through. I'm sorry about the drugs, sorry about the fights, but most of all, I'm sorry for what you just witnessed. I know this is going to haunt you for the rest of your life, but you have to promise to stay strong. Don't ever fall into the kind of life I've lived - you're better than that. You have so much more to offer and to live for than I ever did with the life I made for myself. So I have one last favor to ask of you: go make something of yourself, and be more than I ever could. You will make it. I have ultimate faith in you.

Don't allow yourself to worry about me - I've known where I'm headed for a long time, and I'm not scared anymore. Just remember me as I was before I let the drugs take me over. Remember the woman I used to be, because that is the woman that you should have loved. Not the one I have allowed myself to become.

I love you, Piper, and I know that you love me, even though I don't deserve it. I'll miss you.

With love, faith, and hope,

Mom”

Harry

            I watched in growing concern as Piper’s face turned from expressionless to despaired to angry as Niall continued to read the letter. Oh, God, I thought. This is just what she needs right now. A letter from her dead mother. When was she ever going to get a break? “…..with love, faith, and hope…Mom,” he finished softly, looking at Piper. “Oh, Pipes. Are you okay?”