Detrimental

Episode 39

"How on earth do you guys know Caspar Lee?" I whisper to Luke as Caspar helps Michael carry the enormous music equipment to his car.

"He's a childhood friend of the drummer in our band." Luke says as he lifts Harry's luggage and brings them inside the car.

"Ashton's not my friend, really." Caspar jokes. "He's more of like a fan." He notices me staring at him and he walks towards me, still effortlessly carrying a Marshall guitar amplifier with his big hands. "You look familiar." Caspar says as he studies my face.

"I have a common face, I guess."

"Ah! You're the girl from one of Horan's videos." Caspar laughs. "I asked for your digits but he wouldn't give them to me, the bastard." Caspar freaking Lee wanted my freaking number? What. The. Hell. After Niall, Caspar was my next favourite YouTuber. Am I dreaming? I can't breathe. What even is air? Act cool, Rae. Act cool. "How bout we hang out just the two of us after we grab some grub with these two Australian kiddos?" Caspar's voice was so soft, I even wonder if it could have been my imagination.

"I have a boyfriend." I smile bashfully.

"That curly fella on the plane?" Luke asks. I shake my head as I get in the car.

"You're not married yet, I still have a shot." Caspar winks.

"Not happening." I say sternly.

"So, any hot sisters?"

"Not happening." I say again.

"Let me guess, she's twelve?" Caspar laughs. "I can wait until she turns fifteen."

"Have some respect, mate." I hear Luke's deep voice. I don't turn around to face him but I feel him come closer beside me.

I am seated in between Michael and Luke. The three lads convince me to join them for late dinner but I tell them I was tired and respectfully declined. I tell Caspar where I live and he takes me to the familiar, recently remodeled house. Luke gets down and brings out Harry's luggage. I follow him out of the car and take the luggage from him. It was only after Caspar gets down that I hear a familiar voice and realised he was standing right in front of me, blocking the way to the door. He was wearing his favourite grey hoodie and his reading glasses. It was obvious he had not been sleeping, his blue eyes dilated and worried. 

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I left."

"Don't do that again." he whispers as he hugs me tight.

"Horan's your boyfriend?" Caspar asks. "I should have known." he laughs. "That's why he won't give me your digits."

"I'm her brother." Niall lets go of me. "Me mam married her old man."

"So, may I have your number?" Caspar hands me his phone.

"You don't even know my name." I laugh.

"I will after you punch in that number and have it saved." Caspar smiles.

"Okay." I dial an Indian restaurant's number which I had memorized after years of continuous patronage and save it as Niall's sister. "I'm gonna get some sleep." I say as I walk into the house, bringing Harry's luggage along with me.

Niall's sister. Maybe that was all I was meant to be. I leave Harry's luggage in the living room and head up to my room. After pacing around the corners of my mind, I get a small post-it and write a sentence. I go down the stairs, into the garage, and stick the post-it on Niall's pillow.