Don’t hate me.
The rest of the day passed without much excitement. The three couples locked themselves in their respective rooms, which left Zayn, Harry, and Meaghan to entertain themselves.
“Well, I’m off. I’d much rather watch paint dry.”
“What’s wrong, Meg? Sitting in the living room eating popcorn isn’t your idea of fun?” Zayn teased.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Harry suggested. Zayn lazily flicked a kernel at Harry’s head and offered to stay back in case Leah needed something.
“Zayn, I’m sure Niall can take care of his girlfriend,” Meaghan said. “You don’t need to be the big brother here.”
“He’s probably just going to sleep.”
Zayn laughed and pointed at Harry. “You know me so well, mate.”
Harry grabbed Meaghan’s hand and pulled her out of the house. He didn’t let go of her hand, nor did she make any effort to pull away. It felt good, actually. Having her hand enveloped in his.
Neither of them felt the need to make conversation until they reached a shady spot in a park. A cool breeze rustled the leaves of the tree they sat under.
“You were crying yesterday.” Not a question. Harry didn’t look at Meaghan, but kept his arm secured around her waist.
“I was a bit tipsy,” Meaghan lied.
“He pulled her between his legs so that her back was to his broad chest. His arms pressed her to him.
“Don’t lie to me, please,” he whispered in her ear.
Too close. He was too close. Meaghan squirmed, causing Harry to release his hold and lean back on his arms. She didn’t move from her position, instead closing her eyes and ignoring the tears prickling her eyes. She opened her eyes when he said, “We have to talk about this. About us.”
“There is no us, Harry. There will never be an us.”
“Why not?” She didn’t reply. “Is there someone else?”
A lifeline. “Yeah. We’re still figuring things out.”
“Do you love him?”
Meaghan closed her eyes again. All that came to mind was his curly hair. His voice. His hands that held her together when she felt like falling apart. “More than you can imagine.”
The silence was deafening. There was no way she loved anyone else, Harry thought. When Meaghan didn’t try to explain, he got up and turned his back to her.
“They’ll want us back now.” His voice was tight. “Charlene wants to go out to dinner with us.”
“Harry, let’s talk about this.”
He ignored her and began walking. She got up and jogged after him.
“Don’t be angry with me,” she pleaded.
“I’m not.”
“Then why won’t you look at me?”
He stopped and spun to face her. “Meg, this isn’t easy for me. knowing that there’s some other asshole that you love. I’m in love with a girl that doesn’t love me back. Nothing makes this easier.”
“You don’t love me. You’ve known me for three months. Barely.”
Harry took her hands and held them flat against his heart. “That doesn’t matter. I can’t imagine living without you.”
She pulled her hand back sharply. “Stop that. You’ll survive without me.”
“I’m going to keep fighting, love. I’m not letting you go.”
They were only a block from their houses. Meaghan felt her chest tighten. She couldn’t breathe. “I have to get home.”
“Really? I thought you wanted to talk about it,” Harry snapped.
Her stomach churned. She had to get out. Without saying a word, she pushed past Harry and stumbled to her house. The door was unlocked, but Leah wasn’t home. Her vision began blurring as she leaned over the toilet. Red. Not good. Trembling hands pushed up and began turning the faucets. Palms too sweaty. No grip. No water. No air. Nothing.
The crook of her elbow itched. There was a strange beeping noise by her right ear. Meaghan’s eyes fluttered open. A doctor stood at the foot of her bed. When he saw her eyes open, he closed the folder he was reading.
“Miss Thomas, we ran some tests and—”
“I know,” she croaked. “Lie to them. They don’t need to know.”
When Meaghan woke up again, she found Harry at her bedside, her hand between both of his. His head rested against his knuckles. As though he were praying.
“What happened?” she whispered. “Why am I here?”
Harry’s head snapped up. A smile broke out on his face. “Oh, good, you’re awake.”
“What happened,” Meaghan repeated. The five boys looked at each other.
“You passed out in the loo,” Niall explained. He was sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. “I came to drop Leah home but wanted to make sure you were there. I saw you in the loo and called an ambulance.”
Everything came back to her. It hit Meaghan like a truck, all the information overwhelming her.
“I need to talk to Leah. Alone,” Meaghan gasped.
The boys cleared out the room, leaving Leah with Meaghan.
“The doctor said you’d be fine.”
“Leah—”
“Meg, tell me you’re going to be okay.”
“I threw up.” There was no point in beating around the bush.
The brunette’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Like food poisoning?”
“Blood.”
Leah’s hands flew up to her mouth. Within moments, sobs racked through her body. “Don’t go home yet. P-please. You can’t leave.”
Meaghan sat up gingerly and yanked the needle out of her arm. She pulled her friend into a tight hug and smoothed down Leah’s hair. She waited for the uncontrollable shaking to stop before speaking.
“Leah, you have to remember the conditions under which I agreed to let you come. You made me a promise and I hope you intend to keep it.” Meaghan’s voice was soft but firm. “I’m not leaving yet. Soon, but not now.” There was a moment of silence before she spoke again. “Do you believe in God?”
Leah shook her head. “No. If there were a God, this wouldn’t be happening.”
“I’ll fight,” Meaghan promised, “as if my life depends on it."
