Summer

Chapter 12

        I woke up as soon as the alarms started going off to find that I was lying with Lou’s arms wrapped around me. God, I could have laid like that forever, but Liam and Niall were also stirring, so I decided to gently shake Lou to get him up as well. Liam turned off the alarms and started trying to wake Zayn, while Niall woke up Lila. I rolled over onto my stomach to see Lou staring at me looking like he was going to cry. I knew how he felt because I was fighting back tears as well; he had to leave today.

        Once Zayn was somewhat awake, Liam asked me to try and wake Harry. I agreed grudgingly. I didn’t want another repeat of what happened the last time I tried waking him. Once again, I leaned over him and whispered in his ear to get up. He rolled over but showed no other signs of getting up anytime soon. I stood up and told everyone I would be right back and went to the bathroom. I found a cup and filled it to the top with freezing water. I quietly walked back out into the game room to see that everyone was now fully awake except Hazza. They saw my water and new immediately what I was planning to do but they didn’t protest so I carried on. I stood directly over Harry and dumped the water all over him.

        He jumped up and swore loudly while everyone else doubled over in laughter. He noticed that I had the empty cup in my hand, and before I even knew what was happening, he threw me over his shoulder and ran out the back door and chucked me into the pool. The rest of the party had filed out of the house to see what was going to happen, and they seemed to be laughing even harder now. I pulled myself out of the pool and wrung out my hair and started laughing with them. Harry got me good.

        When we were all laughed out, we went back inside to eat breakfast, shower, get ready, and help the boys get all packed up. Once I had my dark hair straight, I decided on a black tank top that makes an “x” in the back, and some light blue denim cut-offs. I walked down to the kitchen to see that all the boys were there, gathered around my mom and sister. I ran over, thinking something was wrong, but they were all just talking. I noticed that all the boys were wearing really comfy looking clothes; probably because they would be travelling today. Harry and Lou even had on their famous beanies. Damn, Louis looked hot in a beanie.

“What are you guys talking about?” I asked curiously, taking Louis’ hand in my own.

“Well, I know how close you guys have all gotten over the last few days, and I know that you’re with Louis now, so when the tour’s over, the boys have a month off, and I’ve invited them to come back and stay with us for two weeks during that time.” My mom explained with a smile.

“Are you serious?!” I nearly screamed.

“Yeah! It’s all sorted out. We talked to our managers and Paul and they said it’s fine. When we’re done in America, we’re flying back over to London for a few days to see our families and friends and such, and then we’ll be coming back here for two weeks.” Liam said with almost as much excitement as I had.

        I couldn’t believe it. This wasn’t the end for all of us. They were coming back in a month. That’s really just thirty days. Knowing that they would be back would make this month just that much more bearable.

“Group meeting! My room!” I yelled out.

        Everybody piled onto my queen sized bed. Oh gosh. One Direction’s in my bed. Stop fangirling Hadley, I scolded myself. Wait. Am I talking to myself? Oh, never mind. They’re waiting for you to talk idiot!

“What’s up?” Zayn asked.

“Well, I just wanted to let you guys know that even though we haven’t known each other that long, I love you guys. And not as One Direction. I mean I love you guys as people. You’re all so funny, and you’re real. You guys are my friends now.” I said tearing up a bit.

“We know exactly how you feel babe.” Niall said sadly.

“Yeah. We love you too.” Zayn added.

“GROUP HUG!” Louis shouted.

        We all laughed as we got into our group hug, trying to only think of when they would be back, not how long they would be gone. When we all broke apart, Lila and I were pretty much crying our eyes out, Zayn, Harry, and Liam were tearing up, and Louis and Niall just looked like they were lost.

“Time to go guys!” my mom shouted up the stairs.

        We all walked out to the car, dragging our feet as we went. The car ride was so quiet compared to all the other ones we’d had. When we got to the airport, my mom took a picture of all of us and sent it to me so I could send it to the boys. I made it my wallpaper. I was so amazed at how much had happened over these past three days. I really got to know One Direction, and now we really think of each other as best friends. I was so happy that this happened to me. I’ve never met five better boys anywhere.

        As we walked with them to the gate, the paparazzi were snapping away at us, asking for my name, who I was, all these crazy questions. How did they even get in here? I thought. This is a private airport with private jets. Louis tried to shield me from it as much as possible, but it wasn’t really working.

        When we finally arrived at the gate, we had to say our final goodbyes. I was all cried out, so no tears came this time, but I was still so sad at having to say goodbye. I walked up to Liam first.

“Hey Liam.” I said stupidly.

He laughed. “Hey Hadley.”

“I’m gonna miss you!” I cried.

“I’ll miss you too. But hey, this isn’t the end! It’s only the beginning!” he said cheerfully.

        Next was Zayn.

“Bye teddy bear!” I exclaimed.

“Did you just call me teddy bear?” he asked me sounding like he thought I was crazy.

“Yeah. It’s just that your hugs are like a teddy bear’s.” I explained.

“Gosh, I’m gonna miss you.” He choked out.

“I’ll miss you too.”

        Then Niall.

“I’m going to miss you so much! When you get back, I’m going to make you your favorite food. What’s your favorite food?” I asked him seriously.

He laughed. “I’m really going to miss your crazy little ass.”

        I walked up to Harry next.

“So. I guess this is goodbye for now.” It was a lot harder saying goodbye to him than I thought it would be.

“Yeah. Just for a little bit though. I’ll be back soon enough to make your life awkward and confusing again.” He said with a wink, but I could tell he was trying not to cry.

“Promise?” I asked.

“Promise.” He said as he hugged me one last time and walked away.

        Last, but not least was Louis. I was dreading this one the most, because it would hurt the worst.

“I want you to have this.” He whispered before I could say anything. He took his beanie off and placed it on my head, kissing me after it was in place.

“I’m going to miss you so much, Lou.” I said.

“I’ll miss you too. But we’ll text, Skype, facetime, something, everyday. Promise.”

“Okay. Now go, you guys are gonna miss your flight! I’ll talk to you soon.” I said as I hugged him one more time.

        I waved to all of them one more time before they walked around the corner and disappeared from view. They shouted “We love the James girls!” as they were entering the plane, and I smiled at that. We watched them take off, and then they were really gone. The paps took more pictures of us as we left the airport, but we just ignored them. The whole way home I could only think of what Liam had said to me earlier: This isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning.