Choices (Narry) **EDITING**

Chapter Nine: Backstory

Harry returns well after eleven. Liam insisted that we invite Zayn and Louis over to watch movies to take my mind off of Harry, but no matter how many comedies we watched, I couldn't get my mind off of the curly haired boy and whether or not he would ever come back. I could tell that Louis and Zayn knew that something was wrong, but I know that Liam didn't mention anything, nor do the boys ask. I'm thankful though, I'd rather not relay today's events.

Like I said, it's dark, the light from the TV is illuminating us as we watch - the others way more interested than me, when Harry walks in. He walks straight past us and goes into my room. I want to get up and go after him but Liam places a hand on my knee.

"He just needs some time," he whispers.

I nod at him and swallow the lump in my throat.

"Who the hell was that?" Louis asks. Zayn and him are staring at us, giving Liam and I looks as if to say, 'A total and complete stranger just walked into your home and you didn't even blink.'

"That's Harry. He's our new roommate," Liam tells them.

"Why didn't you guys tell me?" Louis pouts, crossing his arms over his chest like a child.

"We haven't really had the time Lou," I tell him.

"Well I want to meet him," Louis says and starts to stand.

"No! He's not in the best mood right now," I explain. Louis huffs but takes his seat once again on the couch.

"Fine, but I want to meet him soon."

I roll my eyes and turn back towards the movie. I'm getting antsy just sitting here while Harry's in my room, avoiding me. I really need to talk to him.

"Jesus Ni, stop shaking your leg," Zayn groans at me.

"Sorry," I say and stop.

"Hey, are you alright mate?" he turns to me.

I sigh, "Honestly, I don't know at the moment Z."

"What is it? Is it work?" he asks.

"Yeah Ni, I saw someone going into your office the other day, did you get fired?" Louis jokes.

"No, I quit."

"Wait. Seriously?" he asks, eyes wide.

"Yup."

"No way. Why?" Zayn asks next.

I'm really not in the mood to talk about it. "Liam will tell you, I'm going to bed."

More like to talk to Harry.

Liam gives me a disapproving look but I just shrug and walk towards my room. I take a deep breath before entering the room.

The room is dark, but I can make out a lump under the covers. I shut the door quietly behind me.

"Harry," I whisper in case he's sleeping.

"What," he says, not too nicely.

"Are you still mad at me?" I whisper back, staying where I am.

I hear him sigh and some ruffling and then the lamp switches on.

"Come here," Harry says, and pats the spot next to him.

"I'm not mad anymore Niall," he says, but he doesn't look at me.

"Yes you are."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you won't look at me," I reply softly.

This time he does look at me. He sighs, "Why did you mention me at all?"

"Harry I swear to God it slipped," I explain, "I was tired and angry and scared."

He nods, thinking about what to say next.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I forgive you," he replies, laying down once again, "Come lay down."

"Okay," I say and stand up on the bed. I pull my sweat pants and socks off, tossing them off the side of the bed. I then plop down beside Harry and he pulls me to him. I rest my head on his chest. Harry turns the lamp off and the room is washed in darkness.

We lie in silence, but a question keeps running through my mind.

"Niall, what's wrong?" Harry asks me.

"What? Nothing," I say not too convincingly.

"Oh please, I can practically hear the gears turning in your mind." He's probably rolling his eyes.

"I just- why are you so upset that I told your mother about you?"

Harry tenses under me. I instantly regret asking him.

"You don't have to answer," I say quickly, in hopes of going back to the mood before I asked.

"Yes I do," Harry tells me.

I don't say anything. We don't speak for a long time. Just as I'm about to check to see if Harry's still awake, he speaks.

"I had a great childhood growing up. I got to see both of my parents, sometimes at the same time. They usually split their shifts at the company. Mum worked the days and dad worked the nights. Sometimes I would stay up just to see my dad for a little bit. I was fifteen when my father passed away. It was a car accident. They still to this day don't know what really happened. They told me that he had fallen asleep at the wheel and veered into the other lane of traffic. But I know that isn't what happened. After that mum worked around the clock at the company and she rarely came home. She left my sister, Gemma, and I home. Eventually, Gemma started to work for the company as well, falling under mums wing. Gemma gets the company when mum passes, and the chances of me ever owning the company were so very slim. I never wanted the company anyway, and I think my mum knew that. So she stopped all contact with me. She didn't answer the phone when I called, she never came home, she cut off all of my expenses. I had nothing. No family. No friends. Nothing. So I turned to drugs."

I place my hand over Harry's shaking one and he grabs onto my hand, holding it tightly in his own.

"As I said, I didn't care about anything. I flunked out of school, I stole things that I didn't even have to steal, and I was either hammered or high twenty-four-seven. It was when I turned seventeen that I realized that my dad wouldn't be proud of the man that I had become, so I stopped drinking, I stopped with the stealing and the drugs, I was getting better, but still no one was there to see it. Mum and Gemma were always busy with something at the company. It was too late for school at that point, with me almost being eighteen, so I just waited my time out.

"When I went into that room to choose my pill though...there was only one. I took it and as soon as I got home mum kicked me out. She said she never wanted to see me again and that I was a disgrace to the family. She probably told Gem that I ran away.

"I've been homeless ever since. She was probably hoping that I wouldn't last through the winter. She was almost right. I nearly died out there. There wasn't a cent to my name and no one knew who I was.

"But now...I'm glad that I have a place to stay this winter," he finishes and looks down at me.

He wipes some of the tears that have fallen from my eyes and whispers, "Don't cry beautiful."

Then he kisses me.

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A/N: Well that was an emotional rollercoaster of a chapter :) I hope you all enjoyed!

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