Live While We're Young

Chapter 19

We get home and Harry and I go straight to the couch, everyone else going to their rooms. 

"You two behave," I tell Lucy before she walks away. 

"So, Cole.. Are you okay?" 

"Yeah," I nod. 

"Promise?" He asks. 

I stay quiet, then I just lay my head in his lap. 

"I don't want you to leave," I say. 

"I don't either, but I'll be back," he says. 

"Promise? On your life?" I ask. 

"I promise," he replies. 

I close my eyes and let the darkness take me over, drifting into a sleep.

"Please don't leave," I say, crying. 

Harry embraces me into a giant hug, rubbing my back. 

"We can Skype every night Cole," he says. 

"I don't want Skype, I want you!" I say. 

"I know, I'm sorry, I'll be back soon," he says, hugging me tighter. 

I peek over and see Lucy in Niall's lap, on the verge of crying. 

"I'm sorry babe, I'll Skype you e'ry night, and then I'll be back here 'for you know it," Niall says. 

"I love you," Lucy whispers, crashing her lips onto Niall's. 

I look up at Harry, who is already looking down at me. 

"Please don't leave..." I whisper. 

"I'm sorry, I have to," he says, kissing me. 

I kiss him back, intently. Then I go and hug Liam. 

"Stay strong, we can Skype if you need to Liam," I say, kissing his cheek. 

I go over to Zayn. 

"Please make sure Liam stays safe, I feel so bad for him," I say, hugging him. 

Zayn has been like a protective older brother to me. 

I give Zayn a kiss on the cheek as well and walk over to Louis. 

"Remember," I whisper, "it meant nothing. Don't get worried about it," I say, falling into his hug, then kissing his cheek. 

Then there's Niall. 

"Keep Harry company and I'll keep Lucy company," I say, hugging him. 

Niall picks me up and hugs me tight. I am starting to cry again. 

"Please, this is my first real love, don't let me lose her," he says. 

I nod and kiss his cheek. 

I look at Harry, then just run to him, crying again. 

"I never thought it'd be so hard to say goodbye!" I cry. 

"Shh, it's okay. I'll Skype you tonight, okay?" He says. 

I cry harder. 

"Hey, hey, look at me," he says, pulling my face up, "you're strong, you'll be fine. Don't get worked up, I'm sorry I'm leaving, but I'll be back to see you soon." 

I hug him tightly, holding back the rest of my tears. I'll just cry them out later with Lucy. 

"BRITISH AIRWAYS, FLIGHT 24" they call on the intercom. 

Harry crashes his lips onto mine once more. 

"I love you," he says, then he's gone. 

I run to Lucy and fall into her arms.

Lucy and I sit in the back seat of the car, trying not to cry. 

"Girls, I'm sorry," my mom says. 

"It's o-okay Hattie," Lucy says, sniffling. 

"Mom they're not going to come back, that was the last time we will see them!" I cry out. 

"Nicole Ryan Butler!" My mother says, raising her voice. "Don't say that! You're such a pessimist!" 

We get home and Lucy and I run to my room and cry for a bit until we fall asleep. I've never thought saying goodbye to someone you love like this would be so hard.