fireproof {l.s}

chapter five

7:34 p.m

Louis

Anne's been in the room with Harry for half an hour. I couldn't blame her but I was starting to get impatient. I just wanted to see him. To hug him. To see him smile. I paced back and forth throughout the waiting room. I yanked on the hair on my neck, trying to distract myself. I surveyed the room. Niall, Liam, and Zayn were sitting on their chairs, all on their phones. How could they be so calm? Probably because they hadn't fallen for him. I pushed the thought away. It felt like someone was missing. Someone that cared about Harry. Then it hit me. How did I forget?

Where the hell was his sister?

I had called her once, yesterday, she didn't pick up, so I just left a voicemail. But, there was no way she hadn't heard by now. I reached for my phone. I scrolled through my contacts until I landed on her name. It rang and rang until I heard the voicemail message. I sighed and hung up. She was probably just stuck in college, or something.

A few moments later, Anne was heading towards us. The three others jumped up as we brushed past her, almost sprinting towards Harry's room.

I opened the door. Harry was turned away from us. His breathing was heavy and flemy. I frowned when I saw the huge bandage on the bottom of his head. His head was split open right under his hairline on his neck. They didn't have to shave his hair and that made me weirdly happy. My eyes travelled to his wrists. I could only see his left wrist, but that one had a skinny, white bandage that stretched from his palm up to his elbow. I knew the other wrist looked the same. I shuddered.

"Hey, Harry," Zayn said in a quiet voice, almost a whisper. Harry turned slowly. The look on his face broke my heart. I could tell he'd been crying. His eyes were red and irritated. His cheeks flushed and his forehead sweaty.

"Hi." His voice was abnormally raspy and rough. He reached up to brush his curls out of his face. I swallowed a sob when his wrist came into clear view. We all still stood in the doorway, staring at the boy. After what felt like forever, the four of us took a couple slow steps in Harry's direction. There was an obvious awkward tension. I didn't know whether or not to hug him. I didn't want to hurt him. I could tell the other three were thinking the same thing. Eventually, Harry broke the silence. "You can hug me, you know. I'm not gonna fall apart," he said with a small laugh. I smiled at the sound. Liam hugged him first, then Zayn, then Niall. As Harry released Niall, his green irises locked with mine. The emotion in them answered my burning question. 

He didn't remember yesterday.

I had no control over my expression as I smiled from ear to ear. I couldn't tell if I was smiling so big because he didn't remember or just that he was here. He was here and he was looking at me. I stepped towards him and wrapped my arms around his back, practically laying on top of him. I was cautious at first, trying not to hurt his lungs but then he deepened the embrace. I rested my head on his shoulder, listening to his shallow breaths. I could tell he was struggling and in pain so I pushed my body up off of him slightly. Apparently, Harry didn't like that. He pulled me closer once again.

"Harry.. I'm hurting you..." I said and climbed off him. He didn't respond and rotated his body away from us. I, then, turned towards the other boys who were all leaning against the wall. "Can we have a moment alone, please?" I urged. They nodded and walked out of the room. The door clicked and now it was just me and Harry. Alone. He still didn't face me as I sat on the edge of his bed. I was about to speak when he beat me to it.

"Can you lay with me?"

Harry

"Can you lay with me?" I said quietly. I felt embarrassed. I knew it was a weird thing to ask of your mate, but I just really wanted to snuggle with someone. My mum was too distressed and heartbroken. I wanted to feel Louis' warmth that I knew so well. I missed him so much. I know I just saw him this morning- or rather yesterday morning- but I still needed him. His eyes widened when he comprehended my question. I thought he was about to get weirded out, but he just smiled and nodded. I scooched over a bit, trying to make more room. He curled up next to me and just held me in his arms. I loved that he knew exactly what I needed from him. I rested my head on his shoulder.