torn

chapter 10

“Harry.” Niall whispered. He had stopped crying but Harry hadn’t. They slid down to the floor, their backs pressed to the bathtub. Niall hadn’t loosened his grip on Harry, nor had Harry on Niall.

“Calm down. Shh.” He tried to sooth him, stroking his hands down Harry’s back. Harry took in a big shaky breathe and looked up at Niall. 

“I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry.” Was all Harry could manage. Niall bit his lips holding back more tears. 

“But why?” Niall was cautious asking. Harry’s voice softened. 

“There were so many people telling me it’d be better if I was dead.” Niall swore his heart broke in two.

“Oh Harry! You need to ignore those haters, You’ve got four best friends that care so much about you. Not to mention the huge chunk of fans that still love you to pieces.” 

“Are there really people who still care or are you all just saying that?” Harry said quietly. Niall’s hand squeezed around Harry’s waist.

“Yes, tons. We brought a box full of gifts for you from the signing a few days ago. All concerned for you. They miss you Harry.” 

“I miss me too.” Niall watched as a tear rolled down Harry’s cheek. Niall took his thumb and wiped it away. 

“Can we get off of this floor please?” Harry asked after awhile of them sitting in silence. Niall smiled.

“Of course.” They walked into Harry’s room, Harry getting into his bed. Niall got into the other bed. They had messed up when they first got there and gave Harry to beds, but he didn’t complain. 

“What are you doing?” Harry asked after getting cuddled in. 

“I’m not going to leave you here alone after that Harry. You worried me, all of us.” Harry closed his eyes and nodded. Niall took out his phone and texted Louis, ‘Hey I’m staying the night with Harry tonight. Don’t ask. I’ll explain to you all later.’

He shut his phone off, closing his eyes and laying back onto the pillow.

“Niall?” Harry whispered.

“Mhmm?”

“Can you sleep over here with me?” His voice was even quieter.

Niall smiled. “Sure.” His voice was soft. He grabbed his phone and walked to the other side of Harry’s bed. He crawled under the covers and Harry wrapped his arms around him.

“I’m so sorry I put you all through this. You don’t deserve for me to be-“

“Harry we understand what you’re going through is horrible, we just wished you’d talk to us.”

“I know. I should have and i’m sorry for that. I was just scared and didn’t know what to do. I felt hopeless and honestly didn’t want to be here anymore.”

“Harry, I wasn’t planning on coming here tonight. I don’t know was convinced me to do it but I’m sure as hell glad it did. I still can’t comprehend how people could bring you to want to…. leave us.” Niall sniffled and Harry held him closer, “I just hope to anything out there that you’ll never, ever try anything that crazy again.” 

Harry pulled back so he could look Niall right in the eyes. He was biting his lip. 

“Niall, i promise you I’ll never try it again. I should have known to stay with you boys. And I want to thank you for helping me and staying with me.”

Niall pulled Harry in, keeping their bodies pressed against one another for a long period of time. They finally released their grips and Niall scooted back a little.

“Good night Harry.”

“G’night Niall.” 

The last thing Niall saw before closing his eyes for the night was Harry’s smile. And that, definitely, was the best thing in the world for Niall. Over the past week Harry’s gone through beyond enough and the fact that Niall put that smile on his face, warmed his heart to exotic temperatures.