Chapter 37 – Harry’s P.O.V.

          “What you boys did is a violation of your five year contract that you just renewed, along with all the regulations we’ve added,” Jeff started as we all stared at him, completely bored with his rant. “Telling the truth is one thing, but blurting it during a live interview on national television is totally different. What you boys did,” he said again as he pointed a stern finger at me and (mainly) Niall, “was completely unacceptable.”

            “Jeff, we’re sorry, all right? I’m sorry. But it was Harry’s birthday, for God’s sake,” Niall stated. “I’d be one hell of a friend if I kissed his girlfriend right in front of him.”

            I let my hand fall onto Niall’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze and hoping he could hear my thanks once more. Valerie was still in the hospital, but I had to leave her about thirty minutes ago to attend this stupid fucking meeting. After declaring our love for each other, we really didn’t do anything except what we always do; make fun of stuff. Each time a different nurse would come in, Valerie and I would pick at things to imitate. Whether it was the way she/he walked, or the way they talked. It might be rude, but it was nice to see Valerie so vulnerable yet still smiling.

            Jeff rubbed his face, letting out a sigh. “I don’t even know what to do at this point. Killing the band would be killing profits and killing profits would be horrible. Not to mention the angry mob of fans we’d have lining outside the door.”

            Valerie would be one of those fans.

            That girl. Even in the hospital, I’d bet twenty bucks on her trying to break free just to save this band. The thought made me smile, but no way in hell would I let her unhinge herself over us. She needs that oxygen mask, those IVs, and that medication. As much as I hate to admit it, she needs to be there. But still, she wouldn’t let me keep her there without a fight, I know that much.

            “So the band is safe?” Zayn asked unsurely, his voice low like always but a small taint of fear laced it.

            Jeff pondered a long moment, chewing the inside of his bottom lip as he stared blankly outside the window. After what felt like eternity, he finally turned to us with a small nod. “Yeah. The band is safe.”

Valerie’s P.O.V.

            My mind was whirling in a thousand different directions at once. With me coming back to the hospital, the boys going into a meeting that may or may not break up the band, and the boys are leaving in a matter of four hours. Not to mention how my parents came in when Harry was leaving. They weren’t holding hands, nor were they looking at each other. Even the twins kept their distance from my father, which only scared the absolute shit out of me. They clearly haven’t worked through their differences.

            After being here about an hour or so, they each left due to my parents’ jobs and the twins attending their usual Boy Scout meeting on Saturdays. All in all, I was alone at this point in time and I have been for about twenty minutes.

            Would Jeff really sabotage the band over spilling the truth? Clearly it’ll blow over. Our fandom may get aggressive and hold grudges, but the true fans typically don’t care about who the boys are dating. If the boys are happy, I’m happy. Of course I may not agree with each person they take an interest in (cough, cough, Kendall, cough, cough), but I wouldn’t try to separate them from happiness. It’s selfish, immature, and stupid.

            Before I could get myself in a mental rant, there was a light knock on the hospital door. I let out a croaky call for them to enter, the oxygen mask making it highly difficult to speak coherently. I was currently leaning back on my pillows, mindlessly watching the television as it played some cartoon called Johnny Test or something.

            “Hey, beautiful.”

            The voice was all-too-familiar as Harry came into view, a small smile on his lips with the boys tumbling in after. Harry had a bouquet of roses, the boys had assorted flowers and balloons, and they each carried a box of chocolates. I wanted to cry, honestly, just because this same exact scene occurred in my fan-fiction. Should I be scared about that, considering the ending? Most likely.

            “Hi,” I drug out the vowel, giving them the best smile I could muster. “You brought me stuff?”

            “We all did,” Niall said as he smiled. “You kind of deserve it, Val.”

            I grinned, even though I really wanted to refuse. I don’t like taking things from people, gift or not. I’m more of an independent person, believe it or not, so I try to get along on my own. However, being in the hospital, it’s a little more difficult to do so.

            Harry kissed my forehead as the boys started setting their things in arranged places. “Guess what?” Harry said quietly, hurt lacing his tone as he brushed my hair off my forehead.

            “Hmm?” All I could do was hum, the fear of the band breaking up being too much for me to even think about.

            Harry let out a sigh, looking away from me and exchanging glances with the boys, who all looked down with the same sadness.

            Shit.

            “The band…” Harry trailed off, but I could already feel tears brimming in my eyes.

            This can’t happen.

            Out of nowhere, Harry grinned. “The band is still on.”

            Letting out a shaky breath, I blinked fast to keep the tears back. “You asshole!” I groaned, hitting him in the shoulder playfully as him and the boys laughed. “You scared the shit out of me, Harry. That’s not okay.”

            Harry laughed, kissing my cheek. “I’m sorry, love. I couldn’t help it.”

            “No, you don’t get to call me that,” I sassed.

            Harry threw on a fake pouty face, but it was the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen in my entire freaking life.

            Jesus, help me.

            “Fine,” I grumbled, Harry perking up instantly. “But you guys should freaking be actors or something. I seriously almost had another stroke.”

            “Actors?” Liam rose an eyebrow.

            I nodded. “Yeah, like in the Best Song Ever video. You guys are amazing, believe it or not.”

            The boys exchanged glances, their eyebrows furrowed as Harry turned back to me. “Did you see us on iCarly?”

            “Duh, that’s the first time I ever saw that show,” I said truthfully. “I never watched it before until you guys were on that one episode. But that’s the only episode I’ve ever seen, actually.”

            Harry smirked, shaking his head in amusement. Sadness then stung his emeralds as he gave me a faint smile, lacing our fingers and giving my hand a small squeeze. “Oh, God, Valerie. What am I supposed to do without you for seven months?” he whispered, licking his lips before he pressed them together.

            Seven months.

            That’s like an eternity. I’ve spent two months in the hospital before, and six in the rehab center for the heart disease nearly effecting my brain. Those were the longest six months of my life, so how the hell am I supposed to go seven? Then again, I have gone nineteen years without meeting One Direction, but now that I’m actually dating one of them, seven months seems like seven years.

            I pursed my lips to keep from smiling. “I guess you’ll just have to think about me like I’ll be thinking about you.”

            Harry smiled, but it wasn’t out of happiness. It was pure sadness and I hated seeing that on him. “Believe me, you’ll be the only thing on my mind.”

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A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short -.- The next one will be when the boys leave and bleh... Anyway, I'll probably just continue on this instead of making a whole sequel. It seems easier c; Love you all xx

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