I don't know how long I've been sleeping. It feels like I've lost days of my life and I have a crippling migraine. I don't know what time it is, but from the looks of the sun outside my window I'm assuming it's late afternoon. It takes a few moments before I realize why I've been sleeping so hard, and why I'm hurting so bad.

The thoughts of the past few days flood my brain, it's not just my head hurting anymore. My heart hurts and my stomach is sour, I'm gonna be sick. Bolting out of bed and running to the bathroom, barely making it in time, I spill what's left in my stomach into the toilet.

Sometimes when you finally throw up you feel better, that's not the case this time. I prop myself against the wall, my bare legs seated on the cold tile floor. Taking my head in my hands I start sobbing again.

Walking away from Harry is the last thing I want to do, but he deserves so much more than I can offer. I wish like hell I could be good for him, but there's nothing to offer him. My heart maybe, but that's not going to be enough.

Crawling on the floor back to my bed; ready to hide again. I'd give anything to go into hibernation and forget everything that's happened between us. There's just one problem, and that's Sam, never in a million years will she let me stay in this bed and sulk. When she puts her mind to something, she's very determined. This is a battle I can't win; I'll have to face the world outside my bedroom very soon, she'll make sure of it.

In the meantime, I sit up in my bed clutching my knees towards my body trying to hold back the next wave of tears. It's bubbling under the surface; I can feel it coming. I don't understand how this hurts even more than the horrible things James has done to me. I think maybe it's because I'm genuinely happy for once, and I don't want that feeling to end. Whatever the case is, I've never felt pain quite like this before. I wouldn't wish this agony on my worst enemy.

Sitting here in my self-made cocoon of pillows and blankets, I become numb. Completely lost in thought and feeling sorry for myself, but I get distracted by two quiet voices in the living room that seem to have come out of nowhere. Panic starts in, my mind is so scattered I'm worried Harry is on the other side of that door. I need to stop torturing myself if I'm ever going to leave my room again.

I listen closely to figure out who the other person is. The second voice is staying quiet, but it doesn't take long to figure out who it belongs to. It's Niall, seriously why is this happening right now? I know Sam really likes him, but I'm not gonna lie I just wish he would leave. I don't need any reminders of Harry at the moment.

However, it's ridiculous to believe I can avoid all reminders of him, considering I spent 24 hours straight with him. We learned the most intimate of each other in my room, shower, and everywhere else in this house. Fuck, I can't take this. Why am I being a selfish bitch?

Against my better judgement I pull a hoodie over my t-shirt and go to the door, listening to their conversation. There's nothing silly or playful in their tone, which leads me to believe they aren't talking about themselves. Those are the voices of concerned friends, not potential lovers.

"Niall, I don't know what to do. I feel like she's running away because everything is too perfect with Harry. I know her better than she knows herself sometimes, she doesn't think she deserves him. I know it sounds ridiculous, but her piece of shit ex told her too many times that she's not worth a damn. And over time believing that became her reality, and now she's cutting all ties with him before some disaster happens. Being hurt more than her share of times, she's a little gun shy."

It's sad to say she can read me like a book, but that doesn't change anything. I'm not going back, it's what's best for him.

"Poor thing, that's awful."

"Yeah, it's horrible to see her struggle with her self-worth."

Sam huffs out a frustrated breath.

"She was so miserable last night before she passed out. I've never seen her in so much emotional pain."

"Harry was in bad shape last night too. He called me hysterically crying. I couldn't understand a word he was saying, so I just came over to his house. I've never seen him like that, desperate for answers that I don't have for him. I'm not going to lie Sam, he's in love with her. When they went out last night, I think he was angry because he just wanted to protect her, there's no textbook teaching us how to react to situations like this. He's just sick about it, but I don't know how to help either of them."

Sam starts to sniffle; I can hear her crying.

"I hate seeing her like this."

"I know Babe, it sucks watching someone you love be in pain. I'm hurting too, he's like a brother to me and watching him cry nearly ripped me apart."

"I need to go talk to her. This is insane, we both know they fell in love with each other on contact. Connections like that don't happen every day. I can't sit here and let her run away from someone who would treat her like a queen, someone who she's madly in love with in return."

"Are you sure she's ready to talk about this?"

"No I'm not, and I don't care if she is, they're both hurting. I love her like a sister, and I won't let her ruin this. He makes her happy, they both make each other happy."

I love her so much, but I don't want to hear anything she has to say right now.

"Ok, just take it easy on her. Having your privacy invaded by the paps for the first time can be tough, no matter what the circumstances. I'm sure she's scared, and a little confused. Keep that in mind when I take you on our first date."

That's adorable, he wants to take her on a date.

"Oh, so we're going on a date, are we?"

"Yes, we are. Now go talk to her, I'll wait out here...hey Sam?" 

"Yeah?"

"I'm here if you need me."

I can hear them give each other a quick peck on the lips. If I wasn't so broken, I'd be jumping up and down excited for her. He's such a doll, I think he really likes her.

My happy thoughts of Sam and Niall are interrupted by Sam's footsteps coming towards my door. I dive back into my bed because I don't want her to know I was eavesdropping.

She lightly taps on and then opens my door.

"Will, are you awake? I just want to check on you Sweetheart."

"Yes, I'm up. No, I'm not fine, and no I don't want to talk about it right now."

Of course, Sam comes in my room anyway. Although I'm annoyed with the situation, I would've done the same if she needed to be talked to.

"Well that's too bad, because we're talking anyway."

"Sam."

"Shut it and listen to me."

I slump back against my headboard like a pouting child. I'm angry and defeated, but there's no way for me to get out of this conversation.

"You know I love you and I support every decision you make. But you also know that if I don't agree with you, I'll call you out on your bullshit."

"Yup, I know...can we please get this over with?"

"I understand the way Harry acted last night wasn't what you were looking for. Going on a date with a celebrity isn't a typical situation that you can plan out, you just react in the moment. You can't predict how things like this will be. I'm sure he seemed upset, but I have no doubt that he wasn't angry with you. He loves you and wants to protect you. Sometimes when we love someone so much, we behave a little crazy when we're trying to protect them."

"Sam, you don't understand because you weren't there. I couldn't live with myself seeing him unhappy like that every time we go out in public together. I just can't."

"Have you stopped to think maybe he seemed troubled because he knew you were scared and uncomfortable? It won't be like that forever, your fear will subside, and eventually the paparazzi will stop being so aggressive once you've been around for a while. I really think you jumped the gun on this one. You can't use this as an excuse to run away from him because you're scared the fairy tale won't play out the way you want it to. Love like this doesn't happen every day, as a matter of fact I don't believe a love like this exists for everyone. Things will get bumpy and they won't be perfect, but this is the real thing. And he's not James."

"Damnit Sam, you're not being fair. Why can't you be supportive of me right now? I really need you on my side."

"I'm being supportive, and I am on your side, that's why I'm fighting so hard. This man is a keeper. He'll cherish you till the grave, and he'll fight for you. Please trust me on this."

"It's too late, even if I was to change my mind, I've already screwed things up."

"Stop it. He's sitting at home crying and begging for you to come back. Do you really think he's gonna turn you away?"

"I don't know."

"Do you want to ask Niall how destroyed his best friend is right now? He's waiting for you to come back to him."

"That's really not necessary."

"What's the problem? Honestly you don't have a legitimate reason to stay away from him. And I won't apologize for saying that."

I'm completely exasperated and let out a long sigh.

"What about the girls?"

"What about them?"

"Dating Harry would be so weird for them and they'd be scared having strangers intrude in our lives."

"I call bullshit! Lark and Lily will be ecstatic, they love Harry and all the boys, and a little touch of fame will do nothing but boost their egos."

"No."

"Yes. Can you imagine how many of their friends would beg to spend the night if he was at the house? Oh my god that'd be hysterical."

"Stop joking, I'm being serious. I can't do this."

"You stop being so serious. You're supposed to be together and everyone else can see, that says something. Take the leap Willow."

I have no other words; I'm running out of excuses to argue my way out of this. She's right and I hate to admit it. I'm scared because it feels too perfect, if something feels this good, I can only imagine how much it'd hurt if it went wrong. But maybe it's my time to have a healthy relationship no matter what the risk.

"Sam what's wrong with me? I'm a mess, I don't know what to do."

"Yeah you do. I have someone else who'll convince you...Niall come here."

"Really, what're you doing?"

Niall peeks his head in the doorway.

"At your service ladies."

"She needs a little more convincing. Tell her why she needs to keep seeing Harry."

"It's simple really. You need to take him back because I wanna date Sam. It'd be awkward having me around, I'd be a constant reminder."

He grins and giggles, so proud of himself for his clever joke.

"Really, that's what you've got for me? So you're saying I need to date Harry so you can be with Sam. In that case let's go, your speech is more convincing than anything she's said in the past 15 minutes."

Sam slaps me on the arm for taking a jab at her but smiles because I'm joking around.

"He is rather charming, isn't he?"

"Let's just get this out of the way, as Sam's best friend you have my vote. I approve of you taking her on a date. But as for Harry, what should I say? How do I even approach him, or say I'm sorry?"

In unison they say just do it.

"Harry has been one of my closest mates for a long time. You don't need to say anything. Just show up at his doorstep and he'll never let go of you again."

"It can't be that simple."

"It is, he has such an amazing heart. And when he loves someone, he can communicate with them on levels I've never seen. Sometimes words aren't needed, just having you there is all it'll take."

Niall holds my hand and squeezes to show his support.

"Thanks, to both of you. I'm still nervous about how this will affect the girls."

In unison they both tell me to shut up.

"No more excuses, the girls will be more than fine. Go after your Prince Charming, it may be after midnight and the ball is over, but he's still out there looking for the girl who lost her glass slipper."

Sam's analogy makes me cry, she always has the right words.

"Don't cry Sweetie, everything will be fine. Go take a shower and get yourself ready. We'll take you to Harry's house. Niall has the gate code so you can surprise him."

I swallow hard, I can't believe I'm agreeing to this. My life is never going to be the same, and that scares me. But I think it's time I start running towards my solutions instead of running away from my problems. They're right, Harry is a solution, the solution to curing my heart that has been unequivocally damaged. Maybe he's the one who knows how to fix it.

"Ok, I'll do it. I'll go."

"See, that wasn't so hard was it?"

"Yes, actually it was rather difficult."

"Stop whining and go take a shower. Don't keep him waiting any longer. C'mon."

She pushes me off the bed making me thud on the floor. Niall starts to laugh, it's pure and heartwarming. He's very genuine and I'm happy that Sam is getting to know him better. She deserves to find someone who'll be good to her too.

She offers her hand, to pull me off the floor. Her arms wrap around me and hold me tight.

"I love you."

"I love you too. I'll be out after I get ready."

I grab a bag from my closet to throw in some of my things. Once I get to his place, he won't want me to leave for a while. Now that I've made the decision to go back, I'm excited and thankful they told me what an ass I was being. When I see him, I don't think I'll let him go either. Butterflies flutter in my stomach just thinking about it, I really have fallen for him. I can't wait any longer to see him, I don't want him hurting for one second longer.