Chapter 8:

"Australia, here we come!" Lou grinned as we entered the van that was going to drive us to the airport. The boys were all fidgety and talkative, they were majorly excited for the next few days. I had to admit I was pretty excited too, I had always wanted to go to Australia. I just wasn't looking forward to the long airplane ride. Especially knowing the boys were keeping major secrets from me.

"How many concerts are you doing there?" I inquired when there was a lull in the conversation.

"No idea." Harry laughed.

"Then we have a two week vacation before our America tour." Niall said excitedly, obviously hyped at the thought of two weeks of doing nothing. That sentence spouted three separate conversations, so I settled for looking out the window and watching the traffic whiz by. 

I still couldn't believe all that had happened in the last three years. People would mention One Direction and I'd have to take a moment to remember. It was horrid, having this three year blank spot in my life. I could remember everything from when I was fifteen, but it was like everything after that  just blacked out. The last day I could remember, was just a normal school day. I came home from school and annoyed my sisters. I had teased Lou about his choice of outfit and him and Stan teased me about the boys at school. It was a typical day and the last thing I could remember was going to sleep. My brain racked for more memories from after that, but I just couldn't.

"Why is that girl dressed as a carrot?" I asked, as we pulled up to the airport and the fans were all surrounding the van. I turned to raise my eyebrows at the boys who started snickering.

"Lou likes girls who like carrots." Zayn smirked while Louis rolled his eyes.

"During The X Factor tour diaries, we got asked what we looked for in girls. I said I liked girls who liked carrots. That escalated to the point where at every single fan thing we go to, I almost always get carrots." Lou seemed like the only one not amused by the situation.

"Oh god, you would." I sighed, although I was slightly amused by the situation. The van stopped, security popping out everywhere. The boys crawled out of the car first, following Paul, except for Niall. Niall wanted to help me out, with the other security guards who had my wheelchair waiting. I seriously couldn't wait for those crutches. Niall grinned at me as he gave me his arm to lean on. He laughed as I plopped down in the seat. I stuck my tongue out at him as he positioned himself behind me and started wheeling me after the boys. I decided to risk it and start questioning him. "Why are you so nice to me, Niall?"

"Uh.. What do you mean?" I couldn't see him, since he was pushing me, but I could hear something... Different in his voice.

"You insist on pushing me, you waited for me to get out of the car.. You're just really nice. Why?"

"You may not remember it, but we've gotten really close over the years." He said quietly, continuing to go towards the rest of the boys. 

"So, you're kind of like a brother?" The second the words were out of my mouth, I regretted them. I wasn't sure why, but asking that question seemed like it was off limits. 

"Uh-"

"Let's hurry it up, guys." A security guard commented from behind us. I realized that Louis and the others were way ahead of us now. Niall stayed stayed quiet, speeding up a bit. Eventually, we reached security. We did the usual, they checked our suitcases, we walked through the metal detector and soon made it past the fans and the paps. I was thankful for that, considering the flashes and screams weren't exactly a walk in the park. 

"Only sixteen hours til I can drink again." Niall grinned as we were all settling ourselves in first class. Thanks to my injury, I got the most legroom. Louis was on one side, Niall on the other. Harry, Liam and Zayn were all behind us.

"I can drink too.." I realized, slightly creeped out by that fact. I was still getting used to this whole "I'm eighteen, not fifteen" thing.

"Brook..." Louis started. I expected him to go on a whole lecture, how I wasn't going to be able to drink, etc.  "Just make sure you're with one of us if you decide to drink, you're a major lightweight."

"True story. We all went out in London once and you were absolutely convinced you had a long lost twin named Abigail." Harry chuckled, the rest of the boys laughing along. "And you had only had two beers."

"Great." I muttered, not really amused. I know there was no reason for it, but that put me in a bad mood. I was getting sick and tired of having to be told what I do/did. I shouldn't be, I know. They really were just trying to help, but do they know how frustrating it is to not remember anything? One memory. That was all I could hold onto from the last three years. They all seemed to notice my mood change and shared looks. What's new? I felt so secluded, like all I really was, was a burden.

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"Mind if I sit here? I don't think I can handle talking to them anymore." I laughed as I stood in front of the boys' drummer. Josh smiled knowingly and nodded. I fell into the seat next to him, feeling fidgety. It was only four hours into the flight but I was itching to be able to really move around.

"How are you doing?" Josh asked, putting his book down and turning towards me. 

"Good. What are you reading?" I changed subjects, really not needing another person inquiring after my health. I was completely fine.

"The Hunger Games." Josh replied, holding up the cover of the book. 

"What's it about?" I settled myself more comfortably into the seat. I was very thankful for first class.

"Wow, um, I don't know exactly how to explain it.. Basically, there are twelve districts and the capital.. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district become tributes. They get put in an arena and fight to the death until only one is left. The whole story is about Katniss, who volunteers for her sister." Josh tried to explain, but I ended up just more confused.

"I think I'll have to read it for myself in order to understand.." I laughed.

"I have the first book, if you want to borrow it." Josh offered with a smile. I almost swooned, he had a really nice smile. And a really nice face.

"That'd be awesome!" I replied with a grin. There was an awkward silence as we both searched for something else to talk about. "It's really awkward having to ask this, but are we friends? Do we ever talk? Is me sitting with you really awkward?"

"We're not exactly close, we've had a few conversations. You mostly stick with the boys and their girlfriends when they visit." He stated, "But it's not awkward sitting with you."

"Okay, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable or anything.." I sighed, resting my head against the seat. 

"It must really suck." Josh said quietly after another silence.

"What?" I turned to look at him, confused.

"Not remembering anything." Josh shrugged.

"It does. The worst is people having to tell me about myself. I know I need it, but it's just like.. It's really weird having people telling you things you did. I have no recollection of anything they tell me I did! I feel like I have to take everyone's word, knowing I don't know anything about my life anymore.. Then Louis, he's my brother and I love him a lot. But he treats me as if I'm a fragile little child, which I most definitely am not. I just really wish I would remember already. What happens if I never remember? I know they're hiding things from me, I just really want to know what.." I rambled. I caught myself, suddenly blushing. "Oh god, I'm so sorry.. I just totally like ranted to you.."

"It's fine. You can talk to me." Josh reassured me. "I bet it's frustrating. They're only doing what they think is best, this whole thing is having a different effect on each one of them. This isn't exactly normal for any of us, so we're not completely sure how we should act around you. I know that sounds horrible, but it's true. I promise you that they'll always be there for you, though."

"Thanks, Josh. I didn't realize how much I needed to talk to someone, but I guess I really did.. It just all bottles itself in my chest, you know? I feel like I'm a ticking time bomb, ready to blow up at any minute."

"You can always come to me, I've been told I'm a really good listener." He winked.

"I'm going to take you up on that, you know that right?" I said teasingly.

"Sounds good. But before we have any more deep talks, I have to introduce you to the most addicting game ever." Josh stated before ruffling through his bag. I watched on with raised eyebrows as he pulled out his iPhone and unlocked it.

"What the hell is Angry Birds? It doesn't sound very fun." I said comprehensively.

"Believe me, it's addicting as hell. You use the birds to hit the little green things," Josh explained, doing an example.

"Yeah right, I doubt it's that fun."

I was wrong.

***************************

"Welcome to Australia!" Sixteen hours later and I swear, hearing that almost made me cry. I was about to murder every single one of the boys. Seriously though, a girl can only take so many cheeky jokes. Luckily, I had been able to fall asleep for half the flight. The other half was spent wondering if this counted as some sort of punishment. All the boys, except Zayn, just babbled on and on. Zayn had fallen asleep immediately, and only awoke to eat. A few more times I had escaped and went to sit with Josh, either playing Angry Birds or discussing The Hunger Games. He was pretty cool and made me laugh with his corny sentences. I seriously was glad to have made a friend that I hadn't exactly been close with previously. It was nice that he didn't seem to know everything about me already.

"Brook can come with me, so she doesn't have to deal with the paps." Josh suggested as we all grabbed our things.

"Why aren't you going with them?" I questioned, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

"We're going through the same walkway, just at different times." Liam explained. 

"Yeah, you can go with Josh." Lou said as Paul started to lead us off the plane. Liam and Zayn positioned themselves on each side of me, helping me hop towards the exit. Their strong arms rested on my waist, as we slowly got to where my wheelchair was. I settled down and gave a small smile to thank them for their help. We all started our way to the back exit, since we couldn't go through the normal exit. We were all silent, worn out from the horribly long plane ride. Eventually we reached the door. Josh and I stayed back with the stylists and other band members. The five boys followed the security out, and I heard screams. 

"Weird to think that this is their life now." I commented offhandedly as we all kind of stood around and waited.

"It's definitely different. That's why we always leave after they do, otherwise we all need earplugs." Josh laughed.

"I still do, they're crazy loud!" Dan, who I guess was their guitarist, said.

"They freak out over you more than us, though." Josh smirked, the others agreeing.

"Why?" I scrunched up my eyebrows. 

"You're Louis Tomlinson's sister. Plus, they all adore you. You've pretty much won them over while traveling with them- Sorry, I'm telling you what you did.." Josh caught himself, looking at me as if waiting for me to get mad.

"I'm Louis Tomlinson's sister? Woah! No way!" I teased jokingly instead. Something about Josh just made everything seem okay.

"Ready to go?" A security guard asked us. We all nodded, Josh taking over Niall's job at the back of my wheelchair. We all started out the door, flashes meeting us, along with really loud screams. I spotted lots of girls, all holding up signs and taking pictures as we made our way to the waiting van. I spotted a sign that said 'I love Niall and Brook.' I was confused as to why they put my name with Niall's, but simply smiled at them. I tried my best to ignore all the yells, until I heard one that stood out.

"I love you, Brook! You and Niall are perfect together!"

And suddenly, the puzzle pieces fell together.