The next day, my plan was to stay inside all day, forget about the rest of the world and slip into a break of relaxation. I never get my way. I got maybe an extra hour of sleep before my phone started to quack. Harry was already gone, as well as the rest of the guys. I’m pretty sure the girls are downstairs doing boring things. I wiped strands of hair out of my face and answered the incoming phone call.

“Hello?”

“Hi, this is Mark Davis. I’m calling in regards to Drew Mattingly’s will. Could I please speak to a Harmony Mattingly?”

My eyes popped out in shock, and I scrambled out of the covers and stood up in anticipation. “This is she.”

“Right, Ms. Mattingly, your brother’s last will and testimony have been found. There will be a reading tomorrow, the second, at his residence. As your name is included in the will, we find it mandatory that you attend. Will this be possible for you?” The man’s voice was completely serious. I nodded my head but realized that he couldn’t see me when he didn’t respond.

“Yes, I’ll be there. At what time exactly?” My voice is shaky in contrast to his. I wasn’t even aware that Drew had a will, but I guess that’s what happens when you don’t pay attention to what is happening in their surroundings.

“Excellent. The reading will start at 9AM sharp. We will see you soon, Ms. Mattingly.”

I hung up the phone and took a deep breath, running my fingers through my hair. This is really happening. Drew is dead. He has a will. I’m included in it. There’s a reading tomorrow. That pretty much summarizes my thoughts. I quickly throw my hair up into a high ponytail and make my way down the steps.

“Good morning. How’d it go with Romeo yesterday?” Dani bats her eyelashes at me.

“Romeo?” I ask then mentally face palm myself. “Of course, you mean Harry… Um. Everything’s okay I guess. I explained… well, everything to him. Feels good that it’s off my chest.”

She nods. “We’re going out for breakfast in a bit. Wanna join us?”

“With a high chance of being bombarded by the paparazzi… I don’t think so.” She gives me a pleading look. “I’m going to have to pass, but thanks for the offer.”

“Suit yourself. We’ll bring you back something, ‘kay?”

“Okay.”

~

I turn my head at the sound of laughter. The boys’ deep voices boom throughout the living room where I lay alone on the couch. The girls decided to go out again, but I wasn’t in the mood and resorted to staring at the ceiling fan.

“Harmony!” Louis yells excitedly and jumps onto section of couch that is vacant. I laugh and stretch my neck back to look at his face.

“Hey Lou,” I go with.

“Where is everyone else?” Liam asks as he lifts my feet and replaces their position to rest on his lap.

I shrug. “Out I guess.”

“Well why didn’t you go with them?” Harry asks and he does the same as Liam but with my head.

“Is that just a way of saying you don’t want me here? Harry, I’m hurt,” I say and hold my hand to my heart, the other to my forehead.

He chuckles. “No, not at all. I always want you to be with me, but I don’t like the fact that they left you all by yourself.”

“They didn’t leave me; I decided not to go. I’ve got some stuff on my mind…” They all look at me in confusion, eager eyes urging me to continue my thought. “So I got a call this morning an-”

The front door opens up; once again laughter fills the room. This time, the voices are more high pitch and squeakier than the last. We turn our heads to the girls, multiple shopping bags in their hands.

Bags are dropped as they rush to unite with their respective lovers. I make a face of disgust with all the mushy gushy love scenarios going around but smile when my eyes meet Harry’s. His smile shines down on me, recovering from the slight bit of laughing he produced when I scrunched up my face. I smile back and lean up to give him a kiss before lying back down.

“Lovely for you to be accompanying us this fine evening, ladies. Harmony was just in the middle of telling us something. Whether it be important, I’m not sure yet…” Louis speaks up.

“Wait!” Diane says. “I have some news as well, and I’d appreciate it if I could go first.” I nod at her, glad that she’s stalled me some time. “I’m leaving in a week.”

“What?”

“That’s absurd!”

“Why?”

The room broke out into phrases of argument. I was shocked too, but I stayed silent. Niall looked like he was about to break down. Hailey started to burst into tears at the sudden disruption in her sleep. El ran out of the room to attend to her while the rest of the group was left to settle disputes.

“Calm down! I haven’t even finished what I was saying.” The room stabled and Diane started her explanation. “To start with, I just want to say that I really don’t want to leave, but I have to. Niall,” she turned to face him, “before I met you I was in college, studying for my career.

“When I met you, I dropped everything and moved to London. My parents weren’t very happy with my decision of letting a boy get in between my education. I didn’t want to give up my knowledge either, so I made a promise to them that after a year, I would go back and continue courses. School is starting soon, and I have to leave. Please don’t be mad at me…”

Niall was slowly letting the tears fall. “I’m not mad at you… I’m just sad that you’re telling me just now. I’ve only got a week left with you, but I’m proud that you still care about your education. I don’t want to be in between that.”

“Thank you. I love you, Ni.”

“We love you too!” Dani interrupted their sob moment and gave Diane a hug. The rest of us congratulated Diane as well for embarking her dreams of studying to do whatever it is she’s studying to be… Then, the room was quiet again and all eyes are on me.

“Um... right. I was telling the guys that I got a call this morning… It was some guys calling ‘in regards’ to my brother’s will. I have to attend the reading tomorrow.” Everyone remained silent. “That’s it,” I whispered.

Harry pulled me up and into a hug. I sat on his lap and buried my face deep into the crook of his neck. “Do you want me to go with you? I can always take an off day if you need me.”

I shake my head. “No. This is something I need to attend to alone.”

He nods and other people are saying things to me, but I can’t really hear them.

~

The nest morning I wake up early, but not early enough to beat Harry because his eyes are the first things I see. He smiles when my eyes fully open. I frown. He frowns and pulls me into another hug. I wrap my arms around his waist and pull his body closer to mine. I don’t ever want to let him go.

“You have to get ready. You have to leave soon,” he says. I want to protest but I know he’s right. He kisses my forehead and pulls away, leaving me to get out of bed.

When I fully rise, I take a quick shower and throw on something that isn’t too formal, but not to casual. On my way out I say goodbye to everyone and they wish me luck. Before I know it, I’m on my way to the reading of my deceased brother’s will. Someone help me.

Notes

Is this chapter shitty?
Yes.
Will it get better?
Of course it will.
So it's a bit late, but in my defense, no one told me we were going to visit my grandma. Still, I got something up. It's something alright... ~A